Data collection for the UK EQ-5D-5L valuation study to start in October 2022
We are delighted to announce the start date of the new EQ-5D-5L valuation study for the United Kingdom. The study proposal and statistical analysis plan have now been approved for funding by EuroQol’s Executive Committee and signed off by the study’s Steering Group. Data collection for this key study for the EuroQol Group is due to start in October and will involve 1,200 interviews conducted in a representative sample of people living in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The launch of the new EQ-5D-5L valuation study for the United Kingdom was delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, during this period extensive methodological work has been undertaken in preparation for the study. The study team has worked closely with the Steering Group, the EuroQol EQ-VT support team, and the Quality Control (QC) team (see the study governance document for an explanation of the various teams) on how to reliably and safely collect interview data in light of COVID-19. The study team have also conducted an equivalence study, in which two modes of administration of the EQ-VT TTO interviews were compared: interview by videoconference vs the regular face-to-face interview. The results from this study demonstrate that video interviews are feasible and acceptable, with both interviewing modes generating good-quality data. To make the study inclusive and maximise sample representativeness, both modes will be used in the UK valuation study, with respondents able to choose the one they prefer.
For a listing of the full study team and more details about the study and its governance please go to the UK EQ-5D-5L valuation study Blog on the EuroQol website.
NICE’s current position on EQ-5D-5L valuation in England: Prior to the completion and publication of the new valuation study, the interim position in England regarding the use of the EQ-5D-5L for companies, academic groups, and others preparing evidence submissions for NICE remains in place and can be viewed in Section 4.3.16 of the new NICE health technology evaluations manual on their website.
Steering Group: The Steering Group comprises representatives from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, the EuroQol Research Foundation, and academic experts. The list of members can be found on the Blog.
About valuation studies: The new valuation study will provide a UK value set for the EQ-5D-5L. The value set will provide values (weights) for EQ-5D-5L health state descriptions according to the preferences of the UK general population. These are used in the calculation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) that inform economic evaluations of healthcare interventions. An overview of the EQ-5D-5L value sets internationally is available here.
About EuroQol: The EuroQol Research Foundation is a not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to improve decisions about health and health care throughout the world by supporting, initiating and performing scientific research and development of instruments, such as EQ-5D-5L, with the widest possible applicability for the measurement and valuation of health. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us.