Table 1.
Factors selected into the best-fit model for predicting consultations by older people.
| n (%) | Odds ratios (95% CI) adjusted for age, sex and practicea | Odds ratios (95% CI) adjusted for factors in the final modelb | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age in years (n = 1481) | ||||
| 65–69 | 350 (24) | 1 | 1 | |
| 70–74 | 365 (25) | 1.0 (0.8 to 1.3) | 0.9 (0.7 to 1.2) | 0.594 |
| 75–79 | 330 (22) | 1.5 (1.1 to 1.9) | 1.2 (0.9 to 1.6) | 0.222 |
| 80–84 | 227 (15) | 1.7 (1.2 to 2.2) | 1.4 (1.0 to 1.9) | 0.033 |
| ≥85 | 209 (14) | 1.3 (0.9 to 1.7) | 1.1 (0.9 to 1.6) | 0.480 |
| Sex (n = 1481) | ||||
| Male | 568 (38) | 1 | 1 | |
| Female | 913 (62) | 1.5 (1.2 to 1.8) | 1.3 (1.1 to 1.6) | 0.013 |
| Practice (n = 1481) | ||||
| 1 (suburban) | 878 (59) | 1 | 1 | |
| 2 (inner city) | 603 (41) | 1.6 (1.3 to 1.9) | 1.4 (1.2 to 2.0) | <0.001 |
| General health (n = 1465) | ||||
| Very good/good | 852 (58) | 1 | 1 | |
| Fair | 519 (35) | 1.8 (1.5 to 2.2) | 1.4 (1.1 to 1.7) | 0.003 |
| Bad/very bad | 94 (7) | 3.3 (2.2 to 4.8) | 2.0 (1.3 to 3.1) | 0.002 |
| Disease scorec (n = 1481) | ||||
| 0 | 408 (28) | 1 | 1 | |
| 1 | 574 (39) | 2.0 (1.6 to 2.6) | 1.9 (1.5 to 2.5) | <0.001 |
| 2 | 339 (23) | 2.8 (2.2 to 3.7) | 2.5 (1.8 to 3.3) | <0.001 |
| 3 or more diseases | 160 (11) | 5.7 (4.0 to 8.0) | 4.6 (3.2 to 6.6) | <0.001 |
| Telephone contact with friends or relatives (n = 1446) | ||||
| Monthly or less | 208 (14) | 1 | 1 | |
| Weekly | 673 (47) | 1.6 (1.2 to 2.1) | 1.7 (1.3 to 2.3) | <0.001 |
| Daily | 565 (39) | 1.7 (1.2 to 2.2) | 1.8 (1.4 to 2.5) | <0.001 |
| Anxiety scored (n = 1410) | ||||
| 0 (low) | 714 (51) | 1 | 1 | |
| 1–2 (medium) | 570 (40) | 1.4 (1.2 to 1.8) | 1.3 (1.0 to 1.6) | 0.020 |
| 3–4 (high) | 126 (9) | 2.5 (1.8 to 3.6) | 1.9 (1.3 to 2.7) | 0.001 |
aOdds ratios from ordered logistic regression of total number of consultations/individual/year following questionnaire. Age was fitted in 5-year bands, as its effect was not linear.
bOdds ratios from forward stepwise ordered logistic regression of total number of consultations/individual/year following questionnaire.
cA disease score for each subject was calculated from an adapted checklist of doctor-diagnosed chronic conditions.8 All diseases considered likely to be currently active were included in the score: angina, stroke, high blood pressure, chronic bronchitis, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis.
dAnxiety symptoms were measured using a four-item version of the Anxiety Disorder Scale.10