title: Comparison of preference-based utilities of the 15D, EQ-5D and SF-6D in patients with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article compares preference-based utilities from the multiattribute utility instrument 15D with those derived from the EQ-5D and the Short Form 36 (SF-6D) in patients with HIV/AIDS. In particular, we wanted to examine if the finer descriptive system of the 15D would result in better discriminative capacity or responsiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective observational study of 60 Norwegian patients with HIV/AIDS from two hospitals, the authors compared scores, assessed associations with disease staging systems, and assessed test-retest reliability and responsiveness of the instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, the 15D gave higher utility scores than the other two measures, the mean utility scores were: 15D--0.86, SF-6D--0.73, and EQ-5D Index--0.77. Test-retest reliability was acceptable for all measures, with intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.78 and 0.94. The correlation between scores of the 3 scales was substantial (p = 0.74-0.80). There was no major difference in responsiveness between the measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different measures gave different utility values in this sample of patients with HIV/AIDS, although many of the measurement properties were similar. There was no evidence for better discriminative capacity or responsiveness for the 15D, than for the two other multiattribute measures.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway. knut.stavem@klinmed.uio.no
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stavem
authors.forename: Stig S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Frøland
authors.forename: Kjell B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hellum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires