Which chronic conditions are associated with better or poorer quality of life?

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to compare the QL of a wide range of chronic disease patients. Secondary analysis of eight existing data sets, including over 15,000 patients, was performed. The studies were conducted between 1993 and 1996 and included population-based samples, referred samples, consecutive samples, and/or consecutive samples. The SF-36 or SF-24 were employed as generic QL instruments. Patients who were older, female, had a low level of education, were not living with a partner, and had at least one comorbid condition, in general, reported the poorest level of QL. On the basis of rank ordering across the QL dimensions, three broad categories could be distinguished. Urogenital conditions, hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, and dermatologic conditions were found to result in relatively favorable functioning. A group of disease clusters assuming an intermediate position encompassed cardiovascular conditions, cancer, endocrinologic conditions, visual impairments, and chronic respiratory diseases. Gastrointestinal conditions, cerebrovascular/neurologic conditions, renal diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions led to the most adverse sequelae. This categorization reflects the combined result of the diseases and comorbid conditions. If these results are replicated and validated in future studies, they can be considered in addition to information on the prevalence of the diseases, potential benefits of care, and current disease-specific expenditures. This combined information will help to better plan and allocate resources for research, training, and health care.

Health-related quality of life in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a matched follow-up at least 20 years after treatment with brace or surgery

“…They were compared with patients prior to primary hip arthroplasty, who had a mean PCS score of 29.0 and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with a mean PCS score of 33.9. Sprangers et al [41] similarly reported that the majority of studied disease clusters were associated with physical and mental dysfunction; in particular, a profound physical impairment for musculoskeletal conditions in general. Compared to these findings, our groups of previously treated scoliosis patients, with a mean PCS score of 49, can be considered to have a near normal function, even though 4 out of 262 exhibited severe disability due to physical limitations from their spinal disorder.…”

“…There were no differences found between the groups in any of the other subscales. (PF Physical Functioning, RP Role Physical, BP Bodily Pain, GH General Health, VT Vitality, SF Social Functioning, RE Role Emotional, MH Mental Health) Table 6 Self-esteem and social activity in 262 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 100 healthy controls from the SRS/MODEM'S instrument for outcome of scoliosis treatment [2] P-value (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)(56)(57)(58)(59)(60), when the pain is the main problem and affects many activities; 4. crippled patients (61-80), when the back impinges on all aspects of the patient's life; and 5. score 81-100, patients are either bed-bound or exaggerating the symptoms (P=0.0007). Approximately 25% of each treatment group thought that their teenage period had been "ruined", over 30% of the patients had stopped all their spare time activities and over 40% thought they had become limited in their contacts with the opposite sex because of the treatment programme.…”

Arthritis onset and worsening self-rated health: A longitudinal evaluation of the role of pain and activity limitations

“…Most studies that have found a relationship between other chronic conditions and poorer self-reported health status have looked at these relationships either by examining a list of specific conditions or by considering the number of chronic conditions overall (16,17,23,42,43). This study examined chronic conditions by considering the onset frequency of broad types of conditions over the study period.…”

“…Having arthritis has consistently been shown to be associated with poor SRH (4,22,23,37,42,43). Functional limitations associated with musculoskeletal conditions have also been associated with poorer health status (21)(22)(23)42,43). Previous cross-sectional studies examining the independent effects of several conditions have shown arthritis, and musculoskeletal symptoms generally, to be among the conditions with the strongest associations with reporting poor SRH (23,42).…”

“…The most frequent symptoms reported by adult men and women are pains in the musculoskeletal system (23), and arthritis is the most common cause of disabilities and activity limitations (35,41). Having arthritis has consistently been shown to be associated with poor SRH (4,22,23,37,42,43). Functional limitations associated with musculoskeletal conditions have also been associated with poorer health status (21)(22)(23)42,43).…”