title: Convergent validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D utility weights for stroke survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective study examined the convergent validity and responsiveness of the EuroQoL-5 Dimensions Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D) utility weights in stroke survivors at the subacute stage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated assessments were conducted in rehabilitation wards of a medical centre. A study cohort was recruited from inpatients (n = 478). A total of 342 participants (71.5%) completed 2 assessments; 1 at ward admission and 1 before hospital discharge. Outcome measures, including the Barthel Index (BI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and EQ-5D, were administered at ward admission and before hospital discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The validity of the EQ-5D utility weights was assessed by comparison with the scores of the BI and PHQ-9. The absolute values of Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0.40 to 0.52 for the association of EQ-5D utility weights with BI scores and PHQ-9 scores at admission and before hospital discharge. The EQ-5D utility weights had a moderate effect size (0.76), moderate standardized response mean (0.74), and a significant difference (paired t-value = 13.7, p < 0.001) between baseline and follow-up in their ability to detect changes in the health status of stroke survivors staying in a rehabilitation ward.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the use of the EQ-5D utility weights as a valid and responsive instrument for performing cost-utility analyses of stroke survivors, including those with higher levels of dependence, at the subacute stage.
authors.affiliation: School of Occupational Therapy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Shian
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Sheau-Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jeng-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mei-Hsiang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chia-Yeh
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D055815:Young Adult