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Published on: February 6, 2020
Health Utility Values Measured by EQ-5D in Breast Cancer From Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
Lynn Jia Tay1, Siew Chin Ong2, Lyn Xuan Tay3
1School of International Education, An Hui Medical University, 230032, HeFei, AnHui, China.
Pharmacoeconomics - Open
|June 10, 2026
Summary
This study aims to generate context-specific health utility values for breast cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Findings will improve resource allocation and patient well-being in these settings.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Oncology
- Global Health
Background:
- Health utility values (HUVs) are crucial for healthcare economic evaluations.
- Breast cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience unique burdens due to resource disparities.
- Existing HUVs from high-income countries (HICs) may inaccurately represent LMIC contexts, impacting resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of HUVs for breast cancer patients in LMICs.
- To generate pooled EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) HUV estimates relevant to LMIC decision-making.
- To reduce uncertainty in healthcare resource allocation for breast cancer in resource-constrained settings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines, registered in PROSPERO.
- Literature search across Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.
- Risk-of-bias assessment using RoB 2 and NOS; meta-analysis of HUVs using R packages (metaprop) with fixed-effect and random-effect models.
- Subgroup analyses by EQ-5D versions, country income, and clinical stage.
Main Results:
- This section is for planned results, not yet available in the protocol.
- Anticipated to synthesize available EQ-5D utility values specific to breast cancer in LMICs.
- Expected to provide pooled estimates for decision-making in resource-constrained settings.
Conclusions:
- This protocol outlines a systematic approach to derive contextually appropriate EQ-5D utility values for breast cancer in LMICs.
- The findings will establish a crucial evidence base for equitable resource allocation.
- This research will support health systems in addressing both the clinical burden and multidimensional well-being of patients and families.
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