Trend in health-related quality of life and health utility and their decrements due to non-communicable diseases and risk factors: analysis of four population-based surveys between 1998 and 2015

• Published in: Quality of life research Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. 2921 - 2934
• Main Authors: Tang, Eric Ho Man, Wong, Carlos King Ho, Bedford, Laura Elizabeth, Yu, Esther Yee Tak, Tse, Emily Tsui Yee, Dong, Weinan, Wu, Tingting, Cheung, Bernard Man Yung, Lam, Cindy Lo Kuen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.11.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Exercise; Female; Health Surveys - methods; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Noncommunicable Diseases - psychology; Population; Public Health; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Quality of Life Research; Risk Factors; Sleep; Sociology; Hong Kong China; China; Non-communicable disease; Health-related quality of life; Hong Kong Chinese population; Population norm; Health utility
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-020-02560-z

Purpose To revisit the population norms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health utility for the Hong Kong general population, compare these scores over past health surveys, and assess the association of scores with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. Methods HRQoL data measured by the standard Short Form 12 Health Survey-version 2 (SF-12v2) were extracted from the surveys in 1998, 2003/2004, 2008/2009 and 2014/2015. SF-12v2 data were mapped to the Short-form 6-dimension (SF-6D) preference-based measure to generate the health utility scores. Population weighting based on the sex and age in the second quarter of 2015 was applied when generating population normative values. Linear regression models were fitted to assess the effect of the number of NCDs and modifiable lifestyle factors on HRQoL and health utility. Results The general population mean scores of SF-12v2 domains and SF-6D in 2014/15 were higher compared to past surveys. Linear increases in General Health, Vitality and Mental Health domains were observed from 1998 to 2014/15. More doctor-diagnosed NCDs, insufficient physical activity and fruit/vegetable consumption, poor sleep quality and insufficient or excessive amount of sleep (< 6/≥ 10 h) were all associated with worse physical- and mental-related HRQoL and health utility. Conclusion This study compared HRQoL and health utility in the Hong Kong general population derived from multiple surveys and found an improving trend over twenty years. More NCDs were associated with worse HRQoL. It is suggested that promoting adequate physical activity, consumption of fruit/vegetable and 6–9 h of sleep could improve health.