Measuring Quality of Life: a Review

Abstract

Measuring health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is becoming increasingly sophisticated as the number of available instruments and potential applications increases. Global, generic and disease-specific HRQOL instruments may be used alone or in combination and each type has advantages and disadvantages. As with any set of observations, the results of HRQOL assessment must be carefully interpreted with the knowledge and consideration of the setting as well as the potential effects of extraneous factors. Application of HRQOL is not meant to stand on its own or to replace other parameters of disease outcome but to complement what is available in the hope of generally improving medical care.