Health-related quality of life and healthcare utilization in multimorbidity: results of a cross-sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the associations between multimorbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQL), and healthcare utilization, based on 16 common self-reported chronic conditions.


METHODS
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey including the EQ-5D was conducted in a sample of the general population of adults (≥18 years) living in Alberta, Canada. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the association between multiple chronic conditions and HRQL, hospitalization and emergency department (ED) use.


RESULTS
A total of 4,946 respondents reported their HRQL, noting problems mostly with pain or discomfort (48.0%). All chronic conditions were associated with a clinically important reduction in HRQL, the highest burden with anxiety or depression (-0.19, 95% CI -0.21, -0.16) and chronic pain (-0.19, 95% CI -0.21, -0.17). Multimorbidity was associated with a clinically important reduction in the EQ-5D index score (-0.12, 95% CI -0.14, -0.11) and twice the likelihood of being hospitalized (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.7, 2.9) or having an ED visit (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.4, 2.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Pain or discomfort is a common problem in people living with chronic conditions, and the existence of multimorbidity in these individuals is associated with a reduction in the HRQL as well as frequent hospitalization and emergency department visits.
Department of Public Health Sciences, 2-040 Li Ka Shing Center for Health Research and Innovation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada. agborsan@ualberta.ca
Calypse B
CB
Agborsangaya
Darren
D
Lau
Markus
M
Lahtinen
Tim
T
Cooke
Jeffrey A
JA
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires