EQ-5D-5L Population Norms and Health Inequality in Colombia

• Published in: Value in health regional issues 2021-12, Vol.26, p.24-32
• Main Authors: Bailey, Henry H., Janssen, Mathieu F., Varela, Rodrigo O., Moreno, Jhon A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colombia; EQ-5D-5L
• ISSN: 2212-1099; 2212-1102
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2020.12.002

The EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L instruments have been used in studies of patient and demographic groups in Colombia, but to date there are no 5L population norms. This study aimed to produce a set of EQ-5D-5L population norms for Colombia and to see what insights into health inequality in Colombia can be discerned from these norms. The EQ-5D-5L self-reported health questionnaire was included in a survey of a representative sample of 3400 adults aged 18 to 64 in Colombia. EQ-5D-5L states, mean EQ VAS, and index values were obtained by sex, age, education, income group, ethnicity, residence, employment status, health insurance status, and household size. EQ-5D-5L index values from Uruguay were used. Regression models were used to investigate inequality. The mean EQ VAS value was 85.3, the mean index value was 0.953, and 52.2% of the sample reported being in state 11111. Self-reported health was higher for men, declined in higher age groups, and was lower for lower-income and education groups. The EQ-5D-5L instrument was observed to be more sensitive than the EQ-5D-3L instrument in Colombia. The dimensions with the highest prevalence of reported problems were anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort. The main drivers of inequality were age, sex, income, and education. The population norms developed in this study can be used as baseline values for future studies of patient or treatment groups, and for investigations into the health of specific demographic groups. EQ-5D has been used in clinico-economic research in Colombia. This study provides a set of population norms for EQ-5D-5L index values (based on EQ-5D-5L states self-reported by a representative sample of 3400 Colombian adults using the Uruguayan EQ-5D-5L value set) and EQ VAS values by age, sex, and other demographic variables for Colombia. The population norms presented in this study provide baseline values for researchers wishing to use EQ-5D-5L in clinical and clinico-economic research in Colombia. The study also found that health inequality in Colombia is mainly associated with age, sex, income, and education level.