Conceptual Mapping of Health-Related Quality of Life, Quality of Life, and Wellbeing: A Systematic Review and Assessment of Commonly Used Patient Reported Outcomes Measures
Author(s)
Fernando J. Argento, Jr.1, Federico Augustovski, MSc, PhD, MD2, Maria Belizan, MSc.3.
1Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 3IECS, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 3IECS, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
OBJECTIVES: To perform a conceptual mapping of commonly used health outcome measures—Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), Quality of Life (QoL), and Wellbeing (WB)— and propose evidence-informed frameworks, mapping these concepts to commonly used Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs).
METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review, including coneptual frameworks describing HRQoL, QoL, and WB in the general population, with no study design restrictions. Search was conducted up to December 2023. Domains, subdomains, and facets were extracted, curated, and analyzed to develop conceptual frameworks for HRQoL, QoL, and WB, based on their structure, domain frequency, and qualitative research methods. These frameworks were then mapped to commonly used generic PROMs.
RESULTS: From 14,114 papers, 35 studies and 36 frameworks were included (HRQoL=15, QoL=5, WB=16). A total of 168 first, 225 second, and 79 third-level domains were retrieved, and curated into 118 unique entities: 82 for HRQoL, 49 for QoL, and 69 for WB. There were 26 shared dimensions, 26 unique to WB, 29 to HRQoL, and 7 to QoL. Final models included 18 HRQoL, 22 QoL, and 10 WB dimensions. PROMs mapping showed partial coverage: 59.4% for HRQoL, 65.9% for QoL, and 34% for WB.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant inconsistencies and overlaps exist in the definitions and domains of HRQoL, QoL, and WB, limiting the validity of current measurement tools. This study addresses these gaps by proposing evidence-informed frameworks and mapping existing PROMs, offering a foundation for improved conceptual clarity and the development of more accurate and meaningful tools to advance health research, practice, and policy.
METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review, including coneptual frameworks describing HRQoL, QoL, and WB in the general population, with no study design restrictions. Search was conducted up to December 2023. Domains, subdomains, and facets were extracted, curated, and analyzed to develop conceptual frameworks for HRQoL, QoL, and WB, based on their structure, domain frequency, and qualitative research methods. These frameworks were then mapped to commonly used generic PROMs.
RESULTS: From 14,114 papers, 35 studies and 36 frameworks were included (HRQoL=15, QoL=5, WB=16). A total of 168 first, 225 second, and 79 third-level domains were retrieved, and curated into 118 unique entities: 82 for HRQoL, 49 for QoL, and 69 for WB. There were 26 shared dimensions, 26 unique to WB, 29 to HRQoL, and 7 to QoL. Final models included 18 HRQoL, 22 QoL, and 10 WB dimensions. PROMs mapping showed partial coverage: 59.4% for HRQoL, 65.9% for QoL, and 34% for WB.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant inconsistencies and overlaps exist in the definitions and domains of HRQoL, QoL, and WB, limiting the validity of current measurement tools. This study addresses these gaps by proposing evidence-informed frameworks and mapping existing PROMs, offering a foundation for improved conceptual clarity and the development of more accurate and meaningful tools to advance health research, practice, and policy.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH91
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas