Factors Influencing the Quality of Life in elderly women with osteoarthritis

This research investigates factors impacting the health-related quality of life in elderly women with osteoarthritis. The study surveyed 1,855 participants using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2016 to 2020. Statistical analyses, conducted with SPSS/WIN 25, employed T-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), cross-analysis, and general linear analysis for descriptive statistics, along with Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Correlations between variables and the quality of life in elderly women with osteoarthritis were determined through correlation coefficients. Additionally, factors influencing the quality of life were analyzed using multiple regression analysis with general linear models. The study revealed significant differences in the quality of life based on demographic such as age, residence, marital status, education level, economic activity, depression, subjective health status, activity limitation, stress perception, smoking, body mass index, exercise, and aerobic activity. Similarly, there were statistically significant differences in the quality of life based on health-related characteristics, including age, residence, marital status, education level, economic activity, depression, subjective health status, activity limitation, stress perception, smoking, body mass index, exercise, and aerobic activity. The average quality of life score for participants was 0.82±0.18, with notable correlations found with age, subjective health status, and stress perception. Factors influencing health-related quality of life included having a spouse, higher household income, engagement in economic activity, lower age, and lower stress levels, as well as higher subjective health status. The model's explanatory power was 36.5%. Based on these findings, the study underscores the necessity for comprehensive and individualized nursing intervention programs.