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Feasibility, validity and reliability of the Welsh version of the EQ-5D health status questionnaire

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Abstract

The feasibility, reliability and validity of a Welsh version of the EQ-5D health-related quality of life questionnaire were evaluated by means of a postal questionnaire administered on two occasions to a sample of adults across Welsh-speaking areas of Wales. The absolute response rate was 126 (out of 1,000), though after considering language and expected response to Welsh language questionnaires, the adjusted response rate was 50%. Respondents’ mean age was 56.8 ± 18 years and 38.7% reported having chronic illness. The number of missing items from the descriptive EQ-5D (aggregated for both administrations) was 4, representing 0.33% of all responses. Five EQ-VAS responses were returned incomplete. 97 (85.8%) respondents reported no change in health in the fortnight between the first and second administration. The Spearman rank coefficients for these respondents were 0.828 for EQ-5D scores, and 0.815 for EQ-VAS, respectively (both P < 0.000). Construct validity was confirmed by the power of the EQ-5D to discriminate between those expected to be healthy or otherwise, as assessed by self-reported health, presence of chronic illness, receipt of treatment, and age (all P < 0.0001). It is concluded that the Welsh version of the EQ-5D is both valid and reliable for measuring health status in subjects across Wales.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a research grant from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Chief Medical Officer. The author wishes to thank Mrs Bethan Brown for administrative assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Economics and Policy in Health, Institute of Medical and Social Care Research, University of Wales, Bangor, Dean Street, Gwynedd, North Wales, LL57 1UT, UK

    Dyfrig A. Hughes

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  1. Dyfrig A. Hughes
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Correspondence to Dyfrig A. Hughes.

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Hughes, D.A. Feasibility, validity and reliability of the Welsh version of the EQ-5D health status questionnaire. Qual Life Res 16, 1419–1423 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9238-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9238-9

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