Quality-Adjusted Life Year: Difference between revisions
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Health is definied as a function of two components: | Health is definied as a function of two components: | ||
1. length of life - ie. mortality | 1. length of life - ie. mortality | ||
2. quality of life - ie. morbidity | 2. quality of life - ie. morbidity | ||
The QALY is an attempt to combine these two attributes into a single figure/number<ref>Pliskin JS, Shepard DS, Weinstein MC. Utility functions for life years and health status. Operations Research 1980;28:206-24</ref>. | The QALY is an attempt to combine these two attributes into a single figure/number<ref>Pliskin JS, Shepard DS, Weinstein MC. Utility functions for life years and health status. Operations Research 1980;28:206-24</ref>. | ||
QALY gives an idea of how many extra months or years of life of a reasonable quality a person might gain as a result of treatment (particularly important when considering treatments for chronic conditions). | |||
== Calculation of QALY == | == Calculation of QALY == | ||
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Introduction & Definition[edit | edit source]
The Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) is a measure of the value and benefit of health outcomes.
Health is definied as a function of two components:
1. length of life - ie. mortality
2. quality of life - ie. morbidity
The QALY is an attempt to combine these two attributes into a single figure/number[1].
QALY gives an idea of how many extra months or years of life of a reasonable quality a person might gain as a result of treatment (particularly important when considering treatments for chronic conditions).
Calculation of QALY[edit | edit source]
To calculate the QALY, the following formula can be used; this assumes a utility value (quality of life) between 1 = perfect health and 0 = dead.
This results in the following:
1. If an individual has perfect health for a period of 1 year, they will be said to have 1 QALY.
ie. 1 YEar of Life x 1 Utility Value = 1 QALY
2. If an individual lives in perfect health but only for half a year, that individual will have 0.5 WALY.
ie. 0.5 Years of Life x 1 Utility Value = 0.5 QALY
3. If an inidividual lives for 1 year in a situation with 0.5 utility (half of perfect health) that individual will have 0.5 QALY
ie. 1 Year of Life x 0.5 Utility Value = 0.5 QALY
Function/Uses of QALYs[edit | edit source]
QALYs are used to quantify the effectiveness of a new treatment (eg. new medication) compared to the current treatment for a particular condition.
QALYs can also be used to compare the health benefit of a new treatment for one condition with the health benefit of a new treatment for a different condition. For instance, the QALY permits comparison of a new cancer therapy with the health effect of a new Parkinsons medication.
Limitations of QALYs[edit | edit source]
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ Pliskin JS, Shepard DS, Weinstein MC. Utility functions for life years and health status. Operations Research 1980;28:206-24
