Developing a model for the study of quality of life in elderly patients with chronic disease: use of hypertension as an example.
The concept of quality of life (QOL) is multidimensional and complex, especially in regard to chronic disease and old age. The purpose of this study was to explore QOL in a population of elderly patients with hypertension and to suggest a technique for model building. The specific purpose of the study was to test the viability of a model for understanding how the treatment of hypertension affects QOL. Indicators of QOL and determinants of QOL were measured in a group of patients aged 60 years or older with hypertension. Correlation coefficients confirmed the hypothesized model. The confirmed model thus can be used to study other chronic diseases and to assess the QOL effects of treatment of chronic diseases.
Rice
S
S
Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912.
Miller
M D
MD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000465:Algorithms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001290:Attitude; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents