French Value-Set of the QLU-C10D, a Cancer-Specific Utility Measure Derived from the QLQ-C30

Abstract

Background and objectiveThe EORTC Quality of Life Utility Measure-Core 10 Dimensions (QLU-C10D) is a new multiattribute utility instrument derived from the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30), a widely used cancer-specific quality-of-life questionnaire. It covers ten dimensions: physical, role functioning, social, emotional functioning, pain, fatigue, sleep, appetite, nausea and bowel problems. To allow national health preferences to be reflected, country-specific valuations are being performed through collaboration between the Multi-Attribute Utility Cancer (MAUCa) Consortium and the EORTC. The aim of this study was to determine the utility weights for health states in the French version of the QLU-C10D. Methods Valuations were run in a web-based setting in a general population sample of 1033 adults. Utilities were elicited using a discrete-choice experiment (DCE). Data were analyzed by conditional logistic regression and mixed logits. ResultsThe sample was representative of the general French population in terms of gender and age. Dimensions with the largest impact on utility weights were, in this order: physical functioning, pain and emotional functioning. The impact on utilities was lower for role functioning, nausea, bowel problems and social functioning. The dimensions of sleep, fatigue and lacking appetite were associated with the smallest utility decrement. ConclusionThe results of the present study provide utility weights for the QLU-C10D and offer interesting prospects, as some cancer-specific dimensions also received sizeable utility weights (nausea and bowel problems). In fact, the EQ-5D and the HUI 3 are recommended in France and commonly used for cancer-related CUA; however, both these instruments are generic. The availability of a new cancer-specific utility instrument, such as the QLU-C10D, could improve the quality and the pertinence of future CUA in oncology Key Points for Decision MakersThe EORTC QLU-C10D is a new cancer-specific multiattribute utility instrument derived from the EORTC QLQ-C30, a widely used quality-of-life questionnaire in oncology.

Dutch utility weights for the EORTC cancer-specific utility instrument: the Dutch EORTC QLU-C10D

“…Findings on Dutch decrements for the EORTC QLU-C10D are slightly different from the utility decrements found in the Australian, Austrian, Canadian, French, German, Italian, Polish and United Kingdom general population [12][13][14][15][16][17]. In the Dutch population, the largest decrement was observed for pain followed by physical functioning and role functioning, whereas in all other valuation studies, except for the Polish valuation study [17], the largest decrement was seen for physical functioning followed by pain.…”

“…More details may be found in the paper on the Australian valuations [12]. GEE models were, in line with previous valuation studies on the EORTC QLU-C10D [12][13][14][15][16][17], used to estimate utility decrements. We did not use the mixed logit model to estimate utility decrements, as this model deals with the distribution of parameters rather than with point estimates and…”

“…Based on the choices participants made, utility scores can be derived. In this study, the same DCE methodology was used as described in detail by the Australian valuation study of King et al [12], and as previously used in the valuation studies in Canada [13], the United Kingdom [14], Germany [15], France [16], Austria, Italy and Poland [17]. The DCE contained 960 choice sets, as formulated in previous research [12], of which each participant randomly received 16 choice sets.…”

“…Utility weights are commonly based on preferences of the general population [10] and differ among countries and cultures [11]. Currently, utility weights for the EORTC QLU-C10D have been determined for Australia [12], Canada [13], the United Kingdom [14], Germany [15], France [16], Austria, Italy and Poland [17] and valuations for Spain, the United States of America, Singapore and Japan are underway. Although cost-utility analyses are generally required for decision making on reimbursement of new interventions by the Dutch National Health Care Institute [18], Dutch utility weights of the EORTC QLU-C10D have not yet been determined.…”

Estimation of an EORTC QLU-C10 Value Set for Spain Using a Discrete Choice Experiment

“…Among the generic items, physical functioning reported the largest decrements followed by pain and role functioning. These findings are in line with those in Germany [ 14 ], Austria, Italy, Poland [ 26 ] and France [ 39 ]. Among the cancer-specific items, nausea reported the largest utility decrement followed by bowel problems, which mimicked the same rank order found in the Austrian valuation study [ 16 ].…”