Cancer Patients? Willingness to Routinely Complete the EQ-5D Instrument at Clinic Visits.

BACKGROUND: Health utility (HU) scores play an essential role in pharmacoeconomic analyses. Routine clinical administration of the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) can allow for HU and health related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments in the real-world setting.

OBJECTIVES: The primary goals of this study were to evaluate whether patients were willing to complete the EQ-5D instrument on a routine basis and which clinical or demographic factors influence this willingness.

METHODS: 618 adult cancer survivors across multiple cancer disease sites at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre completed an acceptability survey after completing the EQ-5D instrument.

RESULTS: The mean (SD) EQ-5D score was 0.81 (0.15). Among those surveyed, 88% reported that the EQ-5D was easy to complete. 91% took under 5 minutes and 88% were satisfied with its length. 85% were satisfied with the types of questions asked on the EQ-5D. Importantly, 92% reported that they would complete the EQ-5D, even if it were used solely for research purposes; 73% agreed with the notion of completing it regularly at their clinic visits. Patients with lower EQ-5D scores (p=0.0006), and non-Caucasians (p=0.0024; 60% willing) were less willing to complete the instrument on a regular basis. Curability of tumour, disease site, age, and gender did not influence willingness.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cancer patients across disease sites are willing to complete the EQ-5D instrument regularly, even if it were solely for research purposes, but up to 39% declined participation in the first place.