Outcome after injury-a systematic literature search of studies using the EQ-5D.
OBJECTIVE
Information is required about recovery after injury, including general health measures such as the EQ-5D. This project aimed to: (1) search for studies of injury outcome using the EQ-5D, (2) describe EQ-5D administration and analysis, (3) summarize reliability and validity, and (4) report EQ-5D outcomes.


METHODS
A systematic search was undertaken for publications (January 1990 to May 2008). Studies were excluded if the EQ-5D was not used or if injury was a secondary outcome or resulted from a degenerative condition.


RESULTS
Of 79 potentially eligible articles retrieved, 35 were excluded and 44 remained. Sample sizes ranged between n = 14 and n = 3,231. Two thirds of studies described injury outcomes, the remainder focused on specific treatments after injury. Of studies reporting EQ-5D index scores, most used the UK value set, and 29% did not specify a value set. In 16 studies, the EQ-5D was self-completed by participants, and in others, administration was by interviewer, proxy, or unspecified. Time of administration varied between 6 days and 7 years after injury. The absence of a cognitive dimension in the EQ-5D was a concern.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the global impact of injury-related disability, our search supports calls for comprehensive population-level research exploring outcomes. Many studies considered only specific treatments after injury, had small sample sizes, or were undertaken in wealthy countries. Although noting reservations about the EQ-5D, such as the absence of a cognitive dimension; the EQ-SD being freely available to nonprofit-making organizations, and with many language versions available, seems suitable for studies in wealthy and poorer nations alike.
Derrett
Sarah
S
Injury Prevention Research Unit, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Black
James
J
Herbison
G Peter
GP
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*