Determining the association of perceived health status among united states older adults with self-reported pain

Abstract

Background: Perceived health status is associated with healthcare service utilization, morbidity, and mortality in the United States (US). Yet, little is known about the characteristics associated with perceived health status among older US adults with pain. This study aimed to determine factors that are associated with good perceived health status among US older adults with self-reported pain. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included individuals aged ≥50 years with self-reported pain that interfered with normal work (including both work outside the home and housework) in the last four weeks in the 2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. Adjusted logistic regression models identified variables associated with good (versus poor) perceived health status. Weighted nationally representative estimates were obtained while maintaining the complex survey structure. Results: The weighted study sample included 57,134,711 individuals (good perceived health = 73.4%; poor perceived health = 26.6%). Variables associated with higher odds of reporting good health status included: being employed, little/moderate pain, excellent/very good/good perceived mental health, and exercise. Variables associated with lower odds of reporting good health status included: age 50–64 years, Hispanic ethnicity, education up to high school, poor/near poor/low income, ≥5 chronic conditions, and smoking. Conclusions: Approximately 42 million of the 57 million US older adults with self-reported pain that interfered with normal work (including both work outside the home and housework) in the past four weeks reported good perceived health. The many variables associated with good perceived health may be useful information when managing pain and health status in older adults.

Keywords

• Pain
• Health status
• Older adults