Physical limitations and self-rated overall health in family medicine patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how physical limitations relate to self-rated health among family medicine patients after adjustment for severity of illness.


METHODS
A telephone survey of family medicine patients, linked with medical record information.


METHODS
A large family medicine department in Rochester, Minnesota, USA.


METHODS
Self-ratings of health were linked to medical records for 804 adult patients.


RESULTS
Adjusting for severity and other confounders using multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having physical limitations was inversely and independently related to good self-rated health (adjusted odds ratio = 0.20, P<0.001). Odds ratios also were lower for high severity of illness (adjusted odds = 0.43). Morbidly obese patients and patients older than 65 years of age also had reduced odds of good self-rated health.


CONCLUSIONS
In our sample of family medicine patients, part of the disparity in health status experienced by people with physical limitations is attributable to greater severity of illness, age and obesity.
Rohrer
James E
JE
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. rohrer.james@mayo.edu
Merry
Stephen P
SP
Rohland
Barbara
B
Rasmussen
Norman
N
Wilshusen
Laurie
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index