Dataset Information

Self-Reported Hindering Health Complaints of Community-Dwelling Older Persons: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Proactive care for community-dwelling older persons targeting self-reported hindering health complaints might prevent a decline in function. We investigated the spectrum of self-reported hindering complaints of community-dwelling older persons, the association with functional outcomes, and help-seeking behavior for these complaints.

Methods

Within the ISCOPE trial, participants (aged ?75 years) received the ISCOPE screening questionnaire, including the open-ended question "At the moment, which health complaints limit you the most in your day-to-day life?". After coding the answers with the ICPC-1-NL, we examined the prevalence and the association between the number and type of complaints and functional outcomes (Groningen Activities Restriction Scale, quality of life measured on Cantril's Ladder, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale). Electronic patient registers were searched for the most reported complaints.

Results

7285 participants (median age: 81.0 years [IQR 77.8-85.3], 38.6% males) reported 13,524 hindering complaints (median 1, range 0-18); 32.7% reported no complaints. Participants mostly reported problems with walking/standing (22.1%), pain (20.8%) or weakness/tiredness (8.5%). These complaints were mentioned in the electronic patient registers in 28.3%, 91.3% and 55.5%, respectively. Higher numbers of hindering complaints were related to poorer scores on the number of domains with problems, Cantril's Ladder for quality of life, Groningen Activities Restriction Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Self-reported weakness, problems with walking/standing, visual limitations, cognitive problems, dyspnea and back complaints were associated with poorer scores on the number of domains with problems, Groningen Activities Restriction Scale, MMSE or Geriatric Depression Scale.

Conclusion

One third of the participants reported no hindering complaints. Problems with walking/standing, pain, and weakness/tiredness were most reported, but not always found in electronic patient registers. A higher number of, and specific self-reported hindering complaints, were associated with poorer scores on functional outcomes. It may be helpful for general practitioners to ask about these complaints and their influence on daily life.

SUBMITTER: van Blijswijk SC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4646486 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Self-Reported Hindering Health Complaints of Community-Dwelling Older Persons: A Cross-Sectional Study.

van Blijswijk Sophie C E SC Chan On Ying A OY van Houwelingen Anne H AH Gussekloo Jacobijn J den Elzen Wendy P J WP Blom Jeanet W JW

PloS one 20151116 11

<h4>Purpose</h4>Proactive care for community-dwelling older persons targeting self-reported hindering health complaints might prevent a decline in function. We investigated the spectrum of self-reported hindering complaints of community-dwelling older persons, the association with functional outcomes, and help-seeking behavior for these complaints.<h4>Methods</h4>Within the ISCOPE trial, participants (aged ≥75 years) received the ISCOPE screening questionnaire, including the open-ended question ...[more]

PMID: 26571233

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Dataset Information

Self-Reported Hindering Health Complaints of Community-Dwelling Older Persons: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Self-Reported Hindering Health Complaints of Community-Dwelling Older Persons: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Similar Datasets

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