The EQ-5D and SF-36 achieved mixed results in the quantitative testing against psychometric criteria .
The qualitative analysis suggests this is because they provide a very limited coverage of themes identified by people with mental health problems .
BACKGROUND Generic preference-based measures of health like the EQ-5D and SF-6D ( ® ) are increasingly being used in economic evaluation and outcome assessment .
However , there are concerns as to whether or not these generic measures are appropriate for use in people with mental health problems .
OBJECTIVES The EQ-5D and SF-36 ( ® ) ( including its derivatives the SF-12 ( ® ) and SF-6D ) were assessed using the psychometric criteria of validity and responsiveness using quantitative and qualitative methods .
Another aim was to estimate mapping functions between the EQ-5D and SF-6D and condition-specific measures , where appropriate .
Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and lofepramine: randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND The cost-effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) has not been compared in a prospect i ve study in primary care . AIMS To determine the relative cost-effectiveness of TCAs , SSRIs and lofepramine in UK primary care . METHOD An open-label , three-arm r and omised trial with a preference arm . Practitioners referred 327 patients with incident depression . RESULTS No significant differences were found in effectiveness or cost-effectiveness . The numbers of depression-free weeks over 12 months ( on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ) were 25.3 ( 95 % CI 21.3 - 29.0 ) for TCAs , 28.3 ( 95 % CI 24.3 - 32.2 ) for SSRIs and 24.6 ( 95 % CI 20.6 - 28.9 ) for lofepramine .  Mean health service costs per patient were pound 762 ( 95 % CI 553 - 1059 ) for TCAs , pound 875 ( 95 % CI 675 - 1355 ) for SSRIs and pound 867 ( 95 % CI 634 - 1521 ) for lofepramine .  Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves suggested SSRIs were most cost-effective ( with a probability of up to 0.6 ) . CONCLUSIONS The findings support a policy of recommending SSRIs as first-choice antidepressants in primary care
The EQ-5D and SF-36 achieved mixed results in the quantitative testing against psychometric criteria .
The qualitative analysis suggests this is because they provide a very limited coverage of themes identified by people with mental health problems .
BACKGROUND Generic preference-based measures of health like the EQ-5D and SF-6D ( ® ) are increasingly being used in economic evaluation and outcome assessment .
However , there are concerns as to whether or not these generic measures are appropriate for use in people with mental health problems .
OBJECTIVES The EQ-5D and SF-36 ( ® ) ( including its derivatives the SF-12 ( ® ) and SF-6D ) were assessed using the psychometric criteria of validity and responsiveness using quantitative and qualitative methods .
Another aim was to estimate mapping functions between the EQ-5D and SF-6D and condition-specific measures , where appropriate .