Correlates of self-rated health in the elderly.

The relationship between self-rated health status and age group, gender, self-reported number of physical symptoms, functional capacity and level of activity was explored in a group of 133 elderly subjects ranging in age from 57 to 85 years. Self-rating of health was found to be a useful measure of health status, which is highly related to a number of physical symptoms and evidence of disruption in everyday functioning due to health problems. Women's overall ratings of health were interpreted as reflecting a more optimistic appraisal of their self-ratings of health.