[Quality of life in noninstitutionalized persons older than 65 years in two health care districts in Madrid].
OBJECTIVE
To describe self-perceived health status and quality of life in noninstitutionalized persons older than 65 years in two health care districts in Madrid (central Spain).


METHODS
Descriptive study based on home interviews by investigators trained in the administration of the questionnaires.


METHODS
Health care districts 2 and 4 in Madrid; community level.


METHODS
Of a sample of 2002 persons older than 65 years residing in private homes, we obtained 911 valid questionnaires.


METHODS
Description and stratification by age group and sex, for sociodemographic variables, economic resources, social and familial support, physical and mental health, functional capacity and results on the EuroQol and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaires.


RESULTS
Mean age, 74.7 years (95% CI, 74.3%75.1%); women, 59.7% (95% CI, 56.4%-62.9%); no formal education, 41% (95% CI, 37.7%-44.2%); social classes I and II, 38.3% (95% CI, 35.1%-41.6%). Self-perceived health status good or very good, 52.1% (95% CI, 48.8%-55.4%), 57.5% (95% CI, 52.2%-62.6%) in men and 48.4% (95% CI, 44.2%-52.7%) in women. Mean scores on the NHP were: energy, 21.1 (95% CI, 18.9%23.2%); pain, 25.6 (95% CI, 23.6%27.6%); physical mobility, 28 (95% CI, 26.4%29.7%); sleep, 31.8 (95% CI, 29.4%34.1%); emotional reaction, 24.5 (95% CI, 22.8%26.3%); social isolation, 10.9 (95% CI, 9.6%12.1%). The percentages of persons with problems according to the EuroQol instrument were: mobility, 21.3% (95% CI, 18.7%-24.1%); self-care, 7.7% (95% CI, 6.1%-9.7%); usual activities, 19.9% (95% CI, 17.4%-22.7%); pain/discomfort, 38.2% (95% CI, 35%-41.4%); anxiety/depression, 27% (95% CI, 24.1%-30%). Both the NHP and the EuroQol instrument identified more problems in women than in men, and in persons older than 80 years compared to persons younger than 80 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Women had a worse perceived health status and quality of life than men. Persons older than 80 years scored worse on the NHP and the EuroQol, but did not perceive their health status to be worse.
Azpiazu Garrido
M
M
Gerencia de Atención Primaria. Talavera de la Reina. Toledo. España. mazpiazug@nexo.es
Cruz Jentoft
A
A
Villagrasa Ferrer
J R
JR
Abanades Herranz
J C
JC
García Marín
N
N
Alvarez De Mon Rego
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires