A Review on Health-Related Quality of life (H...

A Review on Health-Related Quality of life (HRQOL) among Chronically ill Patients

Author Name : Rosmin Jacob, Jismy Johny, Jefina Jaison, Jeena Saji, Maria Sony

ABSTRACT

The perception of physical and mental health over time by an individual or group is known as health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A substantial number of people are currently coping with chronic illnesses that may have a detrimental effect on their Health- Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The ultimate goal of contemporary healthcare for individuals with chronic conditions is to promote increased life quality and health, not only to postpone death.  HRQOL is a key predictor of how well patients with chronic diseases have reacted to treatments. HRQOL have various dimensions considering physical, psychological and social functioning of patients and it can be evaluated using an interview or questionnaire. Health services may become more patient-centred with knowledge of how chronic diseases affects HRQOL. For the patient-centred treatment, HRQOL research in chronic disease is required and interventions from the research would improve public health initiatives for the control of chronic disease. Medical personnel and patients with various chronic conditions can both benefit greatly from health interventions, which have the potential to become standard care for these patients. Estimating how chronic diseases affect a patient's HRQOL is crucial for improved resource allocation in healthcare, research, and training as well as for promoting better living with chronic conditions. Impaired HRQOL of chronically ill patients is associated with coexisting chronic diseases, depressive episodes, anxiety, psychological distress, insomnia, cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Chronic disease, Health- related quality of life (HRQOL), Intervention, Measurement