Subjective assessments of comorbidity correlate with quality of life health outcomes: Initial validation of a comorbidity assessment instrument

Table 3 Correlations Between Measures of Comorbidity and QOL Outcomes (N = 156²)

	Self reported disease burden¹	Chart review number of conditions	Self reported number of conditions³	Charlson comorbidity score [7]	Rx-risk score [4]
Overall health status* (n = 150)	0.60 p < 0.001	0.56 p < 0.001	0.477 p < 0.001	0.48 p < 0.001	0.17 P = 0.037
Physical functioning* (n = 137)	-0.63 p < 0.001	-0.52 p < 0.001	-0.482 p < 0.001	-0.41 p < 0.001	-0.18 p = 0.035
Depression screen* (n = 153)	-0.29 p < 0.001	-0.25 p = 0.002	-0.240 p = 0.003	-0.12 p = 0.140	-0.05 p = 0.559
Self-efficacy* (n = 145)	-0.32 p < 0.001	-0.22 p = 0.008	-0.305 p < 0.001	-0.14 p = 0.096	0.10 p = 0.234

* For health status, a higher score implies worse perceived health; for other outcomes, a higher number implies a better functioning, less depression or greater self-efficacy.
¹ Total score of degree of limitation due to each positive condition (1 = not at all to 5 = a lot).
² Due to missing scale scores, total n ranged from 137 (physical activity) to 154 (social activity).
³ Number of conditions from the list that were positively reported by the respondent.

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