Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)

QALYs are a metric used in health economics to evaluate both the quantity and quality of life that a medical treatment provides.

One QALY equals one year of life in perfect health. If a treatment helps a patient live longer with better quality of life, its QALY value increases. This measure allows comparison between very different treatments, making it easier for health systems and insurers to decide which interventions provide the best value for resources spent.

In pain medicine, QALYs highlight the importance of therapies that not only reduce pain but also improve function and emotional well-being. For example, a treatment that reduces pain scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and helps patients return to work or regain independence may add substantial QALY value. As healthcare systems move toward evidence-based reimbursement, QALYs provide a powerful way to demonstrate the broader benefits of effective pain management.