Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Mortality in nursing home residents without cognitive impairment and its relation to self-reported health-related quality of life, sociodemographic factors, illness variables and cancer diagnosis: a 5-year follow-up study

  • Published:
Quality of Life Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

It is generally known that health-related quality of life (HRQOL) predicts cause-specific mortality. Few studies have explored whether generic self-reported HRQOL, sociodemographic factors and illness variables are independently associated with mortality among cognitively intact nursing home (NH) residents with and without cancer. We hypothesized that sociodemographic factors and illness variables would be associated with mortality and that HRQOL, measured using the SF-36 Health Survey, would predict mortality among NH residents with and without cancer.

Methods

We followed a cohort of 227 cognitively intact (Clinical Dementia Rating scale score ≤0.5) older residents (60 with cancer and 167 without) from 30 NH from 2004–2005 to 2010. We collected data by face-to-face interview. We obtained sociodemographic variables and medical diagnoses from the records.

Results

Survival did not differ between residents with and without cancer (P = 0.31). Twenty percent of the residents with cancer and 13% without cancer were still alive. After adjustment for sociodemographic and illness variables, increasing age (P < 0.001), higher education (P = 0.009), comorbidity (P = 0.04) and the subdimension physical functioning (P = 0.009) predicted mortality. Bodily pain was only marginally associated with mortality (P = 0.08).

Conclusions

Independent of cancer, HRQOL and comorbidity predicted mortality among NH residents without cognitive impairment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

HRQOL:

Health-related quality of life

NH:

Nursing home

CDR:

Clinical Dementia Rating

FCI:

Functional Comorbidity Index

References

  1. Bourbonniere, M., & Van Cleave, J. H. (2006). Cancer care in nursing homes. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 22(1), 51–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Wedding, U., Pientka, L., & Hoffken, K. (2007). Quality-of-life in elderly patients with cancer: A short review. European Journal of Cancer, 43(15), 2203–2210.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Idler, E. L., & Benyamini, Y. (1997). Self-rated health and mortality: A review of twenty-seven community studies. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 38(1), 21–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Miller, T. R., & Wolinsky, F. D. (2007). Self-rated health trajectories and mortality among older adults. Journal of Gerontology B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62(1), S22–S27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ware, J. E., Jr, & Sherbourne, C. D. (1992). The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30(6), 473–483.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Rumsfeld, J. S., MaWhinney, S., McCarthy, M., Jr, Shroyer, A. L., VillaNueva, C. B., O’Brien, M., et al. (1999). Health-related quality of life as a predictor of mortality following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Participants of the Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Group on Processes, Structures, and Outcomes of Care in Cardiac Surgery. JAMA, 281(14), 1298–1303.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tibblin, G., Svardsudd, K., Welin, L., Erikson, H., & Larsson, B. (1993). Quality of life as an outcome variable and a risk factor for total mortality and cardiovascular disease: A study of men born in 1913. Journal of Hypertension, 11(Suppl 4), S81–S86.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Schenkeveld, L., Pedersen, S. S., van Nierop, J. W., Lenzen, M. J., de Jaegere, P. P., Serruys, P. W., et al. (2010). Health-related quality of life and long-term mortality in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. American Heart Journal, 159(3), 471–476.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kusleikaite, N., Bumblyte, I. A., Kuzminskis, V., & Vaiciuniene, R. (2010). The association between health-related quality of life and mortality among hemodialysis patients. Medicina (Kaunas), 46(8), 531–537.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fan, V. S., Curtis, J. R., Tu, S. P., McDonell, M. B., & Fihn, S. D. (2002). Using quality of life to predict hospitalization and mortality in patients with obstructive lung diseases. Chest, 122(2), 429–436.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Sprenkle, M. D., Niewoehner, D. E., Nelson, D. B., & Nichol, K. L. (2004). The Veterans Short Form 36 questionnaire is predictive of mortality and health-care utilization in a population of veterans with a self-reported diagnosis of asthma or COPD. Chest, 126(1), 81–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Goodwin, P. J., Ennis, M., Bordeleau, L. J., Pritchard, K. I., Trudeau, M. E., Koo, J., et al. (2004). Health-related quality of life and psychosocial status in breast cancer prognosis: Analysis of multiple variables. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 22(20), 4184–4192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Tyrvainen, T., Sand, J., Sintonen, H., & Nordback, I. (2008). Quality of life in the long-term survivors after total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 97(2), 121–124.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Silberfarb, P. M., Anderson, K. M., Rundle, A. C., Holland, J. C., Cooper, M. R., & McIntyre, O. R. (1991). Mood and clinical status in patients with multiple myeloma. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 9(12), 2219–2224.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. de Graeff, A., de Leeuw, J. R., Ros, W. J., Hordijk, G. J., Blijham, G. H., & Winnubst, J. A. (2001). Sociodemographic factors and quality of life as prognostic indicators in head and neck cancer. European Journal of Cancer, 37(3), 332–339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kao, C. W., Friedmann, E., & Thomas, S. A. (2010). Quality of life predicts one-year survival in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Quality of Life Research, 19(3), 307–315.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Myint, P. K., Smith, R. D., Luben, R. N., Surtees, P. G., Wainwright, N. W., Wareham, N. J., et al. (2010). The short-form six-dimension utility index predicted mortality in the European prospective investigation into cancer-norfolk prospective population-based study. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 63(2), 192–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Grande, G. E., Farquhar, M. C., Barclay, S. I., & Todd, C. J. (2009). Quality of life measures (EORTC QLQ-C30 and SF-36) as predictors of survival in palliative colorectal and lung cancer patients. Palliative Support Care, 7(3), 289–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Jakobsson, U., & Hallberg, I. R. (2006). Mortality among elderly receiving long-term care: A longitudinal cohort study. Aging—Clinical and Experimental Research, 18(6), 503–511.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Tsai, S. Y., Chi, L. Y., Lee, C. H., & Chou, P. (2007). Health-related quality of life as a predictor of mortality among community-dwelling older persons. European Journal of Epidemiology, 22(1), 19–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bradley, C. J., Clement, J. P., & Lin, C. (2008). Absence of cancer diagnosis and treatment in elderly Medicaid-insured nursing home residents. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 100(1), 21–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Trentham-Dietz, A., Remington, P. L., Moinpour, C. M., Hampton, J. M., Sapp, A. L., & Newcomb, P. A. (2003). Health-related quality of life in female long-term colorectal cancer survivors. Oncologist, 8(4), 342–349.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Vacek, P. M., Winstead-Fry, P., Secker-Walker, R. H., Hooper, G. J., & Plante, D. A. (2003). Factors influencing quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Quality of Life Research, 12(5), 527–537.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Myint, P. K., Luben, R. N., Surtees, P. G., Wainwright, N. W., Welch, A. A., Bingham, S. A., et al. (2006). Relation between self-reported physical functional health and chronic disease mortality in men and women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk): A prospective population study. Annals of Epidemiology, 16(6), 492–500.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Lazovich, D., Robien, K., Cutler, G., Virnig, B., & Sweeney, C. (2009). Quality of life in a prospective cohort of elderly women with and without cancer. Cancer, 115(18 Suppl), 4283–4297.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Liu, L. F., & Wen, M. J. (2010). A longitudinal evaluation of residents’ health outcomes in nursing homes and residential care homes in Taiwan. Quality of Life Research, 19(7), 1007–1018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Drageset, J., Natvig, G. K., Eide, G. E., Bondevik, M., Nortvedt, M. W., & Nygaard, H. A. (2009). Health-related quality of life among old residents of nursing homes in Norway. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 15, 455–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Drageset, J., Natvig, G. K., Eide, G. E., Clipp, E. C., Bondevik, M., Nortvedt, M. W., et al. (2008). Differences in health-related quality of life between older nursing home residents without cognitive impairment and the general population of Norway. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17, 1227–1236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Drageset, J., Eide, G. E., Ranhoff, A. H. (2011) Cancer in nursing homes: Characteristics and health-related quality of life among cognitively intact residents with and without cancer. Cancer Nursing, in press.

  30. Hughes, C. P., Berg, L., Danziger, W. L., Coben, L. A., & Martin, R. L. (1982). A new clinical scale for the staging of dementia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 140, 566–572.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Engedal, K., & Haugen, P. K. (1993). The prevalence of dementia in a sample of elderly Norwegians. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 8, 565–570.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Nygaard, H. A., & Ruths, S. (2003). Missing the diagnosis: Senile dementia in patients admitted to nursing homes. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 21(3), 148–152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. McCullla, M. M., Coats, M., Van Fleet, N., Duchek, J., Grant, E., & Morris, J. C. (1989). Reliability of clinical nurse specialists in the staging of dementia. Archives of Neurology, 46(11), 1210–1211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Groll, D. L., To, T., Bombardier, C., & Wright, J. G. (2005). The development of a comorbidity index with physical function as the outcome. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 58(6), 595–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Ware, J. E., Gandek, B., & IQOLA Project Group. (1994). The SF-36 Health Survey: Development and use in mental health research and the IQOLA project. International Journal of Mental Health, 23(2), 49–73.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Ware, J. E. (2005). SF-36 Health Survey manual and interpretation guide. Boston: Medical Outcomes Trust.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Lyons, R. A., Perry, H. M., Beverley, N., & Littlepage, C. (1994). Evidence for the validity of the Short-form 36 Questionnaire (SF-36) in an elderly population. Age and Ageing, 23(3), 182–184.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Pit, S. W., Schurink, J., Nair, B. R., Byles, J., & Heller, R. F. (1996). Use of the Short- Form-36 Health Survey to assess quality of life among Australian elderly. Australian Journal of Ageing, 15(3), 132–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Andresen, E. M., Gravitt, G. W., Aydelotte, M. E., & Podgorski, C. A. (1999). Limitations of the SF-36 in a sample of nursing home residents. Age and Ageing, 28(6), 562–566.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Lydersen, S., Fagerland, M. W., & Laake, P. (2009). Recommended tests for association in 2 x 2 tables. Statistics and Medicine, 28(7), 1159–1175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Student. (1908). The probable error of a mean. Biometrika, V1, 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kaplan, E. L., & Meier, P. (1958). Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 53, 457–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Mantel, N. (1966). Evaluation of survival data and two new rank order statistics arising in its consideration. Cancer Chemotherapy Reports, 50(3), 163–170.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Cox, D. R. (1972). Regression models and life tables. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series B, 189, 504–513.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Rowland, J. H., & Baker, F. (2005). Introduction: Resilience of cancer survivors across the lifespan. Cancer, 104(11 Suppl), 2543–2548.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Jordhoy, M. S., Saltvedt, I., Fayers, P., Loge, J. H., Ahlner-Elmqvist, M., & Kaasa, S. (2003). Which cancer patients die in nursing homes? Quality of life, medical and sociodemographic characteristics. Palliative Medicine, 17(5), 433–444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Cigolle, C. T., Langa, K. M., Kabeto, M. U., Tian, Z., & Blaum, C. S. (2007). Geriatric conditions and disability: The Health and Retirement Study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147(3), 156–164.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Stafford, R. S., & Cyr, P. L. (1997). The impact of cancer on the physical function of the elderly and their utilization of health care. Cancer, 80(10), 1973–1980.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Garman, K. S., Pieper, C. F., Seo, P., & Cohen, H. J. (2003). Function in elderly cancer survivors depends on comorbidities. Journal of Gerontology A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 58(12), M1119–M1124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Zebrack, B. J., Yi, J., Petersen, L., & Ganz, P. A. (2008). The impact of cancer and quality of life for long-term survivors. Psychooncology, 17(9), 891–900.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Macfarlane, G. J., McBeth, J., & Silman, A. J. (2001). Widespread body pain and mortality: Prospective population based study. BMJ, 323(7314), 662–665.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Andersson, H. I. (2009). Increased mortality among individuals with chronic widespread pain relates to lifestyle factors: A prospective population-based study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 31(24), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Andersson, H. I. (2004). The course of non-malignant chronic pain: A 12-year follow-up of a cohort from the general population. European Journal of Pain, 8(1), 47–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Torrance, N., Elliott, A. M., Lee, A. J., & Smith, B. H. (2010). Severe chronic pain is associated with increased 10 year mortality. A cohort record linkage study. European Journal of Pain, 14(4), 38–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Duncan, J. G., Forbes-Thompson, S., Bott, M. J., Duncan, J. G., Forbes-Thompson, S., & Bott, M. J. (2008). Unmet symptom management needs of nursing home residents with cancer. Cancer Nursing, 31(4), 26–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Ministry of Health and Care Services. (2003). FOR 2003-06-27 nr. 792: forskrift om kvalitet i pleie- og omsorgstjenestene for tjenesteyting etter lov av 19. november 1982 nr. 66 om helsetjenesten i kommune og etter lov av 13. desember 1991 nr. 81 om sosiale tjenester m.v. (FOR 2003-06-27 no. 792: Regulation on the quality of care in health and social services regulated by the Municipal Health Act, Act No. 66 of 19 November 1982 and the Social Services Act, Act No. 81 of 13 December 1991). Oslo: Ministry of Health and Care Services.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The Norwegian Cancer Society funded this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty for Health and Social Science, Bergen University College, Haugeveien 28, 5005, Bergen, Norway

    Jorunn Drageset

  2. Centre for Clinical Research, Western Norway Health Region Authority, Bergen, Norway

    Geir Egil Eide

  3. Research Group for Lifestyle Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Geir Egil Eide

  4. Kavli Research Centre for Ageing and Dementia, Haraldsplass Hospital, Bergen, Norway

    Anette Hylen Ranhoff

  5. Institute for Internal Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Anette Hylen Ranhoff

Authors
  1. Jorunn Drageset
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Geir Egil Eide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anette Hylen Ranhoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jorunn Drageset.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Drageset, J., Eide, G.E. & Ranhoff, A.H. Mortality in nursing home residents without cognitive impairment and its relation to self-reported health-related quality of life, sociodemographic factors, illness variables and cancer diagnosis: a 5-year follow-up study. Qual Life Res 22, 317–325 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-012-0143-5

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-012-0143-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation