Korean J Geriatr Gerontol.  2014 Dec;15(2):75-81. 10.15656/kjcg.2014.15.2.75.

The Difference of EQ-5D Index between Living Alone and Non-living Alone in Non-cancer Elderly: Based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (K-NHANES) 2007∼2009

• Park JS
• Lee YJ

• KMID: 2566530
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15656/kjcg.2014.15.2.75

Abstract

Backgraond: As the population of the elderly has increased, elderly living alone are remarkably increased. Therefore, the quality of life for the elderly has become important issues. Thus, in this study we examined to find a certain extent of influence for the quality of life caused by living alone for the elderly.
Methods
The data of the 3,575 elderly more than 65yr conducted by the National Statistical Office (2007∼2009) was taken. It was classified by the fact if the sample group lived alone and analyzed by Independence T-Test and Onaway-ANOVA to clarify the difference (EQ-5D index) based on their social status and financial power, life style and stressful situation. Correlation analysis of EQ-5D index with clinical variables were evaluated. Result: EQ-5D index of the eldely living alone was 0.79 while that of the elderly none living alone was 0.84. It was most connected with the extent of self-cognition for health. Also, the number of chronic disease, chewing problem, age and stressful strength are other factors that affected EQ-5D index. Unexpectedly, the difference (EQ-index) was slightly related with gender, month income and drinking frequency. A coefficient of correlation between living alone and none living alone was −0.007, having no attentive meaning.
Conclusion
The quality of life for the elderly is influenced by not living alone and none but individual factors such as self-cognition for health, the number of chronic disease, chewing problem, age and stressful strength.

Keyword

Living alone; Elderly; Quality of Life; EQ-5D index