The Relationship between Chronic Diseases and Disability in Daily Activities and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in the Elderly

J Babol Univ Med Sci; 20(5); May 2018; PP: 23-9 Received: Nov 9 2017, Revised: Mar 17 2018, Accepted: Apr 16 2018. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chronic disease is one of the major causes of disability in doing daily activities. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between chronic disease and disability in daily activities and instrumental activities of daily living in the elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly of Amirkola. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, level of education and occupation), daily activities and instrumental activities of daily living were collected using a questionnaire. The ability to perform daily activities and instrumental activities was categorized as independently, with the help of others and completely dependent, and ultimately, completely dependent people and those using the help of others were placed in the disability group. The presence of chronic diseases in the elderly was characterized and examined by reviewing the medical records. FINDINGS: Of 1,500 elderly who were eligible to enter the study, 832 people (55.5%) were male and 668 people (44.5%) were female. In this study, 38 people (2.5%) had a disability in daily activities and 723 (48.2%) had disability in instrumental activities of daily living. The number of associated diseases (p<0.003, CI-95%=1.08–1.46, OR=1.261), cognitive impairment (p<0.009, CI-95%=1.308–6.508, OR=2.917) and old age had a significant relationship with daily activity. The highest significant relationship was between the instrumental activities of daily living and gender (p<0.000, CI-95%=1.53–2.69, OR=2.029), age (p=0.000), education level (p=0.000), the number of associated diseases (p=0.000, CI-95%=1.13–1.28, OR=1.2) and cognitive impairment (p=0.000, CI-95%=1.487–2.596, OR=1.965). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the presence of chronic diseases, especially cognitive impairment, is one of the effective factors in disability in daily activities and instrumental activities of daily living.