Impacts of sociodemographic characteristics and cardinal health problems on health-related quality of life among Korean older adults

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life is a critical health index for older adults. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the impacts of sociodemographic characteristics and cardinal health problems on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean older adults. Methods: Data were extracted from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2018. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0, employing multiple linear regression with a complex sample design. Results: The overall mean score for HRQoL in the older Korean population was 0.89 points. HRQoL scores were significantly influenced by covariances adjusted for sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, marital status, and economic activities among Korean elderly (R2 = 0.110, p < 0.001). They were also significantly influenced by covariances adjusted for cardinal health problems such as obesity, activity limitation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia among Korean older adults (R2 = 0.286, p < 0.001); however, among the covariances, activity limitation was the only variable to significantly affect HRQoL among older Korean people (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings implied that public health policies and programs for HRQoL are needed to promote proper physical activity and devise tailored measures for targeted sociodemographic variables among Korean older adults.