Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) is defined as an individual’s perception of his/her position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which he/she lives and in relation to his/her goals, expectations, standards and concerns. This concept has two fundamental elements: multidimensionality and subjectivity. The former refers to the coverage of a broad range of content, including physical, functional, emotional and social well-being. The latter refers to the fact that quality of life can only be understood from the patient’s perspective. Taking into account those elements and considering the dynamic nature of quality of life, two individuals, showing similar health status, may present different quality of life perspectives depending on their experiences, expectations and perceptions.