Browsing by Author "Costa, Ana Carolina Serra"
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- Study of Loneliness and Pulmonary Disease in Older Adults in Residential Care FacilitiesPublication . Costa, Ana Carolina Serra; Afonso, Rosa Marina Lopes Brás Martins; Fernandes, Ana Paula André Martins; Rosa, Celina PiresPurpose: This study aims to inquire about and assess the relationship between loneliness and pulmonary diseases (COPD, Asthma, Bronchitis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Restrictive Lung Disease) in residents of residential care facilities in the region of Leira, Portugal, taking into account various socio-demographic variables, the perception of social support, the degree of physical activity, psychopathologic symptoms, the degree of performance in daily life activities and activities provided by the facilities. Methods: Data were collected in August via face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire composed of numerous scales, in addition to social-demographic questions and access to the participants’ clinical records. To be enrolled in this study participants had to be 65 years or older, live in a RCF in Leira and not have cognitive impairment, according to MMSE. All the data analysis was performed with SPSS v28.0 statistical software. Results: Of the initial 75 participants, 67 (89.30%) met the inclusion criteria to the study. The mean age of the sample was 82.160 ± 9.501 years and more than half were female (64.20%). Moderate to high levels of loneliness were shown in all the participants. Pulmonary disease was present in 15 participants (22.40%). Fisher’s exact test indicated no association between the degree of loneliness and the presence of pulmonary disease at a 5% significance level. Moreover, the Chi-square test concluded that the severity of loneliness and the presence of lung disease were independent of gender, area of previous residence, and whether they were institutionalized in their area of prior residence. While Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated that certain quantitative variables have a fair significant linear correlation, this was not the case with the point-biserial correlation coefficient. Conclusion: This study focused on the importance of analyzing loneliness and its relationship with health and quality of life in the elderly living in RCF with lung diseases. Although no association was found between loneliness and respiratory pathologies in this population alarming levels of loneliness have been observed and need to be addressed along with respiratory diseases. This study also highlighted the need for comprehensive and well-coordinated interdisciplinary care and specialized training and expertise in geriatrics.