Association of self-rated health with chronic disease, mental health symptom and social relationship in older people

Hongling Yang,Jun Ma,Yanfei Tang,Chunyan Zhu,Xiaoli Gao,Weitao Ye,Qin Deng,Qingshan Geng,Qiangsheng Gan,Rehemutula Rehemayi

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-94318-x

Abstract

Chronic disease, mental health symptoms and poor social relations are reported common causes for poor self-rated health in older people. To assess the co-occurrence rate of chronic diseases, poor mental health and poor social relationships in older people, and determine their association with self-rated health. 6,551 older people in Zhongshan, China, participated a large health surveillance program were randomly selected and questioned about their SRH, chronic conditions, mental health symptoms and social relationships. The association between self-rated health and chronic conditions, poor mental health, social relationships, and their co-occurrence were analyzed. 56.4% of participants reported poor self-rated health. 39.1% experienced at least one chronic disease. 29.0% experienced one or more mental health symptoms; 19.5% experienced at least one poor social relationship. 7.8% had co-occurrence of chronic diseases, mental health problems, and poor social relationships. Logistic regressions showed that poor self-rated health was associated with chronic diseases, poor mental health, poor social relationships and their co-occurrence. The findings indicate the importance of managing chronic disease, poor mental health and poor social relationships for older people.

Highlights

Chronic disease, mental health symptoms and poor social relations are reported common causes for poor self-rated health in older people
Among the 6,551 participants, 56.4% reported poor self-rated health; 28.6% suffered from one chronic disease and 10.5% reported two or more chronic diseases; 29.0% experienced one mental health symptom and 44.3% reported two or more symptoms; 19.5% experienced at least one type of poor social relationship; 34.8% experienced two co-occurrent conditions and 7.8% reported three co-occurrent conditions
Using a large representative sample with a high response rate, the present study demonstrated that a significant association between poor self-rated health and participants who experienced chronic diseases, mental health symptoms, and poor social relationships

Summary

Introduction

Mental health symptoms and poor social relations are reported common causes for poor self-rated health in older people. To assess the co-occurrence rate of chronic diseases, poor mental health and poor social relationships in older people, and determine their association with self-rated health. The association between self-rated health and chronic conditions, poor mental health, social relationships, and their co-occurrence were analyzed. 7.8% had co-occurrence of chronic diseases, mental health problems, and poor social relationships. Logistic regressions showed that poor self-rated health was associated with chronic diseases, poor mental health, poor social relationships and their co-occurrence. The high prevalence of chronic diseases, poor mental health and poor social relations among older people in China raises questions as to whether, and to what extent, these conditions account for their poor self-rated health

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Discussion

Conclusion