Valuing health-related quality of life: An EQ-5D-5L value set for England

Health Econ. 2018 Jan;27(1):7-22. doi: 10.1002/hec.3564. Epub 2017 Aug 22.

Abstract

A new version of the EQ-5D, the EQ-5D-5L, is available. The aim of this study is to produce a value set to support use of EQ-5D-5L data in decision-making. The study design followed an international research protocol. Randomly selected members of the English general public completed 10 time trade-off and 7 discrete choice experiment tasks in face-to-face interviews. A 20-parameter hybrid model was used to combine time trade-off and discrete choice experiment data to generate values for the 3,125 EQ-5D-5L health states. Valuation data are available for 996 respondents. Face validity of the data has been demonstrated, with more severe health states generally given lower values. Problems with pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression received the greatest weight. Compared to the existing EQ-5D-3L value set, there are considerably fewer "worse than dead" states (5.1%, compared with over one third), and the minimum value is higher. Values range from -0.285 (extreme problems on all dimensions) to 0.950 (for health states 11211 and 21111). Results have important implications for users of the EQ-5D-5L both in England and internationally. Quality-adjusted life year gains from interventions seeking to improve very poor health may be smaller using this value set and may previously have been overestimated.

Keywords: EQ-5D-5L; NICE; PROMs; quality of life; stated preferences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Decision Making*
  • England
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Research Design*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires