Impact of osteoporosis on quality of life and quality of life on osteoporosis: rationale and methodology for accurate assessment

INTRODUCTION Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly being recognized as a key outcome measure of quality of health-care. There is considerable evidence that the complications of osteoporosis will have a negative impact on QOL. However, less well recognized, QOL will actually have an impact on osteoporosis. To explain this fact, it is necessary that the construct ‘QOL’ be more clearly articulated. The term QOL is still far too loosely defined, more often a cliché rather than the precise instrument it really should be.