The impact of health literacy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and utility assessment among patients with rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of health literacy (HL) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and utility assessment among patients with rheumatic diseases. METHODS HL was measured by the rapid estimate of adult literacy in medicine (REALM) and was characterized as low or adequate. HRQoL and utility scores were assessed using the SF-36, SF-6D, and EQ-5D. Comparisons of sociodemographics and HRQoL in patients with low or adequate HL were made using t test, chi-square, or Mann-Whitney U tests. Spearman's correlation and partial correlations were used to study the relationship between HL, HRQoL, and utility scores, with significant correlations further explored using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Data were analyzed from 199 subjects. Patients with adequate HL had significantly higher education levels, better dwelling status, lower disease activity, and better physical functioning (PF). There was a significant although weak correlation between HL level and PF. After adjustment, HL level was shown to independently explain 3.7% of the variance in the PF score. Nevertheless, there was no impact of HL on utility assessment or other HRQoL domains. CONCLUSION HL did not impact HRQoL in general, but was found to have a weak impact on the PF of patients with rheumatic diseases.