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The impact of comorbidity on the quality of life of people with dementia: findings from the IDEAL study
Nelis, S.M. Wu, Y.-T. Matthews, F.E. Martyr, A. Rippon, I. Rusted, J. Thom, J.M. Kopelman, M.D. Hindle, J.V.
Nelis, S.M.
Wu, Y.-T.
Matthews, F.E.
Martyr, A.
Rippon, I.
Rusted, J.
Thom, J.M.
Kopelman, M.D.
Hindle, J.V.
Publication Date
2019-05
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© 2018 The Authors. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Yes
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openAccess
Accepted for publication
2018-09-12
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Abstract
The aim was to investigate the comorbidity profile of people with dementia and examine the associations
between severity of comorbidity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and quality of life (QoL).
The improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort consisted of 1,547 people
diagnosed with dementia who provided information on the number and type of comorbid conditions. Participants also
provided ratings of their health-related and dementia-specific QoL.
The majority of the sample were living with more than one chronic condition. Hypertension was commonly
reported and frequently combined with connective tissue disease, diabetes and depression. The number of comorbid conditions
was associated with low QoL scores, and those with severe comorbidity (≥5 conditions) showed the greatest impact
on their well-being.
Comorbidity is an important risk factor for poor QoL and health status in people with dementia. Greater
recognition of the nature and impact of comorbidity is needed to inform support and interventions for people with dementia
and a multidisciplinary approach to care provision is recommended.
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Published version
Citation
Nelis SM, Wu Y-T, Matthews FE et al (2019) The impact of comorbidity on the quality of life of people with dementia: findings from the IDEAL study. Age and Ageing. 48(3): 361-367.
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Article