Objectives
The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a widely used quality of life (QOL) instrument in oncology. For health economic applications a utility measure based on 10 key dimensions of the QLQ-C30, the QLU-C10D, is being developed within a cooperation between Australia and Europe. One main goal of the project is the determination of utility weights for the QLU-C10D in various countries. Aim of this presentation is the comparison of utility weights for three EU countries: Germany, France and Poland.
Methods
Discrete choice experiments (DCE) were used for the valuation of health states within the QLU-C10D. The valuation task was run in a web-based setting in general population samples of 1,000 German, French and Polish adults. Apart from the DCE, socio-demographic and health related data were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression.
Results
The three samples were roughly comparable with regard to key demographics (e.g., mean age ranging from 42.3 years in Poland to 47.0 in France). Utility weights derived from DCE valuations differed significantly between countries. German and French valuations showed similarities concerning the rank order of the dimensions, but demonstrated significant differences in the amount of lifetime traded for better QOL. Polish valuations differed markedly from the other two as only three of the 10 dimensions received sizeable utility weights (physical functioning, role functioning, pain) while utility decrements for most clinical dimensions were small.
Conclusions
Valuation results for Germany and France are broadly consistent, perhaps due to similarities in health attitudes. However, the differences found underline the need for national value sets for major European countries. Findings for Poland show a strong focus on functional aspects, i.e., the impact of important clinical aspects like depression or nausea may be underestimated in economic evaluation. Additional valuations by cancer patients may be required to obtain more meaningful utility weights.
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© 2016 Published by Elsevier Inc.
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