Chronic diseases and socioeconomic inequalities in quality of life among Brazilian adults: findings from a population-based study in Southern Brazil

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Hofelmann, Doroteia
Gonzalez-Chica, David
Peres, Karen
Boing, Antonio
Peres, Marco
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2018
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Background: To evaluate the association between sociodemographic conditions and the quality of life (QoL) in adults and investigate whether these inequalities are greater among individuals with long-lasting chronic health conditions. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the second wave (2012) of the EpiFloripa Study, a populationbased cohort of 1720 adults living in Southern Brazil. QoL domains (physical, psychological, social relationships and environmental) were evaluated using the WHOQoL-BREF. Unadjusted and adjusted means of QoL according to socioeconomic and demographic variables were estimated and stratified by the presence of long-lasting chronic conditions (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, tendinitis, arthritis, rheumatism and/or fibromyalgia) were peformed in 2016. Results: Among 1222 interviewed adults (56.6% females, mean age 41.7 11.4 years; follow-up rate 71.1%), the prevalence of 1+ long-lasting chronic disease was 37.3% (95%CI: 34.4–40.3). Their effect on the QoL was four times higher on the physical component ( 9.6; 95%CI 12.1; 7.1) than on the other domains. Adults aged 40+ years with black skin colour or lower educational level had a lower physical QoL score only when any chronic disease was present. Among those with some chronic illness, the psychological domain was also lower among those aged 40+ years and with a lower family income. No interaction between sociodemographic variables and chronic diseases was observed for the other QoL domains. Conclusions: The occurrence of long-lasting chronic diseases is associated with inequalities in QoL (physical and psychological domains), with stronger adverse effects among older adults, blacks and individuals with lower income or educational levels.

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European Journal of Public Health

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28

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4

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Dentistry not elsewhere classified

Health services and systems

Public health

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