Health-Related Quality of Life Population Norms for Belize Using EQ-5D-5L

There has been a growing interest in the use of EQ-5D health outcomes measures in Latin America and the Caribbean. Population norms data provide a benchmark against which clinicians, researchers, and policy makers can compare the health status of patient, treatment, or demographic groups. This study aimed to provide EQ-5D-5L population norms for Belize.

The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was included in a national survey in Belize in 2014. The survey also captured key demographic variables. EQ-5D-5L health states, EQ-5D visual analog scale (EQ VAS) scores, and EQ-5D-5L index values (based on the Trinidad and Tobago value set) were obtained for key demographic groups in Belize.

A representative sample of 2078 respondents completed the survey. The mean index value, EQ VAS score, and ceiling level for Belize were 0.947, 82.6, and 67.8%, respectively. Similar to other Caribbean countries, Belizeans self-reported relatively high EQ VAS scores and ceiling levels compared with non-Caribbean regions. Men reported generally higher health status than women, health status declined as age rises, and the dimensions with the highest burden were pain/discomfort and mobility.

This study provides researchers and practitioners in Belize with tools to use EQ-5D-5L. Users can apply the EQ VAS scores and EQ-5D-5L states presented herein as reference values. Until an EQ-5D-5L value set is created for Belize, the Trinidad and Tobago index values can be applied to Belizean-reported EQ-5D-5L states, which can then be compared with the index values presented in this study.