Interpretation and use of the 5-level EQ-5D response labels varied with survey language among Asians in Singapore

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the comparability of the English, Chinese, and Malay versions of the 5-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) response labels in Singapore.

Study design and setting: Visitors to a primary care institution in Singapore (n = 743) were asked to complete two exercises: (1) rating the severity of the EQ-5D-5L response labels presented in English, Chinese, or Malay using a 0-100 numeric rating scale and (2) using the labels to describe various hypothetical health problems. Label ratings and choices between language versions were compared using regression analysis.

Results: Perceived severity of the English and Chinese labels was similar. Compared with their English counterparts, the Malay label "slight(ly)" was rated as more severe (adjusted mean difference: 10.5 to 14.5) and "unable"/"extreme(ly)" as less severe (adjusted mean difference: -13.3 to -11.0) (P < 0.001 for all). The Malay labels "no(t)" and "unable"/"extreme(ly)" and the less severe Chinese labels were more frequently used to describe hypothetical health problems than their English counterparts.

Conclusion: Interpretation and use of the EQ-5D-5L response labels vary among Singaporeans using different language versions of the instrument. Future studies need to investigate ways to reduce the variations and increase the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the instrument.

Keywords: Cross-cultural; EQ-5D; Language; Measurement equivalence; Response label; Singapore.