Preference-weighted health-related quality of life measures and substance use disorder severity.
OBJECTIVE
Examine the validity of preference-weighted health-related quality of life measures in a sample of substance use disorder (SUD) patients. The implications of cost-utility analyses (CUAs) of SUD interventions are discussed.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of subjects seeking SUD treatment.


METHODS
Seven SUD treatment centers in a medium-sized Midwestern metropolitan area in the United States.


METHODS
Data from 574 SUD subjects were analyzed from a study to test interventions to improve linkage and engagement with substance abuse treatment.


METHODS
Subjects completed the following preference-weighted measures: self-administered Quality of Well-Being scale (QWB-SA) and Medical Outcomes Study SF-12 (standard gamble weighted or SF-12 SG); and clinical measures: Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and a symptom checklist based on the DSM-IV.


RESULTS
In unadjusted analyses, the QWB-SA was correlated significantly with six of seven ASI subscales and the SF-12 SG was correlated with four of seven. In adjusted analyses, both preference-weighted measures were significantly correlated with diagnostic, physical health, mental health and drug use measures, but not with legal or alcohol use measures. The QWB-SA was also correlated with employment problems and the SF-12 SG was correlated with family/social problems.


CONCLUSIONS
This study generally supports the construct validity of preference-weighted health-related quality of life measures in SUD patients. However, the QWB-SA and SF-12 SG did not correlate with all ASI scales. Cost-benefit analysis may be preferable when policy-makers are interested in evaluating the full range of SUD intervention outcomes.
Pyne
Jeffrey M
JM
Center for Mental Health and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72114, USA. jmpyne@uams.edu
French
Michael
M
McCollister
Kathryn
K
Tripathi
Shanti
S
Rapp
Richard
R
Booth
Brenda
B
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014481:United States