Health-related quality of life and healthcare utilization in multimorbidity: results of a cross-sectional survey

We assessed the associations between multimorbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQL), and healthcare utilization, based on 16 common self-reported chronic conditions. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey including the EQ-5D was conducted in a sample of the general population of adults (a parts per thousand yen18 years) living in Alberta, Canada. Multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the association between multiple chronic conditions and HRQL, hospitalization and emergency department (ED) use. A total of 4,946 respondents reported their HRQL, noting problems mostly with pain or discomfort (48.0 %). All chronic conditions were associated with a clinically important reduction in HRQL, the highest burden with anxiety or depression (-0.19, 95 % CI -0.21, -0.16) and chronic pain (-0.19, 95 % CI -0.21, -0.17). Multimorbidity was associated with a clinically important reduction in the EQ-5D index score (-0.12, 95 % CI -0.14, -0.11) and twice the likelihood of being hospitalized (OR = 2.2, 95 % CI 1.7, 2.9) or having an ED visit (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI 1.4, 2.2). Pain or discomfort is a common problem in people living with chronic conditions, and the existence of multimorbidity in these individuals is associated with a reduction in the HRQL as well as frequent hospitalization and emergency department visits.