The multidimensionality of health: associations between allostatic load and self-report health measures in a community epidemiologic study. Issue 3 (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Tony N.; Turner, R. Jay; Moore, Thomas R.
• Is Part Of: Health sociology review. Volume 25:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: Allostatic load -- biomarkers -- concordance -- dysregulation -- illness -- self-perceived health; Public health -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 362.1042
• DOI: 10.1080/14461242.2016.1184989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1446-1242

Abstract

ABSTRACT: With social survey data from a random sample of 1252 black and white adults who participated in the Nashville Stress and Health Study, we cross-classified biological markers of dysregulation with self-report health measures . Our aim was to quantify the degree of concordance between them. The study collected blood and urine samples to derive a 10 component estimate of allostatic load. In addition, the computer-assisted interview included an array of self-report measures such as self-perceived health, doctor-diagnosed diseases, bed days, and activity limitations. Allostatic load and the self-report measures were dichotomised. Modest concordance was observed between allostatic load and self-perceived health (OR = 1.742), doctor-diagnosed diseases (OR = 2.309), bed days (OR = 1.103), activity limitations (OR = 1.778), and ill on any self-report health measure (OR = 1.700). The self-report measures were significantly predictive of allostatic load, with the exception of bed days. Further, there was little evidence to suggest that race, sex, education, or past year depression moderated the level of concordance. Our findings support the hypothesis that biological markers and self-report measures could be used in tandem when specifying an individual's health status, and the distribution of population health.