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Inequality and heterogeneity in health-related quality of life : findings based on a large sample of cross-sectional EQ-5D-5L data from the Swedish general population

Teni, Fitsum Sebsibe ; Gerdtham, Ulf-G LU orcid ; Leidl, Reiner ; Henriksson, Martin ; Åström, Mimmi ; Sun, Sun and Burström, Kristina (2022) In Quality of Life Research 31(3). p.697-712
Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate inequality and heterogeneity in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to provide EQ-5D-5L population reference data for Sweden.

METHODS: Based on a large Swedish population-based survey, 25,867 respondents aged 30‒104 years, HRQoL is described by sex, age, education, income, economic activity, health-related behaviours, self-reported diseases and conditions. Results are presented by EQ-5D-5L dimensions, respondents rating of their overall health on the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), VAS index value and TTO (time trade-off) index value allowing for calculation of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Ordinary Least Squares and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to... (More)

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate inequality and heterogeneity in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to provide EQ-5D-5L population reference data for Sweden.

METHODS: Based on a large Swedish population-based survey, 25,867 respondents aged 30‒104 years, HRQoL is described by sex, age, education, income, economic activity, health-related behaviours, self-reported diseases and conditions. Results are presented by EQ-5D-5L dimensions, respondents rating of their overall health on the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), VAS index value and TTO (time trade-off) index value allowing for calculation of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Ordinary Least Squares and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to study inequalities in observed EQ VAS score between socioeconomic groups and the likelihood to report problems on the dimensions, respectively, adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS: In total, 896 different health states were reported; 24.1% did not report any problems. Most problems were reported with pain/discomfort. Women reported worse HRQoL than men, and health deteriorated with age. The strongest association between diseases and conditions and EQ VAS score was seen for depression and mental health problems. There was a socioeconomic gradient in HRQoL; adjusting for health-related behaviours, diseases and conditions slightly reduced the differences between educational groups and income groups, but socioeconomic inequalities largely remained.

CONCLUSION: EQ-5D-5L population reference (norms) data are now available for Sweden, including socioeconomic differentials. Results may be used for comparisons with disease-specific populations and in health economic evaluations. The observed socioeconomic inequality in HRQoL should be of great importance for policy makers concerned with equity aspects.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Quality of Life Research
volume
31
issue
3
pages
697 - 712
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:34628587
  • scopus:85116830835
ISSN
1573-2649
DOI
10.1007/s11136-021-02982-3
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© 2021. The Author(s).
id
e6195f40-6fd2-4d6e-9b1c-7ae5e8835853
date added to LUP
2021-10-18 08:18:32
date last changed
2024-06-15 18:15:43
@article{e6195f40-6fd2-4d6e-9b1c-7ae5e8835853,
  abstract     = {{<p>PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate inequality and heterogeneity in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to provide EQ-5D-5L population reference data for Sweden.</p><p>METHODS: Based on a large Swedish population-based survey, 25,867 respondents aged 30‒104 years, HRQoL is described by sex, age, education, income, economic activity, health-related behaviours, self-reported diseases and conditions. Results are presented by EQ-5D-5L dimensions, respondents rating of their overall health on the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), VAS index value and TTO (time trade-off) index value allowing for calculation of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Ordinary Least Squares and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to study inequalities in observed EQ VAS score between socioeconomic groups and the likelihood to report problems on the dimensions, respectively, adjusted for confounders.</p><p>RESULTS: In total, 896 different health states were reported; 24.1% did not report any problems. Most problems were reported with pain/discomfort. Women reported worse HRQoL than men, and health deteriorated with age. The strongest association between diseases and conditions and EQ VAS score was seen for depression and mental health problems. There was a socioeconomic gradient in HRQoL; adjusting for health-related behaviours, diseases and conditions slightly reduced the differences between educational groups and income groups, but socioeconomic inequalities largely remained.</p><p>CONCLUSION: EQ-5D-5L population reference (norms) data are now available for Sweden, including socioeconomic differentials. Results may be used for comparisons with disease-specific populations and in health economic evaluations. The observed socioeconomic inequality in HRQoL should be of great importance for policy makers concerned with equity aspects.</p>}},
  author       = {{Teni, Fitsum Sebsibe and Gerdtham, Ulf-G and Leidl, Reiner and Henriksson, Martin and Åström, Mimmi and Sun, Sun and Burström, Kristina}},
  issn         = {{1573-2649}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{697--712}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Quality of Life Research}},
  title        = {{Inequality and heterogeneity in health-related quality of life : findings based on a large sample of cross-sectional EQ-5D-5L data from the Swedish general population}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-021-02982-3}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s11136-021-02982-3}},
  volume       = {{31}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}