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The objective of the present study is to compare the QL of a wide range of chronic disease patients. Secondary analysis of eight existing data sets, including over 15,000 patients, was performed. The studies were conducted between 1993 and 1996 and included population-based samples, referred samples, consecutive samples, and/or consecutive samples. The SF-36 or SF-24 were employed as generic QL instruments. Patients who were older, female, had a low level of education, were not living with a partner, and had at least one comorbid condition, in general, reported the poorest level of QL. On the basis of rank ordering across the QL dimensions, three broad categories could be distinguished. Urogenital conditions, hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, and dermatologic conditions were found to result in relatively favorable functioning. A group of disease clusters assuming an intermediate position encompassed cardiovascular conditions, cancer, endocrinologic conditions, visual impairments, and chronic respiratory diseases. Gastrointestinal conditions, cerebrovascular/neurologic conditions, renal diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions led to the most adverse sequelae. This categorization reflects the combined result of the diseases and comorbid conditions. If these results are replicated and validated in future studies, they can be considered in addition to information on the prevalence of the diseases, potential benefits of care, and current disease-specific expenditures. This combined information will help to better plan and allocate resources for research, training, and health care. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.