Impact of comorbidity on health-related quality of life : a population-based study using the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the new Health-Related Quality of Life Comorbidity Index, with data from the Swedish National Inpatient Register

• Objectives: To investigate the impact of comorbidity on general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a Swedish normal population using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), designed for mortality outcomes, and the new Health-Related Quality of Life Comorbidity Index (HRQL-CI, with physical and psychosocial subindexes) designed for HRQoL outcomes, and comorbidity analyses based on data from the Swedish national inpatient register. Study design and setting:L In 1999, 6083 women (54%) and men aged 20-74 (mean 46, SD 15) responded to a public health survey in the county of Östergötland, Sweden, including measures of general HRQoL (the SF-36 and the EQ-5D). Results: During 1987-1999, 478 (15 %) and 664 (21 %)/418 (13 %) persons had been registered with ≥1 hospital admission ICD-code included in the CCI and the HRQL-CI physical/psychosocial dimensions, respectively. Both indices discriminated between persons with different degrees of comorbidity regarding their HRQoL. The HRQL-CI received somewhat higher R2 values (e.g. SF-36 scales Physical Functioning 0.161 vs 0.067 and Mental Health 0.026 vs 0.004). Conclusions: The new HRQL-CI, created on the basis of self-reports, proved to be a valid measure of comorbidity in a Swedish normal population using national register data.

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vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)