The EQ-5D: A useful quality of life measure in borderline personality disorder?
BACKGROUND
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder and is associated with significant impairment in quality of life. The aim of the present study is to assess the internal and external responsiveness of the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) in BPD patients.


METHODS
Data from 49 patients included in a multi-center Dutch randomized trial were used. We used both the EQ-5D utility score and the Visual Analogue Scale of the EuroQoL, and the Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index-IV (BPDSI-IV). To determine internal responsiveness, we calculated the standardized response mean (SRM). To determine external responsiveness, we calculated Spearman correlations for the change scores, and compared EQ-5D scores for clinically improved vs. non-clinically improved patients as measured with the BPDSI-IV.


RESULTS
Patient scores improved on all instruments during the three years. SRMs for BPDSI-IV were significantly higher than EQ-5D utility. Three-year Spearman correlation between change scores of BPDSI-IV and EQ-5D utility was 0.487, between BPDSI-IV and EQ-VAS it was 0.404, both statistically significant. EQ-5D utility scores for patients who clinically improved were significantly higher than for patients who did not.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the EQ-5D is fairly responsive in BPD, and, therefore, especially because of its brevity and user-friendliness, can serve as a useful tool in economic evaluations in patients with BPD.
van Asselt
A D I
AD
Department Of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. thea.van.asselt@mumc.nl
Dirksen
C D
CD
Arntz
A
A
Giesen-Bloo
J H
JH
Severens
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*