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Change in quality of life of medically hospitalized patients – A one-year follow-up study

Objectives: To examine changes in quality of life (QOL) among elderly medically hospitalized patients one year after hospitalization, and to explore factors associated with the changes. Methods: A one-year follow-up study included 363 (175 men) medical inpatients with age range 65–98 (mean 80.2, SD 7.5) years. Information was collected at baseline and follow-up using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire assessing the physical, psychological, social and environment domain of QOL as the dependent variable, and the Mini-Mental State Examination, Lawton and Brody's scales for physical self-maintenance and instrumental activities of daily living, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and assistance in living as the independent variables. Results: The mean score of the physical domain of QOL had increased (mean change 0.6, SD 2.5; p < 0.01); the mean score of the environmental domain had decreased (mean change −2.1, SD 1.2; p < 0.01); and, the mean scores of the psychological and social domains of QOL were unchanged (mean change −0.2, SD 1.8 and mean change −0.1, SD 1.5, respectively) at follow-up. Improved individual QOL at a one-year follow-up was associated with improved health (cognitively, physically and emotionally) after hospitalization, and with health situation at baseline. Being in need of assistance was associated with reduced QOL. Conclusion: Good cognitive, physical and emotional health at baseline and follow-up were associated with improved QOL in previously hospitalized elderly patients independent of their need for assistance in living.