Position statement
EQ-5D instruments
The EuroQol Research Foundation has four approved instruments, which are all intended to measure and value health-related quality of life (HRQoL): EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L for adults
and EQ-5D-Y-5L and EQ-5D-Y-3L for children and adolescents. These instruments have been shown to be valid and reliable in a variety of populations, diseases, and cultural settings. Their accompanying value sets enable the estimation of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) and health technology assessments (HTAs). They are the most widely recommended generic, preference-weighted instruments worldwide for this purpose.
Experimental instruments
EQ-HWB-9
EuroQol is developing the EQ-HWB-9 instrument for use in settings, populations, and contexts where the measurement of well being in addition to health is relevant to decision making, for example, in social care or in measuring impacts on carers. Because EQ-5D instruments and EQ-HWB-9 are intended to measure different constructs, EuroQol is investigating methods to derive preference-weighted values for EQ-HWB-9 and assessing the measurement properties of these values. EQ-HWB-9 is currently available as an experimental instrument for development purposes only and is expected to be launched as an approved instrument within 2 years.
EQ-TIPS
The EuroQol Toddler and Infant Populations (EQ-TIPS) is a generic, proxy-reported HRQoL instrument for children under the age of 4. It is intended for use as an outcome measure and to support CEAs and HTAs once preference-weighted values are developed. The EQ-TIPS is now well advanced in its multinational development and refinement, which will support its global relevance and its use together with EQ-5D instruments to measure and value HRQoL across the lifespan. The EQ-TIPS is currently available as an experimental instrument and is expected to be launched as an approved instrument in the next 2 to 3 years.
EQ-5D Bolt-on Toolbox
EuroQol is developing the EQ-5D Bolt-on Toolbox which provides additional dimensions for use alongside EQ-5D-5L that enhance its measurement scope and provide a better understanding of patients’ HRQoL in particular populations or diseases. The EQ-5D Bolt-on Toolbox is currently experimental, and the multi-country development focuses on the following eight bolt-ons: breathing, cognition, fatigue, hearing, self-confidence, skin irritation, sleep, and vision. EuroQol is investigating valuation methods for bolt-ons. The EQ-5D Bolt-on Toolbox is expected to be launched as an official version in the next 3 to 4 years.