The relationship between health perception and health predictors among the elderly across European countries

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health perception and health predictors among the elderly. In this study, 376 older adults from four different countries (Hungary, n = 86; Italy, n = 133; Portugal, n = 95; and Spain, n = 62) were analyzed. All subjects completed the EQ-5D-5L to assess their quality-adjusted life years and were assessed in handgrip (HG) and in Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. A three-way MANOVA was conducted to analyze the groups based on their age, sex, and country. The interaction effects in all included variables were also considered. The Bonferroni test was also executed as a post hoc test. Any interaction results were noticed. Regarding age, lower perceived quality of life scores and higher TUG results were registered in the oldest group, and greater values of left and right HG results were registered in the second-oldest group. Males showed greater left and right HG values than women. Spain showed lower perceived quality of life scores. Portugal and Italy showed greater HG left values, while Portugal had better HG right values. Hungary produced the greatest TUG scores. Quality of life is dependent on the subject’s age and physical fitness, as increasing age was associated with decreased values of HG and TUG. Only strength was different between sexes.