DALY is a measure that combines YLLs due to premature death with years lived in less than full health. Which abbreviation corresponds to this measure?

• A. DALY (disability-adjusted life year)
• B. QALY (quality-adjusted life year)
• C. YLD
• D. Life years

Answer: (A)

Disability-adjusted life year is a single measure that captures the overall burden of disease by combining the impact of premature death with the burden of living with illness or disability. It does this in two parts: years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). By adding these components, you get a total burden that reflects both fatal and non-fatal health losses. The abbreviation for this measure is DALY (disability-adjusted life year).

For contrast, a QALY stands for quality-adjusted life year and is used to compare the value of different medical interventions by weighing both the length and the quality of life they produce. YLD refers specifically to the years lived with disability and is only one part of the full DALY calculation. Life years isn’t a standard composite term used for this purpose.