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 .
Changes in quality of life in chronic psychiatric patients: A comparison between EuroQol (EQ-5D) and WHOQoL
It has often been postulated that simple , short question naires are unable to reflect complex changes in well-being of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders . To investigate these assumptions we included two recently developed instruments to measure quality of life  ( the WHOQoL-Bref and the EuroQoL EQ-5D ) in a r and omised control trial ( RCT ) in which two treatment conditions were compared . Aims of the study were to assess the sensitivity and validity of these  quality of life (QoL)-instruments  , to establish their relationship and to examine the predictors of changes in QoL. Subjective changes in QoL were measured on three assessment s waves in a period of 18 months and compared to objective changes in psychopathology and social functioning in a sample of 76 chronic schizophrenic patients who participated in the RCT . Results indicated that both WHOQoL-Bref and EuroQoL EQ-5D are capable of detecting changes in QoL over time in physical and psychological well-being . The instruments partly measure the same aspects of QoL , indicated by 50 % common variance on total scores . Reduction of positive psychotic symptoms appeared to be the most important factor in improving QoL. The weighted TTO-score of EuroQoL-5D , which is often used as an index in economic evaluations of health care , did however not correspond with these changes , which indicates that it is less sensitive to changes in social and psychological well-being . It ’s use as the core measure in ( economic ) health evaluation in the field of psychiatry therefore seems less appropriate
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 .