Systematic searching and selection of health state utility values from the literature

Health state utility values (HSUVs) are important parameters in decision models in health technology assessment submissions. Reimbursement agencies, such as the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, recognize that such values are obtainable from the published literature. However, to use published values in health technology assessment submissions, it should be demonstrated that HSUVs have been identified and selected systematically to avoid using biased HSUVs resulting in cost-effectiveness analyses. This article presents guidance on how to conduct a systematic literature review to identify and select HSUVs from the published literature based on the authors' experience. A case study is used to demonstrate some of the features of a systematic HSUV review. Methods are discussed in relation to identifying and selecting the evidence, performing quality and relevance assessment, and undertaking data extraction. It has been developed from a Technical Support Document produced for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence by the Decision Support Unit at the School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield.