Health-related quality of life among self-reported arthritis sufferers: effects of race/ethnicity and residence.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for African Americans and Caucasians with self-reported arthritis residing in rural and urban areas of a southern state.


METHODS
1,191 individuals completed a telephone survey, which included the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Participants were stratified into groups: African American/rural, Caucasian/rural, African American/urban, and Caucasian/urban. We evaluated differences and associations in HRQoL for the four groups.


RESULTS
Multivariable linear regression models revealed that being an African American rural resident was associated with worse self-reported mental health on the SF-12 even after adjusting for multiple confounding variables. In contrast, multivariable linear regression models revealed that being a Caucasian rural resident was associated with worse physical health SF-12 scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed differences in HRQoL on the mental and physical health functioning scales of the SF-12 for African American rural and Caucasian rural residents. Researchers assessing HRQoL in arthritis patients should consider using a race/residence product term in their analyses.
Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham VA Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street (152), Durham, NC 27705, USA. stacey.kovac@duke.edu
Stacey H
SH
Kovac
Ted R
TR
Mikuls
Amy
A
Mudano
Kenneth G
KG
Saag
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama; D001168:Arthritis; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People