Cited by 294Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of LifePsychometric Methodologies and TestingHealth Education and Validation

Population norms and meaningful differences for the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) measure

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Hawthorne, Graeme, Osborne, Richard·2005·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objective The Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument is widely used in Australian health research. To assist researchers interpret and report their work, this paper reports population and health status norms, general minimal important differences (MIDs) and effect sizes.Method Data from the 1998 South Australian Health Omnibus Survey (n=3,010 population-based respondents) were analysed by gender, age group and health status. Data from four other longitudinal studies were analysed to obtain estimated MIDs.Results The mean (SD) AQoL utility score was 0.83 (0.20). Gender and age subgroup differences were apparent; the mean scores for women were consistent until their 50s, when scores declined. Greater variability was observed for males whose scores declined more slowly but consistently between 40-80 years. For both genders, those aged 80+ years had the lowest scores. When assessed by health status, those reporting excellent health obtained the highest utility scores; progressive declines were observed with decreasing health status. Effect sizes of 0.13 or greater may reflect important differences between groups. A difference in AQoL scores of 0.06 utility points over time suggests a general MID.Conclusions AQoL population norms, MIDs and effect sizes can be used as reference points for the interpretation of AQoL data. These findings add to the growing evidence that the AQoL is a robust and sensitive measure that has wide applicability.Implications The availability of population norms will assist researchers using the AQoL to more easily interpret and report their work.

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  1. Wilson D, Wakefield M, Taylor A. The South Australian Health Omnibus Sur vey. Health Promot J Aust 1992;2:47-9.
  2. Wyrwich KW, Metz SM, Babu AN, Kroenke K, Tierney WM, Wolinsky FD. The reliability of retrospective change assessments. Qual Life Res 2002;11(7):636.

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Authors
Hawthorne, G., & Osborne, R.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
Corresponding author
Hawthorne, Graeme
Venue
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-04
Volume
29
Issue
2
Pages
136-142
ISSN
1326-0200 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2092659488
Cited by
294
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 18
FWCI
23.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Education › Health Education and Validation
Keywords
AQoL, population norms, minimal important difference, effect size, health status, utility scores, gender differences, age differences, health-related quality of life, reference values
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Female, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, South Australia, Age Distribution, Sex Distribution, Quality-Adjusted Life Years

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