open access

Vol 11, No 2 (2017)
Research paper
Published online: 2017-10-12
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Analysis of the quality of life of patients in the advanced phase of chronic diseases

Weronika Ciećko1, Ewa Bandurska2, Marzena Zarzeczna-Baran2, Alicja Siemińska3
Medycyna Paliatywna w Praktyce 2017;11(2):84-90.
Affiliations
  1. SKN Ekonomika i Zarządzanie w Ochronie Zdrowia, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny
  2. Zakład Zdrowia Publicznego i Medycyny Społecznej, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny
  3. Klinika Alergologii, Gdański Uniwestytet Medyczny

open access

Vol 11, No 2 (2017)
Research paper
Published online: 2017-10-12

Abstract

Introduction. Quality of life is a multidimensional and subjectively perceived phenomenon. Reduced quality of life is usually seen in patients, especially in advanced phase of chronic disease. This is due to number of factors such as limitation of self-reliance or pain. The aim of this work was to analyze the quality of life of people suffering from chronic illnesses in their advanced phase.

Patients and methods. In the study we included 81 patients with advanced chronic diseases (especially cancer). The average age was 72 years. The group consisted mainly of women (N=51; 63%). The study was conducted in 4 hospices in the Pomeranian Voivodship. A standardized EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was used to carry out the study.

Results. The analysis of EQ-5D-5L parameters showed worse quality of life for all respondents, with 38.3% of people who were unable to move on their own and 39.5% who had limited self-care capabilities, e.g., they required total help with daily personal hygiene. The 69.2% of respondents complained about the inability to do usual household or professional activities. Approximately 32.1% patients suffered from pain of strong or very strong intensity. In contrast, moderate anxiety and depression was experienced by 21% of patients and 7.4% of respondents, respectively. The cumulative analysis of the results of EQ-5D-5L questionnaire has shown that the factor most negatively affecting quality of life is the inability to perform normal activities (4.11 points).

Conclusion. All factors included in the questionnaire have an impact on the quality of life of patients di­agnosed with advanced chronic diseases. However, the ability to perform usual activities has the greatest negative impact on patients’ quality of life.

Abstract

Introduction. Quality of life is a multidimensional and subjectively perceived phenomenon. Reduced quality of life is usually seen in patients, especially in advanced phase of chronic disease. This is due to number of factors such as limitation of self-reliance or pain. The aim of this work was to analyze the quality of life of people suffering from chronic illnesses in their advanced phase.

Patients and methods. In the study we included 81 patients with advanced chronic diseases (especially cancer). The average age was 72 years. The group consisted mainly of women (N=51; 63%). The study was conducted in 4 hospices in the Pomeranian Voivodship. A standardized EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was used to carry out the study.

Results. The analysis of EQ-5D-5L parameters showed worse quality of life for all respondents, with 38.3% of people who were unable to move on their own and 39.5% who had limited self-care capabilities, e.g., they required total help with daily personal hygiene. The 69.2% of respondents complained about the inability to do usual household or professional activities. Approximately 32.1% patients suffered from pain of strong or very strong intensity. In contrast, moderate anxiety and depression was experienced by 21% of patients and 7.4% of respondents, respectively. The cumulative analysis of the results of EQ-5D-5L questionnaire has shown that the factor most negatively affecting quality of life is the inability to perform normal activities (4.11 points).

Conclusion. All factors included in the questionnaire have an impact on the quality of life of patients di­agnosed with advanced chronic diseases. However, the ability to perform usual activities has the greatest negative impact on patients’ quality of life.

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Keywords

hospice care, quality of life, patient in the advanced phase of disease, EQ-5D-5L

About this article
Title

Analysis of the quality of life of patients in the advanced phase of chronic diseases

Journal

Palliative Medicine in Practice

Issue

Vol 11, No 2 (2017)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

84-90

Published online

2017-10-12

Page views

549

Article views/downloads

7646

Bibliographic record

Medycyna Paliatywna w Praktyce 2017;11(2):84-90.

Keywords

hospice care
quality of life
patient in the advanced phase of disease
EQ-5D-5L

Authors

Weronika Ciećko
Ewa Bandurska
Marzena Zarzeczna-Baran
Alicja Siemińska

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