EQ-5D-5L Italian Valuation Study

Grant agreement ID: 20190460 / EuroQol Research Foundation. 

Principal investigator: Claudio Jommi 

Team UB/Cergas: Oriana Ciani, Michela Meregaglia, Francesco Malandrini 

Partners: EuroQoL Foundation 

Sponsor: EuroQoL Foundation and unconditional financial support from Abbvie Italy, Fondazione SmithKline, Merck Sharp & Dohme Italy, Roche Italy, Sanofi Italy. 

Duration: 16 months 

Abstract: This study aimed to test the feasibility of using videoconferencing (VC) administered interviews and to derive an EQ-5D-5L value set and population norms for Italy. Preferences were collected using the EuroQol standardized valuation protocol (EQ-VT) administered via VC. Two valuation methods were employed, composite time trade-off (cTTO) and discrete choice experiment (DCE). Technical, organizational and protocol feasibility were tested in a pilot of 198 interviews. Upon positive assessment, data collection continued with a target sample of 1000–1200 participants including the pilot. Data were modelled using GLS, Tobit, Logit and Hybrid models with different error specifications.  

Overall, interviewers were satisfied with this mode of administration, highlighting it allows flexibility and efficient scheduling. Based on these results, VC was deemed as a feasible mode of administration. The study collected preferences for 1182 responders, including the pilot interviews. The demographic characteristics of the sample were representative of the Italian general population for age, gender and geographical macro-areas. Values ranged from −0.571 for the worst health state (55555) to 1 for the best health state (11111). Pain/discomfort registered the largest decrement, followed by mobility, anxiety/depression, self-care, and usual activities.  

In terms of EQ-5D-5L dimensions, the frequency of any problems (from slight to extreme) associated with anxiety and depression was high among the very young (18–24 years, 56.0%) and in women of all ages (49.7%). The mean index value (± standard deviation [SD]) was 0.93 (± 0.11) for the entire sample and gradually decreased with age, moving from 0.95 (± 0.06) in the youngest group (18–24 years) to 0.91 (± 0.13) in the oldest age group (≥ 75 years). Both the EQ-5D index value and EQ VAS score in Italy were, on average, higher than in most European countries. 

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Material produced and publications:  

Meregaglia, Michela, Malandrini, Francesco, Finch, Aureliano Paolo, Ciani, Oriana, Jommi, Claudio (2023). EQ-5D-5L population norms for Italy. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY, vol. 21, p. 289- 303, ISSN: 1175-5652, doi: 10.1007/s40258-022-00772-7 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40258-022-00772-7  

Finch, Aureliano Paolo, Meregaglia, Michela, Ciani, Oriana, Roudijk, Bram, Jommi, Claudio (2022). An EQ-5D-5L value set for Italy using videoconferencing interviews and feasibility of a new mode of administration. SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE, vol. 292, ISSN: 0277-9536, doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114519 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953621008510?via%3Dihub  

Ardito V, Ciani O, Federici C et al. Esiti di salute e performance del Servizio Sanitario Nazionale in CERGAS (a cura di), Rapporto OASI 2021, Milano, EGEA 

Dissemination:  

Ciani O. LA SALUTE DELLA POPOLAZIONE ITALIANA DURANTE LA PANDEMIA: NORME DI POLAZIONE EQ-5D-5L, Network Associate CERGAS 7 Marzo 2022 

Ciani O, Finch A, Jommi C, Meregaglia M - La qualità della vita dei pazienti potrà contare di più, SDA Bocconi Insight 

Workshop, VALUE SET EUROQOL-5D-5L PER L’ITALIA, 18 Maggio 2022, SDA Bocconi Urban Campus 

Presentations:  

Meregaglia M. "EQ-5D-5L Population Norms for Italy" (on-demand podium session), ISPOR Virtual Conference Europe 2021 1 Dicembre 2021 

Video:  

Italian Valuation Study Video discover more