quality-adjusted life year (QALY)

A unit of outcome of an intervention where gains (or losses) of years of life subsequent to this intervention are adjusted on the basis of the quality of life during those years.

Note: This parameter can provide a common unit for comparing cost-utility across different interventions and health problems. Disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and healthy-years equivalent (HYE) are QALY-analogous units.