Variables Associated with Change in Quality of Life among Persons with Dementia in Nursing Homes: A 10 Months Follow-Up Study

AIM To investigate variables associated with change in quality of life (QOL), measured by QUALID scale and three subscales; tension, sadness and wellbeing, among dementia patients in nursing homes. METHOD A 10 months follow-up study including 198 (female 156, 79%) nursing home patients, mean age 87 (s.d 7.7) years. Scales applied; quality of life in late stage dementia (QUALID) scale and three subscales (wellbeing, sadness and tension), neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire 10 items (NPI-10-Q), clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale, physical self-maintenance (PSMS) scale and a scale of general medical health. Use of psychotropic medication, gender and age was collected from the patient's records. RESULTS Mean baseline QUALID score: 20.6 (s.d.7.0), follow-up score: 22.9 (s.d.7.4), mean change 2.8 (s.d.7.4). QOL improved in 30.8%, were unchanged in 14.7%, deteriorated in 54.6% of patients. A regression analysis revealed that change in QUALID score was significantly associated with: QUALID baseline score (beta -.381, p-value.000), change in NPI score (beta.421, p-value.000), explained variance 38.1%. Change in score on wellbeing subscale associated with: change in PSMS score (beta.185, p-value.019), wellbeing baseline score (beta -.370, p-value.000), change in NPI score (beta.186, p-value.017), explained variance 25.3%. Change in score on tension subscale associated with: change in CDR sum-of-boxes (beta.214, p-value.003), change in NPI score (beta.270, p-value.000), tension baseline score (beta -.423, p-value.000), explained variance 34.6%. Change in score on sadness subscale associated with: change in NPI score (beta.404, p-value.000), sadness baseline score (beta -.438, p-value.000), explained variance 38.8%. CONCLUSION The results imply that a lower baseline score (better QOL) results in a larger change in QOL (towards worse QOL). Change in QOL is mostly associated with change in neuropsychiatric symptoms. In almost 50% of patients QOL did not deteriorate.