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A qualitative evaluation of the validity of published health utilities and generic health utility measures for capturing health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) at different treatment phases

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Abstract

Purpose

This study explored the impact of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) on health-related quality of life (HRQL) at different treatment phases and evaluated the validity of published DTC utilities and generic health utility measures (EQ-5D and SF-6D) for economic evaluation of treatments for radio-iodine (RAI) refractory DTC.

Methods

Focus groups and interviews were conducted with DTC patients grouped by treatment phase. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on interview/focus group transcripts. A thematic coding framework was developed to compare experiences between treatment phases and inform development of a conceptual model. Model concepts were mapped to EQ-5D and SF-6D domains/items.

Results

Eight focus groups and 11 individual interviews were conducted with 52 DTC patients. Fifty symptoms and HRQL concepts were identified. The impact of DTC and DTC treatment on emotional and cognitive functioning was reported across the treatment phases. The impact on daily activities, mobility, and energy levels was greatest for patients with recurring/persistent or RAI-refractory DTC. Of the 50 concepts, 25 and 27 mapped directly onto domains/items in the EQ-5D and SF-6D, respectively. The SF-6D covered a broader range of DTC impact on emotional/physical problems and daily/social activities than did the EQ-5D.

Conclusions

The conceptual model summarizes the wide-ranging impact of DTC and its treatment on patients’ HRQL, particularly for those with recurring/persistent or RAI-refractory DTC. Findings suggest that published DTC utilities lack validity for RAI-refractory DTC and that the SF-6D may be more sensitive to HRQL impact of DTC than the EQ-5D.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Eisai Inc. The authors would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this research: Gary Bloom and others at the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association (ThyCa) for assistance with recruitment and organising the focus groups and interviews; the participants who took part; Jill Bell and Jennifer Tucker for their involvement in data collection; Beth Fordham, Susan Portalupi and Annabel Nixon for assisitance with data analysis; Lara Verdian for assistance with study design; Linda Harris for assistance with study report and manuscript development; Andrew lloyed for reviewing the results in light of reimbursement agency requirements; Chloe Patel and Beverly Romero for assistance in preparing the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Katy Gallop

    Present address: Perspective Health Outcomes, London, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICON Patient Reported Outcomes, Seacourt Tower, West Way, Oxford, OX2 0JJ, UK

    Katy Gallop & Cicely Kerr

  2. Eisai Inc., 100 Tice Blvd., Woodcliff Lake, NJ, 07677, USA

    Stacey Simmons

  3. Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, USA

    Bryan McIver

  4. University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

    Ezra E. W. Cohen

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  1. Katy Gallop
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  2. Cicely Kerr
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Correspondence to Cicely Kerr.

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Gallop, K., Kerr, C., Simmons, S. et al. A qualitative evaluation of the validity of published health utilities and generic health utility measures for capturing health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) at different treatment phases. Qual Life Res 24, 325–338 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0776-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0776-7

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