[Trends in self-perceived health and chronic disability in the elderly Spanish population: evolution between years 1993 and 2006]

Abstract

Background and objective: This study analyzes the evolution of the health status of the non-institutionalized Spanish population of 65 and more years, during the period 1993-2006, in terms of self-perceived health and chronic disability.

Subjects and methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health Surveys of non-institutionalized population in Spain in the years 1993 and 2006, through weighted logistic regression models.

Results: During the period 1993-2006, there was an increase in self-perception of good health (0.4%) and chronic disability (2.0%). These increases varied with gender and age. Men presented higher prevalences of good self perceived health (GSH) and chronic disability than women, and their health evolved also differently. The gender gap in GSH reached 15.4% in 2006, while the gap in chronic disability reached 10.5%. With age, the prevalence of chronic disability increased, and self-perception of good health decreased. The evolution of health also varied with age. Individuals 75 years and older showed an opposite evolution compared to younger people, decreasing their GSH and increasing their chronic disability.

Conclusions: Results are compatible with a scenario of morbidity compression, where expectancy of life in good health increases, concentrating the years in bad health and chronic disability in the late ages. Evolution differs by age and gender.