Health indicators: disability-adjusted life years: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Health indicators: disability-adjusted life years

Sample item

In a district, a disease accounted for 250 years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLL) and 90 years lived with disability (YLD) during one year. How many disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were lost?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. 340

The DALY is the sum of years of life lost to premature mortality and years lived with disability. Here DALY = YLL + YLD = 250 + 90 = 340. It measures the gap between actual health and an ideal of living to old age in full health.

Option by option

  • A. 250

    250 is the YLL alone and omits the disability component.

  • B. 160

    160 is the difference between YLL and YLD, but the DALY adds them.

  • C. 90

    90 is the YLD alone and omits the mortality component.

  • D. 340 (correct)

    Correct. 250 + 90 = 340 DALYs, the sum of the mortality and disability components.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, 340. The DALY is the sum of years of life lost to premature mortality and years lived with disability.

Why is "250" not the answer?

250 is the YLL alone and omits the disability component.

Why is "160" not the answer?

160 is the difference between YLL and YLD, but the DALY adds them.

Why is "90" not the answer?

90 is the YLD alone and omits the mortality component.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Health indicators: disability-adjusted life years in PSM. Here DALY = YLL + YLD = 250 + 90 = 340. It measures the gap between actual health and an ideal of living to old age in full health.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Health indicators: disability-adjusted life years?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.