Abbreviations: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus;HRQOL, health related quality of life; IWB, the index of well-being; QQL, quality of life; QWB, quality of wellbeing; WHOICF, the world health organization international classification
IntroductionQuality Of Life (QOL) has become an increasingly attractive subject in recent decades, drawing attention from both enthusiasts and researchers. [1][2][3] But what is quality of life in fact? Is it defined by our looks? Financial state? Nature or nurture? In truth, people define it by all of the above and many more.4 This study, however, intentionally wishes to define the quality of life through the narrow focus lens of the chronic medicine field. There is a good reason why the quality of life of chronic patients has been a popular field of research in the last 20 years. Non-communicable chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke, diabetes, HIV and more have been found to take a staggering annual death toll of 38 million.5 It comes with little surprise then, that the HRQOL (Health Related Quality Of Life) of people suffering from such maladies was vastly studied and documented. The research into chronic patients' HRQOL is believed to significantly benefit their bodies and minds. After all, such writings are meant to expose the means to maximize the patient's' quality of life. These means may alleviate the conditions which commonly restrict patients' careerrelated tasks and their daily activities as well as affording them an extended period of independence.
6The research into HRQOL can aid patients by means of exposing the QOL factors that may be affected by chronic disease. With such information, the treatment may be adjusted to specifically handle these factors. Research may also to help to tell apart the ways different diseases can influence QOL. If the quality of life is affected by chronic disease, further study can provide therapists with tools to measure and even predict the effectiveness of their treatments.One glaring paradox about the wealth of research into chronic patients HRQOL is the fact that HRQOL is a rather poorly defined term. Each research tends to regard QOL differently, using measurements, theories and means of validation that suite only one specific interpretation. In worse cases, the study may even base itself on multiple, contradictory definitions of QOL by the very same researcher. Thus, much is still left to properly define and explore in the field. For these reasons, it is imperative to be skeptical when exploring existing HRQOL literature and heed the words of its critics.The problematic definition of QOL in chronic medicine literature stands in the heart of this study as it attempts to explore, compare and confront the meanings of the term on different sources. This work will first present examples of the many definitions of QOL and specifically health-related QOL. Secondly, it will move into more detailed explorations of HRQOL in chronic medicine, demonstrating measuring methods, significant factors, research areas and findings as provided by di...