Table 1

HSE morbidity measures

CategoryMeasureType*Operationalisation (years available)
CVD









High BP LSI†LHypertension reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Recent high BPLStill has (or on medication for) doctor-diagnosed hypertension (1994–2013)
Biomarker high BP  BSystolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg (1994–2013)
High total cholesterol  BTotal cholesterol ≥5 mmol/L (1994–2012)
Low HDL cholesterol  BHDL cholesterol ≤1 mmol/L (1998–2013)
Recent heart attack /strokeLDoctor-diagnosed heart attack or stroke in past 12 months (1994–2011)
Recent anginaLDoctor-diagnosed angina in past 12 months (1994–2011)
Ischaemic heart/stroke LSI†LStroke, heart attack or angina reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Heart attack symptoms SEver had severe pain across chest for ½ hour (1994–2011)
Mini stroke (TIA) symptoms SAttack of weakness/slurred speech/blurred vision in past 12 months (2003–2011)
Angina symptoms SRose Angina scale definition of angina symptoms (1994–2011)
Any recent CVDLDoctor-diagnosed heart condition (exc. hypertension) in past 12 months (1994–2011)
Any CVD LSI†LAny CVD reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Respiratory





COPD symptoms SRegular cough and phlegm for at least 3 months each year (1995–2010)
Lifetime diagnosed asthmaLEver had doctor-diagnosed asthma (1995–2010)
Asthma LSI†LAsthma reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Breathlessness-grade 2 SShort of breath when hurrying up walking uphill (1995–2010)
Breathlessness-grade 3 SShort of breath when walking on level ground (1995–2010)
Recent wheezing/asthma SWheezing, whistling in chest or asthma attack in past 12 months (1995–2010)
Wheezing stopping sleep SWoken 1+times/week by wheezing/whistling in chest in last 12 months (1994–2010)
Obesity
and diabetes



BMI-underweight  BBMI ≤18.5 kg/m2 (1994–2013)
BMI-obese  BBMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (1994–2013)
High waist-hip ratio  BWaist-hip ratio of >1 for men and >0.85 for women (1994–2013)
Recent diabetesLCurrently taking medication for doctor-diagnosed diabetes (1994–2013)
Diabetes LSI†LDiabetes reported as LSI (1994–2011)
High-glycated haemoglobin  BHbA1C ≥48 mmol/mol (2003–2013)
Mental
health

Mental health LSI†LMental health reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Psychiatric distress (GHQ) S4+ negative symptoms from 12-item GHQ (1994–2014)
Anxiety/depression-moderately SAt least moderately anxious/depressed today (1996–2014)
Anxiety/depression-extremely SExtremely anxious/depressed today (1996–2014)
Activity
limitations
and musculo
skeletal



Problems walking today SHas at least some problems walking about today (1996–2014)
Locomotor limitation SCan’t walk far/bend down/go up or down stairs without resting (1996–2001)
Problems washing/dressing today SHas at least some problems washing/dressing today (1996–2014)
Self-care limitation SDifficulty with one of six everyday activities (eg, feeding, dressing) (1995–2001)
Pain-any SHas at least some pain or discomfort today (1996–2014)
Pain-extreme SHas extreme pain or discomfort today (1996–2014)
Arthritis LSI†LArthritis or rheumatism reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Other musculoskeletal LSI†LOther musculoskeletal condition reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Sensory and
communication

LSI eye or earLEye or ear condition reported as LSI (1994–2011)
Hearing limitation SCannot follow TV programme at volume others find acceptable (1995–2001)
Seeing limitation SCannot see well enough to recognise friend across the road (1995–2001)
Communicating limitation SHave problem communicating with other people (1995–2001)
Other
biomarkers

Raised CRP  BCRP >3 mg/L (1998–2009)
Raised fibrinogen  BFibrinogen >4 mg/L (1998–2009)
Anaemia  BHaemoglobin <13 g/dL for men and <12 g/dL for women (1994–2009)
Iron deficiency  BSerum ferritin <45 ng/mL (1994–2009)
  • See online supplementary appendix 5 for full details on all measures.

  • *Measure type key: L=medical label; S=symptom-based; B=biomarker.

  • †Particular causes of LSI come from the open question, ‘what is the matter with you?’ Up to 6 responses are then coded by the interviewer into a coding frame based on ICD.

  • BMI, body mass index; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CRP, C-reactive protein; CVD, cardiovascular disease; GHQ, General Health Questionnaire; HDL, high density lipoprotein; LSI, longstanding illness; TIA, transient ischaemic attack.