[Impact of common reasons for consultation on the feeling of vitality and the physical performance of the over-65s].
OBJECTIVE
To measure two functional dimensions (vitality and physical function) involved in the quality of life of the over-65s and to find what relationship they maintain with the commonest reasons for consultation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Primary care.


METHODS
Randomised sample of 179 patients over 65 from 14 primary care clinics in Navarra.


METHODS
SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire and most common reasons for consultation. Personal and family details and ongoing drug prescription were also recorded.


RESULTS
The most common reasons for consultation were insomnia (31.8%), arthrosis (48%), and urinary symptoms (16.2%). The greatest differences in the SF-36 scales occurred in patients with insomnia. In the multiple regression models, inverse associations were found for each of the reasons for consultation with the vitality and physical function dimensions. Vitality was associated with urinary symptoms, with an adjusted beta coefficient of -11.2 points (95% CI, -18.6 to -3.7). Insomnia was associated with significant decline in vitality and physical function, with beta of -7.7 points (95% CI, -13.9 to -1.5) and -10.3 points (95% CI, -19.1 to -1.6), respectively. Arthrosis symptoms behaved in a similar way.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common pathologies or symptoms causing primary care consultations in the over-65s affect significantly the quality-of-life dimensions relating to the pursuit of normal daily life.
Sánchez Lasheras
T
T
Centro de Salud de Azpilagaña, Atención Primaria, Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, Pamplona, España.
Goñi Ruiz
N
N
Serrano-Martínez
M
M
Buil
P
P
Zabaleta
A
A
de Miguel
G
G
Beldarrain
O
O
Díez Espino
J
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires