Testing a Quality of Life Measure for Older Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Witham Miles D, Fulton Roberta L, Wilson Lucy, Leslie Carolyn A, McMurdo Marion ET
Primary Institution: University of Dundee
Hypothesis
To test the ease of use, reliability, responsiveness and construct validity of the Patient Generated Index in older people attending a Medicine for Older People Day Hospital.
Conclusion
The Patient Generated Index appears moderately reliable and easy to complete, but is poorly responsive to change, limiting its usefulness in clinical practice or research.
Supporting Evidence
- 75 patients were enrolled, mean age 81 years.
- Reliability was moderate with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.72.
- Patient Generated Index scores correlated with Functional Limitation Profile scores (r = 0.51, p < 0.001).
- The tool was poorly responsive to change, limiting its usefulness.
Takeaway
This study looked at a tool to measure how happy older patients are with their lives. It was easy for them to use, but it didn't show changes in their happiness very well.
Methodology
Prospective longitudinal study with questionnaires administered at baseline, one week later, and at the end of Day Hospital attendance.
Limitations
The study was conducted at a single center, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
{"mean_age":81,"gender_distribution":{"male":25,"female":50},"marital_status":{"single":5,"married":30,"widowed":40},"living_status":{"own_home":50,"sheltered_housing":25},"mean_number_of_comorbidities":7.7,"mean_number_of_medications":6.6}
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.54 to 0.84
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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