title: Japanese population norms for preference-based measures: EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and SF-6D.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure the population norms for the Japanese versions of preference-based measures (EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and SF-6D). We also considered the relations between QOL score in the general population and socio-demographic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1143 adult respondents (aged ≥ 20 years) were randomly sampled from across Japan using data from the Basic Resident Register. The health status of each respondent was measured using the EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and SF-6D, and responses regarding socio-demographic data as well as subjective diseases and symptoms were obtained. The responses were converted to a QOL score using Japanese value sets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentages of respondents with full health scores were 68 % (EQ-5D-3L), 55 % (EQ-5D-5L), and 4 % (SF-6D). The QOL score measured using the SF-6D was significantly lower than those measured using either EQ-5D score. The QOL score was significantly lower among respondents over the age of 60 years, those who had a lower income, and those who had a shorter period of education. Intraclass correlation coefficient showed a poor agreement between the EQ-5D and SF-6D scores. The differences in QOL scores between respondents with and those without any disease were 0.064 for the EQ-5D-3L, 0.061 for the EQ-5D-5L, and 0.073 for the SF-6D; these differences are regarded as between-group minimal important differences in the general population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Japanese population norms of three preference-based QOL measures were examined for the first time. Such information is useful for economic evaluations and research examining QOL score.
authors: Department of Health and Welfare Services, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama, 351-0197, Japan. t.shiroiwa@gmail.com.
authors: Takeru
authors: T
authors: Shiroiwa
authors: Department of Health and Welfare Services, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama, 351-0197, Japan.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Fukuda
authors: School of Pharmacy, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara, Japan.
authors: Shunya
authors: S
authors: Ikeda
authors: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Ataru
authors: A
authors: Igarashi
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan.
authors: Shinichi
authors: S
authors: Noto
authors: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
authors: Shinya
authors: S
authors: Saito
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Kojiro
authors: K
authors: Shimozuma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EQ-5D; Health-related quality of life; Japan; Population norms; QALY; SF-6D