Reference Eq-5d-3l and Eq-5d-5l Data From the Italian General Population

The influencing factors of health-related quality of life of the general population of Iran during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 is a global challenge that negatively affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the general population. The current study aimed to evaluate HRQoL and its associated factors among the Iranian general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected in 2021 using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) and EQ-5D Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) questionnaires through an online survey. Participants were recruited via social media from the Fars province. The multiple binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors influencing participants' HRQoL. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, the t-test, ANOVA, and the chi-square test were used. All tests were conducted at a significance level of 5% using Stata 14.2 and SPSS 16. A total of 1,198 participants were involved in this cross-sectional study. The mean age of participants was 33.3 (SD:10.2), and more than half were women (55.6%). The mean EQ-5D-3L index value and EQ-VAS of the respondents were 0.80 and 77.53, respectively. The maximum scores of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-VAS in the present study were 1 and 100, respectively. The most frequently reported problems were anxiety/depression (A/D) (53.7%), followed by pain/discomfort (P/D) (44.2%). Logistic regression models showed that the odds of reporting problems on the A/D dimension increased significantly with supplementary insurance, including concern about getting COVID-19, hypertension, and asthma, by 35% (OR = 1.35; P = 0.03), 2% (OR = 1.02; P = 0.02), 83% (OR = 1.83; P = 0.02), and 6.52 times (OR = 6.52; P = 0.01), respectively. The odds of having problems on the A/D dimension were significantly lower among male respondents, those in the housewives + students category, and employed individuals by 54% (OR = 0.46; P = 0.04), 38% (OR = 0.62; P = 0.02) and 41% (OR = 0.59; P = 0.03), respectively. Moreover, the odds of reporting a problem on the P/D dimension decreased significantly in those belonging in a lower age group and with people who were not worried about getting COVID-19 by 71% (OR = 0.29; P = 0.03) and 65% (OR = 0.35; P = 0.01), respectively. The findings of this study could be helpful for policy-making and economic evaluations. A significant percentage of participants (53.7%) experienced psychological problems during the pandemic. Therefore, effective interventions to improve the quality of life of these vulnerable groups in society are essential.

Norwegian population norms for the EQ-5D-5L: results from a general population survey

Purpose

To provide the first Norwegian EQ-5D-5L and EQ VAS population norms for the adult general population.

Methods

Postal survey of a random sample of 12,790 Norwegians identified through the National Registry of the Norwegian Tax Administration. Norms, weighted for Norwegian general population characteristics, are shown for the five EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ-5D index, and EQ VAS scores for seven age categories, females, males, and education level.

Results

There were 3200 (25.9%) respondents to 12,263 correctly addressed questionnaires. The EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ VAS, and background questions were completed by 3120 (24.6%) respondents. The mean age (SD) was 50.9 (21.7) and range was 18–97 years. The youngest age group of 18–29 years and oldest of 80 years and over had the highest (n = 691) and lowest (n = 239) number of respondents, respectively. Compared to the general population, the respondents comprised a greater number of females, younger and older ages, and had a higher education level. 32% of respondents reported no health problems on the EQ-5D-5L. From the youngest to oldest age groups, there was a general decline in health as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L. The exception was for anxiety/depression, where the youngest age groups had the poorest health. Apart from self-care, women reported poorer health than men, as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L; EQ VAS scores were similar for men and women. Higher levels of health (EQ-5D index, EQ VAS scores) were found with increasing levels of education.

Conclusion

The population norms will improve interpretation of EQ-5D-5L and EQ VAS scores in Norwegian applications including clinical practice, clinical and health services research, and national quality registers where EQ-5D-5L is the most widely used patient-reported instrument.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11136-021-02938-7.

Living with severe multiple sclerosis: Cost-effectiveness of a palliative care intervention and cost of illness study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the economic consequences of living with severe multiple sclerosis (SMS).

AIMS

To assess the cost-effectiveness of a home-based palliative approach (HPA) for people with SMS (pwSMS). To assess direct healthcare costs in this population.

METHODS

PwSMS from three Italian centers received (2:1 ratio) HPA or usual care over six months. Direct healthcare costs were collected on a monthly basis. Incremental cost-effectiveness was gauged from a national healthcare system (NHS) and a personal perspective, considering the Palliative Outcome Scale-Symptoms-MS (POS-S-MS) and the EuroQol five-dimension descriptive system quality-adjusted life years (EQ-5D-3L QALYs), both completed at baseline, after three and six months.

RESULTS

Of 78 randomized pwSMS, 76 (50 HPA, 26 usual care) were analyzed. Mean QALYs were close to zero, and the mean group difference was -0.006 (95% CI -0.057 to 0.044). The mean baseline-adjusted cost difference was € -394 (95% confidence interval, CI -3,532 to 2,743). POS-S-MS cost-effectiveness showed a slight mean reduction of symptom burden (-1.9; 95% CI -1.1 to 5.0) with unchanged costs. Mean direct costs due to MS were € 23,195/year, almost equally distributed between NHS (€ 13,108) and pwSMS (€ 10,087). Personal care, medications and home rehabilitation accounted for 80% of total expenditures. Most personal care costs were covered by pwSMS, and these costs were 3/4 of pwSMS out-of-pocket.

CONCLUSIONS

The slight reduction of symptom burden produced by the HPA was not associated with an increase in costs. NHS and pwSMS almost equally sustained these costs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73082124.