Urban/rural differences in preferences for EQ-5D-5L health states: a study of a multi-ethnic region in China

Population norms of health-related quality of life in Iran: findings from a national EQ-5D-5L study

BACKGROUND

Evaluating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general population is essential for establishing benchmarks for health outcome assessments. This study aimed to generate population norms for the EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ-VAS (EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale) scores, and EQ-5D-5L index scores in Iran, stratified by sex and age.

METHODS

Data for this cross-sectional study were gathered through face-to-face interviews with 3,518 adults from the general population across nine provinces in Iran, employing a multistage sampling approach. Respondents assessed their own health state across the EQ-5D-5L dimensions-mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression-along with the EQ-VAS to evaluate their overall health. The EQ-5D-5L score was calculated using the value set derived from the Iranian general population. Dimension scores and index values (EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS score) were analyzed using multiple logistic regression and generalized linear model (GLM), respectively.

RESULTS

The estimated mean ± standard deviation [SD] of EQ-5D-5L index for the general population of Iran was 0.789 ± 0.258, while the EQ-VAS score was estimated at 74.34 ± 18.67. Among the study participants, 35.8% reported being in the best health state (11111), while the remaining 64.2% experienced problems in at least one of the five dimensions. The most commonly reported problems were related to anxiety/depression (49.2%), followed by pain/discomfort (45.3%). Regression analyses revealed that females reported significantly more problems across the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L and had lower EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS scores compared to males. Anxiety/depression were more prevalent among younger individuals, while problems in other dimensions tended to increase with age.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that nearly two-thirds of respondents experienced problems in at least one dimension, with anxiety/depression being the most prevalent, particularly among younger individuals. Females reported lower utility scores and more problems across all dimensions in all age groups. To effectively improve the health status of the Iranian population and ensure optimal resource allocation, it is vital to develop and implement targeted interventions that specifically address the needs highlighted in this study.

Australian population norms for health-related quality of life measured using the EQ-5D-5L, and relationships with sociodemographic characteristics

BACKGROUND

Measuring health related quality-of-life (HRQoL) of the general population is essential to establish a reference for health outcome evaluations. This study sought to establish EQ-5D-5L population norms in Australia and to investigate the heterogeneity of HRQoL between sociodemographic variables.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study comprising of a representative sample of Australia's general population (n = 9958) aged 18 or older. Recruitment quotas were set for the Australian census population by age, sex, state/territory of residence and rurality. Participants were recruited by Qualtrics through its database of over 800,000 registered panel members and asked to value their own state of health using the EQ-5D-5L domains and the EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). An Australian value set developed using Discreet Choice Experiment was used to calculate utility scores.

RESULTS

The estimated mean EQ-5D-5L index for Australia's general population was 0.86 (standard deviation [SD] 0.19), and the EQ-VAS score was estimated as 73.2 (SD 21.7). 23.9% of the study population reported being in the best health state (11,111). Younger people, current smokers, people who are unemployed and people with more financial stress reported a lower EQ-5D-5L index score (p < 0.001). Residents in the major cities, inner regional and outer regional Australia reported higher health utility scores than those residing in remote and very remote Australia.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first Australian study to apply the EQ-5D-5L in a nationally representative sample. The EQ-5D-5L Australian population norms obtained can be used as reference scores for future population health evaluations and comparisons. The findings facilitate a national reference for clinical, economic, and policy decision-making processes and provide a fuller understanding of the Australian population's HRQoL.

Relationship between three dietary indices and health-related quality of life among rural elderly in China: a cross-sectional study

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and diet quality using three evidence-based dietary indices among older people in rural China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 1,258 rural older people (mean age 72.32 years; 55.6% female). HRQOL was assessed using the European Five Dimension Health Scale (EQ-5D), and dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Three dietary scoring indices, including the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), were calculated to assess and analyze the relationship between these dietary indices and quality of life.

Results

The EQ-5D score was 0.95 ± 0.10, and the EQ-Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was 76.76 ± 14.44. All three groups with higher dietary indices had higher quality of life scores. After controlling for covariates in multivariate adjusted binary logistic regression analyzes, participants in the top tertile of DDS had higher quality of life scores than those in the bottom tertile. DDS was consistently associated with EQ-5D (Model 2: OR = 1.567, p = 0.001; Model3: OR = 1.351, p = 0.044) and EQ-VAS (Model 2: OR = 1.830, p < 0.001; Model 3: OR = 1.383, p = 0.047), significantly different from the other groups.

Conclusion

Older people in rural China who adhere to various foods experience a better quality of healthy life.