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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Health status of the advanced elderly in six european countries: results from a representative survey using EQ-5D and SF-12

Authors: Hans-Helmut König, Dirk Heider, Thomas Lehnert, Steffi G Riedel-Heller, Matthias C Angermeyer, Herbert Matschinger, Gemma Vilagut, Ronny Bruffaerts, Josep M Haro, Giovanni de Girolamo, Ron de Graaf, Viviane Kovess, Jordi Alonso, the ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 investigators

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Due to demographic change, the advanced elderly represent the fastest growing population group in Europe. Health problems tend to be frequent and increasing with age within this cohort.

Aims of the study

To describe and compare health status of the elderly population in six European countries and to analyze the impact of socio-demographic variables on health.

Methods

In the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), representative non-institutionalized population samples completed the EQ-5D and Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaires as part of personal computer-based home interviews in 2001-2003. This study is based on a subsample of 1659 respondents aged ≥ 75 years from Belgium (n = 194), France (n = 168), Germany (n = 244), Italy (n = 317), the Netherlands (n = 164) and Spain (n = 572). Descriptive statistics, bivariate- (chi-square tests) and multivariate methods (linear regressions) were used to examine differences in population health.

Results

68.8% of respondents reported problems in one or more EQ-5D dimensions, most frequently pain/discomfort (55.2%), followed by mobility (50.0%), usual activities (36.6%), self-care (18.1%) and anxiety/depression (11.6%). The proportion of respondents reporting any problems increased significantly with age in bivariate analyses (age 75-79: 65.4%; age 80-84: 69.2%; age ≥ 85: 81.1%) and differed between countries, ranging from 58.7% in the Netherlands to 72.3% in Italy. The mean EQ VAS score was 61.9, decreasing with age (age 75-79: 64.1; age 80-84: 59.8; age ≥ 85: 56.7) and ranging from 60.0 in Italy to 72.9 in the Netherlands. SF-12 derived Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores varied little by age and country. Age and low educational level were associated with lower EQ VAS and PCS scores. After controlling for socio-demographic variables and reported EQ-5D health states, mean EQ VAS scores were significantly higher in the Netherlands and Belgium, and lower in Germany than the grand mean.

Conclusions

More than two thirds of the advanced elderly report impairment of health status. Impairment increases rapidly with age but differs considerably between countries. In all countries, health status is significantly associated with socio-demographic variables.
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Metadata
Title
Health status of the advanced elderly in six european countries: results from a representative survey using EQ-5D and SF-12
Authors
Hans-Helmut König
Dirk Heider
Thomas Lehnert
Steffi G Riedel-Heller
Matthias C Angermeyer
Herbert Matschinger
Gemma Vilagut
Ronny Bruffaerts
Josep M Haro
Giovanni de Girolamo
Ron de Graaf
Viviane Kovess
Jordi Alonso
the ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 investigators
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-8-143

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