Do estimates of cost-utility based on the EQ-5D differ from those based on the mapping of utility scores?
2008

Comparing Cost-Utility Estimates from EQ-5D and Mapping Utility Scores

Sample size: 389 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Garry R Barton, Tracey H Sach, Claire Jenkinson, Anthony J Avery, Michael Doherty, Kenneth R Muir

Primary Institution: University of East Anglia

Hypothesis

Do estimates of cost-utility based on the EQ-5D differ from those based on the mapping of utility scores?

Conclusion

Actual QALY gains and incremental cost per QALY estimates differ from those predicted based on mapping, suggesting the need for actual utility measurement in future studies.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mapping models were developed to predict EQ-5D scores from WOMAC scores.
  • The preferred mapping model had a mean absolute error of 0.129.
  • Actual QALY gains were consistently higher than those predicted by mapping.
  • Incremental cost per QALY estimates differed significantly between actual data and mapping models.
  • Future studies should include actual utility measurements.

Takeaway

This study looked at how well different methods predict health benefits from treatments for knee pain, finding that one method often gave lower estimates than the actual results.

Methodology

Participants completed both the EQ-5D and WOMAC at multiple time points, and mapping models were developed to predict EQ-5D scores.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to recruitment from different sources.

Limitations

Results may not be generalizable due to the use of only the WOMAC to predict EQ-5D scores.

Participant Demographics

Mean age of participants was 62 years, with 66% female and varying levels of obesity.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.05

Confidence Interval

0.528 to 0.587

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7525-6-51

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