Table 1.
The definitions variables from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) between 2004 and 2011
| Variables | Labels | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|
| died | Died during MEPS panels | ||
| meps | Entry year to the MEPS | ||
| racex | Race | ||
| agey1x | Age as of 12/31 | ||
| regiony1 | Census region as of 12/31 | ||
| ttlpy1x | Person’s total income | ||
| educyr | Years of education when first entered MEPS | ||
| sex | Sex | ||
| First-year variables | Second-year variables | ||
| adappt2 | adappt4 | Last 12 months: numbers of visits to medical office for care | CAHPS |
| adcape2 | adcape4 | Last 4 weeks: felt calm/peaceful | SF-12v2 |
| adclim2 | adclim4 | Health limits climbing stairs | SF-12v2 |
| addaya2 | addaya4 | Health limits in moderate activities | SF-12v2 |
| addown2 | addown4 | Last 4 weeks: felt downhearted or depressed | SF-12v2 |
| addprs2 | addprs4 | Last 2 weeks: felt down/depressed/hopeless | Patient Health Questionnaire |
| addrbp2 | addrbp4 | Last 2 years: whether physician checked blood pressure | General Health |
| adefrt2 | adefrt4 | Last 30 days: how often everything was an effort | Non-specific Psychological Distress |
| adexpl2 | adexpl4 | Last 12 months: doctor explained in a way that was understandable | CAHPS |
| adgenh2 | adgenh4 | Health in general | SF-12v2 |
| adhecr2 | adhecr4 | Last 12 months: rating of health care | CAHPS |
| adhope2 | adhope4 | Last 30 days: how often felt hopeless | Non-specific Psychological Distress |
| adilcr2 | adilcr4 | Last 12 months: illness/injury needing immediate care | CAHPS |
| adilww2 | adilww4 | Last 12 months: got care when needed in case of illness/injury | CAHPS |
| adinsa2 | adinsa4 | Do not need health insurance | Attitudes about Health |
| adinsb2 | adinsb4 | Health insurance not worth cost | Attitudes about Health |
| adintr2 | adintr4 | Last 2 weeks: little interest in things | Patient Health Questionnaire |
| adlist2 | adlist4 | Last 12 months: doctor listened to you | CAHPS |
| admals2 | admals4 | Last 4 weeks: as result of mental problems, accomplished less than you would like | SF-12v2 |
| admwlm2 | admwlm4 | Last 4 weeks: as result of mental problems, did work or other activities less carefully than usual | SF-12v2 |
| adndcr2 | adndcr4 | Last 12 months: need any care, test, treatment | CAHPS |
| adnerv2 | adnerv4 | Last 30 days: how often felt nervous | Non-specific Psychological Distress |
| adnrgy2 | adnrgy4 | Last 4 weeks: had a lot of energy | SF-12v2 |
| adnsmk2 | adnsmk4 | Last 12 months: doctor advised to quit smoking | General Health |
| adover2 | adover4 | Can overcome illness without medical help | Attitudes about Health |
| adpain2 | adpain4 | Last 4 weeks: pain limits normal work | SF-12v2 |
| adpals2 | adpals4 | Last 4 weeks: as result of physical health, accomplished less than would like | SF-12v2 |
| adprtm2 | adprtm4 | Last 12 months: doctor spent enough time with you | CAHPS |
| adprx2 | adprx4 | Relationship of proxy to adult | |
| adpwlm2 | adpwlm4 | Last 4 weeks: as result of physical health, limited in kind of work or other activities | SF-12v2 |
| adresp2 | adresp4 | Last 12 months: doctor showed respect | CAHPS |
| adrest2 | adrest4 | Last 30 days: how often felt restless | Non-specific Psychological Distress |
| adrisk2 | adrisk4 | More likely to take risks | Attitudes about Health |
| adrtcr2 | adrtcr4 | Last 12 months: made appointment for routine medical care | CAHPS |
| adrtww2 | adrtww4 | Last 12 months: got medical appointment when wanted | CAHPS |
| adsad2 | adsad4 | Last 30 days: how often felt sad | Non-specific Psychological Distress |
| adsmok2 | adsmok4 | Currently smoke | General Health |
| adsoca2 | adsoca4 | Last 4 weeks: health stopped social activity | SF-12v2 |
| adspec2 | adspec4 | Last 12 months: needed to see specialist | General Health |
| adwrth2 | adwrth4 | Last 30 days: how often felt worthless | Non-specific Psychological Distress |
| k6sum2 | k6sum4 | Last 30 days: overall rating of feelings | Kessler Index |
| mcs2 | mcs4 | Mental component summary | SF-12v2 |
| pcs2 | pcs4 | Physical component summary | SF-12v2 |
| phq22 | phq24 | Last 2 weeks: overall rating of feelings | Patient Health Questionnaire |
Note: CAHPS consumer assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, SF-12 short-form 12