Health-related quality of life measured using the EQ-5D–5 L: population norms for the capital of Iran

• Main Authors: Zahra Emrani, Ali Akbari Sari, Hojjat Zeraati, Alireza Olyaeemanesh, Rajabali Daroudi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-04-01
• Series: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
• Subjects: EQ-5D; Health related quality of life; Utility score; Iran
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12955-020-01365-5

Abstract Objectives EQ-5D is the most commonly used generic preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure. The current study aimed at estimating the HRQoL index scores using EQ-5D-5 L measure in the capital of Iran; moreover, identifying some determinants of the HRQoL. Methods A sample of 3060 subjects was selected by a stratified random sampling method from the general adult population of Tehran. Face-to-face interview was conducted to fill out the questionnaire, in this cross-sectional survey. EQ-5D-5 L utility score were estimated using an interim value set, based on a crosswalk methodology. Additionally, the relationships between HRQoL and sociodemographic characteristics were tested by generalized linear model, using STATA version 13. Results The mean ± standard deviation utility and EQ-VAS scores were 0.79 ± 0.17 and 71.72 ± 19.37. The utility scores ranged 0.61 ± 0.19 in > 69 year-old females to 0.88 ± 0.12 in < 30 year-old males. In mobility, self-care, and usual activity dimensions, most of the respondents reported “no problems” (70.47, 90.62, and 76.34%, respectively). However, in anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort dimensions, most of the respondents had problems (53.23 and 54.03%, respectively). Females had lower utility score than males; the utility score reduced with age increase; the educational level lead to higher utility scores; and the utility scores of individuals without spouse (divorced or widowed) were lower than those of the married individuals and never married ones. Conclusions The current study reported HRQoL norm data for the general adult population in the capital of Iran; these data could be very useful for policy making and economic evaluations. A significant percentage of people in Tehran reported anxiety/ depression, which highlights the risk of psychological problems. Effective interventions are needed to increase their HRQoL, especially for the vulnerable groups of the community.