The relation between EQ-5D and fatigue in a Dutch general population sample: an explorative study.

Area of Science:

• Health Outcomes Research
• Quality of Life Measurement
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Fatigue significantly impairs health-related quality of life.
• The EQ-5D questionnaire's ability to capture fatigue is uncertain.
• This study assesses fatigue coverage within existing EQ-5D domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the current domains of the EQ-5D adequately cover the symptom of fatigue.
• To compare the fatigue assessment capabilities of the EQ-5D 3-Level (3L) and 5-Level (5L) versions.
• To determine if an additional fatigue item would enhance the EQ-5D's utility.

Main Methods:

• A Dutch general population sample completed the EQ-5D (3L and 5L) and the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) fatigue item.
• Convergent validity was assessed by comparing EQ-5D domains with RPQ fatigue scores.
• Multivariate regression analyses predicted RPQ fatigue from EQ-5D domains in participants with and without chronic health conditions.

Main Results:

• 48% of 3027 participants reported fatigue; 52% had chronic conditions.
• Fatigue showed moderate correlations with EQ-5D domains: 'pain/discomfort', 'usual activities', and 'anxiety/depression' (3L & 5L).
• EQ-5D-5L also moderately correlated with 'mobility'; all domains except 'mobility' significantly predicted fatigue.

Conclusions:

• The EQ-5D domains provide small to moderate coverage of fatigue.
• The EQ-5D-5L is slightly more sensitive to fatigue than the EQ-5D-3L.
• An additional fatigue item could enhance the EQ-5D's ability to capture this crucial quality of life aspect.