Health anxiety levels and quality of life in adults with chronic diseases who apply to family health centers in Edirne city center

In this study conducted with adult people having chronic diseases and applying to family health centers in Edirne city center, it is aimed to study the effects of chronic diseases, sociodemographic and health-related variables on health anxiety and quality of life, and to investigate the relationship between health anxiety and quality of life. The sample of our study consists of 404 adults with chronic diseases who applied to family health centers in Edirne city center. Data was collected using a 52-question survey form. Survey form consists of 22 questions examining chronic diseases, sociodemographic and health-related variables, the Health Anxiety Inventory containing 18 questions, and the SF- 12 Quality of Life Scale containing 12 questions. 213 of subjects were women, while 191 of them were men. It has found that some sociodemographic variables and health-related variables had effects on total health anxiety and its subscale, as well as on physical and mental qualities of life. Also it is determined that cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, mental disorders, hepatobiliary diseases and musculoskeletal disorders increasing total health anxiety; thyroid diseases, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, cancer, mental disorders, hepatobiliary diseases and musculoskeletal disorders increasing excessive sensibility and anxiety towards physical symptoms; dyslipidemia, hepatobiliary diseases, musculoskeletal disorders increasing the anxiety towards the negative consequences of the illness. It was found that hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, cancer, hepatobiliary diseases, rheumatic diseases, and musculoskeletal system diseases reduce the physical quality of life. It was also determined that thyroid diseases, respiratory system diseases, mental disorders and gastrointestinal system diseases reduce the mental quality of life. A negative correlation was detected between health anxiety and quality of life. Many factors have been identified that affect health anxiety and quality of life. By taking steps to address these factors, patients can be prevented from developing health anxiety and their quality of life can be improved.