Gender differences in quality of life and contributions of biopsychosocial factors.

Women scored lower than men in Physical Functioning, Vitality, Mental Health, and Bodily Pain, but higher in General Health.

• All domain differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001)
• Women scored higher than men specifically in the General Health domain (p < 0.001)
• The sample included 9971 participants with 52% women and mean age 74.7 ± 4.5 years
• Participants were community-dwelling Australians aged ≥70 years without cardiovascular disease, major physical disability, or dementia

The overall SF-6D index score was lower in women than in men.

• Mean difference in SF-6D index was -0.03 (p < 0.001)
• Quality of life was measured across eight domains of the 36-Item Short Form and summarised using the SF-6D index
• Analysis was based on baseline cross-sectional data from the Statins in Reducing Events in the Elderly (STAREE) trial

Pain severity, depressive symptoms, and histories of osteoarthritis and depression were the greatest mediators of gender differences in quality of life scores.

• These factors mediated between 42% and 92% of the gender difference in scores
• Mediation was assessed by the percentage reduction in the association between gender and quality of life after adjusting for individual biopsychosocial factors
• Both pain and depressive symptoms are described as common and modifiable factors

The study examined biopsychosocial factors as mediators of gender differences in quality of life using a large cohort of older Australians.

• Data came from the STAREE trial, a randomised controlled trial of community-dwelling Australians aged ≥70 years
• Total sample size was 9971 participants
• Gender differences were examined using age-adjusted linear regression
• Exclusion criteria included cardiovascular disease, major physical disability, or dementia