Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (677 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Life Quality; Health-Related Quality Of Life; Health Related Quality Of Life; HRQOL.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Social Sciences; Life; Health Status
- Narrower topics
- Psychological Well-Being
- See also
- Life Style; Karnofsky Performance Status; Sickness Impact Profile; Value of Life
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 333,897 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Quality of Life” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 139,272 of them (41.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2020 onward with 139,272 records.
Reviews account for 61,539 records (18.4%) and meta-analyses for 8,917. Randomized controlled trials number 36,257 (10.9%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 19,468 |
| 2000-2009 | 57,960 |
| 2010-2019 | 117,197 |
| 2020 onward | 139,272 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 61,539 | 18.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 8,917 | 2.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 36,257 | 10.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Quality of Life"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in public health and nutrition
Population and nutrition studies mostly observe what people eat, breathe or are exposed to and then look for links with health, which shows association and not proof of cause. Self-reported diet is imprecise, people who eat or live differently also differ in other ways, and effects measured across a population may not apply to one person. Check the study design, how exposure was measured, what else was accounted for and the size of the effect, not only whether it was statistically significant.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of life in families of infants and toddlers with food allergies: A mixed-methods study | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42596633 · DOI · PMC13473807 |
| Health-related quality of life and metabolic control in older people with diabetes mellitus | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42879611 · DOI · PMC13652534 |
| Determining core quality of life outcomes for patients with vulvar cancer and their partners: a Delphi consensus study | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42837010 · DOI · PMC13642464 |
Quality of life in families of infants and toddlers with food allergies: A mixed-methods study [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundFood allergies (FA) are a growing public health concern affecting family wellbeing.
- Closing excerpt
- Standardised early management and improved community awareness may enhance family adaptation during this critical period.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (303 words)
BackgroundFood allergies (FA) are a growing public health concern affecting family wellbeing. While previous research has focused largely on school-aged children, limited evidence exists regarding families of infants and toddlers. This study examined the quality of life (QoL) in families with children aged up to 3 years with food allergies in Cyprus and sought to identify modifiable factors that may inform strategies to improve family QoL.MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected from mothers of 100 children with FA diagnosis by either a consultant allergist or consultant paediatrician using the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form, translated and culturally adapted into Greek. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 mothers and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings were integrated using a joint display.ResultsMean FAQLQ-PF scores indicated mild-moderate quality-of-life impairment; however, notable burden was observed in domains related to fear of unfamiliar foods, dietary restriction and social participation. Moderate-high concern regarding accidental ingestion (76%) and severe reactions (77%) was common. Qualitative findings highlighted sustained parental vigilance, restructuring of daily routines around food safety and emotional strain associated with diagnostic uncertainty. Mothers also described variability in clinical guidance and limited societal awareness, particularly in childcare and public food environments. Integration revealed predominantly convergent findings. In one area of complementarity, qualitative data revealed extensive daily caregiving effort underlying low quantitative activity limitation scores. One area of silence was identified where a quantitative construct was not reflected in interview narratives, suggesting that structured and open-ended methods capture different dimensions of the caregiving experience.ConclusionIn our sample, families of infants and toddlers with FA in Cyprus experience persistent emotional and practical challenges despite moderate QoL impairment. Parental stress is driven primarily by risk perception, social restrictions and variability in clinical guidance. Standardised early management and improved community awareness may enhance family adaptation during this critical period.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42596633 · DOI · PMC13473807
Health-related quality of life and metabolic control in older people with diabetes mellitus [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Objectiveto analyze health-related quality of life and its correlation with metabolic control in older people with diabetes mellitus treated in Primary Health Care.
- Closing excerpt
- 5% were women, and 86% had Conclusionhigher health-related quality of life scores, especially in the domains of general health and mental health, were associated with better metabolic control parameters, indicating the relevance of integrated approaches in the care of older people with diabetes mellitus in Primary Health Care.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (133 words)
Objectiveto analyze health-related quality of life and its correlation with metabolic control in older people with diabetes mellitus treated in Primary Health Care.Methodobservational, cross-sectional, and correlational study involving 264 older individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, treated in primary health care. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey version 2 questionnaire, and metabolic control was assessed through laboratory tests (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile). Descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation (α=0.05) were applied.Resultsparticipants had an average age of 70.23 years, 70.5% were women, and 86% had Conclusionhigher health-related quality of life scores, especially in the domains of general health and mental health, were associated with better metabolic control parameters, indicating the relevance of integrated approaches in the care of older people with diabetes mellitus in Primary Health Care.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42879611 · DOI · PMC13652534
Determining core quality of life outcomes for patients with vulvar cancer and their partners: a Delphi consensus study [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeThis study aimed to develop a patient-centered and partner-centered core outcome set (COS) reflecting the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes most important to patients with vulvar cancer following surgical treatment and their partners.
- Closing excerpt
- The provision of information was the only aspect deemed important as an outcome for partners.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (241 words)
PurposeThis study aimed to develop a patient-centered and partner-centered core outcome set (COS) reflecting the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes most important to patients with vulvar cancer following surgical treatment and their partners. Identifying these outcomes enables healthcare professionals to better support patients' HRQoL during and after treatment.MethodsA mixed-methods study conducted in the Netherlands from December 2021 to March 2024 among patients with vulvar cancer, their partners, and healthcare professionals involved in their care. The study followed a three-step approach: (1) a literature review to identify HRQoL concepts and existing questionnaires; (2) interviews with patients, partners, and healthcare professionals to extract important outcomes; and (3) an online Delphi study, followed by an online consensus meeting, to prioritize outcomes. The primary outcomes were the development of patient-centered and partner-centered COS and the identification of validated questionnaires for HRQoL assessment.ResultsThe patient-centered COS comprised 45 outcomes in the domains of physiological functioning, including physical symptoms, as well as physical, sexual, and emotional functioning. The COS also included topics that are less often included in studies, i.e., wound healing, body image, and fear of recurrence. The partner-centered COS included six outcomes only focusing on information provision, not on their own HRQoL. Recommended patient HRQoL questionnaires were (scales from) EORTC QLQ-C30/VU34/SH22/INFO25 and WOUND-Q.ConclusionsThis is the first patient-centered COS for vulvar cancer, enabling targeted HRQoL assessments and improved daily clinical care. The provision of information was the only aspect deemed important as an outcome for partners.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42837010 · DOI · PMC13642464
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Exercise Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [4]
- Research article The benefits of early palliative care on psychological well-being, functional status, and health-related quality of life among cancer patients and their caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Sex-related differences in profiles and clinical outcomes of Inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Overall Survival and Quality-of-Life Superiority in Modern Phase 3 Oncology Trials: A Meta-Epidemiological Analysis [7]
- Research article Are digital psychological interventions for psychological distress and quality of life in cancer patients effective? A systematic review and network meta-analysis [8]
- Research article The Effectiveness of Death Education on Death Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials [9]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Identifying candidate items for a health-related quality of life measure in young children with respiratory illness: A scoping review of generic and disease-specific measures
Michaile Gizelle Anthony, Graeme Hoddinott, Dzunisani Patience Baloyi et al. · PLOS One 2025 · CC BY 4.0
Systematic review of health related-quality of life in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta
Darran Mc Donald, Tara Mc Donnell, Julie Martin-Grace et al. · Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2023 · CC BY 4.0
Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life—A Systematic Review of Evidence from Longitudinal Observational Studies
Johanna Katharina Hohls, Hans-Helmut König, Eleanor Quirke et al. · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021 · CC BY 4.0
Quality of Life in Painful Peripheral Neuropathies: A Systematic Review
Ayesha Girach, Thomas Henry Julian, Giustino Varrassi et al. · Pain Research & Management 2019 · CC BY 4.0
Quality of life versus length of life considerations in cancer patients: A systematic literature review
Anne Shrestha, Charlene Martin, Maria Burton et al. · Psycho-Oncology 2019 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Panagiotou E, Andreou E, Nicolaou N, Nicolaou SA. Quality of life in families of infants and toddlers with food allergies: A mixed-methods study. . 2026. PMID 42596633 · DOI · PMC13473807
- Figueira ALG, Margarido CA, Diniz MAA, Oliveira MP, Bacalhau L, Kusumota L. Health-related quality of life and metabolic control in older people with diabetes mellitus. . 2026. PMID 42879611 · DOI · PMC13652534
- Machielsen A, Meijer N, van Dongen J, Boll D, van Haren E, Oonk M, et al.. Determining core quality of life outcomes for patients with vulvar cancer and their partners: a Delphi consensus study. . 2026. PMID 42837010 · DOI · PMC13642464
- Soong RY, Low CE, Ong V, Sim I, Lee C, Lee F, et al.. Exercise Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2025. PMID 39903465 · DOI · PMC11795328
- Haroen H, Maulana S, Harun H, Mirwanti R, Sari CWM, Platini H, et al.. The benefits of early palliative care on psychological well-being, functional status, and health-related quality of life among cancer patients and their caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Palliat Care. 2025. PMID 40296046 · DOI · PMC12036283
- Salem DA, El-Ijla R, AbuMusameh RR, Zakout KA, Abu Halima AY, Abudiab MT, et al.. Sex-related differences in profiles and clinical outcomes of Inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol. 2024. PMID 39580396 · DOI · PMC11585250
- Sherry AD, Miller AM, Parlapalli JP, Kupferman GS, Beck EJ, McDonald J, et al.. Overall Survival and Quality-of-Life Superiority in Modern Phase 3 Oncology Trials: A Meta-Epidemiological Analysis. JAMA Oncol. 2025. PMID 40451185 · DOI · PMC12127959
- Zhang T, Ren Z, Wakefield CE, Hui BPH, Akechi T, Shi C, et al.. Are digital psychological interventions for psychological distress and quality of life in cancer patients effective? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2025. PMID 39615074 · DOI
- Su Y, Zhang S, Duan L, Hu X. The Effectiveness of Death Education on Death Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2025. PMID 40751159 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
See how EvidenceLib is built. Spotted an error? Email support@evidencehelix.com.
Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.