Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older People with Cognitive Impairment: EQ-5D-3L Measurement Properties

Abstract

Assessing quality of life (QoL) in older people with cognitive impairment is a challenge. There is no consensus on the best tool, but a short, user-friendly scale is advised. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the self-reported and generic EQ-5D (including the EQ index and EQ visual analog scale [VAS]) in community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment. Cross-sectional study analyzing the feasibility, acceptability, reliability, and validity of the EQ-5D based on 188 self-administered questionnaires in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of 10 to 24 points. The EQ index was 0.69 (±0.27) and the EQ VAS was 63.8 (±28.54). Adequate measurement properties were found in acceptability and feasibility. Cronbach's alpha was 0.69. Good validity was observed in the correlation of each dimension of the EQ-5D with geriatric assessment scales. Higher validity was observed for the EQ index compared to the EQ VAS. The EQ-5D scale could be a good tool for assessing health-related QoL in community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment, though it is necessary to assess the dimensions and the EQ index.