Comparative performance and mapping algorithms between EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 among the Chinese general population

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Psychometrics
• Comparative Effectiveness Research

Background:

• The EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 are widely used health utility measures.
• Direct comparison and mapping algorithms are crucial for consistent health economic evaluations in China.
• Understanding performance differences is essential for accurate valuation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 in the Chinese general population.
• To develop and validate mapping algorithms for transforming scores between EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 in China.
• To assess discriminative validity and reliability of both instruments.

Main Methods:

• Face-to-face interviews with 3320 Chinese general population respondents.
• Evaluation of ceiling/floor effects and discriminative validity using effect sizes.
• Assessment of test-retest reliability using ICC and Bland-Altman plots.
• Exploration of OLS, GLM, Tobit, and MM-estimator models for mapping algorithm development.

Main Results:

• EQ-5D-5L showed higher mean utility values (0.947) compared to SF-6Dv2 (0.827).
• Both measures demonstrated significant differences across chronic condition groups.
• Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models yielded the best performing mapping algorithms based on goodness-of-fit.
• Fair agreement (ICC=0.582) was observed between the utility scores of the two measures.

Conclusions:

• EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 exhibit comparable discriminative validity in China.
• Systematic differences exist, with EQ-5D-5L generally producing higher utility scores.
• Developed mapping algorithms facilitate score transformation between EQ-5D-5L and SF-6Dv2 for use in China.