Conceptual Framework for Optimised Proxy Value Set Selection Through Supra-National Value Set Development for the...

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Psychometrics
• Sociology

Background:

• Country-specific value sets are essential for EQ-5D instruments due to population preference variations.
• Current criteria for selecting value sets for countries lacking national data are unclear.
• The PECUNIA project aimed to identify factors influencing health valuation differences and develop supra-national value sets for European country clusters.

Approach:

• A literature review identified factors influencing EQ-5D-3L/5L health state valuations.
• Five key variables (culture, linguistics, healthcare system, financing, sociodemographics) were used to group 27 EU, EFTA, and UK countries.
• Supra-national value sets were estimated using ordinary least-squares regression on existing valuation study coefficients.

Key Points:

• Ten factors influencing health valuations were identified from 69 studies.
• Five cohesive country clusters were formed: English-speaking, Nordic, Central-Western, Southern, and Eastern European.
• These clusters were defined by culture, religion, linguistics, healthcare system typology and financing, and sociodemographic aspects.

Conclusions:

• Clustering European countries based on factors influencing health valuations provides a framework for value set selection.
• Supra-national value sets offer optimized proxy choices when national value sets are unavailable or for regional decision-making.