Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Determinants of Quality of Life among the Elderly Living with Arthritis in Manonyane Community, Lesotho

Mugomeri E, Ranotsi A, Thobeka S, Nyandoro G and Ruhanya V

Background: Arthritis is a common health problem in old age often impacting the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Data on QOL among the elderly living with arthritis in Lesotho is lacking. Objectives: The study assessed the QOL of arthritic elderly people aged >65 in Manonyane community of Lesotho. Methods: This was an analytical cross sectional study. The study purposively sampled 108 arthritic elderly people who received old age pensions in April 2014. Interviewer-administered Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index questionnaire for arthritis version III was used to collect data. Logistic regression (p<0.05) was used to determine predictors of lower scores of the QOL index. Results: The overall quality of life Mean Score (MS) was 19.9 (Confidence Interval (CI): 19.4-20.5). Comparatively, the respondents were most unhappy with health and functioning (MS: 17.2; CI: 16.6-17.9) followed by social and economic aspects (MS: 19.3; CI: 18.5-20.0). Gender, comorbidity, age and marital status were not significant predictors (p>0.05) of dissatisfaction with quality of life in this study. Conclusion: Health and functioning as well as social and economic concerns of the elderly are important determinants of quality of life which need attention in Lesotho.