Using the EuroQoI 5-D in the Catalan general population: feasibility and construct validity

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Psychometrics
• Public Health

Background:

• The EuroQoi 5-D (EQ-5D) is a widely used instrument for measuring health status.
• Assessing the validity and feasibility of translated versions is crucial for international health research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility, convergent validity, and construct validity of Spanish and Catalan versions of the EQ-5D.
• To assess the utility of the EQ-5D descriptive system, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Spanish tariff in a large population survey.

Main Methods:

• The EQ-5D was administered to 12,245 individuals in the Catalan Health Interview Survey (CHIS).
• Feasibility was assessed by missing response rates.
• Convergent validity was examined using correlations with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and self-perceived health.
• Construct validity was tested against sociodemographic factors and health status indicators.

Main Results:

• Low missing response rates (1.5%) indicated high feasibility.
• A ceiling effect was observed, with 67% reporting no problems in any dimension.
• Convergent validity with GHQ was generally low, but moderate for the mood dimension.
• Self-perceived health showed moderate to strong correlations with VAS and tariff values.
• Construct validity was supported by expected correlations with age, gender, socioeconomic status, education, disability, and comorbidities.

Conclusions:

• The Spanish and Catalan EQ-5D versions are feasible and valid for use in health interview surveys.
• The instrument demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties for assessing health in the Catalan population.
• Further research may explore strategies to mitigate the observed ceiling effect.