Measuring EQ-5D-5L utility values in parents who have experienced perinatal death

Camacho, Elizabeth ORCID: 0000-0001-9574-7710, Gold, Katherine, Murphy, Margaret, Storey, Claire and Heazell, Alexander (2024) Measuring EQ-5D-5L utility values in parents who have experienced perinatal death. European Journal of Health Economics. pp. 1-9.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Policymakers use clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence to support decisions about health service commissioning. In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend that in cost-effectiveness analyses "effectiveness" is measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), derived from health utility values. The impact of perinatal death (stillbirth/neonatal death) on parents' health utility is currently unknown. This knowledge would improve the robustness of cost-effectiveness evidence for policymakers.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to estimate the impact of perinatal death on parents' health utility.<h4>Methods</h4>An online survey conducted with mothers and fathers in England who experienced a perinatal death. Participants reported how long ago their baby died and whether they/their partner subsequently became pregnant again. They were asked to rate their health on the EQ-5D-5L instrument (generic health measure). EQ-5D-5L responses were used to calculate health utility values. These were compared with age-matched values for the general population to estimate a utility shortfall (i.e. health loss) associated with perinatal death.<h4>Results</h4>There were 256 survey respondents with a median age of 40 years (IQR 26-40). Median time since death was 27 months (IQR 8-71). The mean utility value of the sample was 0.774 (95% CI 0.752-0.796). Utility values in the sample were 13% lower than general population values (p < 0.05). Over 10 years, this equated to a loss of 1.1 QALYs. This reduction in health utility was driven by anxiety and depression.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Perinatal death has important and long-lasting health impacts on parents. Mental health support following perinatal bereavement is especially important.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	EQ-5D, Foetal death, Health utility values, Neonatal death, Stillbirth
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2024 09:52
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2024 20:53
DOI:	10.1007/s10198-024-01677-z
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177919