A Subjective Quality of Life Proxy for Older Adults in the PAQUID Cohort Study

Quality of life is regarded as a major outcome in epidemiologic research, especially in the older population. Nevertheless, some cohort studies lack a specific instrument to evaluate it. The aim of this study was to propose a subjective quality of life proxy using easily accessible items, available in most epidemiologic studies.

We used data from the PAQUID (Personnes Agées Quid) cohort study (1991-1992, France). A subjective quality of life proxy was created based on items on positive affects, subjective health, and life satisfaction. Logistic and linear regression models as well as Cox survival models were used to assess the association between the proxy score and depression, dependence, cognitive complaints, adverse life events, comorbidities, and death. Analyses were replicated in an independent cohort study, AMI (Approche Multidisciplinaire intégrée; 2007-2008, France). All models were adjusted for age, sex, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and place of residence.

In the PAQUID sample (n = 2135), we found significant associations between the proxy score and the selected health outcomes. We found the same associations in the AMI cohort.

This proxy might be useful when no gold standard for quality of life assessment is available or when in need of a short but reliable instrument that will not require extended administration time.