A comparison of 3 valuation methods for temporary health states in patients treated with oral anticoagulants.
BACKGROUND
The application of the time tradeoff (TTO) method in temporary health states may lead to less valid results because an unrealistic scenario is presented to patients. The chained TTO has been proposed to solve this problem.


OBJECTIVE
To compare a chained TTO method with a conventional TTO method in the valuation of temporary health states, in terms of consistency and reliability. To compare both TTO methods with direct rating.


METHODS
Eighty-four patients treated with oral anticoagulants were interviewed twice. During the 1st interview, values for 5 temporary health states were obtained with a rank ordering procedure, direct rating, and the chained TTO method. During the 2nd interview, either the 1st interview was repeated (n = 30) or health state values were obtained with the conventional TTO method (n = 54). Consistency was assessed by comparing the 3 valuation methods with the rank ordering procedure. Generalizability theory was used to assess reliability.


RESULTS
The 3 methods produced significantly different valuations of health states. Chained TTO values were higher than values obtained with direct rating and the conventional TTO. Consistency and reliability did not differ across the 3 methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors found no evidence for a difference in consistency and reliability between the chained TTO method and the conventional TTO method in the valuation of temporary health states. As direct rating is simpler to administer than both TTO methods, one could consider using direct ratings for the valuation of temporary health states. Biases associated with the conventional and the chained TTO method are discussed.
Locadia
Mirjam
M
Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.locadia@amc.uva.nl
Stalmeier
Peep F M
PF
Oort
Frans J
FJ
Prins
Martin H
MH
Sprangers
Mirjam A G
MA
Bossuyt
Patrick M M
PM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*
D000925:Anticoagulants