title: Quality of life in community-dwelling Dutch elderly measured by EQ-5D-3L.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate health status and associated factors in community-dwelling elderly in the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants from a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in the Netherlands were invited at the time of enrolment to participate in this study. Data were collected on comorbidities, socio-demographic background and health status, using EQ-5D-3L instrument. EQ-5D-3L summary index values (EQ-5D-indices) was derived using Dutch tariff. Regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with EQ-5D-indices and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  48,634 elderly (≥65 years) were included. The most frequently reported complaint was pain/discomfort (29.4%), but for the elder elderly (i.e. ≥85 years) it was mobility (52.9%). The proportion of persons reporting (multiple) problems increased with age from 31.5% for 65-69 years old subjects to 65.9% for elder elderly. The mean EQ-5D-indices and EQ-VAS decreased with age from 0.94 and 84, respectively in those 65 to 69 years old to 0.86 and 76, respectively, in ≥85 years old subjects. Increasing age, female gender, low education, geographic factors and comorbidities were associated with impaired health status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within community-dwelling elderly large differences in health status exist. Impairment increases rapidly with age, but health status is also associated with socio-demographic variables and comorbidities.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00812084 .
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Str 6.131 room 7.115, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584, CX, The Netherlands. m.j.j.mangen@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Marie-Josée J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mangen
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Str 6.131 room 7.115, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584, CX, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolkenbaas
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Str 6.131 room 7.115, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584, CX, The Netherlands.|Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Huijts
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Str 6.131 room 7.115, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584, CX, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cornelis H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: van Werkhoven
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Str 6.131 room 7.115, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584, CX, The Netherlands.|Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marc J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonten
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Str 6.131 room 7.115, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584, CX, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G Ardine
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: de Wit
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Community-dwelling; EQ-5D-3L; Elderly; Health status; Health-related quality-of-life; The Netherlands