Higher perceived stress was significantly associated with a 46% increased odds of frequent attendance in primary care (OR 1.46) among community-dwelling older adults.
Cross-Sectional (n=7,446)
Are general psychological factors associated with frequent attendance in primary care among community-dwelling older adults?
General psychological factors, including lower life satisfaction, higher negative affect, and higher perceived stress, are significantly associated with frequent primary care attendance among older adults.
Odds Ratio: 1.46 (95% CI 1.28–1.66)
p-value: p=<0.001
BACKGROUND: Whereas several studies have examined the association between frequent attendance in primary care and illness-specific psychological factors, little is known about the relation between frequent attendance and general psychological factors. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between being a frequent attender in primary care and general psychological factors. METHODS: Data were used from a large, population-based sample of community-dwelling individuals aged 40 and above in Germany in 2014 (n = 7,446). Positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, optimism, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-regulation were included as general psychological factors. The number of self-reported GP visits in the past twelve months was used to quantify frequency of attendance; individuals with more than 9 visits (highest decile) were defined as frequent attenders. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regressions showed that being a frequent attender was positively associated with less life satisfaction OR: 0.79 (0.70-0.89), higher negative affect OR: 1.38 (1.17-1.62), less self-efficacy OR: 0.74 (0.63-0.86), less self-esteem OR: 0.65 (0.54-0.79), less self-regulation OR: 0.74 (0.60-0.91), and higher perceived stress OR: 1.46 (1.28-1.66), after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, morbidity and lifestyle factors. However, frequent attendance was not significantly associated with positive affect and self-regulation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the association between general psychological factors and frequent attendance. As frequent GP visits produce high health care costs and are potentially associated with increased referrals and use of secondary health care services, this knowledge might help to address these individuals with high needs.
Hajek et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Frequent attendance in primary care (n=7,446). Higher perceived stress vs. Lower perceived stress was evaluated on Frequent attendance in primary care (>9 visits in past 12 months) (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.28-1.66, p=<0.001). Higher perceived stress was significantly associated with a 46% increased odds of frequent attendance in primary care (OR 1.46) among community-dwelling older adults.