OBJECTIVES

The growing tendency to patient centric approach of any healthcare intervention is making Health-related quality of life (HRQol) becoming a main pillar in medical decision making.This study aims to explore the impact of long standing health conditions on the HRQol using EQ-5D in the Tunisian population.

METHODS

: A general population survey was conducted on Tunisians aged 20 years and over. Data were collected during the 2019 EQ-5D-3L Tunisian valuation study (n=287). Respondents were required to report if they were affected by a chronic disease. The association between HRQoL and health conditions was evaluated using a multiple regression model after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Were only considered in the analysis chronic conditions reported by at least 3 respondents.

RESULTS

A total of 62 participants (21.6%) reported to have at least one of chronic conditions : blood pressure (7.32%), diabetes (6.97%), rheumatic disease (2.97%), dysthyroidism (2.44%) and heart disease (2.09%). The mean EQ-5D score was lower for patients with chronic conditions when compared to respondents with none chronic conditions (0.82 vs 0.89, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that only rheumatic and heart disease had a significant impact on HRQoL (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

: Rheumatic and heart disease appears to lower HRQoL which is consistent with previous studies. Further investigations with larger sample are needed to assess the HRQol loss.