Quality of Life of Elderly People with Peptic Ulcer in Benha City

Abstract

Peptic Ulcer has a major impact on the health status and continues to be a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality of elderly people. The aim of this study is to assess quality of life of elderly patients with peptic ulcer in Benha City. Research design: A descriptive research design was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted in Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinics of Benha University Hospital and Teaching Hospital in Benha City. The sample: Simple random sample of 25% of all patients attended to previously mentioned setting, the total sample included 150 elderly patients. Two tools were used I): A structured interviewing questionnaire which consists of four parts to assess a): Socio-demographic characteristics of the studied sample. B): Medical history of elderly people with peptic ulcer, c): Knowledge and d): Practices of elderly people regarding peptic ulcer, II): Quality of life scale to assess the effect of peptic ulcer on quality of life among the elderly patients. Results: 54% of the studied sample were female, 50.7 % of elderly patients aged from 60 years old, and 50% of them were married. Regarding the level of education, 45.3 % of them were illiterate, and 74% of them were living in rural area, regarding the past medical history 68% of the elderly patients haven't family history regarding peptic ulcer disease, regarding the present history 92.2 % of elderly people had epigastric pain, regarding their knowledge 62% of the elderly people had poor knowledge about peptic ulcer, 66.0% of elderly people had satisfactory practice regarding peptic ulcer, and 42.7% of the elderly people had poor quality of life. Conclusion: There were statistically significant relations between the total knowledge score of the elderly people and their age and level of education. Recommendations: Health educational program should be developed and implemented for elderly people with peptic ulcer to improve, and update them with the most current information about the disease, practices and quality of life.