OBJECTIVES

Very few studies have reported how comorbidity status relates to the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of hyperlipidemia patients in the US. This study described comorbidity status in hyperlipidemia patients as well as estimated their HRQoL according to the presence of comorbid conditions using the 2014-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database.

METHODS

Eligible patients were > 18 years, with a diagnosis of hyperlipidemia. HRQoL was determined by assessing the mental and physical health status for hyperlipidemia patients using SF-12 surveys in hyperlipidemia patients by the type and number of comorbidities. Comorbidity was defined by the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index Estimated SF-12 scores were calculated using the multiple regression models while controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, insurance type, marital status, education level, income level, and perceived health status. The factors associated with SF-12 in patients with dyslipidemia were determined by calculating the physical composite health score (PCS) and mental composite health score (MCS).

RESULTS

The study included 9,691 hyperlipidemia patients (weighted N=196,643,286). The majority of dyslipidemia patients had at least one comorbidity, of which the most common ones were hypertension (68.9%), diabetes (31.7 %), mood disorder (28.9 %) and coronary heart disease (18.6%). The estimated mean PCS and MCS scores [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 43.4 [43.1, 43.6] and 51.1 [50.8, 51.4] in hyperlipidemia patients, respectively. Higher comorbidity score was significantly associated with lower PCS and MCS scores (P<0.001). Having diabetes was significantly associated with decreased PCS score (P<0.001), while having mood disorder was not (p=0.409). Having mood disorder was significantly associated with decreased MCS score (P<0.001), while having diabetes was not (P=0.455).

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent hyperlipidemia and comorbidities worsen HRQoL measured by individuals physical and mental health status. Hyperlipidemia modification and management may improve patient HRQoL, and may reduce comorbidity complications.