@article{3156634,
    title = "Differences in reporting somatic complaints in elderly by education
level",
    author = "Stankunas, Mindaugas and Soares, Joaquim F. J. and Stankuniene, Aurima and and Melchiorre, M. Gabriella and Torres-Gonzales, Francisco and and Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth and Barros, Henrique and Lindert, Jutta",
    journal = "Central European Journal of Medicine",
    year = "2013",
    volume = "8",
    number = "1",
    pages = "125-131",
    publisher = "DE GRUYTER POLAND SP ZOO",
    issn = "1895-1058, 1644-3640",
    doi = "10.2478/s11536-012-0093-x",
    keywords = "Somatic complaints; Education; GBB-24; Elderly; Europe; ABUEL",
    abstract = "To evaluate the association between somatic complaints and education
level among elders in selected European countries.
Cross-sectional study among randomly selected community dwelling persons
aged 60-84 years from seven cities in Europe: Ancona (Italy), Athens
(Greece), Granada (Spain), Kaunas (Lithuania), Stuttgart (Germany),
Porto (Portugal) and Stockholm (Sweden). Somatic complaints were
measured with the 24-item version of the Giessen Complaint List
(GBB-24). A regression analysis was done to investigate the association
between education and somatic complaints. Results. The mean GBB-24 scale
was 16.3 +/- 14.9. The most common complaints were pain in joints and
limbs (29.6%), back-pain (24.1%), heaviness or tiredness in the legs
(19.1%) and general tiredness (15.7%). Respondents with less than
primary education reported higher levels of somatic symptoms compared to
those with university degree. A regression analysis showed that higher
education (OR=0.69) and being male (OR=0.48) were associated with a
decreased risk for high levels of somatic complaints, and the opposite
for older age (OR=1.03) and being single/divorced/window (OR=1.28).
The results indicate that less educated elders are more likely to
expressed somatic complaints."
}