2025 年 8 巻 4 号 p. 94-102
Introduction: The risk of chronic disease increases with age, leading to a decrease in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older patients. Information on the impact of chronic diseases on the HRQoL of older patients visiting community pharmacies in Japan is limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the characteristics of HRQoL among older patients who regularly visit community pharmacies in Japan and clarify the impact of chronic diseases on HRQoL.
Methods: An online survey was conducted with patients aged 20 to 70 who regularly visit community pharmacies. The ratio of male to female individuals in each age group was 1:1 and 1,500 respondents were recruited. HRQoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5D-5L and the burden of each chronic disease was assessed. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with HRQoL as the objective variable and sex, age group, and type of chronic disease as explanatory variables.
Results: Hypertension was the most common disease, followed by dyslipidaemia, depression and other mental illnesses, allergic rhinitis, and diabetes. The results of the multiple regression analysis among all community pharmacy patients showed that depression and other mental illnesses, eye diseases, atopic dermatitis, lower back pain, and other diseases significantly impacted the decline in HRQoL. Being older increased HRQoL. Depression and other mental illnesses were significant factors in the decline in HRQoL across all the age groups.
Conclusion: The types of chronic diseases and their impact on HRQoL among patients who use community pharmacies in Japan were clarified. Community pharmacists should implement interventions to reduce the disease burden among patients with a higher disease burden, while keeping control of primary diseases among patients with a lower disease burden to prevent future declines in HRQoL.
