Measuring the benefits of treatment for psychosis: validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D.
BACKGROUND
The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended that cost-effectiveness analysis includes the EQ-5D; however, this is often not implemented in the area of mental health.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the appropriateness of using the EQ-5D to measure improvements in mental health.


METHODS
Seventy-seven participants with psychosis were rated according to the EQ-5D and seven measures of mental health at both pre- and post-intervention. To assess construct validity we compared the (pre-intervention) mean EQ-5D scores for those with milder and more severe scores, according to each of the seven measures. To assess responsiveness we estimated the mean EQ-5D change score for those who improved (post-intervention), according to each of the measures.


RESULTS
The mean EQ-5D score was more favourable for both those with milder scores (mean difference: 0.044 to 0.301) and for those who improved post-intervention (mean change: 0.029 to 0.117).


CONCLUSIONS
This suggests the EQ-5D should be considered for use in future cost-effectiveness studies in the area of mental health.
Barton
Garry R
GR
School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK. g.barton@uea.ac.uk
Hodgekins
Jo
J
Mugford
Miranda
M
Jones
Peter B
PB
Croudace
Tim
T
Fowler
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult