Abstract

RIVEROS, Angélica; CASTRO, Carlos G.  and  LARA-TAPIA, Héctor. QUALITY OF LIFE CHARACTERISTICS IN CHRONIC AND ACUTE PATIENTS. rev.latinoam.psicol. [online]. 2009, vol.41, n.2, pp.291-304. ISSN 0120-0534.

Quality of Life (QOL) has been a research subject in chronic diseases mainly. However, research on health loss is relatively scarce, especially in the realm of acute diseases, those in Latin American are frequent, recurrent, and increases notably the mortality burden. The present study evaluated the QOL differences by disease duration. Health Inventory (INCAVISA for its initials in Spanish) was used, including some variables unattended at literature as patientphysician interaction. A total of 449 participants separated in three groups defined by their type of health condition or status: chronic, acute or apparently healthy. Results revealed solid psychometrical properties of the Inventory as well as QOL differences among the three groups, specially patient-physician relationship related and concerns. Conclusions point out that exist a differential effect by condition and recoverable diseases also has an impact on QOL.

Keywords : hospitals; measurement; health; quality of life; ex post facto..

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