The RAND-36 measure of health-related quality of life

The RAND-36 is perhaps the most widely used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) survey instrument in the world today. It is comprised of 36 items that assess eight health concepts: physical functioning, role limitations caused by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional prob...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of medicine (Helsinki) Vol. 33; no. 5; p. 350
Main Authors Hays, R D, Morales, L S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 2001
Subjects
Attitude to Health
Cross-Sectional Studies
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Health Status
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Quality of Life
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The RAND-36 is perhaps the most widely used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) survey instrument in the world today. It is comprised of 36 items that assess eight health concepts: physical functioning, role limitations caused by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional problems, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, pain, and general health perceptions. Physical and mental health summary scores are also derived from the eight RAND-36 scales. This paper provides example applications of the RAND-36 cross-sectionally and longitudinally, provides information on what a clinically important difference is for the RAND-36 scales, and provides guidance for summarizing the RAND-36 in a single number. The paper also discusses the availability of the RAND-36 in multiple languages and summarizes changes that are incorporated in the latest version of the survey.
ISSN:0785-3890
DOI:10.3109/07853890109002089