Subjective health complaints, health-related quality of life and physician visits: results of the study of health in Pomerania (SHIP).

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between subjective health complaints (SHCs), health-related quality of life and physician visits.

Method: 3'773 participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) filled questionnaires and were interviewed. Data consisted of 1) 38 statements concerning SHCs, 2) the SF12, and 3) statements concerning visits to 11 different groups of physicians. Factor analysis was done on the SHC data, with a subsequent varimax rotation. Relationships between resulting factors and remaining variables were analysed using 1) the cumulative logit model for the first SF12 item (overall health evaluation), 2) linear regression for the physical and mental sum scores of the SF12, and 3) logistic regression for physician visits.

Results: Eight factors have eigenvalues greater than one and together explain 54.2% of total variance. Varimax rotated factors can be interpreted easily. Altogether, these factors, sex and age significantly affect the first SF12 item (Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.27), both sum scores (physical: R2adj. = 0.40; mental: R2adj. = 0.36), and all physician visits (Nagelkerke's R2 between 0.03 and 0.23).

Conclusions: Subjective health complaints are important. Total sum scores of typical SHC questionnaires do not reflect all relevant aspects of SHCs.