Abstract
BackgroundReference values are a helpful tool to facilitate comparisons of sampled values against a specified reference population. The aim is to describe the health profile and to provide visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) and utility reference values for the EQ-5D-5L from a normative sample of the general elderly population (65+) in Germany.MethodsWe analysed a sub-set of data from the German EQ-5D-5L valuation study using self-reported information based on EQ-5D-5L. We examined the share of respondents in each severity level per dimension as well as means, standard deviations (SD) and 95% confidence intervals for the index and EQ VAS values stratified by age groups and gender. Age was categorised in four groups (65–69, 70–74, 75–79 and > 79 years) to facilitate a more detailed examination of age-related health-related quality of life (HRQoL).ResultsThe average index and EQ VAS scores were 0.84 (SD 0.22) and 73.2 (SD 18.5), respectively. In total, 21.4% reported no problems in all dimensions. With higher age, health problems were reported more frequently, which, in turn, lead to monotonically decreasing index and EQ VAS values. Overall, men reported fewer problems than women and this difference was largest beyond the age of 80.ConclusionHRQoL in the oldest old appears to be less stable and differs from the young elderly. However, the conventional age categorisation of earlier population norms studies seems to mask these differences. Hence, the more detailed provision of EQ-5D-5L reference values for the elderly population seems helpful for future German studies.
Highlights
Reference values are a helpful tool to facilitate comparisons of sampled values against a specified reference population
Definition is based on regional aspects, where reference values are usually provided for the general population of that area, e.g. for the USA, Germany, Indonesia or South Australia [18,19,20,21]
Data The underlying data for this study originates from the German EQ-5D-5L valuation study conducted by Ludwig et al [32], which had the primary aim to elicit preferences over EQ-5D-5L health states from a minimum sample of 1000 respondents from the German general population
Summary
Reference values are a helpful tool to facilitate comparisons of sampled values against a specified reference population. The aim is to describe the health profile and to provide visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) and utility reference values for the EQ-5D-5L from a normative sample of the general elderly population (65+) in Germany. Health information based on these three EQ-5D components can be analysed and interpreted on an individual level. It can be summarised and described at a population level. Such a set of aggregate comparator data is referred to as reference values or population norms and is useful for clinicians and health economists to compare sampled values against a specified reference group, e.g. the general population, to determine deviations in health [17]. Norms data may be derived based on different instruments such as the EQ-5D-3L and 5L, since those differ with regard to the provided information [24,25,26]
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