What is the most widely used tool to measure generic health-related quality of life?

• A. Katz ADL
• B. FIM
• C. SF-36
• D. Lawton-Brody IADL

Answer: (C)

Measuring generic health-related quality of life requires a tool that assesses multiple aspects of health and well-being, not just how well someone functions day to day. The SF-36 does exactly that: it’s a generic, 36-item questionnaire that covers eight domains—physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. It provides both physical and mental health summary scores, allowing broad comparisons across populations and conditions.

The other instruments focus on functional independence or daily task capability rather than overall quality of life. Katz ADL targets basic activities of daily living (like bathing and dressing), the FIM measures level of independence in a rehabilitation context, and the Lawton-Brody IADL assesses instrumental activities of daily living (such as handling finances or shopping). While important for functional status, they don’t capture the wider health-related quality-of-life experience that the SF-36 is designed to measure.

Because it encompasses a wide range of physical and mental health domains and is widely used across diverse groups, the SF-36 is the most commonly used tool for generic health-related quality of life.