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Interpreting self reported limiting long term illness
G Cohen1, J Forbes, M Garraway
1Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Edinburgh.
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|September 16, 1995
Summary
Self-reported limiting long-term illness is strongly linked to physical health limitations, not psychosocial factors. Physical functioning significantly increases the odds of having a limiting long-term illness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Self-reported limiting long-term illness is a key indicator of population health.
- Understanding its associations with various health dimensions is crucial for effective health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between self-reported limiting long-term illness and other self-reported health dimensions.
- To explore the influence of physical and psychosocial health on limiting long-term illness.
Main Methods:
- A stratified random sample of 6212 adults (aged 16+) from the Lothian region, Scotland, was surveyed in 1993.
- Limiting long-term illness was assessed using the 1991 UK census question; other health dimensions were measured by the SF-36 health survey.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of limiting long-term illness was higher than census data indicated.
- General and physical health scores strongly correlated with limiting long-term illness.
- Physical functioning limitations, particularly in the lower quartile, more than doubled the odds of having limiting long-term illness.
- Psychosocial health measures showed minimal influence after adjusting for physical health.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported limiting long-term illness is primarily associated with physical limitations.
- Psychosocial well-being has a less direct impact on reporting limiting long-term illness.
- Socioeconomic factors influencing limiting long-term illness appear to be mediated through general health and physical limitations.