Self ratings of health predict functional outcome and recurrence free survival after XXXX .

@entity1 @entity64 @entity204
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To measure @entity64 victims' self rated health (SRH) status and SRH transition, and to compare how the two are prospectively associated with disability and recurrence free survival. DESIGN: Prospective case registry study with face to face follow up interviews at three months, one, two, and three years. Ascertained were SRH status and SRH transition using single question assessments, Barthel Index (BI), Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). SETTING: A multiethnic inner city population of 234 533. @entity1 : @entity1 surviving the initial three months after a first in a lifetime @entity64 in 1995 to 1998. RESULTS: Of 690 @entity64 survivors 561 (81.3%) could complete the self report items. Answers to the item on SRH status did not vary significantly between the four follow up interviews. However, responses to the item on SRH transition changed significantly during follow up with three months ratings being more negative than all subsequent ratings. SRH transition, but not SRH status, showed a prospective association with long term outcome in multivariate analyses controlling for the BI, FAI, and MMSE. Compared with all other @entity1 , @entity1 reporting "Much worse health" at three months were more likely to be disabled ( = BI<20) at one year (OR 6.29, 95% CI 2.26 to 17.52) and their combined risk of @entity64 recurrence and @entity204 was increased over five years (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.38). CONCLUSIONS: Items on SRH should be used with caution in populations with high rates of disability and language problems, as many @entity1 are unable to complete them. SRH transition may be a better predictor of disability and recurrence free survival after major medical events than SRH status.
