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Recurrent symptoms: well-being and management.
C M Musil1, D L Morris, M R Haug
1Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. cmm4@po.cwru.edu
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|May 1, 2001
Summary
Consistent arthritis and cardiopulmonary symptoms in older adults correlate with increased depression and poorer health. Recurring symptoms impact well-being and necessitate distinct symptom management strategies over time.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Chronic Illness Management
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Most older adults experience chronic health symptoms, yet symptom patterns over time and their impact on well-being are understudied.
- Community-dwelling elders' experiences with recurring arthritis or cardiopulmonary symptoms require further investigation regarding mental health and self-care.
- Understanding symptom recurrence is crucial for effective health management in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if consistently recurring arthritis or cardiopulmonary symptoms in older adults are associated with higher depression rates and worse self-assessed health.
- To examine differences in well-being and symptom management between older adults with consistent versus inconsistent symptom patterns over 27 months.
- To explore how symptom recurrence influences health perceptions and healthcare utilization in community-dwelling elders.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from 387 community-dwelling older adults in Ohio, USA.
- Participants reported health complaints across four interviews over a 27-month period.
- Symptom patterns (consistent vs. intermittent/inconsistent) for arthritis and cardiopulmonary conditions were classified and analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and Repeated Measures ANOVA.
Main Results:
- Older adults with consistent symptoms reported significantly greater depression and worse self-assessed health compared to those with inconsistent symptoms.
- Individuals with consistent cardiopulmonary symptoms showed increasing depression over time and were more likely to use an illness label.
- Consistent arthritis symptoms were linked to increased self-care, illness labeling, and physician consultations as symptoms persisted.
Conclusions:
- Consistent recurrence of chronic symptoms like arthritis and cardiopulmonary issues negatively impacts older adults' mental health and perceived health.
- Symptom patterns influence how individuals manage their health, with consistent symptoms prompting more active health-seeking behaviors.
- The concept of chronicity in older adults necessitates considering symptom recurrence for comprehensive well-being and effective symptom management strategies.