[Health-Related Quality of Life as an Explanatory Variable of Primary Care Consultations: sex Differences]

It is well known the inverse relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the use of consultations. However, most studies deal sex as a confounding variable rather than to explicitly investigate sex differences. The study aims to know the influence of HRQoL of the elderly on the use of Primary Care consultations in a sex analysis.

Throughout 2013, 191 women and 155 men aged 65 years or older were enrolled in the study and assessed with interviews and analysis of medical records. We used the EuroQol-5D to assess the HRQoL and several demographic, clinical and social support variables were also analyzed. Two multiple linear regression models were developed.

HRQoL showed a negative correlation with the use of consultations (Spearman's rho=-0,22; p=0,0001) and a crude OR value of 1,85 (95% CI:1,2-2,9). The association remained significant after adjusting for demographic [OR=1,99 (95% CI: 1,2-3,2)], clinical [OR=1,79 (95% CI: 1,1-2,9)] or social support covariates [OR=1,83 (95% CI: 1,1-2,9)]. In regression analysis, the values of standardized coefficient (β) related to HRQoL were 0,22 (95% CI:-36,7- -6,9) in females and 0,03 (95% CI:-15,6-23,1) in males.

In women ≥ 65 years, HRQoL shows the greatest explanatory power of use of consultations, after adjusting for demographic, clinical and social support covariates. By contrast, its influence on men is negligible.