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Table 1 Variables used to explain self-rated health in older people

From: Determinants of self-rated health in old age: A population-based, cross-sectional study using the International Classification of Functioning

ICF component and definition

Variable

Scale

Body Functions: Physiological functions (including mental functions) of body systems.

Pain

Bodily Pain subscale of SF-36, interval scale (0-100)§, higher score = less pain.

 

Depressive symptoms

Geriatric Depression Scale, ordinal scale (0-30), higher score = more depressive symptoms.

 

Cognitive function

Mini-Mental State Examination, ordinal scale (0-30), higher score = better cognitive function

 

Balance confidence

Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, ordinal scale (0-100), higher score = more self-reported balance confidence in 16 daily activities of greater or lesser challenge during position changes or walking.

Activities: Execution of tasks or actions by an individual.

Timed mobility

Timed Up & Go test, interval scale (time in sec.), higher score = worse/slower performance in standing up from a chair, walking three meters, turning, walking back to the chair and sitting down.

 

Basic lower extremity capacity

LLFDI: Basic Lower Extremity Functioning, interval scale (0-100)*, higher score = more self-reported capacity in 14 activities that involve standing, stooping, and fundamental walking.

 

Advanced lower extremity capacity

LLFDI: Advanced Lower Extremity Functioning, interval scale (0-100)*, higher score = more self-reported capacity in 11 activities that involve a high level of physical ability and endurance.

 

Upper extremity capacity

LLFDI: Upper Extremity Functioning, interval scale (0-100)*, higher score = more self-reported capacity in 7 activities that involve hands and arms.

Participation: Person's involvement in a life situation.

Participation frequency

LLFDI: Frequency Dimension†, interval scale (0-100)*, higher score = more self-reported frequency of participation in 16 life situations.

 

Participation restriction

LLFDI: Limitation Dimension, interval scale (0-100)*, higher score = more perceived restrictions for participating in 16 life situations.

Personal factors: Particular background of an individual's life and living.

Leisure-time physical activity

PASE-leisure, ordinal scale (0-400+)†, higher score = more energy spent in self reported leisure-time activities e.g. walk, exercise, sport or recreation.

 

Household physical activity

PASE-home, ordinal scale (0-171)†, higher score = more energy spent in self-reported light and heavy housework, home repairs, lawn work, gardening or caring for another person.

 

Work-related physical activity

PASE-work, ordinal scale (0-400+)†, higher score = more energy spent in self-reported work for pay or as a volunteer.

 

Medical Diagnoses

Medical diagnoses, interval scale (sum of diagnoses), higher number of self-reported medical diagnoses.

 

Age

Age, interval scale (years), obtained from the national registry.

 

Gender

Gender, nominal scale (0-1), 0 = woman and 1 = man.

Environmental factors: Physical, social and attitudinal environment.

Residency

Residency, nominal scale (0-1), 0 = rural and 1 = urban.

 

Adequacy of income

Adequacy of income, ordinal scale (0-1), higher score = income perceived as adequate to fulfill daily needs.

  1. §SF-36 = The SF-36® Health Survey is a generic measure of health status which has summary scales on physical and mental health. The physical health summary integrates outcomes from scales for physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain and general health.
  2. *LLFDI = Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument is based on the Nagi's disability framework, yet it has been used with promising results to measure ICF's participation and activities. The LLFDI function domain contains three subscales that can measure activities in upper and lower extremities. The LLFDI disability domain includes two subscales that may be used to measure participation.
  3. †PASE = The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly is a self-report of physically active lifestyle in the past seven days. For the purpose of our analysis we divided the total PASE into three parts: PASE-leisure, PASE-home, and PASE-work. PASE scores are indicative of energy spent within each of these three habitual life domains and usually the total scores range from 0-400. Extremely active individuals can achieve even higher scores (400+).