Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older People with Functional and Nutritional Impairment and Depressive Symptoms: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil and Portugal
Jéssica Maria Arouca de Miranda,
Dalyanna Mildred de Oliveira Viana,
Anderson Antônio Lima dos Santos,
Áquila Filêmon de Andrade Costa,
Bruno Araújo da Silva Dantas,
Francisco Arnoldo Nunes de Miranda,
Felismina Rosa Parreira Mendes,
Gilson de Vasconcelos Torres
Affiliations
Jéssica Maria Arouca de Miranda
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Avenida Governador Silvio Pedroza, 306, Areia Preta. Ed Portal da Enseada, ap 100, Natal 59014-100, RN, Brazil
Dalyanna Mildred de Oliveira Viana
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua Piquia, 7932, Pitimbu, Natal 59067-580, RN, Brazil
Anderson Antônio Lima dos Santos
Department of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua Cantor Carlos Alexandre, Lagoa Azul, Natal 59138-623, RN, Brazil
Áquila Filêmon de Andrade Costa
Department of Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua Cerejeiras, 1914-Potengi, Natal 59120-300, RN, Brazil
Bruno Araújo da Silva Dantas
Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde do Trairi, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua Alice Azevedo, 30, Natal 59080-015, RN, Brazil
Francisco Arnoldo Nunes de Miranda
Departamento de Enfermagem, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Av. Ayrton Senna, 10, Capim Macio, Natal 59080-100, RN, Brazil
Felismina Rosa Parreira Mendes
Escola de Enfermagem São João de Deus, University of Évora, Largo dos Colegiais 2, 7004-516 Évora, Portugal
Gilson de Vasconcelos Torres
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Rua das Massarandubas, 292, Nova Parnamirim, Parnamirim 59150-630, RN, Brazil
Background: The interaction of quality of life (QoL) with functionality, nutrition and depression has been studied, but few studies have compared different realities. Our objective was to compare the associations of QoL with impaired functionality, nutritional status and depressive symptoms among older people patients treated in primary health care (PHC) in Brazil and Portugal. Methods: Cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted with primary data from PHC services in Brazil and Portugal with users over 65 years old. Participants’ scores were classified as “impaired” and “preserved” for QoL, functional decline, nutrition and depression. We used Pearson’s chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Our sample had a total of 150 PHC users. We found lower QoL scores in Brazil, which were associated with the risk of functional decline for the domains Physical Functioning, General Health Perceptions, Mental Health dimensions and Physical Health. Nutritional impairment in the group from Portugal included the domains of Vitality and Social Role Functioning. For depressive impairment, Portugal showed an association with the domains Mental Health, Vitality and Social Role Functioning. Conclusions: QoL was associated with functional and nutritional impairment and depressive symptoms, highlighting physical, mental and social characteristics related to the perception of well-being.
