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BMC Medical Research Methodology
Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology 1/2007

Open Access 01-12-2007 | Research article

The impact of disease-related impairments on disability and health-related quality of life: a systematic review

Authors: Nadine Weisscher, Rob J de Haan, Marinus Vermeulen

Published in: BMC Medical Research Methodology | Issue 1/2007

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Abstract

Background

To investigate the interchangeability of measures of disability and health-related quality of life (HRQL) by comparing their associations patterns with disease-related impairment measures in patients with a variety of conditions.

Methods

A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and a hand search of reference lists through January 2006. Studies were included if they reported associations patterns between impairment and disability and between impairment and HRQL. Correlation coefficients were transformed to Fisher's z effect size (ES(z)). Weighted averages were reported as pooled ES(z) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The relationship between impairment and disability was stronger (pooled ES(z) = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.66 – 0.72) than between impairment and HRQL (pooled ES(z) = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.36 – 0.41). The physical component score (pooled ES(z) = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.39 – 0.47) and disease-specific HRQL (pooled ES(z) = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.40 – 0.51) were stronger associated with impairments than the mental component score (pooled ES(z) = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.20 – 0.36) and generic HRQL (pooled ES(z) = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.33 – 0.39).

Conclusion

This study shows measures of disability and different HRQL domains were not equally related to impairment. Patient's impairments are better reflected in disability measures, than in HRQL instruments. There are many outcomes of interest and precisely defining them and measuring them will improve assessing the impact of new interventions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The impact of disease-related impairments on disability and health-related quality of life: a systematic review
Authors
Nadine Weisscher
Rob J de Haan
Marinus Vermeulen
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Research Methodology / Issue 1/2007
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-7-24

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