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 of transcranial magnetic stimulation vs. electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy ( ECT ) has a long history of use in treating depression . Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS ) has been introduced more recently to the treatment spectrum . Its cost-effectiveness has not been explored . METHOD Forty-six right-h and ed people with severe depressive episodes referred for ECT were r and omised to receive either ECT twice weekly or rTMS on consecutive weekdays . Health and other service use were recorded for retrospective periods of 3 months prior to initiation of treatment and during the 6 months following the end of allocated treatment . Costs were calculated for the treatment period and the subsequent 6 months , and comparisons made between groups after adjustment for any baseline differences . Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted with incremental change on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HRSD ) as the primary outcome measure , and quality -adjusted life years ( based on SF6D-generated utility scores with societal weights ) as secondary outcome , cost-effectiveness acceptability curves plotted . RESULTS Based on the HRSD scores and other outcome measures , rTMS was not as effective as ECT . The cost of a single session of rTMS was lower than the cost of a session of ECT , but overall there were no treatment cost differences . In the treatment and 6-month follow-up periods combined , health and other service costs were not significantly different between the two groups . Informal care costs were higher for the rTMS group . Total treatment , service and informal care costs were also higher for the rTMS group . The cost-effectiveness acceptability curves indicated a very small probability that decision-makers would view rTMS as more cost-effective than ECT . LIMITATIONS Small sample size , some sample attrition and a relatively short follow-up period of 6 months for a chronic illness . Productivity losses could not be calculated . CONCLUSIONS ECT is more cost-effective than rTMS in the treatment of severe depression
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 .