Measuring health status with the SF-36: the need for regional norms

Abstract

Background: Normative data on SF-36 scores in populations from Oxford and Aberdeen have recently been published. It has been suggested that such data provide suitable normative values for the UK population. However, other indices of health vary considerably across regions, and tend to be worse in areas such as South Wales. The objective of this study was to determine whether population SF-36 scores in West Glamorgan differ from scores from other parts of the United Kingdom.

Method: The SF-36 health status questionnaire was administered to two random samples of adults aged 20-89 years, drawn from the West Glamorgan Family Health Services Authority register. One sample (n = 919) received postal questionnaires and those in the other sample (n = 1201) were interviewed in their own homes. Normative data from this study were compared with published data from other areas of the United Kingdom.

Results: SF-36 population scores were significantly lower in the two West Glamorgan samples; this was not due to differences in age, sex, social class, or response rates.

Conclusion: Health status in West Glamorgan, as measured by the SF-36, is lower than in Oxford or Aberdeen. A national study would be required to provide appropriate normative data for the UK population.