BACKGROUND: The 12 item-General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is the shortest version of GHQ. The questionnaire works as well as the longer instruments and is used more frequently in epidemiological surveys. It is an effective instrument for aging studies because of its brevity and absence of somatic symptoms. Previous studies of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were carried out in adult populations only, demonstrating two- and three-factor solutions. METHODS: This study involved 392 @entity1 over 75 years old in a population-based survey in Bambui, Brazil. Both @entity4901 and Confirmatory Factor Analysis ( @entity3795 ) were performed. In @entity3795 , several factor structures were compared using different goodness-of-fit indices. (The association between factor scores of the model with the best fit and @entity1 characteristics were analyzed by linear regression). RESULTS: PCA suggested a three-factor model. Graetz's three-factor solution ( @entity308 , Social Dysfunction and Loss of Confidence) was the best model in @entity3795 according to goodness-of-fit indices. Activity limitation and poor self-reported global health were associated with the @entity148 / @entity308 and @entity409 factors. @entity73 and female gender were associated with @entity409 . Loss of confidence was not associated with these or other relevant variables. CONCLUSION: The three-factor solution proposed by Graetz seems to be the best fit also for @entity1 over 75 years old. Further studies are needed to understand the conceptual and practical relevance of these underlying factors, particularly loss of confidence in the elderly population.

Association of XXXX , activity limitation with latent traits in the GHQ-12 in the older elderly. The Bambui Health and Aging Study (BHAS).

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'participant', 'people'] @entity308 :: ('MESH:D003866', 'Disease') :: ['Anxiety Depression', 'depression'] @entity73 :: ('MESH:D003072', 'Disease') :: ['Cognitive impairment'] @entity409 :: ('MESH:D008107', 'Disease') :: ['social dysfunction'] @entity3795 :: ('31658', 'Species') :: ['CFA'] @entity148 :: ('MESH:D001008', 'Disease') :: ['anxiety'] @entity4901 :: ('CHEBI:36751', 'Chemical') :: ['PCA']
@entity73 :: (MESH:D003072,Disease) :: ['cognitive impairment']
