Article: Impact of chronic diseases on health services and quality of life of a Chinese population

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TitleImpact of chronic diseases on health services and quality of life of a Chinese population
AuthorsLam, CLK
Lauder, IJ
Lam, TP
Keywords36 item short form Health Survey
Chinese
Chronic disease
Quality of life
Service utilization
Issue Date2003
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Asia. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.blackwell-science.com/~cgilib/jnlpage.asp?Journal=afm&File=afm
CitationAsia Pacific Family Medicine, 2003, v. 2 n. 2, p. 98-106 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1444-1683.2003.00064.x
AbstractAbstract Background: Chronic diseases are becoming the major global burden of disease. Information on their impact on health services and quality of life of individual patients can facilitate the provision of appropriate care. Objectives: To determine the self reported prevalence of chronic diseases and their impact on health service utilization and quality of life of individual patients. Methods: A cross sectional random telephone survey was conducted on 2410 Chinese adults from the general population in Hong Kong using both a structured questionnaire and the 36 item short form Health Survey (SF-36). The effects of chronic diseases on consultation rates, hospitalization risk and the SF-36 scores were analyzed by multivariate stepwise regressions, controlling for sociodemographic variables and comorbidity. Results: A total of 38% of subjects reported one or more chronic diseases with 59% being less than 60 years. Chronic joint problems were the most common. Every additional chronic disease increased the annual number of consultations by 60% and the likelihood of hospitalization in the last year by 79%. Most chronic diseases had a negative impact on quality of life with most associated with psychological problems. Conclusions: One in three Chinese adults in Hong Kong reported having chronic diseases. The total number of chronic diseases had a linear relationship with service utilization, which could be a useful medical risk adjustment factor. Enhancing quality of life should be an important aim in the management of chronic diseases.
ISSN1444-1683
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1444-1683.2003.00064.x
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorLam, CLK
dc.contributor.authorLauder, IJ
dc.contributor.authorLam, TP
dc.date.accessioned2008-05-22T04:19:32Z
dc.date.available2008-05-22T04:19:32Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background: Chronic diseases are becoming the major global burden of disease. Information on their impact on health services and quality of life of individual patients can facilitate the provision of appropriate care. Objectives: To determine the self reported prevalence of chronic diseases and their impact on health service utilization and quality of life of individual patients. Methods: A cross sectional random telephone survey was conducted on 2410 Chinese adults from the general population in Hong Kong using both a structured questionnaire and the 36 item short form Health Survey (SF-36). The effects of chronic diseases on consultation rates, hospitalization risk and the SF-36 scores were analyzed by multivariate stepwise regressions, controlling for sociodemographic variables and comorbidity. Results: A total of 38% of subjects reported one or more chronic diseases with 59% being less than 60 years. Chronic joint problems were the most common. Every additional chronic disease increased the annual number of consultations by 60% and the likelihood of hospitalization in the last year by 79%. Most chronic diseases had a negative impact on quality of life with most associated with psychological problems. Conclusions: One in three Chinese adults in Hong Kong reported having chronic diseases. The total number of chronic diseases had a linear relationship with service utilization, which could be a useful medical risk adjustment factor. Enhancing quality of life should be an important aim in the management of chronic diseases.
dc.description.naturepostprint
dc.format.extent76576 bytes
dc.format.extent241905 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationAsia Pacific Family Medicine, 2003, v. 2 n. 2, p. 98-106 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1444-1683.2003.00064.x
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1444-1683.2003.00064.x
dc.identifier.hkuros80919
dc.identifier.issn1444-1683
dc.identifier.openurl
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/48631
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherBlackwell Publishing Asia. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.blackwell-science.com/~cgilib/jnlpage.asp?Journal=afm&File=afm
dc.rightsThe definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com
dc.rightsCreative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License
dc.subject36 item short form Health Survey
dc.subjectChinese
dc.subjectChronic disease
dc.subjectQuality of life
dc.subjectService utilization
dc.titleImpact of chronic diseases on health services and quality of life of a Chinese population
dc.typeArticle