Clustering and the design of preference-assessment surveys in healthcare

To show cluster analysis as a potentially useful tool in defining common outcomes empirically and in facilitating the assessment of preferences for health states.

A survey of 224 patients with ventricular arrhythmias treated at Kaiser Permanente of Northern California.

Physical functioning was measured using the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and mental status and vitality using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 items (SF-36). A "k-means" clustering algorithm was used to identify prototypical health states, in which patients in the same cluster shared similar responses to items in the survey.

The clustering algorithm yielded four prototypical health states. Cluster 1 (21 percent of patients) was characterized by high scores on physical functioning, vitality, and mental health. Cluster 2 (33 percent of patients) had low physical function but high scores on vitality and mental health. Cluster 3 (29 percent of patients) had low physical function and low vitality but preserved mental health. Cluster 4 (17 percent of patients) had low scores on all scales. These clusters served as the basis of written descriptions of the health states.

Employing a clustering algorithm to analyze health status survey data enables researchers to gain a data-driven, concise summary of the experiences of patients.