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Objective: To estimate an interim five-level EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D-5L) value set for Poland on the basis of the crosswalk methodology developed by the EuroQol Group. Methods: On the basis of data from 3691 respondents from six European countries, the EuroQol Group has developed a method of obtaining interim value sets for the EQ-5D-5L by means of mapping to the available three-level EuroQol five-dimensional (EQ-5D-3L) value sets (“crosswalk” methodology). A significant part of the data in this study came from Polish respondents (n ¼ 972; 26.3%). Poland is the first Central European country with EQ-5D-3L time trade-off–based social value set published. To obtain an interim EQ-5D-5L value set, we applied the crosswalk methodology to the Polish EQ-5D-3L value set. Results: Estimated Polish values for 3125 EQ-5D-5L health states are presented. Both EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L value sets have the same range (from � 0.523 to 1.000), but different means (0.448 vs. 0.380) and medians (0.483 vs. 0.403), respectively. Proportionately fewer states worse than dead were observed in the EQ-5D-5L (5.4%) value set than in the EQ5D-3L (13.2%) value set. Conclusions: The crosswalk-based value set is available for use in EQ-5D-5L studies in Poland to calculate health state utilities. It should be considered an interim value set until values based on preferences elicited directly from a sample representative of the Polish general population become available. This study helps users of the crosswalk algorithm understand the properties of the EQ-5D-5L values generated using this method, in comparison to EQ-5D-3L values obtained with the Polish time trade-off value set. It is likely that similar results would be observed for values sets in other countries because the same crosswalk methodology applies across all countries.

Purpose Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered the treatment of choice in cases of atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT). Published studies suggest a considerable time gap between the onset of the arrhythmia, correct diagnosis, and RFA which may reach 10–15 years. The cost of medical treatment during that period may be substantial. The aim of the study was to calculate the annual direct medical cost of medical treatment of patients with AVNRT and AVRT and identify potential factors influencing this cost. Methods Based on the consumption of particular resources and the unit costs of services in 2013, we calculated the annual direct medical cost of care for patients with AVNRT and AVRT in Poland. We adopted the public payer’s and societal perspectives. Data on health resources was collected with a structured questionnaire and medical records of patients scheduled for RFA. Additional analyses were performed to identify factors influencing this cost. Results We enrolled 82 patients: mean age 43.9 ± 14.1 years old and mean symptom duration before the RFA 13.0 ± 11.3 years. The median annual cost of medical treatment was 546 USD [312–957], 411 € [278–786], and 616 USD [369–1044], 464 € [235–721], for the public payer and the common perspective, respectively, with hospitalizations being the main cost component. In multivariate analysis, only the age of the patient significantly influenced this cost. Conclusions The annual cost of medical treatment of AVNRT or AVRT is substantial and dependent on the age of the patient rather than the severity of the arrhythmia (NCT01594814).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the measurement properties of the 5-level classification system of the EQ-5D (5L), in comparison with the 3-level EQ-5D (3L). METHODS: Participants (n = 3,919) from six countries, including eight patient groups with chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, depression, diabetes, liver disease, personality disorders, arthritis, and stroke) and a student cohort, completed the 3L and 5L and, for most participants, also dimension-specific rating scales. The 3L and 5L were compared in terms of feasibility (missing values), redistribution properties, ceiling, discriminatory power, convergent validity, and known-groups validity. RESULTS: Missing values were on average 0.8 % for 5L and 1.3 % for 3L. In total, 2.9 % of responses were inconsistent between 5L and 3L. Redistribution from 3L to 5L using EQ dimension-specific rating scales as reference was validated for all 35 3L-5L-level combinations. For 5L, 683 unique health states were observed versus 124 for 3L. The ceiling was reduced from 20.2 % (3L) to 16.0 % (5L). Absolute discriminatory power (Shannon index) improved considerably with 5L (mean 1.87 for 5L versus 1.24 for 3L), and relative discriminatory power (Shannon Evenness index) improved slightly (mean 0.81 for 5L versus 0.78 for 3L). Convergent validity with WHO-5 was demonstrated and improved slightly with 5L. Known-groups validity was confirmed for both 5L and 3L. CONCLUSIONS: The EQ-5D-5L appears to be a valid extension of the 3-level system which improves upon the measurement properties, reducing the ceiling while improving discriminatory power and establishing convergent and known-groups validity.