Abstract
BackgroundSelf-rated health (SRH) is a single-item measure that is one of the most widely used measures of general health in population health research. Relatively little is known about changes and the trajectories of SRH in people with chronic medical conditions. The aims of the present study were to identify and describe longitudinal trajectories of self-rated health (SRH) status in people with diabetes.MethodsA prospective community study was carried out between 2008 and 2011. SRH was assessed at baseline and yearly at follow-ups (n=1288). Analysis was carried out through trajectory modeling. The trajectory groups were subsequently compared at 4 years follow-up with respect to functioning.ResultsFour distinct trajectories of SRH were identified: 1) 72.2% of the participants were assigned to a persistently good SRH trajectory; 2) 10.1% were assigned to a persistently poor SRH trajectory; 3) mean SRH scores changed from good to poor for one group (7.3%); while 4) mean SRH scores changed from poor to medium/good for another group (10.4%). Those with a persistently poor perception of health status were at higher risk for poor functioning at 4 years follow-up than those whose SRH scores decreased from good to poor.ConclusionsSRH is an important predictor for poor functioning in diabetes, but the trajectory of SRH seems to be even more important. Health professionals should pay attention to not only SRH per se, but also changes in SRH over time.
Highlights
IntroductionThere is increasing interest in using brief health status measures to monitor health changes and health service needs in people with diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with reduced physical functioning [1]
A total of 2003 individuals with type 1 or type 2-diabetes participated in the Diabetes Health and Well Being Study (DHS) at baseline (53% female)
Summary
There is increasing interest in using brief health status measures to monitor health changes and health service needs in people with diabetes Those measures provide important information on population health over time and enables informed decisions to be made about the implementation and evaluation of public health action. Han et al [11] reported that a decline in SRH was a stronger predictor for mortality than a single measurement occasion in a sample of older women They concluded that the rating of current health status is important but that the way participants arrive at their current health state might be even more important. Health professionals should pay attention to SRH per se, and changes in SRH over time
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