Health-related Status Research Articles

Repressive coping in geriatric patients’ reports – Impact on fear of falling

We investigated the influence of repressive coping, depression, cognition, education and age on geriatric patients' reports on health-related status in 80 geriatric patients with a history of injurious falls. For patient reports, subjective statements on activity avoidance, perception of terminal decline, falls, and fear of falling were assessed. Co-morbidity and number of medications were documented based on patient charts. Repressive coping was significantly associated with underreporting in geriatric patients in all items documented and predicted most variables of patients' reports. Because of underreporting significant health problems geriatric patients with repressive coping may therefore be at risk for inadequate medical treatment.

Assessing health-related quality of life in patients with restless legs syndrome

Background Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) has a substantial impact on normal daily activities. Because of the high prevalence it is necessary to evaluate the impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective To assess health-related quality of life in patients with RLS. Methods A total of 519 patients (327 female patients; mean age: 64.2 y) were recruited in five different German centers according to the diagnostic criteria of the International RLS Study Group. Patients were either interviewed or completed a mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of an evaluation of the sociodemographic, clinical and health-related status. HRQoL was evaluated with the EuroQoL (EQ-5D). In addition, the IRLS scale, the MOS Sleep Scale, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the BDI were applied as clinical rating scales. Results HRQoL is substantially affected by RLS. The mean EQ-5D-VAS was 55.6 and considerably lower compared to the general population. It was found to be as low as in other chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke. From different factors investigated by uni- and multivariate analyses, severity of RLS and depressive symptoms had the most significant impact on HRQoL. Additionally, sleep deficits, the duration of the disease and net household income were identified as predictors for different EQ-5D outcome scores. Conclusions RLS considerably affects HRQoL. Further comparative studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of disease symptoms on HRQoL and their change due to medication.

Assessing subjective change in chronic illness: An examination of response shift in health-related and goal-oriented subjective status

This study examined changes over time on scales from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and a new measure of goal-oriented subjective status (the GOSS) which assessed perceived rate of goal approach. Our aim was to determine whether adaptation to a moderately disabling chronic illness was associated with response shift. We also investigated predictors of response shift. At baseline, 301 members of a self-help group for people with Ménière's disease completed the GOSS and SF-36 scales, and potential predictors of response shift. At 10-month follow-up, respondents completed the GOSS and SF-36 again in the conventional manner, and as a Then-test. The GOSS was the only scale that indicated subjective improvement between baseline and follow-up. Then-test results suggested substantial response shift on the SF-36. Severe symptoms and social comparison predicted greater response shift. Less response shift was seen in those with a longer time since diagnosis, longer membership of the self-help group and higher baseline levels of self-esteem and optimism.

Health-Related Fitness Status in Sport and Exercise Students

Health-Related Fitness Status in Sport and Exercise Students

Measuring the impact and distress of health problems from the individual's perspective: development of the Perceived Impact of Problem Profile (PIPP)

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to develop and conduct preliminary validation of the Perceived Impact of Problem Profile (PIPP). Based on the biopsychosocial model of health and functioning, the PIPP was intended as a generic research and clinical measurement tool to assess the impact and distress of health conditions from the individuals' perspective. The ICF classification system was used to guide the structure of the PIPP with subscales included to assess impact on self-care, mobility, participation, relationships and psychological well-being. While the ICF focuses on the classification of objective health and health related status, the PIPP broadens this focus to address the individuals' subjective experience of their health condition.MethodsAn item pool of 23 items assessing both impact and distress on five key domains was generated. These were administered to 169 adults with mobility impairment. Rasch analysis using RUMM2020 was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of each set of items. Preliminary construct validation of the PIPP was performed using the EQ5D.ResultsFor both the Impact and Distress scales of the PIPP, the five subscales (Self-care, Mobility, Participation, Relationships, and Psychological Well-being) showed adequate psychometric properties, demonstrating fit to the Rasch model. All subscales showed adequate person separation reliability and no evidence of differential item functioning for sex, age, educational level or rural vs urban residence. Preliminary validity testing using the EQ5D items provided support for the subscales.ConclusionThis preliminary study, using a sample of adults with mobility impairment, provides support for the psychometric properties of the PIPP as a potential clinical and research measurement tool. The PIPP provides a brief, but comprehensive means to assess the key ICF components, focusing on the individuals' perspective of the impact and distress caused by their health condition. Further validation of its use across different health conditions and varying cultural settings is required.

Inflammatory Substances in Gingival Crevicular Retention Fluid are Associated with Health-related Status

Inflammatory Substances in Gingival Crevicular Retention Fluid are Associated with Health-related Status

Relationship of Health Status, Functional Status, and Psychosocial Status to Driving Among Elderly with Disabilities

Relationship of Health Status, Functional Status, and Psychosocial Status to Driving Among Elderly with Disabilities

Relationship of Health Status, Functional Status, and Psychosocial Status to Driving Among Elderly with Disabilities

SUMMARYObjective. To examine the relationship between driving status and demographics, health status, functional status, and mental and psychosocial status.Methods. The Consumer Assessment Study Interview Battery (CAS-IB), administered to 697 community dwelling men and women aged 60 to 106, included instruments to measure health, functional status, and mental and psychosocial status. These variables were compared for three groups based on driving status: those still driving, those who had ceased driving, and those who had never driven.Results. Differences among the three groups were found for age, race, gender, income, education level, home ownership, and living situation. Differences among the three groups were found for many measures of health status and all measures of functional, mental, and psychosocial status.Conclusions. Declines in health, functional ability, and cognition are associated with driving cessation. Availability of alternative forms of transportation, whether supplied by the community, friends, or family, may mitigate additional declines in health, function, and psychosocial status.

Summaries for patients. Relationship of health status and use of mammography and Papanicolaou smears among women 70 years of age or older.

Summaries for patients. Relationship of health status and use of mammography and Papanicolaou smears among women 70 years of age or older.

The impact of urban discharges on the health-related microbiological quality of untreated surface water: can catchment management solve the problem?

Results showed that surface resource water quality in the study catchment was generally of a poor health-related microbiological water quality. This was due to poor quality discharges received from urban developments in the catchment. The quality results implied that several water uses in the catchment would impact negatively on the health of the users. Current developments in setting Resource Quality Objectives to manage the quality of the resources involved do not provide for the various water uses. The particular Catchment Management Agencies would, therefore, not be in a position to judge the health-related status of their surface water resource quality objectively. To alleviate this problem, tentative water-use classifications as well as microbiological criteria are proposed.

Select Physical Activity Determinants in Independent-Living Elderly

This study examined, among a well-defined independent-living segment of the elderly, the relationship of health status, spirituality, leisure satisfaction, and educational attainment to regular physical activity involvement. Two hundred forty-four subjects, ranging in age from 60 to 81 years, were drawn from a popular retirement area and data were gathered through a self-report survey instrument. Discriminant analysis revealed that a higher level of education, religious well-being, and perceived health distinguished regular physical activity participants from non-regular. Results suggest interventions designed to promote physical activity among high-functioning elderly focus on educational strategies emphasizing the health benefits of exercise with the inclusion of spiritual wellness aspects.

Relationship of health status and social support to the life satisfaction of older adults.

We examined the relationship of health factors and social support to life satisfaction in older adults dwelling in a rural town. The gender difference in variables related to life satisfaction was also discussed in this study. One hundred and forty-two older adults (86 females and 56 males) who completed a self-administered questionnaire and participated in a health examination in 1998 or 1999 comprised the study participants. The t-test and chi-square test were used to assess the differences between the two genders. Correlation measure and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between life satisfaction and other health related or socially related factors for each gender. Significant gender differences were observed in living status and several health related factors. According to the results of the multiple regression analyses, life satisfaction was related to mental health and age in females, while it was related to mental health status and social support from others in males. Gender differences in the variables associated with life satisfaction were observed among the community-dwelling older adults. These data suggest the importance of mental health for older adults. When preparing health promotion strategies for older adults, results of gender differences as they related to social support and life satisfaction should be applied in practice.

Health Conditions in Rural and Urban Areas of Developing Countries

Abstract The poor quality and meagre supply of data prohibit conclusions as to the relationship of health status to rural-urban residence in underdeveloped countries. Demographic indicators of health, specifically infant mortality and average life expectancy, do not seem to vary systematically according to rural-urban residence in the less developed countries ofAsia, Africa and Latin America. Further differences between rural and urban areas in availability of health services and facilities do not always conform with apparent differences between the areas in health status. However, nutritional standards, housing conditions, and sanitation, water supply and other pertinent environmental circumstances account to some extent for differences observed in health status between rural and urban inhabitants of these countries.