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. 2018 Nov 8;16(1):210.
doi: 10.1186/s12955-018-1036-2.

EQ-5D-5L norms for the urban Chinese population in China

Zhihao Yang  1   2 , Jan Busschbach  3 , Gordon Liu  4 , Nan Luo  5
Affiliations

EQ-5D-5L norms for the urban Chinese population in China

Zhihao Yang et al. Health Qual Life Outcomes. .

Abstract

Background: To generate Chinese population norms for the EQ-5D-5L dimensions, EQ-VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores and EQ-5D-5L index scores, stratified by gender and age. The EQ-5D is a widely used generic health-related quality of life instrument to describe population health and health outcomes in clinical trials and health economic evaluations. Currently, there are no EQ-5D-5L population norms for China.

Methods: This norm study utilized the data collected in an EQ-5D-5L valuation study in China between December 2012 and January 2013. In the valuation study, respondents were asked to report their own health states using the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and the EQ-VAS. Respondents' demographic information was also collected. The EQ index score was calculated using the EQ-5D-5L value set based on the Chinese urban population. Norm scores were reported by important demographic variables.

Results: The mean EQ-VAS scores ranged between 88.3 for males of < 19 years and 82.9 for females of 60-69 years. Contrary to other population studies, females reported higher EQ-VAS scores than males in every age group except for 20-29 years. The mean EQ-5D-5L index values ranged from 0.912 for females of > 70 years to 0.971 for females of 30-39 years. Respondents reported more problems in the dimensions 'pain/discomfort' and 'anxiety/depression' than in the dimensions 'mobility', 'self-care' and 'usual activities' in all age groups.

Conclusions: The population norm scores for the EQ-5D can be used as reference values for comparative purposes in future Chinese studies. Further research into rural and/or a more representative population is warranted.

Keywords: China; EQ-5D-5L; HRQoL; Population norm.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of Peking University and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. A waiver of the informed consent was approved as this study did not provide any intervention to participants. Participants can withdraw at any time without any consequences.

Consent for publication

All authors have agreed to publish this study.

Competing interests

Author GL declares that he has no conflict of interest. Authors ZY, NL and JB are members of the EuroQol Group.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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