Tea consumption and health-related quality of life in older adults

Background

Although tea consumption has been reported to have various health benefits in humans, its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated directly. We aimed to examine the relationship between tea consumption and HRQOL among older Chinese adults.

Methods

We analyzed community-based cross-sectional data of 5,557 older Chinese individuals aged 60 years or older who participated in the Weitang Geriatric Diseases study. Information on tea consumption and HRQOL assessed by the European Quality of Life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) were collected by questionnaires. We estimated the relationship of tea consumption and the EQ-5D index score using linear regression models and the association between tea consumption and self-reported EQ-5D health problems using logistic regression models.

Results

The EQ-5D index score was higher for habitual tea drinkers than their counterparts. In multivariate linear analyses controlling for socio-demographic conditions, health conditions, and lifestyle habits, the differences in ED-5D index score between individuals with and without tea drinking habits was 0.012 (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.017). In multivariate logistic analyses, habitual tea drinking was inversely associated with reporting of problems in EQ-5D dimensions mobility (odds ration [OR], 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23-0.84); pain/discomfort (OR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61-0.90); and anxiety/depression (OR, 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38-0.97). These associations were more evident for black or oolong tea than green tea.

Conclusion

Habitual tea consumption was associated with better HRQOL in older adults.

     

Cancer, comorbidities, and health-related quality of life of older adults

This study examined the physical and mental health of 126,685 males and females age 65 or over, with and without cancer that completed a Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) between 1998-2002. Cancer information was ascertained through the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program and linked to MHOS data. Results indicated that across most cancer types, cancer patients reported significantly more comorbid conditions and poorer physical and mental health compared with patients without cancer. Negative associations were most pronounced in those with two or more comorbidities and in those diagnosed with cancer within the past year.     

Exposure to traumatic events and health-related quality of life in preschool-aged children

Purpose

To examine the association of lifetime exposure to traumatic events with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychosocial health in children aged 3 through 5 years.

Methods

This study is a community-based, cross-sectional survey of 170 children and their parents. Traumatic events were assessed by the Traumatic Events Screening Inventory—Parent Report Revised using criteria for potentially traumatic events in young childhood outlined by the Zero to Three working group. HRQOL of young children was measured using the 97-item Infant/Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire, and psychosocial health was measured using the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5–5.

Results

One hundred and twenty-three (72 %) of children had experienced at least one type of trauma event. Children who had been exposed to 1–3 types of trauma and those exposed to 4 or more types of trauma had significantly worse HRQOL and psychosocial health than children not exposed to trauma. Significant effect sizes between children exposed to low levels or high levels of traumatic events and children not exposed to trauma ranged from small to large.

Conclusions

Exposure to traumatic events in early childhood is associated with less positive HRQOL and psychosocial health. Cumulative trauma exposure led to significant effects in outcome variables in this population. Interventions to decrease trauma exposure and to reduce significant stress in early childhood associated with exposure to trauma may be appropriate strategies for preventing negative health conditions throughout the life span.     

BMI and health-related quality of life in adults 65 years and older

OBJECTIVE: To examine relationships of BMI with health-related quality of life in adults 65 years and older. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: In 1996, a health survey was mailed to all surviving participants > or = 65 years old from the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry Study (1967 to 1973). The response rate was 60%, and the sample included 3981 male and 3099 female respondents. BMI (kilograms per meter squared) was classified into four groups: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25.0 to 29.9), and obese (> or = 30.0). Main outcome measures were Health Status Questionnaire-12 scores (ranging from 0 to 100) assessing eight domains: health perception, physical functioning, role limitations-physical, bodily pain, energy/fatigue, social functioning, role limitations-mental, and mental health. The higher the score, the better the outcome. RESULTS: With adjustment for age, race, education, smoking, and alcohol intake, obesity was associated with lower health perception and poorer physical and social functioning (women only) but not impaired mental health. Overweight was associated with impaired physical well-being among women only. Both underweight men and women reported impairment in physical, social, and mental well-being. For example, multivariable-adjusted health perception domain scores for women were 50.8 (underweight), 62.7 (normal weight), 60.5 (overweight), and 52.1 (obese), respectively. Associations weakened but remained significant with further adjustment for comorbidities. DISCUSSION: Compared with normal-weight people, both underweight and obese older adults reported impaired quality of life, particularly worse physical functioning and physical well-being. These results reinforce the importance of normal body weight in older age.     

Adolescent health-related quality of life and perceived satisfaction with life

Purpose: To explore the relationship between perceived satisfaction with life and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a state-wide sample of 13–18-year-old adolescents (n=4914) in South Carolina, USA. Methods: Questions were added to the self-report Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) asking about perceived life satisfaction in six domains (self, family, friends, living environment, school, and overall) and HRQOL (self-rated health; and the number of poor physical health days, poor mental days, and activity limitation days during the past 30 days). Results: Adjusted logistic regression analyses and multivariate models constructed separately revealed that self-rated health, poor physical days (past 30 days), poor mental health days (past 30 days), and activity limitation days (past 30 days) were significantly related (p < 0.05) to reduced life satisfaction, regardless of race or gender. Moreover, as the number of reported poor health days increased, the greater the odds of reporting life dissatisfaction. Conclusions: This is the first study to document the relationship between poor physical health and perceived life satisfaction. This adds to the mounting evidence that life satisfaction is related to a variety of adolescent health behaviors and that life satisfaction may add additional information in longitudinal databases that track adolescent health because it appears to be related to HRQOL.     

Depressive symptoms,physical symptoms,and health-related quality of life among older adults with HIV

Quality of Life Research - In the United States, approximately 45% of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are ≥ 50&nbsp;years of age. Many older PLHIV have multi-morbidities that...     

Activities of daily living, chronic medical conditions, and health-related quality of life in older adults

This study investigated associations between chronic medical conditions, activities of daily living (ADL), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Our findings suggest that the number of ADL limitations reported by older adults is associated with their HRQOL. Findings from our analyses also suggest that the association between having multiple comorbid conditions and HRQOL is stronger for those with no ADL limitations than those with at least some limitations. These data will aid practitioners in determining the relative importance of chronic medical conditions and ADL limitations on HRQOL and demonstrate how ADL limitations and comorbid conditions may differentially impact HRQOL.     

Demographics,social position,dental status and oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults

Purpose

To identify demographic, socioeconomic and dental clinical predictors of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in elderly people.

Methods

Cross-sectional study involving 613 elderly people aged 65–74 years in Manaus, Brazil. Interviews and oral examinations were carried out to collect demographic characteristics (age and sex) and socioeconomic data (income and education), dental clinical measures (DMFT, need of upper and lower dentures) and OHRQoL (GOHAI questionnaire). Structural equation modelling was used to estimate direct and indirect pathways between the variables.

Results

Being older predicted lower schooling but higher income. Higher income was linked to better dental status, which was linked to better OHRQoL. There were also indirect pathways. Age and education were linked to OHRQoL, mediated by clinical dental status. Income was associated with dental clinical status via education, and income predicted OHRQoL via education and clinical measures.

Conclusion

Our findings elucidate the complex pathways between individual, environmental factors and clinical factors that may determine OHRQoL and support the application of public health approaches to improve oral health in older people.

     

Psychosocial adaptation status and health-related quality of life among older Chinese adults with visual disorders

Purpose  To examine the association of psychosocial adaptation status with vision-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the role of psychosocial adaptation in the linkage between visual impairment and vision-specific HRQOL outcomes among older adults with visual disorders. Design and methods  In this cross-sectional study, older urban adults with visual problems (N = 167) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess their self-reported visual function, general health, psychosocial adaptation status, and vision-specific HRQOL. Performance-based measure of visual function marked by distance visual acuity was clinically conducted by ophthalmologists. Results  It was found in the study that psychosocial adaptation status was significantly associated with vision-specific HRQOL, including the domains of mental health symptoms due to vision and dependency on others due to vision. The results also showed that psychosocial adaptation status could buffer the effect of visual impairment on vision-specific HRQOL, including the domains of social function, mental health, and dependency. Conclusion  Psychosocial adaptation status is significantly associated with multiple domains of vision-specific HRQOL. The findings have significant implications for health education and psychosocial intervention for older adults with age-related vision loss.     

Use of senior center and the health-related quality of life in Korean older adults

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the use of senior center and health-related quality of life in Korean older adults.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted to two types of older adults who lived in Busan, Korea: 154 older adults who used a senior center and 137 older adults who did not use a senior center. The Korean version of short-form 36-item health survey was administered to assess the health-related quality of life. Demographic variables were obtained from a questionnaire. These were gender, age, family status, marital status, education, monthly income, present illness, body mass index and physical activity.

Results

The 8-domain scales of physical function and role-physical were significantly higher in the users of the senior center compared with the non-users (F=4.87, p=0.027 and F=7.02, p=0.009, respectively). The 8-domain scales of vitality was also significantly higher in the users of the senior center compared with the non-users (F=7.48, p=0.007).

Conclusions

The present study showed that the users of the senior center have higher physical function, role-physical and vitality compared with the non-users. These findings suggest that although the results are unable to specify causal relationships using the senior center may lead to some improvement in health-related quality of life.     

Association between frailty and family functionality on health-related quality of life in older adults

Quality of Life Research - To investigate the longitudinal association between frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults and to examine whether family functionality...     

Relationship among sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults

The authors examined the association among sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life in a sample of community participants. They predicted that quality of life would be positivity correlated with sexual satisfaction and that sexual desire would indirectly influence quality of life. This research showed that elderly adults' sexual desire and sexual satisfaction decrease with age and that nearly 40% of the interviewees still had sexual activity one or more times every month. The results revealed that sexual desire does not directly influence quality of life, but it does have a direct effect on sexual satisfaction; hence, sexual satisfaction will indirectly affect quality of life.     

Change in health-related quality of life as a predictor of mortality in the older adults

Purpose  

We examined whether changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL) predict subsequent mortality among the Spanish elderly.     

Social network and health-related quality of life in older adults: A population-based study in Spain

This study examined the association between social network and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in older adults and compared this against the association between HRQL and a disabling disease such as osteoarthritis. A cross-sectional survey was done on 3600 subjects representative of the Spanish non-institutionalised population aged 60 years and over. Data were collected through home-based personal interview and physical examination. HRQL was measured with the SF-36 health questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with multiple linear regression models with adjustment for the main confounders. Of the total sample, 38.6 of subjects were unmarried, 17.6 were living alone, 4.7 saw their family seldom or never, and 2.9 saw their friends seldom or never. Unmarried status and living alone were associated with lower scores in the social and mental quality-of-life components, though statistical significance was not in general attained (p > 0.05). Seeing family members seldom or never was associated (p < 0.05) with worse scores in the following scales of SF-36 questionnaire role-physical, body pain, general health and mental health. HRQL was lower among those who saw friends seldom or never, and the reduction in HRQL proved similar to that associated with osteoarthritis, on the physical functioning (coefficients –8.4 vs. –8.1) and general health scales (–7.8 vs. –6.6); the reduction in HRQL was even greater than that associated with osteoarthritis for other scales, such as vitality (–9.6 vs. –6.7; p > 0.05) and social functioning (–14.5 vs. –3.7; p < 0.05). We conclude that only a small proportion of Spains elderly population lack frequent social relationships, yet low frequency of relationships with friends is associated with a decline in quality of life similar to or greater than that associated with osteoarthritis.     

Replacing sedentary time with physical activity: effects on health-related quality of life in older Japanese adults

Background

The isotemporal substitution (IS) approach can be used to assess the effect of replacing one activity with the equal duration of another activity on relevant outcomes. This study examined the associations of objectively assessed sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older Japanese adults, using the IS approach.

Methods

Participants were 287 older Japanese adults (aged 65–84?years) who wore accelerometers for at least 7 days. We calculated the average daily time spent in SB (≤1.5 METs); light-intensity PA (LPA: >?1.5 to <?3.0 METs); and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA: ≥3.0 METs) per day. HRQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-8 questionnaire.

Results

The IS models showed replacing SB or LPA with MVPA to be significantly associated with better physical component summary scores. Replacing SB with MVPA was marginally associated with better mental component summary scores.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that replacing SB with the same amount of MVPA may contribute to better physical HRQOL in older adults.

     

Impact of telemonitoring on older adults health-related quality of life: the Tele-ERA study

Purpose

Telemonitoring is being increasingly used for chronic disease monitoring. While the primary aim of telemonitoring is to improve chronic disease management and decrease hospitalizations, the potential impact on patient’s health-related quality of life may be an additional benefit.

Methods

Two hundred and five patients aged 60 years and older with multiple medical conditions were enrolled in a one-year randomized controlled trial of daily home telemonitoring. Health-related quality of life was measured with the 12-Item Short-Form at the beginning and at the completion of the study. Per protocol analysis of the 166 patients responding to the follow-up survey was performed.

Results

Among the 166 responders, there were no significant differences at baseline in the physical component summary (PCS) scores (p value = 0.32), nor the mental component summary (MCS) scores (p value = 0.12) between the telemonitored group and the usual care group. There was also no difference in the 12-month PCS scores (p value = 0.39) or MCS scores (p value = 0.10) between groups. There was no difference in the change from baseline to 12-month MCS scores between groups (p value = 0.89); however, there was a significant difference in the baseline to 12-month change of PCS scores between groups, with the telemonitored group having a greater decrease in PCS scores (?4.3 ± 9.3), compared to the usual care group (?1.2 ± 8.5) over the course of the study (p value = 0.03).

Conclusion

Home telemonitoring in older adults with multiple comorbidities does not significantly improve self-perception of mental well-being (as measured by MCS scores) and may worsen self-perception of physical health (as measured by PCS scores).     

Loneliness as a gender-specific predictor of physical and mental health-related quality of life in older adults

Quality of Life Research - Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older persons is influenced by physical and mental health, as well as by their social contacts and social support. Older women...     

Polypharmacy and trajectories of health-related quality of life in older adults: an Australian cohort study

Quality of Life Research - Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome measure when considering medical treatment; however, the impact of polypharmacy on trajectories of HRQoL...     

Social support and health-related quality of life among older adults--Missouri, 2000

Overall health can be influenced by multiple factors, including a person's psychological, behavioral, and social well-being. Studies have demonstrated an association between increased levels of social support and reduced risk for physical disease, mental illness, and mortality. Social support includes real or perceived resources provided by others that enable a person to feel cared for, valued, and part of a network of communication and mutual obligation. Social support can be critical for those older adults who rely on family, friends, or organizations to assist them with daily activities, provide companionship, and care for their well-being. The 1965 Older Americans Act recognized the need for social support by requiring that agencies on aging provide in-home services and group meals to foster social interactions. To examine how social support is related to health-related quality of life (HRQOL), CDC analyzed data from the 2000 Missouri Older Adults Needs Assessment Survey (MOANAS) of adults aged > or =60 years. This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that visits with friends or relatives, having close friends for emotional support, and the perception of help being available if sick or disabled were associated with better HRQOL and particularly with better mental health among older adults. Implementing effective prevention programs for older adults and encouraging interventions by agencies on aging can help improve HRQOL among older adults who have little social support.