Burden of disease, symptoms and self-rated health among frail elderly people

Abstract

ABSTRACT Title: BURDEN OF DISEASE, SYMPTOMS AND SELF-RATED HEALTH AMONG FRAIL ELDERLY PEOPLE Degree Project thesis, programme in Medicine by Bodil Ternrud. Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, department of health and rehabilitation, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden 2016. Background: Frail elderly people are especially vulnerable to diseases and functional loss. The frailty syndrome is linked to age-associated physiological decline. Continuity in care and social support has been beneficial for this group regarding functional abilities and life satisfaction. Still, these frail elderly people are frequently patients at emergency wards and often hospitalized. Aims: This study investigates the disease-burden, symptoms and self-rated health among frail elderly people and aims to understand their special needs. Methods: A study population of 161 elderly people living at home, were recruited when seeking care at the emergency department of Mölndal hospital. Data was collected regarding several variables; Measurements of frailty indicators, illness according to the Cumulative illness rating scale for geriatrics (CIRS-G), symptoms according to The Göteborg Quality of Life (GQL)-instrument and Self-rated health. Results: This defined group of frail elderly people were all chronically ill, and a majority (68.4%) were also affected by severe chronic illness, according to CIRS-G. They had multiple diseases and a high amount of symptoms according to the GQL-instrument. Pains in some form were the most common symptom (88.8%). The frail persons had lower Self-rated health compared to the not frail elderly people. The different methods of measuring disease-burden showed a correlation of results. Conclusions: Frail elderly people are affected by multiple, chronic and severe diseases. They have a high burden of symptoms and low self-rated health. This indicates that frail elderly people have special needs that require qualified medical attention, including appropriate clinical assessment, treatment and follow up.