Health status and service utilisation of older people in different European countries.
OBJECTIVE
Care of elderly demands more and more resources. The purpose of this study was to compare the health of the elderly and the differences in utilisation of services.


METHODS
Health status was measured using the Short Form 36, the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, the Abbreviated Mental Test and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Information was also obtained on health and social service utilisation.


METHODS
Eight European districts.


METHODS
4004 elderly aged 70-94 years were studied.


RESULTS
General health perception measured with SF-36 was significantly better in men than in women and in elderly living outside institutions. Measured with the Barthel scale, the elderly living in the southern districts were more disabled. Women were more disabled than men. Depression and anxiety were common, but inadequately treated and strongly linked with disability. There was a north-south difference also in mental disability, people in the north feeling healthier.


CONCLUSIONS
Cultural differences probably explain most of the differences observed. However, treating depression and anxiety more adequately could help elderly people to avoid early institutionalisation.
Heslin
J M
JM
Public Health Department, South Eastern Health Board, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Soveri
P J
PJ
Winoy
J B
JB
Lyons
R A
RA
Buttanshaw
A C
AC
Kovacic
L
L
Daley
J A
JA
Gonzalo
E
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012947:Social Work