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Physical health, depression and cognitive function as correlates of disability in an older Korean population
Author(s) -
Kim JaeMin,
Stewart Robert,
Glozier Nicholas,
Prince Martin,
Kim SungWan,
Yang SuJin,
Shin IlSeon,
Yoon JinSang
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1266
Subject(s) - dementia , depression (economics) , gerontology , cognition , population , physical disability , international classification of functioning, disability and health , psychology , cognitive decline , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , physical therapy , disease , environmental health , pathology , rehabilitation , economics , macroeconomics
Background The World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) measures functioning and disability in concordance with the bio‐psycho‐social model of the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Our objectives were to investigate the independent associations of physical health, depression and cognitive function with WHODAS II disability in an older Korean population. Methods The WHODAS II was administered to a community sample of 1204 residents age 65 or over. Data on demographic characteristics (age, gender, living area, marital state, and religion), socio‐economic state (education, type of accommodation, number of rooms, previous occupation, current employment, monthly income), social support, number of physical illness, depression (GMS), and cognitive function (MMSE) was gathered. A subsample ( n = 746) received a clinical examination for dementia. Results Scores on the WHODAS II were significantly and independently associated with worse physical health, depression, and lower cognitive function. Associations with other factors were no longer apparent after adjustment for these. These associations persisted in the absence of dementia. In participants with dementia ( n = 110), WHODAS II scores were principally associated with physical health and accommodation type. Conclusions Level of disability, as measured by the WHODAS II, was principally associated with physical health, depression and cognitive function, rather than socio‐demographic factors. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.