Health-related quality of life measured with the EQ-5D-5L: estimation of normative index values based on a representative German population sample and value set

Abstract

Background The generic and preference-based instrument EQ-5D is available in a five-response levels version (EQ-5D-5L). A value set for the EQ-5D-5L based on a representative sample of the German population has recently been developed. The aim of this study was to estimate normative values of the EQ-5D-5L index for Germany, and to examine associations between the EQ-5D-5L and selected sociodemographic factors. Methods The analysis was based on a representative sample (n = 4998) of the German general adult population in 2014. Participants had to rate their health-related quality of life on the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system as well as on a visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Normative values of the EQ-5D-5L index were estimated for selected sociodemographic characteristics. For the examination of associations between EQ-5D-5L index scores and selected sociodemographic factors, multivariate regression analyses were used. ResultsThe mean EQ-5D-5L index score of the total sample was 0.88 (SD 0.18), corresponding to an overall mean EQ-VAS score of 71.59 (SD 21.36). Female gender and increasing age were associated with a lower EQ-5D-5L index score (p < 0.001). Higher education, full-time employment and private health insurance were associated with a higher EQ-5D-5L index score (p < 0.001). ConclusionThis was the first study to estimate normative values of the EQ-5D-5L index for Germany based on a representative sample. The German normative values of the EQ-5D-5L are comparable to those reported for other countries. However, the mean EQ-5D-5L index score of the total sample was worse than those of the samples of studies from other countries.

Mediating factors on the association between fear of falling and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling German older people: a cross-sectional study

“…In addition, the sample size of N = 309 was relatively small, thus results may not be generalizable to the older population at risk of falling in Germany. Furthermore, the selected sample reached better EQ-5D index values compared with normative values for the general German population of the respective age group [61]. This is most likely due to the exclusion of individuals who were cognitively impaired and had certain chronic conditions.…”

“…Even some health-related aspects may not be sufficiently captured in the five dimensions of the EQ-5D. Although the introduction of the 5-level version of the EQ-5D has improved the ability to differentiate between health conditions, ceiling effects remain a problem [61,62]. The results of this study should therefore be tested in future studies using different measures of (health-related) quality of life.…”

Low-volume high-intensity interval training improves cardiometabolic health, work ability and well-being in severely obese individuals: a randomized-controlled trial sub-study

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effects of HIIT on work ability, QoL and perceived stress in severely obese sedentary employees. Baseline assessments revealed that on average, participants had a moderate WAI (~ 35 points) with need for improvement [ 41 ], and EQ-VAS scores (~ 65%), that were lower compared to normative values in the general population [ 42 ]. Our results indicate that low-volume HIIT may positively affect work ability and well-being in severely obese individuals as became evident by significant improvements in WAI and QoL.…”

“…The questionnaire consists of a visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS, 0–100 points, higher values indicate higher QoL) and a descriptive system of 5 health-related QoL-dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) with 5 severity levels each, which are converted to a single index value (EQ-5D-5L). An index value of 1.0 represents the best possible state of perceived health, while an index value of 0 represents the worst possible health status [ 42 ]. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) was applied to examine the perception of stress, including the 4 sub-factors “worries”, “tension”, “joy”, and “demands”.…”

EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 utility scores in people living with chronic low back pain: a survey from Quebec

“…The population norms produced in this study for patients with CLBP will be very helpful in feeding models aimed at predicting the impact of interventions on such patients. 33 34 Indeed, to our knowledge, no representative portrait of people living with CLBP has been conducted in Quebec, although some initiative exists with their geographical and inclusion criteria limits. 35 As a consequence, it is hard to say how close is our survey to a representative sample of this population.…”