Calculation of quality adjusted life years in the published literature: a review of methodology and transparency

Economic evaluations alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being designed to prospectively collect patient–specific resource use and preference‐based health status (utility) data. This paper examines the ways in which preference‐based health status (utility) data are used to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health economics 2004-12, Vol.13 (12), p.1203-1210
Main Authors: Richardson, Gerald, Manca, Andrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cost effectiveness
Cost-Benefit Analysis
cost-utility analysis
Data collection
Data Interpretation, Statistical
economic evaluation
Health
Health care
Health economics
Health Status Indicators
Humans
Life
Literature reviews
Methodology
Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - methods
Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - statistics & numerical data
QALY estimation
Quality adjusted life years
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - methods
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic - statistics & numerical data
Reproducibility of Results
Research Design
Statistical data
Studies
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Summary:Economic evaluations alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly being designed to prospectively collect patient–specific resource use and preference‐based health status (utility) data. This paper examines the ways in which preference‐based health status (utility) data are used to generate quality adjusted life years (QALYs). A literature review was carried out which identified 23 published cost utility analyses suitable for inclusion. The methodology employed to calculate QALYs was not always consistent, as well as being poorly reported. The use of different methodologies in the calculation of QALYs may influence the magnitude and direction of results of evaluations. Analysts need to be consistent and fully transparent in the methodology chosen to calculate QALYs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:1057-9230
1099-1050
DOI:10.1002/hec.901