TY - JOUR
T1 - The Disabling Effect of Diseases: A Study on Trends in Diseases, Activity Limitations, and Their Interrelationships
AU - Hoeymans, Nancy
AU - Wong, Albert
AU - van Gool, Coen H.
AU - Deeg, Dorly J. H.
AU - Nusselder, Wilma J.
AU - de Klerk, Mirjam M. Y.
AU - van Boxtel, Martin P. J.
AU - Picavet, H. Susan J.
PY - 2012/1
Y1 - 2012/1
N2 - Objectives. Data from the Netherlands indicate a recent increase in prevalence of chronic diseases and a stable prevalence of disability, suggesting that diseases have become less disabling. We studied the association between chronic diseases and activity limitations in the Netherlands from 1990 to 2008. Methods. Five surveys among noninstitutionalized persons aged 55 to 84 years (n=54847) obtained self-reported data on chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, lung disease, joint disease, back problems, and cancer) and activity limitations (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] long-term disability questionnaire or 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SP-36]). Results. Prevalence rates of chronic diseases increased over time, whereas prevalence rates of activity limitations were stable (OECD) or slightly decreased (SF-36). Associations between chronic diseases and activity limitations were also stable (OECD) or slightly decreased (SF-36). Surveys varied widely with regard to disease and limitation prevalence rates and the associations between them. Conclusions. The hypothesis that diseases became less disabling from 1990 to 2008 was only supported by results based on activity limitation data as assessed with the SF-36. Further research on how diseases and disability are associated over time is needed. (Am J Public Health. 2012;102:163-170. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300296)
AB - Objectives. Data from the Netherlands indicate a recent increase in prevalence of chronic diseases and a stable prevalence of disability, suggesting that diseases have become less disabling. We studied the association between chronic diseases and activity limitations in the Netherlands from 1990 to 2008. Methods. Five surveys among noninstitutionalized persons aged 55 to 84 years (n=54847) obtained self-reported data on chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, lung disease, joint disease, back problems, and cancer) and activity limitations (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] long-term disability questionnaire or 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SP-36]). Results. Prevalence rates of chronic diseases increased over time, whereas prevalence rates of activity limitations were stable (OECD) or slightly decreased (SF-36). Associations between chronic diseases and activity limitations were also stable (OECD) or slightly decreased (SF-36). Surveys varied widely with regard to disease and limitation prevalence rates and the associations between them. Conclusions. The hypothesis that diseases became less disabling from 1990 to 2008 was only supported by results based on activity limitation data as assessed with the SF-36. Further research on how diseases and disability are associated over time is needed. (Am J Public Health. 2012;102:163-170. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300296)
U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300296
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300296
M3 - Article
C2 - 22095363
SN - 0090-0036
VL - 102
SP - 163
EP - 170
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
IS - 1
ER -