ABSTRACT

Objective:

In this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of socio-demographic characteristics and the change of cognitive functions to quality of life in elderly inidividuals.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 174 individuals (65 years and over) were included. Socio-demographic data, comorbidities, used chronic drugs and smoking were recorded. Cognitive functions were evaluated with Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Quality of life was evaluated with the SF-36 quality of life scale (SF-36 QOL).

Results:

The average age of patients was about 72.35±6.55. 104 (59.8%) of individuals were age from 65 to 74, and 70 (40.2%) of individuals were from 75 to 88. The mean of SF-36 QOL sub-groups physical and mental score of the individuals who are aged from 65 to 74 were found to be significantly higher than that of the mean SF-36 QOL sub-groups physical and mental score of the individuals who are aged from 74 to 88 (p<0.05). The mean MMSE of the individuals who are aged from75 to 88 were found significantly higher than the mean MMSE of the individuals who are aged from 65 to 74 individuals (p<0.05). Sex, occupation and smoking affected not only the physical scores but also the mental score, income status affected the physical scores, marital status and education level affected only the mental score. The numbers of used drugs and chronic illness affected only mental scores, did not affect physical score. In addition, a linear relationship was also found between the number of comorbid disease and used drugs, MMSE and age (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Advanced age, marital status, education level, income level, and poor cognitive level affected negatively the quality of life of elderly population. On the other hand, sex, occupation, smoking were not found to be affecting the quality of life. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2013;19: 69-73)