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[Self-assessed health status among young people from ethnic minorities living in Denmark].

INTRODUCTION: Only a few studies on the health status of ethnic minorities in Denmark have been carried out. These studies have shown a higher mental and physical morbidity rate and an increased prevalence of social problems among adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported health status of ethnic Danish youths and young first- and second-generation immigrants from non-Western countries to establish whether there is an association between ethnicity and "belief in the ability to affect one's own health". MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed a cohort of 6,203 ninth-grade students (aged 15 to 16 years), including 264 first-generation and 391 second-generation immigrants from non-Western countries. Self-reported health and self-efficacy, defined as the belief in the ability to affect one's own health, were included in the analyses, using SPSS cross-tabulations and logistical regression analysis. RESULTS: A direct association between ethnicity and self-reported health status was found. Both first- and second-generation immigrants rated their health worse than did ethnic Danish youths. The association was statistically significant for first-generation immigrant girls when controlling for relevant risk factors for ill health. Significant associations between self-reported health status and belief in the ability to affect one's own health were found for both first- and second-generation immigrants of both sexes, compared to ethnic Danish youths. CONCLUSION: Factors related to immigration and immigrants' social conditions may partially explain the ethnic differences in self-reported health status. However, cultural differences may influence the ethnic and gender differences in health status and self-efficacy, as ethnic minorities are less likely to believe in their ability to affect their own health. It is recommended that this knowledge be implemented when developing health promotion programs in the public schools.

Adolescent↗

Impaired health status and invasive treatment in peripheral arterial disease: a prospective 1-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: It has been argued that health status and quality of life (QOL) should be taken into account in the treatment policy of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In cardiac patients, it has been shown that poor perceived health status is an independent predictor of mortality and hospitalization. We therefore examined (1) the role of health status, QOL, and clinical indices of disease severity as determinants of invasive treatment in patients with PAD and (2) the effect of invasive treatment on health status and QOL. METHODS: At their first visit, patients completed the RAND 36-item Health Survey and World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument questionnaires to assess health status and QOL, respectively. During the 1-year follow-up period, data concerning hospitalization were derived from the patients' medical files. Furthermore, patients completed the RAND 36 and the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument again at 1-year follow-up. The setting was a vascular outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in Tilburg, The Netherlands; participants were 200 consecutive patients newly diagnosed with intermittent claudication, a common expression of PAD. Diagnosis was based on history, physical examination, treadmill walking distance, and ankle-brachial pressure indices. Main outcome measures were (1) invasive treatment of PAD that took place during the 1-year follow-up, derived from the patients' medical files, and (2) health status and QOL after 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: After 1 year of follow-up, 107 patients (53.5%) were event free, whereas 77 patients (38.5%) had been hospitalized for invasive treatment of PAD. Sixteen patients (8%) were hospitalized for other cardiovascular reasons. In a multivariate logistic regression model, age (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.99; P = .024), pain-free walking distance (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.05-7.17; P = .04), and physical functioning (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 1.79-11.12; P = .001) were independent predictors of invasive treatment of intermittent claudication. After 1 year of follow-up, patients who were treated invasively experienced a significant improvement in their physical functioning ( P = .004), role limitations due to emotional problems ( P = .018), and bodily pain ( P = .026). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with poor self-reported physical functioning, limited walking distance, and a younger age were likely to be treated invasively. The physician's clinical judgment about when to intervene adequately reflects the patient's own opinion about his or her health status. Invasive treatment led to a significant improvement in patients' health status. These findings indicate the effectiveness of the strategy to include patients' perceived physical functioning into the process of clinical decision-making.

Adult↗

Including health status in Medicare's Adjusted Average Per Capita Cost capitation formula.

Actuarial factors currently comprising Medicare's HMO capitation formula, the Adjusted Average Per Capita Cost (AAPCC), are considered by many researchers to be inadequate as predictors of future period health care costs. While it is often suggested that the formula should incorporate beneficiary health status, no measure of health status suitable for this purpose has yet been identified. The authors present initial results from a study of 1,934 randomly selected Medicare beneficiaries in Michigan. Beneficiaries were surveyed to obtain data on several alternative measures of health status. Medicare claims were used to estimate beneficiary health care costs for periods before and after the survey. In regressions on future period Medicare payments, equations including the AAPCC factors plus a health status measure achieved R2 values ranging from 0.013 to 0.072, depending on the health status measure, compared with an R2 value of 0.003 for the equation with AAPCC factors alone.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Does money spent on health care really improve U.S. health status?

Whether increased expenditures for health care substantially improve the overall health care of the U.S. population poses a critical question for the formulators of a national health policy. Concentrating exclusively on the impact of the Medicare program on the health status of the aged poor, the author examines HEW data and assesses the linkage between increased expenditures and improved health.

Aged↗

The Health Status Questionnaire: achieving concordance with published disability criteria.

AIM: To compare the Health Status Questionnaire with established methods of assessing disability in preterm and very low birthweight infants. METHOD: All survivors of gestational age <31 weeks or birth weight <1500 g, born in 1994 to women resident in Wales were identified. Assessments were by a single observer at a median corrected age of 28.3 months and included the Health Status Questionnaire and a Griffiths developmental test. Outcome was also described according to criteria for disability used in three published studies. RESULTS: There were 297 survivors of which 279 (94%) were assessed. Using the Health Status Questionnaire, severe disability was found in 12.9% of cases compared to 8.2%, 2.9%, and 3.6% using the Northern, Victorian, and Mersey outcome criteria respectively. Following the simple modifications of removing the growth criteria from the Health Status Questionnaire and reclassifying the severe disability group in the Victorian and Mersey criteria, comparable severe disability rates ranging from 7.9% to 9.3% were found. CONCLUSION: The Health Status Questionnaire requires no formal training, is rapid to perform, and with simple modifications provides comparable results to established methods of assessing disability. Its use in the follow up of preterm and very low birthweight infants should be encouraged.

Child, Preschool↗

Functional health status and its relationship to depressive personality disorder, dysthymia, and major depression: preliminary findings.

Controversy continues on the extent to which depressive personality disorder (DPD) and dysthymic disorder (DYST) may be differentiated. Although affective disorders often are accompanied by changes in functional health status, to date no study has examined how functional health associated with affective disorders may assist in differentiating the two disorders. In this study, we hypothesized that measures of DPD would have fewer correlations with functional health status than would measures of DYST and major depressive disorder (MDD). African American women (n=110) completed questionnaires that assessed for depressive disorders, somatic concerns, and physical health. Measures of DPD, DYST, and MDD were all significantly correlated with functional health status. When symptoms of MDD were controlled, DYST was more associated with functional health status than was a DSM-IV measure of DPD, although a self-report measure of DPD--the Depressive Personality Disorder Inventory [DPDI; Huprich et al., 1996: J Clin Psychol 52:152-159]--remained significantly correlated with functional health status. When symptoms of DYST were controlled, DSM-IV symptoms of DPD were not strongly associated with functional health status, although measures of MDD and the DPDI were correlated with functional health status. We concluded that despite the overlap in depressive symptoms and functional health status, DPD may be less associated with functional health status in a primary care population than DYST and MDD. Implications for the assessment of DPD are provided.

Adult↗

A new planning methodology to assess the impact of the health care system on health status.

This article summarizes a new methodology recently developed by the Rand Corporation which permits health planners to assess the impact of the local health care system on the health status of the population. The methodology, in algorithm form, should assist health planners in developing objectives and actions related to the occurrence of selected health status indicators and should be amenable to health care interventions. Emphasis has been placed on developing a simplified, approximate analysis that health planners will find both feasible and effective. No detailed mathematic analyses are called for. The data required are, in most instances, readily obtainable. The algorithm is a methodology by which HSAs can investigate determinants of health status, identify breakdowns in the health care system, and specify needed improvements in the system. The goal of these algorithms is to assist HSAs to obtain valid and sufficiently detailed data that will provide a basis for monitoring breakdowns in the health care system and to improve planning decisions aimed at preventing such breakdowns. This should, in turn, affect population health status in the planning area.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Influence of different types of alcoholic beverages on self-reported health status.

AIMS: This study investigated the effect of the consumption of wine, beer and spirits on self-reported health status. METHODS: A sample of 14950 individuals was randomly selected from the total population register in Sweden in 1996-97. Their self-reported health status and consumption of wine, beer and spirits were assessed at face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Of 11606 individuals in the age range 16-84 years, 2659 reported a poor health status. Consumption of wine was associated with a decreased odds ratio (OR) (0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.63) for poor, self-reported health status, as compared with non-users. Consumers of fortified wine, beer, strong beer and hard liquor had a similar, self-reported health status to that of non-consumers. The results were adjusted for age, sex and total alcohol consumption. Adjustments for body-mass index, smoking, educational level and physical activity did not change the results. The relationship between poor self-reported health status and intake of wine had a form similar to a 'U' with the lowest OR among individuals consuming small to moderate amounts of wine. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that a moderate consumption of wine was associated with a positive effect on the self-reported health status. Factors related to lifestyle may be underlying causes.

Adolescent↗

Light on population health status.

A new approach to illustrating and analysing health status is presented which allows comparisons of various aspects of health in a population at different times and in different populations during given periods. Both quantitative and qualitative elements can be represented, the impact of interventions can be monitored, and the extent to which objectives are achieved can be assessed. The practical application of the approach is demonstrated with reference to the health profiles to Tunisia in 1966 and 1994.

Adult↗

Outcomes and health status of socially disadvantaged women during pregnancy.

We sought to examine the health status of disadvantaged pregnant women more broadly and to consider if poor maternal health predisposes a woman to an adverse birth outcome. We surveyed 250 women recruited from six health centers in the greater Boston area during their third trimester. The main predictor variables were maternal physical functioning (PF), emotional health (EH), and overall health status in the month prior to pregnancy. The main outcome variables were the decline of maternal PF and EH during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. Mean PF scores fell from 91.9 prior to pregnancy to 63.7 during the third trimester (mean scores transformed 0 to 100, where a higher score represents better health). EH remained unchanged during pregnancy. After adjustment, women with a preexisting medical condition reported a lower PF score prior to pregnancy (87.8 versus 94.5, p < 0.05). Poor PF prior to pregnancy or during the third trimester was associated with an increased risk of preterm labor (odds ratio 2.02, 95% confidence interval 1.03-3.97). This study is the first to employ general health status measures to examine changes in health during pregnancy. Our findings support the use of preconception care to improve the health status of disadvantaged women with pre-existing conditions. This study suggests that poor maternal health may predispose a woman to an increased risk of preterm labor.

Adult↗

[A study on the relationship between women's health status and the experience of Sanhujori, the Korean traditional non-professional postpartal care].

This descriptive study sought to define the relationship between women's health status and the experience of Sanhujori. Korean traditional non-professional postpartal care after delivery and abortion. A convenience sample of 308 women in 7 provinces in Korea including Seoul were studied from December, 1994 to December, 1996 for two years. Mean age of respondents was 50.5 years and mean number of children was 3. The rate of abortion was 91.5% and mean frequency was 2.2 times per woman. 82% of respondents did not have Sanhujori after abortion. The period and subjective evaluation of experience of Sanhujori after delivery were decreased according to the increment of the number of childbirth. The health status implies both subjective health status women perceived and physical symptom distress women are experiencing presently. The respondents expressed the physical symptom distress as painful one. 56.7% of respondents perceived unhealthy, such as sick and 99.6% complained more than one symptom. The factors related to health status were the first and third experience of Sanhujori after delivery, such as the period and subjective evaluation whether she did Sanhujori well or not; whether or not of Sanhujori after abortion and menopause; the number of child; and age, at the level of 1% or 5% of significance statistically. The factors related to the rate of physical symptom distress were only two: the first experience of Sanhujori after delivery, especially the subjective evaluation and whether women did Sanhujori after abortion or not, at the level of 1% or 5% of significance statistically. In conclusion, this finding reconfirmed the possible relationship between women's health status and the experience of Sanhujori after delivery & abortion. It provides a challenge to the professional care givers to research further on the effects of Sanhujori on the health status, health recovery after abortion or delivery from the various aspects through the cross-sectional and longitudinal research for the refinement of the reality of Sanhujori not only as cultural phenomenon but as conceptual model for the appropriateness of intervention and qualty of care for desirable health outcomes. Besides, it is indispensable to refine and reestablish postpartal caring system by finding universal law through international & cross-cultural research on postpartal traditional care for women's life long health toward the 21C.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Evolution of self-rated health status in the elderly: cross-sectional vs. longitudinal estimates.

We assessed the perceived health status evolution among elderly subjects and examined the age-related differences in perceived health when comparing estimates obtained from cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. Data come from a cohort of non-institutionalized individuals aged 65 years or older, living in Barcelona, Spain. One thousand three hundred fifteen (1315) elderly were successfully interviewed at baseline in 1986 and 754 (84.6% of the eligible) at the re-assessment (1993-1994). Estimates of change in perceived health status were calculated based on cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. Cross-sectionally, no significant differences in the proportion of individuals with poor self-rated health were found (40.5 vs. 42.5%, P = 0.90). Among survivors, the proportion of individuals with poor health increased from 37.8% to 55.1% (P < 0.01), an 8.7-fold decline of perceived health when compared with the cross-sectional estimates. Comorbidity (aOR 2.1; 95%CI: 1.4-3.3) and no education (aOR 1.9; 95%CI: 1.1-3.2) were associated with a decline in health status after adjusting by baseline health status. We recommend the use of longitudinal studies to understand the evolution of perceived health in the elderly.

Aged↗

The distressed (type D) personality is independently associated with impaired health status and increased depressive symptoms in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a serious condition that is associated with impaired health status and a high prevalence of depressive symptoms. To date, little is known about the determinants of health status and depressive symptoms in CHF. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether Type D personality is associated with impaired health status and increased depressive symptoms in heart failure patients, independent of disease characteristics. METHODS: Eighty-four patients (63 men and 21 women, mean age=65.9+/-12.1 years) with systolic CHF completed four questionnaires to assess Type D personality (14-item Type D Personality Scale [DS14]), health status (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [MLWHFQ]), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) and mood status (Global Mood Scale [GMS]) when visiting an outpatient heart failure clinic. Information on clinical variables was obtained from patients' medical records. RESULTS: Type D patients were more likely to experience impairment in health status (18/38=47%) as compared to non-Type Ds (11/46=24%), P=0.027. They also more often reported symptoms of depression; namely 18 of 38=47% versus 6 of 46=13%, P=0.001. When controlling for severity and etiology of CHF, age and gender, Type D remained a significant associate of impaired health status [odds ratio (OR) 3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-7.78] and depressive symptoms (OR 6.3, 95% CI 2.08-19.12). CONCLUSIONS: Type D was associated with impaired health status and increased depressive symptoms in CHF patients. These preliminary findings demonstrate the value of including personality factors in CHF research.

Affect↗

Remote home monitoring of health status of the elderly.

The hypothesis that functional health status amongst the elderly can be accurately determined remotely by continuously monitoring relatively simple parameters that measure the interaction between the participant and his or her environment was examined. Changes in such simple measures as mobility, sleep patterns, utilization of cooking, washing, and toilet facilities can identify changes in functional health status and prompt appropriate, timely, and cost-effective intervention of medical and community-based services to help reduce morbidity and maintain an independent, high quality of life. We discuss the design and implementation of a multidisciplinary research project and an associated field trial to unobtrusively monitor and correlate interaction with the home environment and functional health status.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Should breast reduction surgery be rationed? A comparison of the health status of patients before and after treatment: postal questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the health status of patients before and after breast reduction surgery and to make comparisons with the health status of women in the general population. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey sent to patients before and six months after surgery. SETTING: The three plastic surgery departments in the Oxford Regional Health Authority, during April to August 1993. SUBJECTS: 166 women (over the age of 16 years) referred for breast reduction; scores from the "short form 36" (SF-36) health questionnaire completed by women in the 1991-2 Oxford healthy life survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health status of breast reduction patients before and after surgery as assessed by the SF-36, the 28 item general health questionnaire, and Rosenberg's self esteem scale; comparisons between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population; outcome of surgery as assessed retrospectively by patients. RESULTS: Differences between the health status of breast reduction patients and that of women in the general population were detected by the SF-36 both before and after surgery. Breast reduction surgery produced substantial change in patients' physical, social, and psychological function. The proportion of cases of possible psychiatric morbidity according to the general health questionnaire fell from 41% (22/54) before surgery to 11% (6/54) six months after treatment. Eighty six per cent (50/58) of patients expressed great satisfaction with the surgical result postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The study provides empirical evidence that supports the inclusion of breast reduction surgery in NHS purchasing contracts.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of three health status measures in primary care outpatients.

Our objective was to compare a brief, relatively new global health status measure, the Health Utilities Index Mark II (HUI), to two commonly applied health status measures (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36] and the Sickness Jgipact Profile [SIP] in a general medical outpatient population. Using a cross-sectional survey, we surveyed 160 patients in the General Medical Clinic of the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Each subject answered demographic questions and then completed the three health status measures. The mean tJgie taken to complete the measures was 3, 10, and 20 minutes for the HUI, SF-36, and SIP, respectively (p <.0001). The HUI exhibited a modest "floor" effect; that is, scores were concentrated near the sicker of the scale. In contrast, responses to the SIP were heavily concentrated near the healthier end of the scale. Spearman correlation coefficients between the HUI and scales within the other two measures ranged from. 54 (SF-36 mental health) to 0.69 (SF-36 physical functioning). Subjects accepted all measures well. These three health service measures varied in their distribution of responses and ttime required to complete. Users should consider the degree of sickness of the population to be assessed when choosing a measure.

Adult↗

Life expectancies in specific health states: results from a joint model of health status and mortality of older persons.

With the trend toward aging, increases in health care expenditures are expected. Insight into (future) needs for care services requires a taxonomy of older persons' health conditions: how health status develops as people age and how these health conditions determine residual life expectancy. In this paper we provide this information for the Netherlands. We apply a flexible nonparametric method--the Grade of Membership method--to a national database and summarize the multidimensional concept of health status into a limited set of interpretable indices. We then use these indices in our panel data model for health status and mortality. The model results are used to calculate age-health profiles and expected residual lifetimes in specific health states.

Aged↗