Factors associated with self-rated health in patients with Paget's diseaseof bone

Multiple studies show that poor self-rated health (SRH) increases the risk of mortality up to 5-fold when compared to excellent SRH. This powerful ass ociation remains even with objective health status and risk factors control led. However, few studies have examined the determinants of SRH, especially as they relate to specific chronic diseases. Here we identify personal cha racteristics and disease-related attributes that are strongly associated,vi th SRH in a sample of patients with Paget's disease of bone to determine wh ether any factors can be modified. Two thousand people randomly selected fr om the Paget Foundation mailing list received a survey asking for informati on on demographics, general health and functioning, and the impact of Paget 's disease. Nine hundred and fifty-eight PD patients returned the completed survey and answered the question, "How would you rate your overall health? " Answers ranged from excellent (1) to poor (5), Ordinary least squares reg ression was used, with SRH as the dependent variable, to identify those var iables significantly associated with SRH. The overall regression model was significant (p = 0.0001; R-2 = 0.44), Age (p = 0.005), satisfaction with fa mily help (p = 0.0001), number of comorbid conditions (p = 0.0001), functio nal limitations (p = 0.0003), disease impact (p = 0.0002), health compared to 5 years ago (p = 0.0001), and depressive symptoms (p = 0.012) were signi ficant predictors. Of these, satisfaction with family help, functional limi tations, disease impact, and depressive symptoms are potentially modifiable with appropriate interventions. Future longitudinal studies should examine the effectiveness of such interventions in improving SRH.