Solitary and combined negative influences of diabetes, obesity and hypertension on health-related quality of life of elderly individuals: A population-based cross-sectional study

AimsThe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a matter of concern in elderly people with chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of obesity, hypertension and diabetes on HRQoL among elderly.MethodsA population based cross sectional study was conducted with 750 representative sample of elderly people aged 60–90 years in Babol, the northern Iran. The demographic data and the measurement of blood pressure and other anthropometric measures were collected. The validated short form (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess the HRQoL. A multiple linear regression model was applied to assess the impact of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension and diabetes on QoL.ResultsThe mean age (SD) of participants was 68.0 ± 7.6 and 67.7 ± 7.9 years for men and women respectively. Diabetes exerted the most negative effect on QoL score (adjusted coefficient = −9.2, 95% CI: −11.7, −6.5 points) followed by abdominal obesity and hypertension. Whereas a combination of three conditions was associated with a greater significant reduction in QoL scores in both sexes(adjusted coefficient = −14.5, 95% CI: −19.0, −9.9 points). However, the negative influence of obesity and hypertension on QoL was significant only in women.ConclusionMost components of the QoL is affected by diabetes, obesity and hypertension particularly in women. Diabetes alone or in combination with other conditions has a negative influence in both sexes with greater effect in women. These findings justify further professional support to compensate the negative influences chronic conditions on health-related QoL especially for older obese diabetic women.