The natural progression of health-related quality of life: results of a five-year prospective study of SF-36 scores in a normative population.

摘要: Background: Limited information exists regarding the natural progression of health-related quality life (HRQOL) in general population, as most research has been cross-sectional or followed populations with specific medical conditions. Such norms are important to establish, because effect any intervention may be confounded by changes due HRQOL over time. Methods: Participants were randomly selected from 9 Canadian cities and surrounding rural areas. Changes eight domains 2 summary component scores Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form (SF-36) examined a 5 year period (1996/1997–2001/2002). Mean calculated for men women within 10 age categories. Multiple imputation was used adjust potential selection bias missing data. Results: The baseline sample included 6539 2884 men. Loss follow-up 17% 23% tended small, but there an overall trend towards decreasing more pronounced older groups physically oriented domains. Younger small mean improvements, particularly mentally Large standard errors suggest that on individual level, large improvements some participants balanced declines others. Conclusion: In general, Canadians appears relatively stable period. However, care should taken when assessing longitudinally certain gender groups, associated can potentially HRQOL.