HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG DISPENSARY OBSERVATION PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS IN BULGARIA

Teodora Dimcheva; Boryana Levterova; Desislava Bakova; Nonka Mateva

doi:10.12955/cbup.v5.1049

Teodora Dimcheva Public Health Faculty, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Boryana Levterova Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Desislava Bakova Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Nonka Mateva Public Health Faculty, Medical University Plovdiv, Bulgaria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v5.1049

Keywords: Health Related Quality Of Life, Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Bulgaria

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide acquires epidemic dimensions. In Europe, five nosological groups (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental disabilities) constitute 77% of NCDs and cause about 86% of deaths in the region.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the quality of life in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases under dispensary observation.

Methods: The pilot cross-sectional study was performed among adult with chronic diseases in primary care practices in the Plovdiv district (the second largest in Bulgaria) from May to June 2013.

Results: A total of 200 adults with chronic diseases participated in the study. The mean age was 55.6 years (range 25–95, standard deviation (SD) 16.9). The most common chronic diseases in our study were cardiovascular 51% (ischemic heart disease, hypertension, etc.), followed by endocrinology diseases (23%). There was statistically significant differences in the assessments of "general health" in different groups of participants by gender (χ2 = 16.65, P <0.002), age (χ2 = 12.57, P <0.05) and social status (χ2 = 28.54, P <0.0001).

Conclusion: The subjective assessment of health is a factor that has a strong impact on the quality of life of patients and is an important component in evaluating the effectiveness of provided health care for patients with chronic non-communicable diseases.

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