title: Comorbid medical illnesses and perceived general health among adult recipients of Medicaid Mental Health Services.
abstract: The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was to measure self-reported frequencies of medical problems, overall health, and health-related quality of life among mental health consumers. The sample included 787 adults who had received a mental health service paid for by Medicaid over a one-year period. The self-administered questionnaire included the 12-item Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Short-Form (SF) Physical and Mental Health Summary Scales, and items about physical health problems and health-related quality of life. The majority of respondents (83.3%) reported that their general health was poor or fair. Frequently reported medical problems included arthritis, migraines, and high blood pressure. Knowledge of physical problems in persons with mental illness is essential for advanced practice nurses.
authors: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, USA. pbhowa00@uky.edu
authors: Patricia B
authors: PB
authors: Howard
authors: Peggy
authors: P
authors: El-Mallakh
authors: Mary Kay
authors: MK
authors: Rayens
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015995:Prevalence; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires