Wen-Shian Lu, Sheau-Ling Huang, Jeng-Feng Yang, Mei-Hsiang Chen, Ching-Lin Hsieh, Chia-Yeh Chou
School of Occupational Therapy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2069

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.
Conclusion: 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.