Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Among Adults With Non-communicable Diseases in a Selected District of South India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contribute significantly to long-term morbidity and reduced well-being. Understanding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among NCD patients is essential for context-specific healthcare planning. This study evaluates HRQoL among NCD patients in a semi-urban district in Tamil Nadu and examines its association with socio-demographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Family Adoption Area of a Medical College in South India between November 2024 and January 2025. A sample size of 364 was calculated, and NCD patients identified in that area who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the study by systematic random sampling. The standardized study tool, EQ-5D-5L, was used to assess HRQoL. Collected data were entered into MS Excel 2019 (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Associations were determined using t-tests and multiple linear regression. Results A total of 364 participants were recruited, with a mean age of 52.2 years and an almost equal distribution between both sexes. The participants without any problems in the domains of HRQoL - which include mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression - were 60.7%, 61.6%, 57.7%, 37.4%, and 70.4%, respectively. The mean EQ index score of all the participants was 0.86 ± 0.19. Significant predictors of poor HRQoL included age ≥ 60 years, being single or widowed, having non-formal or primary education, and a disease duration >3 years (R² = 0.231). Conclusion Around one-third of the NCD patients had varying degrees of problems in the different domains of HRQoL, with pain/discomfort being the most affected. Targeted interventions, such as pain management, health literacy programs, and elderly psychosocial support, should be integrated into NCD care strategies.