Suboptimal health and cardiovascular risk: Questionnaire-based assessment using SHSQ-25 and SF-36
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Keywords

physical therapy and rehabilitation
subjective health
cardiovascular risk factors
quality of life
chronic disease prevention

How to Cite

Burdina, V., Danylchenko, S., Yesselbayeva, A., Golovchenko, I., Morozenko, D., Aravitska, M., Shevchenko, A., Pertsev, D., Cherkova, N., & Dushik, L. (2025). Suboptimal health and cardiovascular risk: Questionnaire-based assessment using SHSQ-25 and SF-36. Inter Collegas, 12(3). https://doi.org/10.35339/ic.2025.12.3.bdy

Abstract

In press

Background. Suboptimal health is considered an intermediate state between complete health and the early manifestations of chronic diseases. Its detection at the preclinical stage is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders and other chronic pathologies.

Aim. To systematize and analyze subjective health indicators in apparently healthy individuals and determine their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors using the SHSQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires.

Materials and Methods. A total of 509 individuals aged 34.31±13.79 years were examined. The SHSQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires were used to assess suboptimal health status and quality of life. Body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and total cholesterol levels, smoking index, and endothelial function were measured using computer photoplethysmography. Multifactorial discriminant analysis was applied for health status classification, and mathematical models were developed to assess the risk of arterial hypertension. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and group comparisons based on different levels of risk factors.

Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki (1964–2024) and European Community Directive 86/609 on the participation of humans in biomedical research.

Results. In the examined individuals, five health status clusters were identified: optimal health status, suboptimal health with low risk factors, suboptimal health with high risk factors, cardiovascular phenotype of suboptimal health with low risk factors, and cardiovascular phenotype of suboptimal health with high risk factors. Subjective health assessments obtained using the SHSQ-25 showed significant correlations with blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), endothelial function indicators, body mass index, total cholesterol, and glucose levels. High SHS scores were associated with reduced quality of life according to SF-36, particularly in the physical and mental health components, confirming the impact of suboptimal health on daily activity and psychological well-being.

Conclusions. The SHSQ-25 and SF-36 questionnaires are effective primary screening tools for identifying individuals with suboptimal health and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Their use in the clinical practice of physical therapists and occupational therapists allows timely identification of at-risk groups and planning of preventive or rehabilitative measures. Health status mathematical modeling improves the accuracy of risk assessment and can be integrated into the physiotherapy program.

Keywords: physical therapy and rehabilitation, subjective health, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, chronic disease prevention.

Archived: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17904917

https://doi.org/10.35339/ic.2025.12.3.bdy
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