Health Utilities Index mark 3 demonstrated construct validity in a population-based sample with type 2 diabetes

To assess the cross-sectional construct validity of the Health Utilities Index mark 3 (HUI3) in type 2 diabetes using population health survey data.

Data used were from 5,134 adult respondents of Cycle 1.1 (2000-2001) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) with type 2 diabetes. Analyses of covariance models were used to assess differences in overall and single-attribute HUI3 scores between groups hypothesized a priori to differ in HRQL. The association between health-care resource use (i.e., hospitalizations and physician and emergency room visits) and overall HUI3 scores was assessed using logistic regression models.

For overall HUI3 scores, clinically important and statistically significant differences were observed between all groups expected to differ in HRQL. Depression was the comorbidity associated with the largest deficit (-0.17; 95% confidence interval CI=-0.22, -0.12), followed by stroke (-0.15; 95% CI=-0.21, -0.10) and heart disease (-0.08; 95% CI=-0.11, -0.05). Insulin use and comorbidities were associated with clinically important deficits in pain. Overall HUI3 scores were significantly predictive of all three categories of health-care resource use.

Observed differences between groups contribute further evidence of the construct validity of the HUI3 in type 2 diabetes.