Geographic Distribution of Health-Related Quality of Life in Iran Publisher



Daastari F ; Mousavi A ; Sari A A ; Zekri H S ; Darrudi A ; Daroudi R
Source: Health Technology Assessment in Action Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL of the general Iranian population across all provinces using the European QoL 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire. Methods: Data were collected from a nationwide survey conducted in 2021 across all 31 provinces of Iran, involving 27,704 adults. The intended data included responses to EQ-5D-3L health states, EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale scores, and participants’ socioeconomic characteristics. Finally, descriptive analyses were conducted using Stata 14 and Microsoft Excel 2019. Results: Pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were the most prevalent problems across all provinces. In addition, the mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.87 (±0.15), ranging from 0.80 in North Khorasan to 0.91 in Alborz, Kermanshah, and Zanjan. For women, the mean score was 0.84 (±0.20), with a range of 0.77–0.90, indicating notable variation. In contrast, men demonstrated a higher mean score with less variation, at 0.90 (±0.14), ranging from 0.84 to 0.93. Conclusion: This study provided HRQoL scores for the general population across the provinces of Iran, revealing significant variations. These values can inform healthcare research and policymaking by identifying disparities in health status across regions. Given the relatively low HRQoL scores observed in certain provinces, it is imperative to plan and implement strategies to enhance health outcomes, particularly in vulnerable groups within those regions. © 2026 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.