information for practice

news, new scholarship & more from around the world


advanced search

Health-related quality of life and healthcare utilization in multimorbidity: results of a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Purpose  

We assessed the associations between multimorbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQL), and healthcare utilization,
based on 16 common self-reported chronic conditions.

Methods  

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey including the EQ-5D was conducted in a sample of the general population of adults (≥18 years)
living in Alberta, Canada. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the association between multiple chronic
conditions and HRQL, hospitalization and emergency department (ED) use.

Results  

A total of 4,946 respondents reported their HRQL, noting problems mostly with pain or discomfort (48.0 %). All chronic conditions
were associated with a clinically important reduction in HRQL, the highest burden with anxiety or depression (−0.19, 95 %
CI −0.21, −0.16) and chronic pain (−0.19, 95 % CI −0.21, −0.17). Multimorbidity was associated with a clinically important
reduction in the EQ-5D index score (−0.12, 95 % CI −0.14, −0.11) and twice the likelihood of being hospitalized (OR = 2.2,
95 % CI 1.7, 2.9) or having an ED visit (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI 1.4, 2.2).

Conclusions  

Pain or discomfort is a common problem in people living with chronic conditions, and the existence of multimorbidity in these
individuals is associated with a reduction in the HRQL as well as frequent hospitalization and emergency department visits.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-9
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0214-7
  • Authors
    • Calypse B. Agborsangaya, Department of Public Health Sciences, 2-040 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Research and Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
    • Darren Lau, Department of Public Health Sciences, 2-040 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Research and Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
    • Markus Lahtinen, Health Quality Council of Alberta, Calgary, AB, Canada
    • Tim Cooke, Health Quality Council of Alberta, Calgary, AB, Canada
    • Jeffrey A. Johnson, Department of Public Health Sciences, 2-040 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Research and Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada