Abstract
BackgroundDue to demographic change, the advanced elderly represent the fastest growing population group in Europe. Health problems tend to be frequent and increasing with age within this cohort.Aims of the studyTo describe and compare health status of the elderly population in six European countries and to analyze the impact of socio-demographic variables on health.MethodsIn the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), representative non-institutionalized population samples completed the EQ-5D and Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaires as part of personal computer-based home interviews in 2001-2003. This study is based on a subsample of 1659 respondents aged ≥ 75 years from Belgium (n = 194), France (n = 168), Germany (n = 244), Italy (n = 317), the Netherlands (n = 164) and Spain (n = 572). Descriptive statistics, bivariate- (chi-square tests) and multivariate methods (linear regressions) were used to examine differences in population health.Results68.8% of respondents reported problems in one or more EQ-5D dimensions, most frequently pain/discomfort (55.2%), followed by mobility (50.0%), usual activities (36.6%), self-care (18.1%) and anxiety/depression (11.6%). The proportion of respondents reporting any problems increased significantly with age in bivariate analyses (age 75-79: 65.4%; age 80-84: 69.2%; age ≥ 85: 81.1%) and differed between countries, ranging from 58.7% in the Netherlands to 72.3% in Italy. The mean EQ VAS score was 61.9, decreasing with age (age 75-79: 64.1; age 80-84: 59.8; age ≥ 85: 56.7) and ranging from 60.0 in Italy to 72.9 in the Netherlands. SF-12 derived Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores varied little by age and country. Age and low educational level were associated with lower EQ VAS and PCS scores. After controlling for socio-demographic variables and reported EQ-5D health states, mean EQ VAS scores were significantly higher in the Netherlands and Belgium, and lower in Germany than the grand mean.ConclusionsMore than two thirds of the advanced elderly report impairment of health status. Impairment increases rapidly with age but differs considerably between countries. In all countries, health status is significantly associated with socio-demographic variables.
Highlights
Due to demographic change, the advanced elderly represent the fastest growing population group in Europe
Health status is significantly associated with socio-demographic variables
Subjects and study design The European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) is a cross-sectional survey conducted to investigate the prevalence of mental disorders and their effects on health status and health service use of noninstitutionalized adults in 6 European countries, i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain
Summary
The advanced elderly represent the fastest growing population group in Europe. Due to the ongoing increase in life expectancy, about 11% will be aged ≥ 80, which constitutes a Evaluation of health care requires the measurement of health status. During the past decades several generic and disease specific measures of health status have been developed [3]. Generic instruments may be used to compare health status of patient groups across different diseases as well as different populations, thereby providing information useful to support health policy decisions [5]. It has been used to measure and compare the health status of general population samples in various countries [9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. The SF12 is a downsized version of the SF-36, which allows the derivation of a summary score for physicaland mental health, respectively [16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
