title: A proposal to solve the comparability problem in cost-utility analysis.
abstract: In cost-utility analysis it is assumed that health state valuations are directly comparable across individuals. Instead, health state valuations may be relative and related to people's expectations and abilities. Then health state valuations are not fully comparable across people and, consequently, cost utility analysis cannot be applied in full. The present paper analyzes this comparability problem and proposes a method to solve it.
authors.affiliation: iMTA/iBMG, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. bleichrodt@bmg.eur.nl
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bleichrodt
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herrero
authors.forename: José Luís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D026712:Value of Life