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The Health-Related Quality of Life of Older People with Chronic Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Diseases, Chronic Diseases, and Disease Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 2240

Special Issue Editors

Dr. César Fonseca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
Interests: ageing; rehabilitation; nursing research; nursing care
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Elisabete Alves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus, Universidade de Évora, Largo do Sr. da Pobreza, 2B, 7000 - 811, Évora, Portugal
Interests: chronic diseases; health-related outcomes; mental health, patient-centered care; quality of life
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world's population is aging at an unprecedented rate, and this demographic transition is fundamentally reshaping societies worldwide, with a more pronounced impact in Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the global population aged 60 and over is projected to double by 2050, reaching nearly 2.1 billion people. This trend of aging poses challenges and opportunities for governments, health systems, and communities around the world. As people age, they often experience several physical and cognitive health problems that can affect their overall well-being. Quality of life is a complex concept that includes physical health, mental well-being, social engagement, and overall satisfaction with one's living environment. It is crucial to prioritize a high quality of life for older adults with chronic diseases, not only as a moral obligation but mainly as an indicator of a society's progress and commitment to caring for its older population. In this context, papers addressing the health-related quality of life of older people with chronic disease are invited for this Special Issue. We are particularly interested in papers that maintain a high academic standard while also focusing on optimal solutions for clinical practice.

Dr. César Fonseca
Dr. Elisabete Alves
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aging
  • chronic diseases
  • interventions
  • health-related outcomes
  • mental health
  • nursing
  • patient-centered care
  • quality of life

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 329 KiB  
Article
Quality of Life and Its Determinants in Older Adults with Intestinal Stomas: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Vitaliano de Oliveira Leite Junior, Giovanna Garcia Vieira, Keyliane Santos Lima, Silvana Mendes Costa, Ana Raquel Batista de Carvalho, Vanessa Moreira da Silva Soeiro, Ana Caroline Silva Caldas, Rafael Abreu Lima, Patricia Ribeiro Azevedo, Rosilda Silva Dias and Santana de Maria Alves de Sousa
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030375 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1096
Abstract
Assessing the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with intestinal stomas is crucial to understanding the impact of body image and lifestyle changes in this often-underrepresented population. This study aims to evaluate the QoL of older adults with intestinal stomas and analyze [...] Read more.
Assessing the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with intestinal stomas is crucial to understanding the impact of body image and lifestyle changes in this often-underrepresented population. This study aims to evaluate the QoL of older adults with intestinal stomas and analyze the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors on different QoL domains. This cross-sectional study analyzed the QoL of 47 older adults with intestinal stomas, using the City of Hope Quality of Life—Ostomy Questionnaire (COHQOL-OQ). Data were collected from the outpatient Orthotics and Prosthetics Program and analyzed using R software (version 4.3.1). The majority of participants were male (59.6%), with a mean age of 68.8 ± 5.6 years. Cancer was the leading cause of stoma creation (70.2%), with 83.0% having colostomies and 57.4% permanent stomas. The overall QoL score was 6.71 ± 1.64, with the lowest scores in the physical well-being domain (6.21 ± 2.31) and the highest in the spiritual well-being domain (7.91 ± 1.73). Significant associations were found between QoL and type of ostomy (p = 0.008), self-managed pouch changes (p = 0.050), and physical activity (p = 0.034). The study highlights the importance of autonomy and targeted interventions, including physical activity programs and psychoeducational support, to enhance QoL in this population. The findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers, contributing to the development of evidence-based interventions for older adults with stomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Health-Related Quality of Life of Older People with Chronic Disease)

Review

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15 pages, 534 KiB  
Review
Interventions by Rehabilitation Nurse Specialists in the Training of Informal Carers of Older People at Home with Chronic Diseases: A Scoping Review
by Ana Rita Bento, Ana Rita Duque, Nelson Gonçalves, Paulo Vaz, Susana Calção, Vanessa Benedito, Rogério Ferreira, César Fonseca and Celso Silva
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(7), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22070971 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 534
Abstract
Background: The aging population is increasing, leading to a greater need for home care for older adults, often provided by informal caregivers (ICs). These caregivers face numerous challenges, requiring adequate training and support. Objectives: This study aimed to map the main interventions performed [...] Read more.
Background: The aging population is increasing, leading to a greater need for home care for older adults, often provided by informal caregivers (ICs). These caregivers face numerous challenges, requiring adequate training and support. Objectives: This study aimed to map the main interventions performed by the Rehabilitation Nursing Specialist in empowering ICs of older adults at home. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The search included seven articles published between 2019 and 2024, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, available in the PubMed e CINHAL Ultimate databases. The descriptors used were (Rehabilitation Nursing) AND (Informal Caregivers OR Caregivers) AND (Elderly OR Aged) AND (mentoring OR Training. Results: The RNS interventions focused on training caregivers in technical skills (e.g., positioning, transfers, hygiene care, feeding, medication administration), preventing caregiver burden, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, promoting self-care, and emotional support. Educational programs and the use of technologies (telehealth) were identified as effective strategies. Conclusions: RNS interventions are crucial for enhancing the skills and well-being of ICs, improving the quality of care provided to older adults at home, and reducing caregiver burden. Person-centered care, continuous support, and recognizing the caregiver’s role are fundamental aspects of these interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Health-Related Quality of Life of Older People with Chronic Disease)
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