Self-rated health showed a graded association with frequently used biomarkers in a large population sample.
OBJECTIVE
Self-rated health is a widely used measure of health status, but its biologic foundations are poorly understood. We investigated the association of frequently used biomarkers with self-rated health, and the role of these biomarkers in the association of self-rated health with mortality.


METHODS
The relation of self-rated health to blood levels of albumin, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, HDL cholesterol, and creatinine was examined in a population-based sample of 4,065 men and women aged 71 years or older. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the association of self-rated health with mortality during 4.9 years. Sociodemographic factors, diagnosed chronic conditions, and activities of daily living disability were controlled for in these analyses.


RESULTS
All the biomarkers showed a graded relationship with self-rated health. After adjusting for other indicators, hemoglobin and white cell count were significantly associated with fair or poor self-rated health. When biomarkers and other indicators were adjusted for, self-rated health still was a significant predictor of mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-rated health has a biologic basis, and it can be a sensitive barometer of physiologic states. Self-rated health is likely to predict mortality because it covers the spectrum of health conditions better than the variables measured in the study.
Jylhä
Marja
M
University of Tampere, School of Public Health, Medisiinarinkatu 3, Tampere, FIN-33014, Finland. marja.jylha@uta.fi
Volpato
Stefano
S
Guralnik
Jack M
JM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D003404:Creatinine