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. 2022 Nov;6(6):823-836.
doi: 10.1007/s41669-022-00353-3. Epub 2022 Aug 4.

An EQ-5D-5L Value Set for Belgium

Nicolas Bouckaert  1 , Irina Cleemput  2 , Stephan Devriese  2 , Sophie Gerkens  2
Affiliations

An EQ-5D-5L Value Set for Belgium

Nicolas Bouckaert et al. Pharmacoecon Open. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to establish a Belgian EQ-5D-5L value set based on the preferences of the adult Belgian general population.

Methods: The most recent EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT 2.1) protocol for EQ-5D-5L valuation studies was followed. Computer-assisted personal interviews were carried out in a representative sample of the adult Belgian population. Potential respondents were randomly selected from the National Register using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling with unequal probability design. Each respondent valued 10 or 11 health states using composite time trade-off (cTTO) and 14 health states in seven paired choice tasks using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Different model specifications were explored and assessed based on logical consistency, goodness of fit, predictive accuracy and theoretical considerations.

Results: A total of 892 respondents were included in the analyses. The sample was representative of the Belgian adult population in terms of age, sex, region of residence, educational attainment, labour market status, self-assessed health status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The preferred model specification was a hybrid (DCE and cTTO data combined) multiplicative eight-coefficient model with intercept random effects and correction for heteroskedasticity. Values range from - 0.532 to 1. Loss of HRQoL is highest in the dimension pain/discomfort, closely followed by anxiety/depression.

Conclusions: This study developed a Belgian EQ-5D-5L value set, based on the preferences of the Belgian adult general population. It provides opportunities for future clinical and economic evaluations in healthcare, for the measurement of patient-reported outcomes and for population health assessments.

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Conflict of interest statement

Nicolas Bouckaert, Irina Cleemput, Stephan Devriese and Sophie Gerkens declare that they have no conflicts of interest directly relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Selected municipalities and number of interviews (map of Belgium)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of cTTO value by level sum score. The whiskers of the boxplot indicate the 5th percentile (P5) and 95th percentile (P95). cTTO composite time trade-off
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Preference for alternative A or B in DCE task by difference in level sum score (misery index). DCE discrete choice experiment
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Scatterplot of predicted (preferred model) and observed (cTTO) utility values for the 86 evaluated states. The diagonal is presented by the red line and indicates an equal predicted and observed utility values. cTTO composite time trade-off
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Kernel density plots of three Belgian EQ-5D value sets: the new EQ-5D-5L, and the current EQ-5D-3L and crosswalk value sets
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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