Impact of Chronic Diseases in the Elderly on Their Ability of Daily Life in Communities of Guiyang City

Objective:To analyze the impact of chronic diseases on ability of daily life in the elderly in communities of Guiyang city.Methods:A total of 3229 residents aged 60 and above was selected by random multistage cluster sampling among communities of Giuyang city.All participants were interviewed by using questionnaires and physical examination for related information,and their activities of daily living were assessed by activities of daily living scale(ADL).Chi-square test and non-conditional logistic regression model were used in data analysis.The data were compared with the results of the first wave study in 1998.Results:The prevalence of chronic diseases was 62.1%,which was higher than that in 1998.The top five diseases in turn were:hypertension,rheumatoid arthritis(RA),frame and muscle diseases on neck and waist,diabetes mellitus,coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CHD).The rates of disability for ADL and instrument activities of daily living(IADL) were 5.3% and 11.9%,respectively.Bronchial asthma,RA,and CHD showed a significant effect on disability for ADL and IADL.The more the chronic diseases the elderly got,the severer the disability of ADL and IADL was.Conclusions:The prevalence of chronic diseases is still an important health problem for the elderly.Chronic diseases deteriorate the disability of ADL and IADL among the elderly.The rank of the chronic diseases that influence the disability of ADL and IADL is changing along the time.