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. 1986 Oct;145(4):537–545.

Chronic Disease in a General Adult Population

Findings From the Rand Health Insurance Experiment

Kathleen N Lohr 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, Caren J Kamberg 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, George A Goldberg 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, Robert H Brook 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, Emmett B Keeler 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, Thomas A Calabro 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
PMCID: PMC1307010  PMID: 3788141

Abstract

Using questionnaire and physical screening examination data for a general population of 4,962 adults aged 18 to 61 years enrolled in the Rand Health Insurance Experiment, we calculated the prevalence of 13 chronic illnesses and assessed disease impact. Low-income men had a significantly higher prevalence of anemia, chronic airway disease and hearing impairment than their high-income counterparts, low-income women a higher prevalence of congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hearing impairment and vision impairment. Of our sample, 30% had one chronic condition and 16% had two or more. Several significant pairs or “clusters” of chronic illnesses were found. With few exceptions (diabetes, hypertension), the use of physician care in the previous year for a specific condition tended to be low. Disease impact (worry, activity restriction) was widespread but mild. Persons with angina, congestive heart failure, mild chronic joint disorders and peptic ulcer disease reported a greater impact than persons with other illnesses.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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