An EQ-5D-5L Value Set for Belgium

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to establish a Belgian EQ-5D-5L value set based on the preferences of the adult Belgian general population. Methods The most recent EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT 2.1) protocol for EQ-5D-5L valuation studies was followed. Computer-assisted personal interviews were carried out in a representative sample of the adult Belgian population. Potential respondents were randomly selected from the National Register using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling with unequal probability design. Each respondent valued 10 or 11 health states using composite time trade-off (cTTO) and 14 health states in seven paired choice tasks using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Different model specifications were explored and assessed based on logical consistency, goodness of fit, predictive accuracy and theoretical considerations. Results A total of 892 respondents were included in the analyses. The sample was representative of the Belgian adult population in terms of age, sex, region of residence, educational attainment, labour market status, self-assessed health status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The preferred model specification was a hybrid (DCE and cTTO data combined) multiplicative eight-coefficient model with intercept random effects and correction for heteroskedasticity. Values range from − 0.532 to 1. Loss of HRQoL is highest in the dimension pain/discomfort, closely followed by anxiety/depression. Conclusions This study developed a Belgian EQ-5D-5L value set, based on the preferences of the Belgian adult general population. It provides opportunities for future clinical and economic evaluations in healthcare, for the measurement of patient-reported outcomes and for population health assessments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41669-022-00353-3.

Polypharmacy and Health-Related Quality of Life/Psychological Distress Among Patients With Chronic Disease

“…The EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 Level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) is composed of a descriptive system covering 5 dimensions (ie, mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) defined by 5 severity levels (ie, no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems, and extreme problems/unable to) from which a single index value or utility value can be calculated, ranging from 0 (death) to 1 (perfect health) and with negative values indicating health states perceived to be worse than death ( 20 ). Recently, an EQ-5D-5L value set was developed according to the health state preferences of the general population of Belgium ( 21 ). Possible index values of this value set range from −0.532 to 1.…”

An EQ-5D-Y-3L Value Set for Belgium

“…3 b). Furthermore, comparing the Belgian general population’s preferences for child and adolescent versus adult health states showed that the Kernel densities of the EQ-5D-5L valuation study for adults [ 12 ] is the same shape and scale and close to the curve of the EQ-5D-Y-3L valuation study (Fig. 3 c), and both are different from the older EQ-5D-3L VAS-based curve [ 13 ].…”

“…Analyses including and excluding all data collected during the pandemic revealed a minimal impact of these data on the estimates of the value set (average difference of the coefficients of the value set was 0.002). Furthermore, the ranking of the domains remained identical with and without the data collected during the pandemic [ 12 ]. However, a dedicated study on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attributed VAS values [ 27 ] to the best health state (11111), dead and the worst health state (55555, when using the five-level version of the EQ-5D-5L) indicated that the best health state and dead were valued lower, whereas the worst health state was valued higher post-pandemic compared with before the pandemic.…”

“…In Belgium, an EQ-5D-5L value set was published in 2021 [ 12 ] with nationally representative data for use in economic evaluations of new treatments for adults and youth from age 16 years. This value set complements the EQ-5D-3L value set from 2001, which only reflected Flanders’ preferences for health states, omitting Brussels and Wallonia [ 13 ].…”

“…This value set complements the EQ-5D-3L value set from 2001, which only reflected Flanders’ preferences for health states, omitting Brussels and Wallonia [ 13 ]. As no value set reflecting preferences for health states in Belgian children aged 8–15 years old is available, guidelines recommend using adult weights in pediatric Health Technology Assessments, even though this is a sub-optimal solution [ 12 ].…”