The chronic diseases and health-related quality of life among nursing home residents in Armenia

BACKGROUND: The study assessed the impact of chronic diseases (and each of them) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and each of the eight domains of HRQoL in nursing home residents in Armenia. METHODS: In 2021, a cross-sectional study surveyed 313 nursing home residents using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographics, chronic diseases, HRQoL, smoking, and sleeping disorders. An ophthalmic examination was conducted to assess visual impairment (VI). RESULTS: The participants mean age was 72.5 years. The most common chronic diseases were bone/joint diseases, hypertension, and heart diseases. In the adjusted analysis having at least one chronic disease, sleeping disorder, and VI were negatively associated with the total score of HRQoL. Stroke was negatively associated with all domains of HRQoL in the adjusted analysis. Chronic bone/joint and heart diseases were associated with almost all domains of HRQoL except emotional well-being and social functioning (for the former) and role limitation due to physical and emotional problems, and social functioning (for the latter). Chronic renal diseases significantly decreased scores in the domains of energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, pain, and general health, while chronic respiratory diseases/asthma decreased scores of social functioning and pain in the adjusted analysis.In the adjusted analysis having two or more chronic diseases was negatively associated with all domains of HRQoL, with pain (β = -36.3, p < 0.001), role limitation due to physical health (β = -29.0, p < 0.001) and physical functioning (β = -26.5, p < 0.001) being the most affected domains. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic diseases significantly decreased HRQoL among participants, with stroke and bone/joint diseases having the broadest impact on HRQoL domains. Strategies should be developed for the adequate management of chronic diseases. Those with multiple chronic diseases should be priority targets for such interventions. KEY MESSAGES: • Stroke and bones/joints diseases have the broadest impact on HRQoL domains. • Having two or more chronic diseases significantly decreased HRQoL in all domains, particularly affecting pain, role limitation due to physical health, and physical functioning.