Evidence of spillover of illness among household members: EQ-5D scores from a US sample.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

The effects of illness extend beyond the individual to caregivers and family members. This study identified evidence of spillover of illness onto household members' health-related quality of life.

Methods

Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2000-2003 were analyzed using multivariable regression to identify spillover of household members' chronic conditions onto individuals' health-related quality of life as measured by the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) score (N = 24,188). Spillover was assessed by disease category, timing of occurrence (preexisting or new conditions), and age of the household member (adult or child).

Results

Controlling for an individual's own health conditions and other known predictors of EQ-5D scores, the authors found tha

SUBMITTER: Wittenberg E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3606811 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature