Self rated health as a predictor of coronary heart disease in Copenhagen, Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the association between self rated health and the incidence of fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) in a Danish cohort followed up over 16 years.


METHODS
This was a prospective epidemiological follow up study.


METHODS
A cohort from the County of Copenhagen, Denmark.


METHODS
The study included 1052 men and women born in 1936. During the 16 years' follow up 50 cases of CHD were registered in either the Danish register of deaths or the register of hospital admissions.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed the following relative risks of CHD in the four self rated health groups: 'extremely good': 1.0, 'good': 4.0, 'poor': 5.8, 'miserable': 12.1 (p = 0.02). After control for the conventional CHD risk factors and a substantial number of other potential confounders the relative risks were: 1.0, 4.2, 6.5, and 18.6 (p = 0.02) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Self rated health was an independent predictor of CHD in the present cohort. If confirmed, the association between self rated health and CHD may lead to new insight into psychosocial processes leading to this disease.
Møller
L
L
Department of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kristensen
T S
TS
Hollnagel
H
H
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept