Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the necessity for nursing care with psychological consideration, through the investigation of the quality of life in patients with osteoporosis by assessing their subjective well-being, including their anxiety, depression and self-esteem, which may influence their happiness and mental health. The study had subjects themselves fill in questionnaires utilizing four psychological scales; Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA) to assess the subjective well-being, Self-Esteem Scale (SES) to assess psychological aspects, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Subjects were 230 females aged 64.9 on average, and who were osteoporosis outpatients visiting clinics in Osaka prefecture.
The level of quality of life of osteoporosis patients was found to be relatively low in terms of subjective well-being, and those patients were in the state of anxiety or mild depression. However, approximately 90% of the subjects showed high scores of the Self-Esteem Scale (SES). Patients with vertebral fractures and those faced impaired activities in daily life appeared to be depressive. An inclination of anxiety was found in most subjects having an acquaintance and/or family members who had osteoporosis disease as well. It turned out from the results obtained by multiple regression analysis that self-esteem, anxiety, disease duration, health satisfaction and depression are major factors that affect the subjective well-being of osteoporosis patients. The study has indicated that it is important for nursing care to raise the self-esteem of osteoporosis patients.
