242634 Assessing differences in HRQOL among older adults with and without functional limitations

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

William W. Thompson, PhD , NCCDPHP, Division of Population Health, Arthritis, Epilepsy, and Quality of Life Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Matthew M. Zack, MD, MPH , NCCDPHP, Division of Adult and Community Health, State Support, Arthritis, Epilepsy, and Quality of Life Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Gloria L. Krahn, PhD, MPH , Rehabilitation Research and Training Center: Healtlh and Wellness, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Elena Andresen, PhD , Disability & Health Research Group, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
John Barile, PhD , Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Introduction: Differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among those with and without functional limitations have been studied extensively, but the correlates of related factors such as age, health service utilization and behavioral risk factors are not well understood.

Objective: Assess differences in HRQOL among those with and without functional limitations by age, health service utilization, and behavioral risk factors.

Methods: BRFSS 2008 and 2009 data were used to estimate differences in HRQOL by functional limitation, age (50-64 years and >=65 years), service utilization, and behavioral risk factors. Estimates were adjusted for gender education, household income and marital status.

Results: Among individuals 50-64 years old, the percentage of individuals who reported being unable to see a physician due to costs was much larger among those with functional limitations compared to than those without functional limitations. For those with functional limitations, physically and mentally unhealthy days decreased significantly with age. Mentally unhealthy days also decreased with age among those without functional limitations but much less than those with functional limitations. HRQOL was most strongly associated with being unable to see a physician due to costs, having a recent dental visit, leisure-time physical activity, and smoking, especially among those with functional limitations. Similar factors were associated with HRQOL among those without functional limitations but the absolute differences were smaller.

Conclusions: HRQOL differs by functional limitations, age, services received, and risky behaviors. Decreasing physically and mentally unhealthy days by age group among those with functional limitations supports a possible response shift in HRQOL.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To describe differences in HRQOL by functional limitation in older adults.

Keywords: Quality of Life, Disability Studies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been employed as an epidemiologist at the CDC since 1998 and I am considered to be an international expert in Health-Related Quality of Life research. This has included co-leading the Healthy People 2020 Health-Related Quality of Life and Well-Being work Group.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Disability Section Poster Session 4
See more of: Disability