Abstract
Methods
Population health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were estimated from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
This study constructed life tables based on U.S. mortality files and the mortality linked National Health Interview Survey
and calculated QALE for smokers, non-smokers, and the total population.
This study constructed life tables based on U.S. mortality files and the mortality linked National Health Interview Survey
and calculated QALE for smokers, non-smokers, and the total population.
Results
In 2009, an 18-year-old smoker was expected to have 43.5 (SE = 0.2) more years of QALE, and a non-smoker of the same age was
expected to have 54.6 (SE = 0.2) more years of QALE. Therefore, smoking contributed 11.0 (SE = 0.2) years of QALE loss for
smokers and 4.1 years (37%) of this loss resulted from reductions in HRQOL alone. At the population level, smoking was associated
with 1.9 fewer years of QALE for U.S. adults throughout their lifetime, starting at age 18.
expected to have 54.6 (SE = 0.2) more years of QALE. Therefore, smoking contributed 11.0 (SE = 0.2) years of QALE loss for
smokers and 4.1 years (37%) of this loss resulted from reductions in HRQOL alone. At the population level, smoking was associated
with 1.9 fewer years of QALE for U.S. adults throughout their lifetime, starting at age 18.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates an application of a recently developed QALE estimation methodology. The analyses show good precision
and relatively small bias in estimating QALE––especially at the individual level. Although smokers may live longer today than
before, they still have a high disease burden due to morbidities associated with poor HRQOL.
and relatively small bias in estimating QALE––especially at the individual level. Although smokers may live longer today than
before, they still have a high disease burden due to morbidities associated with poor HRQOL.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0118-6
- Authors
- Haomiao Jia, Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health and School of Nursing, Columbia University, 617 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Matthew M. Zack, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- William W. Thompson, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Shanta R. Dube, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343