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 .
The EQ-5D: A useful quality of life measure in borderline personality disorder?
INTRODUCTION Borderline Personality Disorder ( BPD ) is a severe psychiatric disorder and is associated with significant impairment in quality of life . The aim of the present study is to assess the internal and external responsiveness of the  EuroQoL-5D ( EQ-5D ) in BPD patients . PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from 49 patients included in a multi-center Dutch r and omized trial were used . We used both the EQ-5D utility score and the Visual Analogue Scale of the EuroQoL , and the  Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index-IV ( BPDSI-IV ) . To determine internal responsiveness , we calculated the st and ardized response mean ( SRM ) . To determine external responsiveness , we calculated Spearman correlations for the change scores , and compared EQ-5D scores for clinical ly improved vs. non- clinical ly improved patients as measured with the BPDSI-IV . RESULTS Patient scores improved on all instruments during the three years . SRMs for BPDSI-IV were significantly higher than EQ-5D utility . Three-year Spearman correlation between change scores of BPDSI-IV and EQ-5D utility was 0.487 , between BPDSI-IV and EQ-VAS it was 0.404 , both statistically significant . EQ-5D utility scores for patients who clinical ly improved were significantly higher than for patients who did not . DISCUSSION We conclude that the EQ-5D is fairly responsive in BPD , and , therefore , especially because of its brevity and user-friendliness , can serve as a useful tool in economic evaluations in patients with BPD
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 .