Prevalence Of Subjective Health Complaints Research Articles

School-aged children’s movement behaviours and subjective health complaints in Japan: a cross-sectional study during COVID-19 pandemic-related school closures and after school reopenings

BackgroundSocial restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have altered children’s movement behaviours and impacted their mental health. However, the influence of social restrictions on subjective health complaints remains inadequately understood. This study compared adherence to 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines and the prevalence of subjective health complaints during school closure and one year after reopening. We also examined how combinations of adherence to movement behaviour recommendations relate to subjective health complaints.MethodsA repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted at two points. The first survey in May 2020 included 1535 (766 boys and 769 girls) participants during school closures, while the second survey from May to July 2021 involved 1125 (583 boys and 542 girls) participants one year after school reopening. The questionnaire covered socio-demographics, physical activity, screen time, sleep, and subjective health complaints. Differences between periods were analysed using chi-square tests. Logistic regression models assessed the association between adherence to guidelines and subjective health complaints.ResultsDuring school closure, children were more likely to meet ‘only sleep’ recommendations and have irritability and lethargy symptoms. Irrespective of sex, those adhering to two or all three recommendations (excluding physical activity and screen time) had a lower risk of symptoms related to physical and mental pain, fatigue, irritability, and lethargy as compared to those who met none of the recommendations.ConclusionsChildren should meet at least one physical activity or screen time recommendation in addition to sleep recommendations for subjective health. Strategies considering the priority of each movement behaviour are crucial, even during abnormal situations, such as pandemic-related social restrictions. This study offers insightful findings concerning children’s mental health issues during unprecedented and massive disasters or crises.

Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health in the Nordic countries in the 2000s - A study using cross-sectional data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study

BackgroundAdolescents in Sweden experience more mental health problems and lower mental well-being than adolescents in other Nordic countries. According to the literature, one possible explanation may be differences in income inequality. The at-risk-of-poverty rate varies significantly across the Nordic countries, and the highest rate is found in Sweden. The aims of the study were to examine socioeconomic inequalities in subjective health complaints and life satisfaction among adolescents in the Nordic countries during 2002 − 2018 and to explore whether subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were related to income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate at the country level.MethodsData regarding 15-year-olds from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study from five survey rounds (2002 − 2018) were used (n = 41,148). The HBSC Symptoms Checklist and Cantril’s ladder were used as measures of subjective health complaints and life satisfaction, respectively. The Family Affluence Scale, the Perceived Family Wealth item and the at-risk-of-poverty rate in each country were used as measures of individual-level socioeconomic conditions and country-level income inequality. Statistical methods involved ANOVA, multiple linear regressions and multilevel regression analyses.ResultsAbsolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in both subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were found in all countries. Sweden showed average socioeconomic inequalities, Iceland the largest and Denmark the smallest. Country-level income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate was associated with a higher prevalence of subjective health complaints and lower levels of life satisfaction in all countries.ConclusionSocioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health and well-being persisted in Nordic countries in the 2000s. Increasing income inequality may have contributed to higher levels of SHC and lower LS in Sweden compared to the other Nordic countries. Policies improving families’ socioeconomic conditions and reducing income inequality at the country level are needed to improve and reduce inequalities in mental health and well-being among adolescents.

Association Between Problematic Internet Use and Health Risks in Adolescents With and Without Chronic Health Conditions

Background. Sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are modifiable health risks that often develop during adolescence. A comprehensive analysis of unhealthy behaviors in adolescents with and without chronic health conditions (CHC) could inform the development of more effective prevention approaches.
 The aim. This study aimed to measure associations between Problematic Internet Use (PIU), lifestyle habits and subjective health complaints among adolescents with and without CHC. In addition, health behaviors and prevalence of subjective health complaints between adolescents with and without CHC were compared.
 Methods. A total of 171 adolescents (87 without CHC and 84 with CHC) completed an online survey. The PIU was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale. The subjective health complaints assessed were somatic and psychological symptoms. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activities, time spent by screens, eating habits, and duration of sleep.
 Results. The results showed that 21.83% of adolescents with CHC and 36.78% without CHC scored at risk for problematic internet use. Adolescents without CHC reported significantly more frequent psychological health complaints than their peers with CHC. This study found that multiple health complaints and unhealthy eating habits were significantly associated with PIU in adolescents with CHC, while nervousness and eating fast food in adolescents without CHC. Girls without CHC reported significantly higher PRIUSS scores and prevalence of subjective health complaints than boys (p <.05).
 Conclusions. Adolescents without CHC reported significantly higher levels of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activities weekly than their peers with CHC. PIU behaviors are mainly associated with psychological health complaints and unhealthy eating behaviors in adolescents with and without CHC. These findings highlight the need to identify the specific problematic internet use activities that are associated with different health risks in adolescents.
 Keywords: problematic internet use, chronic health conditions, lifestyle behaviors, health, adolescents.

Association between daily commute and subjective health complaints among the office workers in an urban community

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of subjective health complaints (SHC) among metropolitan office commuters and to investigate the relationship between SHC and socio-demographic, commuting, and work-related factors. MethodsThe participants in this cross-sectional study were 628 full-time bank employees in Dhaka. One-month prevalence was determined using the SHC inventory scale. Internal consistency was determined using factor analysis. The discrepancy between socio-demographic and SHC was summarized using descriptive analysis. To discover factors related to SHC, random logistic regression intercept models were employed. ResultsSadness (54.0 percent), low back pain (36.6 percent), anxiety (34.2 percent), pseudo-neurological disorders (26.6 percent), and musculoskeletal pains (20.2%) were the most common health complaints. The relationship between traffic congestion and SHCs was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001) for the majority of complaints. According to multilevel analysis, long-distance office commuters were 7.29 times more likely than short-distance commuters to suffer from musculoskeletal pains (AOR = 7.29, 95% CI = 3.58–15.21). Furthermore, we discovered that long-distance commuters were 2.72 times more likely to complain about flu (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.22–6.27), 1.56 times more likely to complain about pseudo-neurological problems (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 0.84–2.92), and 1.88 times more likely to complain about gastrointestinal problems (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 0.69–5.41). ConclusionIn Dhaka, we found a high prevalence of health concerns among full-time bank personnel. A significant prevalence of health complaints was related to traffic congestion, long commutes, and use of public transportation. Reducing daily commuting time, switching modes of transportation, and avoiding traffic congestion could help to alleviate the burden of health concerns experienced by regular office commuters.

Assessing adverse childhood experiences, social, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, and subjective health complaints among Hungarian adolescents

BackgroundAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have lifelong adverse impacts; they can play a role in the development of subsequent emotional, cognitive, and social impairments leading to somatic and mental difficulties, as well as health damaging behaviours. Unfortunately, there are currently no research data available in Hungary regarding the frequency of ACEs among adolescents.AimsA cross sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in a community sample of Hungarian adolescents to assess the frequency of ACEs and analyse their association with current social, emotional, and behavioural symptoms (SEB), and subjective health complaints (SHC).MethodsDemographic data, ACEs, SEB and SHC status of 516 adolescents aged 12 to 17 were collected. ACEs were assessed using the ACE Score Calculator; for SEB the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and for SHC some specific items from the Health Behaviour of School Children questionnaire were employed. To analyse the relationship of ACEs to SEB and SHC logistic regression was performed.ResultsOur results showed that the frequency of ACEs, SEB and SHC is high among adolescents. One-fourth of the students reported ≥ 2 categories of childhood exposures, and 7.4% reported having experienced ≥ 4 types of ACEs. The most prevalent forms of child maltreatment were emotional neglect (15.5%) and emotional abuse (14.5%). The most frequent dysfunctional household condition was parental divorce or separation (23.8%), followed by household substance abuse (8.9%) and household mental illness (8.1%). Almost one-fifth of students (17.5%) reported SEB symptoms (peer relationship problems in 21.7%, emotional symptoms in 14.6%, conduct problems in 18.3%, hyperactivity in 15%). The prevalence of SHC was also high: more than half of the students experienced at least one subjective health complaint multiple times a week. Significant associations were found between ACEs and the SEB/SHC reported by students.ConclusionsAdverse childhood experiences, social, emotional, and behavioural symptoms, and SHC are common among Hungarian adolescents. The cumulation of ACEs is associated with a higher number of SEB and SHC symptoms. Therefore, prevention programmes, early recognition, risk reduction, and therapy are needed.

Understanding the relationship between subjective health complaints and satisfaction with life for people in prevocational training in Norway

Background and aim: In Norway, a large part of the population is dependent on disability benefits. The main reasons for this are related to long-term musculoskeletal pain and psychological complaints. Prevocational rehabilitation, aimed at increasing participation in working life, targets people in need of a sheltered vocational environment. This group has been found to report a very high level of health complaints. Therefore, a better understanding of the psychological mechanisms affecting satisfaction with life for people who experience subjective health complaints could be important for tailoring more optimal vocational rehabilitation initiatives for these individuals. This study aimed to investigate the possible mediator role of basic psychological need satisfaction, described in self-determination theory, in the relationship between subjective health complaints and satisfaction with life. Methods: A total of 201 adult participants attending prevocational training on care farms in Norway answered a questionnaire, including demographic questions and standardised instruments on subjective health complaints, basic psychological need satisfaction and satisfaction with life. Analyses were conducted using a structural equation model. Results: Most of the participants had been out of work for more than one year, had a high prevalence of subjective health complaints and a low level of satisfaction with life. The structural equation model showed that basic psychological need satisfaction mediated the negative association between psychological health complaints and satisfaction with life. Conclusion: The results indicate that even though health complaints remain, prevocational programs can counteract some of the negative associations between subjective health complaints and satisfaction with life by creating contexts that support basic psychological needs that are important for well-being and functioning. Providing clients with understanding, guidance, positive feedback, meaningful tasks and a close, supportive social community, has been found to facilitate satisfaction of basic psychological needs in prevocational training on care farms

Comorbid subjective health complaints in patients with sciatica: A prospective study including comparison with the general population

Objective Chronic nonspecific low back pain is accompanied by high rates of comorbid mental and physical conditions. The aims of this study were to investigate if patients with specific back pain, that is, sciatica caused by lumbar herniation, report higher rates of subjective health complaints (SHCs) than the general population and if there is an association between change in sciatica symptoms and change in SHCs over a 12-month period. Methods A multicenter cohort study of 466 sciatica patients was conducted with follow-up at 3 months and 1 year. Comorbid SHCs were measured by 27 items of the SHC inventory. Odds ratios (ORs) for each SHC were calculated with comparison to a general population sample ( n=928) by logistic regression. The SHC number was calculated by summing all complaints present. Results At baseline, the ORs for reporting SHCs for the sciatica patients were significantly elevated in 15 of the 27 items with a mean (S.D.) SHC number of 7.5 (4.4), compared to 5.2 (4.4) in the general population ( P<.01). Among those who during the 1-year follow-up period fully recovered from their sciatica, the SHC number was reduced to normal levels. Among those with persisting or worsening sciatica, the number increased to a level almost double that of the general population. Conclusion Compared to the general population, the prevalence of subjective health complaints in sciatica is increased. During follow-up, the number of health complaints increased in patients with persisting or worsening sciatica.

Subjective health complaints in individuals with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: A questionnaire study

Background Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder where symptoms such as hyper mobile joints, fragile tissues, a bleeding tendency and chronic pain are frequent. Consequently, functional disability is common. Objective In the present study we investigated the prevalence of subjective health complaints in a Swedish EDS group. Design, participants and method Members of the Swedish EDS Association were invited to respond to the questionnaire Subjective Health Complaints Inventory (SHCI). Of the 365 individuals receiving questionnaires, 250 diagnosed individuals >18 years (mean age 46.15; SD 12) responded. The overall response rate was 68% (females 89.2%; n = 223). Results The total number of persons reporting any health complaint was 247 (99%). The mean number of complaints was 16.1 (SD 5.7) in the whole group. The complaints reported were musculoskeletal by 246 (98%), pseudoneurological by 241 (96%), gastrointestinal by 236 (94%), allergic by 182 (73%) and influenza-like by 144 (58%) persons. Substantial complaints were reported by 240 (96%) persons. Women reported a significantly higher number of complaints, mean total SHC, and severity per complaint compared to men and the reference group; the Norwegian general population. Conclusion Swedish females with EDS have higher number of and more substantial health complaints like tiredness and different localisations of pain than the compared Norwegian general population. Musculoskeletal, pseudoneurological and gastrointestinal complaints are most frequent in individuals with the hyper mobile EDS type.

Still Healthy after Extended Work Hours? Ten Hours Shift, Twenty-one Days Working Period for Tunnel Workers

The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported health effects of extended work hours (10 h on/14 h off) for 21 d at work/21 d off, for 40 male tunnel workers in an Arctic area. A questionnaire obtaining information about demographics and subjective health complaints (SHC), including musculoskeletal, pseudoneurological, gastrointestinal, allergic, and flu-like complaints the last thirty days was distributed on day 14 of a work period. In addition questions on coping, psychological job demands, control, and social support were asked. The questionnaire was repeated three times during a nine months observation period. Twenty-six workers completed all three questionnaires. The prevalence of subjective health complaints did not change during the observation period. The prevalence of subjective health complaints was the same or lower than in a control group. There was a slight increase in self-reported job demands during the observation period. Coping, job control, and social support from colleagues and management were reported high and did not change. No association between this type of long work hours and changes in self-reported health was found in this study. However, this might have been a selected group of workers, and the same results may not be found in another population.

Subjective health complaints in relation to sickness absence

The Dutch population is healthy in terms of living and working conditions, but the levels of subjective health complaints (SHC) and sickness absence are high in the Dutch workforce. Are SHC related to sickness absence? The study population included the personnel of four companies: a library (n= 185), an administrative office (n=114), a cheese factory (n=201) and a company producing metal constructions (n=65). The employees received the Basic Occupational Health Questionnaire including 22 common SHC. For each employee, the number and type of SHC but not their intensity was linked to the number of sickness absence episodes between January 2003 and December 2004. The questionnaires of 409 employees (72%) were suitable for statistical analysis. The prevalence of SHC in the study population was 78% between January and June 2003. Employees who reported > or = 5 SHC had higher rates of both short (1-7 days) and medium (8-42 days) sickness absence episodes. Long (> 42 days) episodes were strongly related to SHC amounting to a rate ratio (RR) of 4.2 with a 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 to 10.4 in workers reporting multiple SHC relative to those without complaints. Fatigue was associated with medium duration sickness absence (RR=1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.2) and musculoskeletal complaints, particularly low back pain (RR= 1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.8), with long episodes. The number of SHC was related to sickness absence. The 20% of participants reporting most SHC were responsible for about 40% of work days lost in the two-year period of study.

Subjective health complaints in patients with chronic Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD). Relationships with physical, psychological, and collision associated factors

Aims: Investigate subjective health complaints (SHC) in chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD, grade I &amp; II) patients, and to identify physical, psychological, and collision associated factors that might be associated with high levels of comorbidity. Method: During the years 2000-2002 171 chronic WAD patients filled in questionnaires and underwent physical examination. The prevalence of SHC was recorded and compared with a representative sample of the Norwegian population (n=1014). Results: The chronic WAD patients reported higher number of subjective health complaints (median: 9) than the general population (median: 5). They showed significantly higher risk of reporting all musculoskeletal complaints, palpitation, heat flushes, sleep problems, tiredness, dizziness, anxiety, depression, breathing difficulties, chest pain, coughing, heartburn, gas discomfort, and obstipation. The patients with the highest level of comorbid subjective health complaints also reported more function loss, reading difficulties, poorer quality of life, higher psychological distress, higher use of medication, and less optimism about their situation. There were no differences however, in any collision factors or physical meassures recorded by physiotherapists between the high, medium and low comorbidity groups. Conclusion: The high comorbidity of other complaints, the strong relationships between degree of comorbidity and psychological factors, and the lack of relationships between degree of comorbidity and collision factors and physical tests, suggest that chronic WAD is best understood as a syndrome and not simply as a neck injury. Sensitization is suggested as a possible psychobiological mechanism

P02-60 Subjective health complaints in a sample with morbid obesity and the complaints' relation with work ability

Background and aims:Obesity is associated with psychological, social and physical problems. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of subjective health complaints and their impact on work ability in a sample with morbid obesity.Method:Fortysix patients, 31 women and 15 men, aged 23 to 65 years (mean 43.7, s.d. 10.7), with BMI from 37 to 60 kg/m2 (mean 45 kg/m2, s.d. 5.02), on a waiting list for bariatric surgery participated. Subjective health complaints were measured by the 29-items Subjective Health Complaint Inventory. Five subscales were computed; Allergy, Flu, Musculoskeletal pain, Gastrointestinal problems and Pseudoneurology.Results:All participants reported subjective health complaints the last month, in particular they suffered from musculoskeletal (mean 8.2, s.d. 5.46), pseudoneurological (mean 4.7, s.d. 4.31) and gastrointestinal (mean 3.2, s.d. 5.46) complaints. Mean sickness absence the last year was 185 days (s.d. 163.32). Days of sickness absence were significant correlated with the Musculoskeletal (r = .35, p= .023) and Pseudoneurological (r= .40, p= .009) subscales.Conclusion:All patients reported subjective health complaints, with mean levels of symptoms considerably higher than in the general population. In particular, levels of musculoskeletal and pseudoneurological complaints were high, and these complaints were significantly related to work absence. It thus seems like subjective health complaints influence work ability to a significant degree in patients with morbid obesity.

Health Complaints and Satisfied With the Job? A Cross-Sectional Study on Work Environment, Job Satisfaction, and Subjective Health Complaints

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of subjective health complaints (SHCs) among satisfied and dissatisfied workers. The second aim was to evaluate whether any SHC differences were attributable directly to the work environment or mediated by the individual perception of the environment (satisfactory or not). In a cross-sectional study of 458 employees (56% women) in 5 different organizations, work environment, job satisfaction, and SHC were measured. Satisfied workers reported an average of five to six subjective health complaints that correspond to the prevalence found in a Norwegian general population. Work environment explained 43% of the variance for job satisfaction and 9% of the variance in SHCs. SHCs are common among satisfied workers. Work environment has only a limited influence on this validated health indicator.

Subjective health complaints.

A variety of subjective illnesses with few or no objective findings have appeared at regular intervals as epidemics in our society under different labels. There are few or no objective findings that might explain the "disease" or the complaints go beyond what is regarded as "reasonable" by the physician. Muscle pain and other types of subjective health complaints are among the most frequent reason for encounters with general practitioners, and one of the major causes for sickness absence. The prevalence of subjective health complaints is very high, with at least 75% of the population reporting one or more subjective health complaints the past 30 days. From a statistical point of view, it is "normal" to have complaints. It is when they become intolerable that assistance is required. The difficult thing is that this threshold is individual and subjective. The psychiatric definitions of these complaints, therefore, refer only to the tip of an iceberg.

Prevalence of subjective health complaints (SHC) in Norway

Prevalence of subjective health complaints (SHC) in Norway

Prevalence of subjective health complaints (SHC) in Norway

As subjective health complaints are one of the major reasons for short- and long-term sickness absence it is important to know the prevalence of these conditions in the general population. In this cross-sectional study, 1,240 individuals (aged 15-84 years) from the normal population in Norway answered the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory in spring 1996. The prevalence of reporting subjective health complaints was high: 80% reported musculoskeletal complaints, 65% reported "pseudoneurological" complaints (tiredness, depression, dizziness), 60% gastrointestinal complaints, 34% allergic complaints, and 54% flu-like complaints. The prevalence of substantial complaints was low: 13% reported musculoskeletal complaints, 5% reported "pseudoneurological" complaints, 4% gastrointestinal complaints, 2% allergic complaints, and 18% flu-like complaints. Women had higher prevalence of musculoskeletal, "pseudoneurological", and allergic complaints compared with men, and reported more substantial complaints on all subscales. Individuals older than 50 years were less likely to report headache, tiredness, eczema, and flu-like complaints compared with individuals younger than 30 years. However, they had higher risk of arm pain, shoulder pain, palpitations, and several gastrointestinal and allergic complaints. The intensity of musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and allergic complaints was significantly higher in the oldest age group. Subjective health complaints are very common in the normal population; there are gender and age differences in both prevalence and degree of complaints. The intensity of subjective health complaints forms a continuum, and there are no obvious cut-off point to indicate what are "normal" complaints and what is illness.

Chronic diseases. Prevalence of subjective health complaints in the Nordic European countries in 1993

Background: Subjectively reported health complaints account for approximately 50% of all long-term sickness compensation and permanent disability in Northern European countries. The prevalence of these complaints in the population at large was examined. Methods: Data from national surveys conducted in 1993 of 2, 030 men and 2, 016 women above 15 years of age in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden were analysed. Results: As many as 75% of our sample had at least some subjective health complaints for the previous 30 days. More than 50% had experienced tiredness, 42% headache, 37% worry, 35% low back pain and 33% pain in their arms or shoulders. The prevalence was higher in women than in men. In general, substantial muscle pain was more common in older subjects, but tiredness, headache, worry and depressive mood were more common in young subjects. Conclusion: The very high prevalence of these complaints in the general population should be taken into account whenever these complaints are reported to be due to any new environmental factor or disease.