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Psychometric properties comparison between EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L in the general Thai population

Quality of Life Research volume 29, pages 3407–3417 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence for the EQ-5D-5L’s psychometric properties in the general Thai population is limited. This study aimed to compare ceiling effect, discriminatory power, response redistribution, validity, reliability between the EQ-5D-5L (5L) and the EQ-5D-3L (3L) in the general Thai population.

Methods

1200 participants were randomly selected. The Shannon index (\({H}^{{\prime}})\) and Shannon evenness index (\({J}^{{\prime}})\) determining discriminatory power of both EQ-5D versions in each dimension were compared. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using weighted kappa (k) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Validity was evaluated by correlations between similar dimensions of the EQ-5D, WHOQOL-BREF, and SF-12v2 and known-groups validity. The ceiling effects for the 3L and for the 5L were compared.

Results

The 5L had lower ceiling effects than the 3L (49.08% vs 57.17%, p < 0.01). \({H}^{{\prime}}\) was higher for the 5L than for the 3L, but \({J}^{{\prime}}\) showed otherwise. Moderate correlations were detected between similar dimensions of the EQ-5D and the WHOQOL-BREF and SF-12v2. ICCs and k of the 3L were slightly higher than those of the 5L (ICCs: 0.78 vs 0.71) and (k: 0.42–0.63 vs 0.48–0.61), respectively. Older, female participants and those with comorbidities reported a lower utility index for both versions.

Conclusion

Evidence supported use of both EQ-5D versions in the general Thai population. The 5L had better ceiling effects and discriminant activity, while it showed comparable known-groups validity with the 3L. Nevertheless, evidence is limited for the superiority of reliability between these two versions, so more future research is required to investigate it.

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Data availability

The data analyzed and reported in this manuscript is not available for public sharing.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Research Grant of Burapha University through National Research Council of Thailand (Grant No. Rx2/2562). However, the results and opinions in this report have not been endorsed by the above funding agency or elsewhere. We would like to express our gratitude to the EuroQoL group, OPTUM and Suan Prung Psychiatric Hospital's director, Thailand for allowing us to use both EQ-5D versions, Thai SF-12v2 and WHOQOL-BREF-THAI, respectively. We would also like to thank all local village leaders and participants from the provinces of Nakhon-Srithammarat, Khon-Kaen, Chonburi, Chaing-Mai and Bangkok in Thailand who facilitated or participated in the data collection process. Special thanks to all trained interviewers for assistance with the interview process.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Research Grant of Burapha University through National Research Council of Thailand under Grant No. Rx2/2562.

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Affiliations

  1. Division of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Burapha University, 169 Long-Hard Bangsaen Rd., Mueang, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand

    Krittaphas Kangwanrattanakul & Porntip Parmontree

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  1. Krittaphas Kangwanrattanakul
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  2. Porntip Parmontree
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Contributions

Krittaphas Kangwanrattanakul (KK) was only involved in conception, study design, data collection, data analyses, interpretation and drafting of this manuscript, while Porntip Parmontree (PP) rechecked the data analyses and interpretation. However, all authors were involved in the final approval of this manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Krittaphas Kangwanrattanakul.

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Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no competing interests in this study.

Ethical approval

This work was approved by the Burapha University Institutional Review Board (BUU-IRB): 108/2562 before the study commenced.

Informed consent

The written consent form was obtained from each participant before the study commenced; however, they were informed to be able to withdraw from this study at any time if they felt uncomfortable.

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Kangwanrattanakul, K., Parmontree, P. Psychometric properties comparison between EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L in the general Thai population. Qual Life Res 29, 3407–3417 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02595-2

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Keywords

  • Psychometric properties
  • EQ-5D-5L
  • EQ-5D-3L
  • Comparison
  • Health-related quality of life