Jodie Avery

Risk factors, health effects and behaviour in older people during extreme heat: a survey in South Australia.

Older people had a high incidence of hospitalisation during the 2009 heat wave in South Australia. We sought to explore resilience, behaviours, health risk factors and health outcomes during recent heat waves for a representative sample of independently living residents. A telephone survey of 499 people aged 65 years and over was conducted, and included both metropolitan and rural residences. A variety of adaptive strategies were reported, with 75% maintaining regular appointments and activities during the heat. However, 74% took medication for chronic disease and 25% assessed their health status to be fair to poor. In a multivariate model, factors associated with heat health outcomes included medication for mental health, heart failure, diabetes or respiratory health, reporting a reduced health status, use of mobility aids and being female. Compared with younger participants, those over 75 had more check-up calls and visits by family, friends and neighbours. However, confidence to call on support was associated with indicators of social isolation. The study indicates that older people are generally resilient, but interventions addressing multi-morbidity and medication interactions and social isolation should be developed.

The information needs of women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – implications for treatment and health outcomes

BackgroundThis paper reports the findings of an exploratory study about the information women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) want to know about their condition and the consequences of this information for future treatment and health outcomes.MethodsIn-depth qualitative interviews regarding their information needs were undertaken with ten South Australian women diagnosed with PCOS. These women were aged 28–38 years and at differing stages of their fertility experience. The time since diagnosis ranged from 1–17 years. The main outcome measures sought were the identification of the information needs of women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) during different periods of their lives; how and where they obtain this information, and the consequences of this information for future treatment and health outcomes.ResultsThe women with PCOS in this study preferentially used the Internet for their information needs, as it had the advantages of convenience, privacy and accessibility, when compared with traditional mechanisms of information provision.ConclusionGiving a name to a collection of symptoms may bring relief and provide recognition that there really is a problem. However, with a diagnosis comes the need to have questions answered. A diagnosis of a chronic condition such as PCOS necessitates decision-making regarding possible treatment strategies and lifestyle choices. Information is needed in order to participate in shared decision making. The Internet proved to be a most versatile and beneficial source of information source for women with PCOS, if its limitations are taken into consideration.

Identifying the quality of life effects of urinary incontinence with depression in an Australian population

BackgroundTo explore the additive effect of urinary incontinence, in people with comorbid depression, on health related quality of life.MethodsMales and females, 15 to 95 years (n = 3010, response rate 70.2%) were interviewed face to face in the 1998 Autumn South Australian Health Omnibus Survey.ResultsSelf-reported urinary incontinence was found in 20.3% (n=610), and depression as defined by the PRIME-MD in 15.2% (n=459) of the survey population. Urinary incontinence with comorbid depression was found in 4.3% of the overall population. Univariate analysis showed that respondents with urinary incontinence and comorbid depression were more likely to be aged between 15 and 34 years and never married when compared to those with incontinence only. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that in people with incontinence, the risk of having comorbid depression was increased by an overall health status of Fair or Poor, or the perception that their incontinence was moderately or very serious. Respondents reporting that they experienced incontinence with comorbid depression scored significantly lower than those experiencing incontinence without depression on all dimensions of the SF-36.The interaction of the presence of incontinence and the presence of depression was significantly associated with the dimensions of physical functioning.ConclusionsDepression and incontinence both reduce QOL. When they occur together there appears to be an additive effect which affects both physical and mental health, perhaps by increasing a person’s negative perceptions of their illness. Clinicians should identify and manage comorbid depression when treating patients who have incontinence to improve their overall QOL.

The impact of incontinence on health-related quality of life in a South Australian population sample

Objective: To assess prevalence of incontinence in a South Australian representative population sample and compare the health‐related quality‐of‐life impact of incontinence with other chronic conditions.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy: who now takes it and do they differ from non-users?

Background:  Considerable changes in hormone therapy use have taken place in the last few years.

Effect of health literacy on quality of life amongst patients with ischaemic heart disease in Australian general practice

Background Appropriate understanding of health information by patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is fundamental for better management of risk factors and improved morbidity, which can also benefit their quality of life. Objectives To assess the relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and to investigate the role of sociodemographic and clinical variables as possible confounders. Methods Cross-sectional study of patients with IHD recruited from a stratified sample of general practices in two Australian states (Queensland and South Australia) between 2007 and 2009. Health literacy was measured using a validated questionnaire and classified as inadequate, marginal, or adequate. Physical and mental components of HRQoL were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF12) questionnaire. Analyses were adjusted for confounders (sociodemographic variables, clinical history of IHD, number of CVD comorbidities, and CVD risk factors) using multiple linear regression. Results A total sample of 587 patients with IHD (mean age 72.0±8.4 years) was evaluated: 76.8% males, 84.2% retired or pensioner, and 51.4% with up to secondary educational level. Health literacy showed a mean of 39.6±6.7 points, with 14.3% (95%CI 11.8–17.3) classified as inadequate. Scores of the physical component of HRQoL were 39.6 (95%CI 37.1–42.1), 42.1 (95%CI 40.8–43.3) and 44.8 (95%CI 43.3–46.2) for inadequate, marginal, and adequate health literacy, respectively (p-value for trend = 0.001). This association persisted after adjustment for confounders. Health literacy was not associated with the mental component of HRQoL (p-value = 0.482). Advanced age, lower educational level, disadvantaged socioeconomic position, and a larger number of CVD comorbidities adversely affected both, health literacy and HRQoL. Conclusion Inadequate health literacy is a contributing factor to poor physical functioning in patients with IHD. Increasing health literacy may improve HRQoL and reduce the impact of IHD among patients with this chronic CVD.

Food Habits, Lifestyle Factors and Mortality among Oldest Old Chinese: The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

There are few studies reporting the association between lifestyle and mortality among the oldest old in developing countries. We examined the association between food habits, lifestyle factors and all-cause mortality in the oldest old (≥80 years) using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). In 1998/99, 8959 participants aged 80 years and older took part in the baseline survey. Follow-up surveys were conducted every two to three years until 2011. Food habits were assessed using an in-person interview. Deaths were ascertained from family members during follow-up. Cox and Laplace regression were used to assess the association between food habits, lifestyle factors and mortality risk. There were 6626 deaths during 31,926 person-years of follow-up. Type of staple food (rice or wheat) was not associated with mortality. Daily fruit and vegetable intake was inversely associated with a higher mortality risk (hazard ratios (HRs): 0.85 (95% CI (confidence interval) 0.77–0.92), and 0.74 (0.66–0.83) for daily intake of fruit and vegetables, respectively). There was a positive association between intake of salt-preserved vegetables and mortality risk (consumers had about 10% increase of HR for mortality). Fruit and vegetable consumption were inversely, while intake of salt-preserved vegetables positively, associated with mortality risk among the oldest old. Undertaking physical activity is beneficial for the prevention of premature death.

Perceptions of embryo status and embryo use in an Australian community

Increasingly, important areas of medical therapy and research rely on the donation and use of human embryos. Yet their use is commonly determined by community tolerance and ethico-legal regulation. The aim of this study was to explore the views of an Australian community about what an embryo is, how it should be used and who should make disposition decisions. The findings of a large representative population survey showed that most participants thought of an embryo as human or potentially human but that this did not affect a majority community view that embryos should be used rather than discarded. This study also found divergent views about what the community perceived to be acceptable uses of embryos. The majority perceived the couple as having the authority to make a disposition decision. Women held different views to men across all three questions. The way an embryo was perceived related significantly to how it should be used and who should decide its disposition. These differences and relationships should be considered when developing clinic practices and ethico-legal frameworks to regulate embryo use in science or treatment.

Self reported overall health status: Implications for intervention strategies

Background Data collected using the South Australian chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system were analysed in order to monitor changes in the prevalence of overall health status over time. Methods The South Australian Monitoring and Surveillance System (SAMSS) has been conducted monthly since 2002. This representative, population, chronic disease and risk factor, telephone-based surveillance system includes a single question determining the prevalence of overall health status (SF1) and a wide range of demographics, social, chronic conditions and risk factor indicators. Results Between 2006 and 2008, 83.2% of respondents reported ‘Excellent, Very Good or Good’ health and 16.8% reported ‘Fair or Poor’ health. There was a statistically significant trend in the age sex standardised prevalence of those reporting ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’ or ‘Poor’ health from 2002 to 2008. The SF1 identifies ‘Fair or Poor’ health in the case of those with chronic conditions and health risk factors, and ‘Excellent, Very Good or Good’ health in the absence of chronic conditions. A wide range of social, demographic variables, with those of a lower socio-economic status in particular, statistically significantly more likely to report a lower overall health status Conclusion The SF1 can be used to measure general health as part of telephone surveys and surveillance systems. Key words SF1; socio-economic status; overall health status; prevalence; health-related quality of life Background

Donation after Cardiac Death: Community Views about ‘Decent’ Intervals

Donation after cardiac death (DCD) offers an alternative pathway to donation for some donors. Successful recovery of organs for transplantation following DCD requires that organ recovery surgery commence as soon as possible after death has occurred. This limits the amount of time that family and friends can spend with the donor prior to surgery. The aim of this study was to identify community views about the timing of organ recovery in DCD. Data were collected from two sources in South Australia: 32 members of the public participated in four focus groups, and 2693 adults participated in a representative population survey. Respondents were asked their views about a decent interval to wait after death prior to organ recovery surgery. Focus group participants identified a tension between preserving organ viability and allowing families time with the deceased. Of the survey respondents, 45.2% selected a timeframe compatible with potentially viable donations; 34.1% selected a timeframe incompatible with viable donations; and 20.8% gave an indeterminate answer. These findings provide information about public perceptions of DCD, can be used to inform educational campaigns about DCD and serve as a baseline for evaluating such campaigns, and identify a number of areas for further investigation.