Measuring health-related quality of life in bipolar disorder: Relationship of the EuroQol (EQ-5D) to condition-specific measures

Generic utility measures of health-related quality of life provide an independent net valuation of health states. They are increasingly used with condition-specific outcome measures in assessing treatments. In Bipolar Disorder, a few studies indicate poorer quality of life for depressed vs. euthymic patients. A single study suggests mania is less negative than depression. This analysis examines the relationship of one such scale, the EuroQol (EQ-5D), to objective and subjective measures of depression and mania in 221 Bipolar subjects, recently or still in an episode of illness. Results: Depressed patients showed a very poor quality of life (median EQ-5D Index score 0.41). Index and Visual Analogue scores improved significantly as level of depression decreased (Jonckheere–Terpstra test p<0.001). Both scores were significantly negatively related to all depression measures. Patients reported problems across all areas of life covered by the EQ-5D. No such relationships were observed between EQ-5D scores and mania measures, though all mania measures were inter-related. However, the range of mania shown was quite restricted. Conclusions: The EQ-5D is a useful measure of quality of life for Bipolar patients suffering from depression. Conclusions about the role of the EQ-5D in mania are restricted by the limited range of mania observed.     

Comparison of the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and the EuroQol EQ-5D in patients treated for intermittent claudication

The Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and the EuroQol EQ-5D (EQ-5D) were compared to each other and to other quality-of-life (QoL) measures in patients treated for intermittent claudication. A total of 88 patients with intermittent claudication completed the HUI3, EQ-5D, RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0, time tradeoff, standard gamble, and rating scale before revascularization and at follow-up at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year. The effect of treatment on the HUI3 and EQ-5D dimensions and the overall scores, calculated using published formulas based on societal preferences, were compared. After 1 month of treatment, the majority of patients showed improvement on the HUI3 dimensions ambulation and pain and on the EQ-5D dimensions mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort. The mean HUI3 score was significantly higher than the mean EQ-5D score (0.66 and 0.57, respectively, p < 0.01) before treatment. After treatment, however, they were not significantly different from each other (e.g., 12 months after treatment: 0.77 and 0.75, respectively (p > 0.05). After 1 month, the scores did not change significantly over time (p > 0.05). The intraclass correlation coefficient between changes over time in the HUI3 and EQ-5D scores was 0.30, with other health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) measures the correlations for HUI3 and EQ-5D were very similar. In conclusion, both the HUI3 and EQ-5D demonstrated an effect of treatment in patients with intermittent claudication; in addition, they showed similar relationships with other (HRQoL) measures. To demonstrate the effect of revascularization in patients with intermittent claudication, however, clinicians and researchers should be aware of the differences in the mean HUI3 and EQ-5D scores. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Responsiveness of the EuroQol (EQ-5D) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures

Introduction The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal and external responsiveness of the EuroQol (EQ-5D) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and to evaluate the overlap of change scores from the two instruments. Methods Sixty patients with femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation at a university hospital participated. Internal responsiveness was assessed using a paired t-test and the standardised response mean (SRM) for patients with displaced fractures hypothesised to deteriorate between baseline and the 6-month follow-up. In the analyses of external responsiveness, receiver operator characteristics (ROC) and logistic regression were employed to assess the correspondence between the chosen external criterion (EC) defining fracture displacement, i.e. displaced vs. undisplaced fractures, and the change scores from the EQ-5D and the NHP. The overlap in change scores for the overall scores and comparable subdimensions of the two instruments was evaluated by correlational analyses. Results The SRM were large and the change in HRQoL over time was statistically significant for both instruments in patients with displaced fractures. A correspondence was found between the EC and change scores for both questionnaires. The correlation coefficients between the change scores for the overall scores and comparable subdimensions of the two instruments ranged from relatively small to moderate. Conclusions The results yielded support for the internal and external responsiveness of the EQ-5D and the NHP and indicated an advantage for the EQ-5D. The empirical overlap between change scores from the two instruments was limited.     

基于EQ-5D量表的子宫颈癌患者生命质量评价

目的:测算子宫颈癌患者生命质量,为临床实践中子宫颈癌治疗方案的选择和子宫颈癌患者生命质量的提高提供参考依据。方法:选取276名子宫颈癌患者为研究对象,所有病例均经病理学确诊。采用欧洲五维度健康量表(EQ-5D)评价子宫颈癌患者生命质量。结果:子宫颈癌CIN2及以下患者量表指数(Index)评分为(0.916 5±0.013 3)分、视觉模拟尺度(VAS)评分为(86.23±11.13)分,接近正常女性人群评分。但随着子宫颈癌病理和临床分期的提高,Index评分逐渐降低,分别由0.916 5分降至0.872 3分和由0.913 8分降至0.868 9分;VAS评分亦逐渐降低,分别由83.09分降至64.97分和86.23分降至65.37分。不同的治疗方法后子宫颈癌患者的生命质量亦有差异。Index得分由低到高依次为:子宫颈癌根治术+化疗、单纯化疗、子宫颈癌根治术、子宫全切术、子宫颈锥切术。VAS得分由低到高依次为:子宫颈癌根治术+化疗、子宫颈癌根治术、单纯化疗、子宫全切术、子宫颈锥切术。除子宫颈癌根治术与单纯化疗略有交叉外,其他治疗方案得分顺序相同。结论:随着子宫颈癌患者病情的加重,生命质量不断降低,提示子宫颈癌早期诊断和治疗可以显著改善子宫颈癌患者的生命质量。实施不同治疗方案的子宫颈癌患者的生命质量不同,提示患者生命质量也应作为临床实践中治疗方案的选择依据。     

欧洲EQ-5D量表用于杭州市余杭区慢性淋巴丝虫病生命质量调查

目的:采用欧洲EQ-5D量表评价慢性淋巴丝虫病人生命质量。方法:对杭州市余杭区276例慢性丝虫病人进行自评量表式调查,内容包括一般情况问卷调查和EQ-5D量表测量。结果:目标人群中EQ-5D指数平均得分为0.77±0.13,单因素方差分析显示,不同性别、年龄、婚姻、工作状况、家庭年收入的目标人群在EQ-5D得分上差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。EQ-5D5个维度测量,问题报告率主要在疼痛/不舒服(47.8%)、日常活动(报告率44.9%)、行动(43.8%)3个维度出现较高。多元logistic逐步回归分析,疼痛/不舒服维度影响因素主要为性别、婚姻状况。日常活动维度为性别、年龄、婚姻状况。行动维度影响因素为家庭收入。焦虑/抑郁维度影响因素为婚姻状况。自我照顾维度影响因素为年龄、家庭年收入。结论:在目标人群中女性、老年人、丧偶、文盲、低经济收入状况的患者生命质量较次,是关怀照料工作的重点对象,干预的重点内容则应放在减轻病人病痛和提高病人日常活动及行动能力方面。     

Evaluation of physical activity and its relationship to health-related quality of life in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Methods

A total of 31 men (69.0 ± 11.1 years) and 17 women (66.9 ± 10.0 years) among 61 male and 30 female patients on chronic hemodialysis at Innoshima General Hospital, Onomichi, Japan, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity was evaluated using tri-axial accelerometers. HRQOL and psychological distress were also evaluated using the EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the K6 questionnaire, respectively.

Results

Physical activity evaluated by Σ[metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs·h/w)] was 8.1 ± 6.0 METs·h/w, and EQ-5D score was 0.754 ± 0.177. Among all patients, EQ-5D scores were significantly correlated with physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days (r = 0.426, p = 0.003). In women, EQ-5D scores were also correlated with physical activity over 4 METs on hemodialysis treatment days and non-hemodialysis treatment days. By stepwise multiple regression analysis, physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days was a determinant factor of EQ-5D even after adjusting for age and K6 scores.

Conclusion

Physical activity over 4 METs on non-hemodialysis treatment days might be associated with EQ-5D in patients on chronic hemodialysis, especially in women.     

Swedish population health-related quality of life results using the EQ-5D

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured on population level may be useful to guide policies for health. This study aims to describe the HRQoL; in EQ-5D dimensions, mean rating scale (RS) scores and mean EQ-5D index values, in the general population, by certain disease and socio-economic groups, in Stockholm County 1998. The EQ-5D self-classifier and a RS were included in the 1998 cross-sectional postal Stockholm County public health survey to a representative sample (n = 4950, 20-88 years), 63% response rate. Mean RS score ranged from 0.90 (20-29 years) to 0.69 (80-88 years), mean EQ-5D index value ranged from 0.89 (20-29 years) to 0.74 (80-88 years). For different diseases mean RS scores ranged from 0.80 (asthma) to 0.69 (angina pectoris), mean EQ-5D index values ranged from 0.79 (asthma) to 0.66 (low back pain). The mean health state scores (RS and EQ-5D index) were 0.06 lower in the unskilled manual group than in the higher non-manual group after controlling for age and sex (p < 0.0001). This difference was 0.03 after controlling also for different diseases (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, our results show that the HRQoL varies greatly between socio-economic and disease groups. Furthermore, after controlling for age, sex and disease, HRQoL is lower in manual than in non-manual groups.     

Valuation of EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire,Youth Version (EQ-5D-Y) and EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire,Three-Level Version (EQ-5D-3L) Health States: The Impact of Wording and Perspective

Background

Valuations of health states were affected by the wording of the two instruments (EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-Y) and by the perspective taken (child or adult).

An Assessment of the Impact of Informative Dropout and Nonresponse in Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life Using the EuroQol (EQ-5D) Descriptive System

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of imputing EQ-5D values to allow for informative dropout and nonresponse in a longitudinal assessment of the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of liver transplant recipients. METHODS: The EQ-5D was administered at defined time intervals pre- and post-transplantation to all adults who were listed to receive liver transplants as National Health Service (NHS) treatment at each of the six Department of Health designated centers in England and Wales over a time-period of 36 months (12 month recruitment period and 24 month follow-up period). During the course of the study missing data arose for two main reasons, informative dropout and nonresponse. Informative dropout was accounted for by giving those patients who died an EQ-5D score of 0 and those patients who were too ill to respond to an EQ-5D score equivalent to the 5th percentile of respondents for each time point pretransplantation. Nonresponse was accounted for using relatively naive approaches (last value carried forward, and upper/lower 95% confidence interval around the mean) and contrasted with a more sophisticated multiple imputation method. RESULTS: Adjusting for informative dropout in isolation resulted in a marked deterioration in mean scores over time pretransplant relative to the base case situation in which no such adjustments were made. Nevertheless, adjusting for informative dropout and/or nonresponders did not alter the base case conclusion of no statistically significant differences in mean EQ-5D scores over time pretransplant. In contrast, post-transplant data indicated highly statistically significant improvements in quality of life over time for the base case (P < 0.001) whereas no statistically significant improvements over time were found when informative dropout was allowed for in isolation (P = 0.402) or when informative dropout and nonresponse were allowed for simultaneously (P = 0.105-0.185). CONCLUSIONS: It is important that future studies which purport to assess the HRQL over time of patients, such as these with end-stage liver disease, include an allowance for informative dropout and nonresponse within the analysis.     

Assessing patient outcomes in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: The measure your medical outcome profile (MYMOP), medical outcomes study 6-item general health survey (MOS-6A) and EuroQol (EQ-5D)

There is little published information on the measurement of health status or quality of life in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. The measure yourself medical outcome profile (MYMOP), the medical outcomes study 6-item general health survey (MOS-6A), and EuroQoL (EQ-5D) were evaluated in 81 patients with acute exacerbations of Type-1 chronic bronchitis presenting at a single general practice centre in Glasgow. The questionnaires were administered at the first clinic visit and at a second visit within 1 week of treatment completion. Item scores for MYMOP were generally more responsive than those for the other instruments, as assessed by standardised response means and an index of responsiveness for those patients reporting minimal change between visits. Construct validity was demonstrated for the MYMOP by the gradient in score change with the patient's perceived change in clinical condition and by the relationship between score change and the physician's assessment of clinical outcome. This study demonstrated that the MYMOP is a valid and potentially useful instrument for the assessment of patient outcomes in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and is more responsive than the MOS-6A or EQ-5D in this setting. The choice of instrument will vary according to the objective of the study. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The social tariff of EQ-5D is not adequate to assess quality of life in patients with low back pain

Background

We compared the quality of life perceived by patients with non-specific low back pain with that predicted by the social tariff of the Spanish version of EQ-5D questionnaire.

Methods

For each health state of the EQ-5D, an adjusted tariff for patients with back pain was obtained using a linear regression model in which the linear effect of the three levels of response for each of the five domains of the EQ-5D was assumed. These coefficients were compared with those obtained for the general Spanish population. In another model, equal in structure to the standard “Dolan N” model, the linear effect of the five domains was not assumed.

Results

In 633 patients, 93 health states were recorded. Significant differences in the coefficients of self-care (p = 0.003) and the maximum level of severity in any dimension (p < 0.0001) were observed. The social tariff of the healthy population is different from the tariff of low back pain patients, with general population values being lower than those of patients, particularly in the 211 health states in which any dimension is at level 3. Weights of the different EQ-5D dimensions showed a non-linear effect on the patients’ quality of life.

Conclusion

Methods used to develop the social tariff for the Spanish version of EQ-5D were inadequate. In addition, this study shows that values given by the general population are different from those of low back pain patients, further confirming that the social tariff of EQ-5D should not be used with actual patients.     

Predicting EQ-5D utility scores from the 25-item National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25) in patients with age-related macular degeneration

Purpose  In this study, we explored different statistical approaches to identify the best algorithm to predict EQ-5D utility scores from the NEI-VFQ 25 in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods  Ordinary least squares (OLS), Tobit, and censored least absolute deviation (CLAD) approaches were compared using cross-sectional data (primary dataset, n = 151) at screening from a phase I/II clinical trial in patients with AMD. Three models were specified in this study: full (includes all 12 dimensions of the NEI-VFQ 25), short (includes only the general health dimension and the composite score), and reduced model (using stepwise regression). To evaluate the predictive accuracy of the models, the mean absolute prediction error (MAPE), mean error, and root means squared error were calculated using in-sample cross-validation (within the primary dataset) and out-of-sample validation using an independent dataset (n = 393). The model that provided the lowest prediction errors was chosen as the best model. Results  In-sample cross-validation and out-of-sample validation consistently demonstrated that, compared to other approaches, heteroscedasticity-adjusted OLS produced the lowest MAPE (mean values were 0.1400, 0.1593, respectively) for the full model, while CLAD performed best for the short and reduced models (mean values were 0.1299, 0.1483, respectively). The normality and homoscedasticity assumptions of both OLS and Tobit were rejected. CLAD, however, can accommodate these particular violations. Conclusions  The CLAD-short model is recommended for producing the EQ-5D utility scores when only the NEI-VFQ 25 data are available.     

Predicting EuroQol (EQ-5D) scores from the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) global items and domain item banks in a United States sample

Background  Preference-based health index scores provide a single summary score assessing overall health-related quality of life and are useful as an outcome measure in clinical studies, for estimating quality-adjusted life years for economic evaluations, and for monitoring the health of populations. We predicted EuroQoL (EQ-5D) index scores from patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) global items and domain item banks. Methods  This was a secondary analysis of health outcome data collected in an internet survey as part of the PROMIS Wave 1 field testing. For this study, we included the 10 global items and the physical function, fatigue, pain impact, anxiety, and depression item banks. Linear regression analyses were used to predict EQ-5D index scores based on the global items and selected domain banks. Results  The regression models using eight of the PROMIS global items (quality of life, physical activities, mental health, emotional problems, social activities, pain, and fatigue and either general health or physical health items) explained 65% of the variance in the EQ-5D. When the PROMIS domain scores were included in a regression model, 57% of the variance was explained in EQ-5D scores. Comparisons of predicted to actual EQ-5D scores by age and gender groups showed that they were similar. Conclusions  EQ-5D preference scores can be predicted accurately from either the PROMIS global items or selected domain banks. Application of the derived regression model allows the estimation of health preference scores from the PROMIS health measures for use in economic evaluations.     

Areas of decrement in health-related quality of life (HRQL): Comparing the SF-12, EQ-5D,and HUI 3

Background: Different measures of health status and health-related quality of life (HRQL) have been advocated for different purposes at the clinical and population level. Relatively little is known about how these measures function in relationship to one another. We examined the relationship between the Short-Form 12 (SF-12), EQ-5D, and Health Utilities Index (HUI) Mark 3 for overall scores and in analogous domains of health. A convenience sample was obtained through surveying patients at an inner-city community health center. Measurements and main results: The sample was comprised primarily of low-income racial/ethnic minorities; 393 patients were approached and 301 patients (77%) participated. The three measures had correlations between overall scores that ranged from 0.41 to 0.69 and correlations between similar domains from different measures that ranged from 0.42 to 0.59. For the HUI 3, any impairment most frequently was noted with pain, vision, cognition, and emotion. For the EQ-5D, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were reported as impaired most often. Compared to published population scores, participants reported impairments with increased frequency and at a greater level. Conclusions: Participants demonstrated consistency with responses to similar types of items and correlations between related aspects of health were moderate to strong. Domains of health most often reported as impaired resembled those noted in national surveys. Despite differences in the structure of the measures, all three instruments capture information about decrements in broadly analogous domains of health.     

International Comparisons in Valuing EQ-5D Health States: A Review and Analysis

Objective:  To identify the key methodological issues in the construction of population-level EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ-5D)/time trade-off (TTO) preference elicitation studies.
Method:  This study involved three components. The first was to identify existing population-level EQ-5D TTO studies. The second was to illustrate and discuss the key areas of divergence between studies, including the international comparison of tariffs. The third was to portray the relative merits of each of the approaches and to compare the results of studies across countries.
Results:  While most articles report use of the protocol developed in the original UK study, we identified three key areas of divergence in the construction and analysis of surveys. These are the number of health states valued to determine the algorithm for estimating all health states, the approach to valuing states worse than immediate death, and the choice of algorithm. The evidence on international comparisons suggests differences between countries although it is difficult to disentangle differences in cultural attitudes with random error and differences as a result of methodological divergence.
Conclusions:  Differences in methods may obscure true differences in values between countries. Nevertheless, population-specific valuation sets for countries engaging in economic evaluation would better reflect cultural differences and are therefore more likely to accurately represent societal attitudes.     

Responsiveness of the EuroQol (EQ 5-D) and the SF-36 in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures

Objectives: To evaluate the responsiveness of the EuroQol (EQ-5D) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) instruments, i.e. their ability to capture clinically important changes, in elderly patients with a displaced femoral neck fracture. The study was part of a prospective randomised study comparing two different surgical procedures, internal fixation (IF) and total hip replacement (THP). Setting: University hospital. Patients: A total of 110 patients, mean age 80 years with an acute displaced femoral neck fracture (Garden III and IV). The inclusion criteria were age 70, absence of severe cognitive dysfunction, independent living status and independent walking capability. Intervention: The patients were randomised to IF or to a THR. Main outcome measurements: Health-related quality of life according to EQ-5D and SF-36. Responsiveness measured by the ability of the EQ-5D and the SF-36 to detect clinically relevant differences in the study population according to an external criterion (EC) for outcome (good or less good clinical outcome). Responsiveness was measured in terms of change scores, standardised effect size (SES) and standardised response mean (SRM). Results: The rated prefracture EQ-5D_index scores and SF-36 scores showed good correspondence with the scores of age-matched Swedish reference populations. The relationship between the EC and EQ-5D_index score and the SF-36 global score showed significant differences in both comparisons (p < 0.001). The responsiveness expressed with the SES and SRM were large for both the EQ-5D (1.37 and 0.90, respectively) and for the SF-36 global score (0.89 and 0.82, respectively). The correlation between the change scores for the SF-36 global score and the EQ-5D was 0.39 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed high responsiveness for both the EQ-5D and the SF-36, indicating that both instruments are suitable for use as outcome measures in clinical trials in elderly hip fracture patients.     

Variation in Chinese population health related quality of life: Results from a EuroQol study in Beijing,China

The purpose of this study is to measure Chinese population health related quality of life (HRQoL) using European quality of life (EQ-5D) instrument, to examine the validity of EQ-5D in measuring Chinese population HRQoL, to explore the relationships between EQ-5D and other health determinants, and to display the similarities and differences of HRQoL between the Chinese population and the populations of other countries. The data used in this study includes 2994 respondents whose age are 12 years and older, which is from the 2000 Beijing Household Health Survey. Univariate and bivariate analyses have been used to examine the level of HRQoL and the relationships between HRQoL and other variables. Multi-variate analyses have been used to explore the relationships between the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the EQ-5D five dimension indicators. There are four principal findings from this study. First, the EQ-5D instrument is a valid measure for Chinese HRQoL, but with a significant ceiling effect. Second, Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression are the major Chinese HRQoL problems and the extents of these problems differ in subgroup populations. Third, typically mean scores are lower for older age group; this is observed at lower ages in the Chinese population than in populations from developed countries. Fourth, Chinese HRQoL has strong association relationship with population socio-economic status (SES), which might imply that issues brought on by the rapid economic transition have both positive and negative impacts on Chinese HRQoL.     

Comparison of Euroqol EQ-5D and SF-36 in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

The objective of the study was to compare the Euroqol EQ-5D (Euroqol) and short-form 36 (SF-36) health questionnaires in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). One hundred and twenty-seven out-patients referred to a hospital-based infectious disease clinic with a diagnosis of CFS were contacted by post and asked to complete both questionnaires. Additional data were determined from hospital casenotes. Eighty-five patients returned correctly completed questionnaires. Euroqol health values and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were strongly and significantly correlated with all dimensions of the SF-36, with the exception of physical limitation of role. SF-36 dimensions were in turn strongly and significantly correlated with each other, with the same exception. Patients reported a high degree of physical disability and a moderate degree of emotional or psychological ill-health. The Euroqol elements dealing with mobility and self-care referred to inappropriately severe degrees of disability for these patients with CFS. Similarly some dimensions in the SF-36 were oversensitive and did not discriminate between patients with moderate or severe disability. It was concluded that Euroqol scores correlated strongly with SF-36 scores and provided useful information about patients with CFS and that Euroqol would be a useful tool for the rapid assessment of health status in CFS. The current Euroqol instrument refers to inappropriately severe degrees of disability for patients with CFS and would need to be modified to be maximally useful in this situation.