[Health-related quality of life assessment by the EuroQol-5D in some rural adults].
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to examine the health-related quality of life(HRQoL) and to identify its related factors for a group of rural adults.


METHODS
The study subjects were 1,901 adults who were aged 40-70 years and who were living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and global self-rated health were collected for statistical analysis. The health related quality of life was measured by the Euroqol EQ-5D instrument. The differences on the EQ-5D index between the groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
Overall, the mean value of the EQ-5D index was 0.884 +/- 0.140 and this score was significantly different according to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health related behavior, the health status and the global self-rated health. According to the results from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the HRQoL was significantly reduced for females, older subjects, and other subjects with no spouse and the subjects with osteoporosis, obesity, mental distress or poorer global self-rated health.


CONCLUSIONS
The HRQoL for rural adults was related to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health status and the global self-rated health. A better understanding of the factors related to the HRQoL would help to improve the rural adults' quality of life.
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Korea.
Mi Ah
MA
Han
So Yeon
SY
Ryu
Jong
J
Park
Myung Geun
MG
Kang
Jong Ku
JK
Park
Ki Soon
KS
Kim
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires