 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Joachim Kugler1, Rosemarie Amman2, Dieter Pöhlau3, and Joerg Klewer1. (1) Public Health, Dresden Medical School, IMIB-Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany, +49-351-3177217, Jokugler@aol.com, (2) German Myasthenia Association, Langemarckstraße 106, Bremen, 28199, Germany, (3) Dept. of Neurology, Kamillus Hospital, Hospitalstraße 6, Asbach, 53567, Germany
Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a common neuromuscular disease. Progress in medical therapy has continuously increased life expectancy in M.g. patients. Despite this and due to the social problems of single living persons, until now no comprehensive study investigated the situation of MG patients living alone. Methods: In collaboration with the German Myasthenia gravis Association, the self-help organization for patients, 2150 patients were asked to work on a mailed questionnaire on health care situation. The questions were related to demographical data, impairments, therapeutical course, use of complementary therapies, illness related costs and quality of life (SF-36). Around 71% responded and altogether 313 of these MG patients reported living alone (proportion females: 82.7%, average age: 61.8 years). Results: In average, the single living MG patients were significantly six years older than those not living alone, they lived significantly more in bigger towns and this sample included more females. These MG patients suffered longer from MG, showed increased impairments, especially in mobility, and used significantly more often complementary medicine. Additionally, quality of life was reduced in six dimensions of the SF-36. Conclusions: It becomes obvious, that impaired quality of life results from the constellation of living alone, higher age, female gender and longer lasting course of MG. Therefore these MG patients living alone need more attention by health care providers and measures for improving living situation of these patients are still required.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.