title: Factors affecting the quality of life among Chinese rural general residents: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The brief version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) is widely used for evaluating the personal subjective quality of life (QOL) of patients and particular populations. However, in the absence of sufficient studies among the general population, normative data for WHOQOL-BREF remain scarce. To fill this gap, the present study explored more sociodemographic and health-related factors affecting the QOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 11,351 participants aged ≥35 years in rural areas of Liaoning Province were screened with a stratified cluster multistage sampling scheme in 2012-2013. Anthropometric measurements, laboratory examinations, and self-reported information on disease history were collected by trained personnel. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to explore the association between multiple factors and QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Females and single/widowed subjects had lower QOL scores than males and married/cohabiting subjects, respectively. Total QOL scores and scores for each domain decreased as age increased, but a positive correlation was found between age and the environmental domain score. Participants with higher annual incomes, education levels, and activity levels had higher QOL scores. In the regression model, the coefficient for stroke was -2.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] -2.64, -1.71) for the total QOL score. For a one-level increase in depression level, the total QOL score decreased by 5.62 (95% CI -5.83 to -5.42), physical domain score decreased by 1.63 (95% CI -1.69 to -1.58), and psychological domain score decreased by 1.81 (95% CI -1.87 to -1.75).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Socio-economic status including marital status is highly related to QOL. Regarding chronic diseases, stroke is an important factor of QOL and depressive symptoms have a strong negative relationship with QOL.
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. Electronic address: yxsun@cmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Depression; General population; Quality of life; WHOQOL-BREF