[Chronic patients at home. A descriptive and survival analysis at 2 years after the introduction of a home care program].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the group of chronic patients cared for at home and the frequency of visits, and to analyse their survival at two years.


METHODS
A longitudinal, descriptive study.


METHODS
Raval Nord Health District, Barcelona.


METHODS
All the 646 patients registered as chronically ill at home during the first two years of a programme of home care (May 1994 to 1996).


RESULTS
First, a descriptive analysis of the main characteristics of this population group was made, which showed that 66.6% were women and that its average age was 81 (SD, 11 years). Less autonomy meant a greater number of visits (p < 0.0001), both by the doctor and nursing staff. Nursing visits were mainly to attend bed-sores and Diabetes Mellitus. Loneliness was the greatest underlying reason for social workers' visits.


CONCLUSIONS
This was a very aged population group, with high mortality and requiring on-going home care. Autonomy was a good predictor both of the frequency of visits and of these patients' survival time.
Segura Noguera
J M
JM
EAP Raval Nord, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona.
Bastida Bastús
N
N
Martí Guadaño
N
N
Riba Romeva
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
Enfermos crónicos domiciliarios. Análisis descriptivo y de supervivencia a los 2 años de la implantación de un programa de atención domiciliaria.