Assessing the health-related quality of life of the elderly in rural communities using the EuroQOL-5 dimensions

VernacularTitle:农村社区老年居民生活质量EQ-5D量表评价分析
Author: Yi ZHUGE ; Deling ZU ; Xiaotong WANG
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Elderly; Quality of life; EuroQol-5D scale; Rural communities
From: Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2015;37(4):258-261
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To assess the quality of life (QoL) of rural elderly persons using the health-related dimensions of the EuroQol-5 (EQ-5D) scale to analyze the scale's reliability and validity.Methods A total of 2575 elderly residents of Tongchun rural community in Kaihua county,Zhejiang Province,were surveyed using the instrument EQ-5D,and the visual analogue scale of EQ.They included 1027 with and 1548 without chronic disease.Results The mean total EQ-5D score was 6.49 ± 1.94 for the chronic disease group and 5.15 ± 0.44 for the healthy group.The corresponding average visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were 78.15 ± 17.26 and 91.47 ± 4.37,showing significant differences.About 75％ of the elderly respondents reported no difficulties in their living.There was strong correlation between the EQ-VAS scores and the scores on all the EQ-5D scale dimensions.Conclusion The health-related quality of life reported by the rural elderly using this scale seems quite good.The EQ-5D scale,with the EQ-VAS scale as a part of it,is one useful and effective tool for evaluating the health-related quality of life of the elderly in rural areas.