Quality of life and frailty among hospitalized elderly patients

• Main Authors: Pedro Martins Faria, Flavia Aparecida Dias, Nayara Paula Fernandes Martins Molina, Janaína Santos Nascimento, Darlene Mara dos Santos Tavares
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Goias 2016-12-01
• Series: Revista Eletrônica de Enfermagem
• Subjects: Qualidade de Vida; Idoso Fragilizado; Hospitalização
• Online Access: https://revistas.ufg.br/fen/article/view/38214

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life of hospitalized elderly patients according to the frailty status. An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with 255 elderly patients in a city in the state of Minas Gerais. Fried frailty phenotype, WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-OLD, and a structured instrument were used for socioeconomic and clinical data. Descriptive analysis and ANOVA-F test (p<0.05) were conducted. Regardless of the frailty status, a prevalence of male patients, 60├70 years old, married, living with a partner, and with individual income of one minimum wage was observed. In relation to education, a prevalence of 1├4 years of education was observed among the frail patients; for pre-frail and non-frail patients this number increases to 4├8 years. Frail patients presented: significantly lower scores in the physical and environmental domains and social participation facet in comparison to the others, and significantly lower score in sensory functioning in relation to pre-frail patients. This study emphasizes the importance of directing actions in health to the most affected items among frail patients.