Health-related quality of life (HRQoL)

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multi-dimensional concept that measures an individual’s overall wellbeing as it is affected by their health state. Unlike a purely clinical measure (such as blood pressure or tumour size), HRQoL captures a patient’s own perspective on how their health impacts their physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning. It reflects the value or utility a person places on living in a particular health state.

HRQoL is an important outcome measure in health economics and clinical research, particularly in cost-utility analysis. It is often measured using standardised questionnaires or instruments that cover various domains of a person’s life, such as mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression. The results from these measures can be used to calculate a quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which is a key metric for comparing the value of different health interventions.