Changes in symptom burden from 2019 to 2021 amongst community-dwelling older adults in Finland

Autor: Tuuli E Lehti, Mia Knuutila, Hanna Öhman, Hannu Kautiainen, Helena Karppinen, Reijo Tilvis, Timo Strandberg, Kaisu H Pitkälä
Přispěvatelé: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Department of Medicine, HUS Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatrian yksikkö, Clinicum, Timo Strandberg / Principal Investigator, Teachers' Academy
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Age and Ageing. 52
ISSN: 1468-2834
0002-0729
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac317
Popis: Background Symptom burden causes suffering amongst older adults and is associated with healthcare visits and prognosis. Aims We evaluated the prevalence of 10 symptoms and changes in symptom burden amongst home-dwelling older adults in 2019 and 2021 using Finnish cohort data. We analysed factors associated with symptom burden increase during follow-up. Methods Altogether 1,637 people aged 75+ participated in the Helsinki Ageing Study postal survey in 2019, where they reported the presence of 10 common symptoms over the past 2 weeks. Of them, 785 participated in a follow-up in 2021, where the same symptoms were queried. We compared the prevalence of various symptoms and symptom burden scores in the 2-year interval and evaluated factors associated with increased symptom burden during this time. Results Of participants, 33% reported at least one daily symptom in 2019 versus 44% in 2021. Symptom burden increased by a mean ratio of 1.29 between 2019 and 2021. The most common symptoms were joint pain, back pain, urinary incontinence and fatigue. The prevalence of four symptoms increased between 2019 and 2021: joint pain, urinary incontinence, dizziness and shortness of breath. Higher age, reduced functional capacity and comorbidities were associated with higher odds of symptom burden increase during follow-up. Psychological well-being (PWB) was strongly associated with lower odds of symptom burden increase in the logistic regression model. Conclusions Symptom burden increased in our cohort aged 75+ between 2019 and 2021 before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. PWB was associated with lower odds of acquiring additional symptoms over time.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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