Intrinsic capacity decline and self-rated health in patients ≥ 65 years: a survey in general practice waiting rooms in Norway
7 affiliations
- 1National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, NORCE Research, Bergen, Norway
- 2Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- 3Department of Medicine, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- 4Section for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- 5Østre Agder Inter-municipal Cooperation, Agder, Norway
- 6Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- 7General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, intrinsic capacity (IC) decline among older adults in Norwegian general practice. Second, to assess how IC decline relates to self-rated health (SRH).
Design and setting: Survey examination in general practice waiting rooms in Norway in 2025.
Participants: Adults aged ≥ 65 years.
Measurements: IC decline within six domains (cognition, locomotion, vitality, vision, hearing and psychological well-being) was assessed using a modified version of the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Step 1 screening tool. SRH was recorded on a Likert scale. Poisson regression was used to examine associations between demographic covariates and IC decline, and between IC decline and poor SRH.
Results: The study included 2154 respondents (54% females); 44% aged 65–74, 44% aged 75–84 and 11% ≥ 85 years. The overall prevalence of IC decline was 60%. Hearing loss (31%), limited mobility (23%) and malnutrition (21%) were predominant. Across domains, decline was associated with higher age and financial difficulties. Individuals with decline in ≥ 1 domain(s) were more likely to report poor SRH (RR 4.51, 95% CI 3.05–6.67), and likelihood increased by number of affected domains. Depressive symptoms and limited mobility showed the strongest independent associations with poor SRH (RR 3.84, 95% CI 2.92–5.05 and RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.94–3.35, respectively).
Conclusion: The IC approach appears relevant to Norwegian general practice. Our findings highlight important target areas for preserving function in a growing older population. Whether and how ICOPE can be integrated into Norwegian primary care requires further study.
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BibTeX
@article{sebjornsen2026intrinsic,
title = {{Intrinsic capacity decline and self-rated health in patients ≥ 65 years: a survey in general practice waiting rooms in Norway}},
author = {Isabel Sebjørnsen and Marit Stordal Bakken and Stefán Hjörleifsson and Øystein Hetlevik and Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik and Camilla Berg-Utby and Trygve Skonnord and Anja Maria Brænd and Maria Romøren},
journal = {Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1080/02813432.2026.2748805},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2026.2748805},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Intrinsic capacity decline and self-rated health in patients ≥ 65 years: a survey in general practice waiting rooms in Norway
AU - Isabel Sebjørnsen
AU - Marit Stordal Bakken
AU - Stefán Hjörleifsson
AU - Øystein Hetlevik
AU - Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik
AU - Camilla Berg-Utby
AU - Trygve Skonnord
AU - Anja Maria Brænd
AU - Maria Romøren
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
DO - 10.1080/02813432.2026.2748805
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2026.2748805
AB - Objectives: To examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, intrinsic capacity (IC) decline among older adults in Norwegian general practice. Second, to assess how IC decline relates to self-rated health (SRH). Design and setting: Survey examination in general practice waiting rooms in Norway in 2025. Participants: Adults aged ≥ 65 years. Measurements: IC decline within six domains (cognition, locomotion, vitality, vision, hearing and psychological well-being) was assessed using a modified version of the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Step 1 screening tool. SRH was recorded on a Likert scale. Poisson regression was used to examine associations between demographic covariates and IC decline, and between IC decline and poor SRH. Results: The study included 2154 respondents (54% females); 44% aged 65–74, 44% aged 75–84 and 11% ≥ 85 years. The overall prevalence of IC decline was 60%. Hearing loss (31%), limited mobility (23%) and malnutrition (21%) were predominant. Across domains, decline was associated with higher age and financial difficulties. Individuals with decline in ≥ 1 domain(s) were more likely to report poor SRH (RR 4.51, 95% CI 3.05–6.67), and likelihood increased by number of affected domains. Depressive symptoms and limited mobility showed the strongest independent associations with poor SRH (RR 3.84, 95% CI 2.92–5.05 and RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.94–3.35, respectively). Conclusion: The IC approach appears relevant to Norwegian general practice. Our findings highlight important target areas for preserving function in a growing older population. Whether and how ICOPE can be integrated into Norwegian primary care requires further study.
SN - 0281-3432
SN - 1502-7724
ER -