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SF-6D versus EQ-5D: reasons for differences in utility scores and impact on reported cost-utility

The European Journal of Health Economics volume 10, pages 15–23 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The choice of instrument (e.g. EQ-5D vs. SF-6D) can lead to different health-related utility scores, but it is unclear why these differences arise and whether they change cost utility analysis (CUA) results. This paper addresses these issues using a case study where using SF-6D rather EQ-5D led to greater utility gain and a lower cost per QALY for treatment. The paper examines reasons for this difference. This paper finds that an important factor was the inclusion in the SF-6D descriptive system of separate items for “vitality” and “social functioning”, not explicitly included in EQ-5D. Further studies are required that examine the impact of the choice of instrument on cost-utility.

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  1. Health Services Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK

    Richard Grieve, Marina Grishchenko & John Cairns

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  1. Richard Grieve
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  2. Marina Grishchenko
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  3. John Cairns
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Correspondence to Richard Grieve.

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Grieve, R., Grishchenko, M. & Cairns, J. SF-6D versus EQ-5D: reasons for differences in utility scores and impact on reported cost-utility. Eur J Health Econ 10, 15–23 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-008-0097-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-008-0097-2

Keywords

  • Cost-utility
  • EQ-5D
  • SF-6D
  • Health utilities