Predictors of Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in the Home-dwelling Disabled Persons by using EQ-5D: Results from the 3rd Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2005

Chung, Sung Suk; Joung, Kyoung Hwa

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was a secondary data analysis aimed at identifying the predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the home-dwelling disabled person by using EQ-5D which is a standardized instrument used as a measure of health outcome.
METHODS
Data were drawn from the 3rd Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Subjects were 1,021 home-dwelling disabled persons over 19 years of age. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
HRQoL (Health Related Quality of Life) is differentiated within age, genders, educational level, employment status, economic status, types and grades of disability, health problems associated with limited mobility, and the limited duration of time. HRQoL is correlated with age, number of cohabiters, educational level, grades of disability, activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental ADL (IADL). HRQoL is significantly associated with ADL, health problems in connection with limited mobility, employment status, types of disability, marital status, grades of disability, and the limited duration of time. These factors explained 63.7% of variance in HRQoL.
CONCLUSION
HRQoL among the disabled is related to their characteristics, ADL, and IADL. For this reason, it is necessary to develop health programs to promote those variables required to improve HRQoL.