EQ-5D

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EQ-5D is a standardised instrument for use as a measure of health outcome. Applicable to a wide range of health conditions and treatments, it provides a simple descriptive profile and a single index value for health status. EQ-5D was originally designed to complement other instruments but is now increasingly used as a 'stand alone' measure.

An EQ-5D health state (or profile) is a set of observations about a person defined by a descriptive system. An EQ-5D health state may be converted to a single summary index by applying a formula that essentially attaches weights to each of the levels in each dimension. This formula is based on the valuation of EQ-5D health states from general population samples.

EQ-5D was established and subsequently developed by the EuroQol Group, established in 1987. The aim of the group is to test the feasibility of jointly developing a standardized non disease specific instrument for describing and valuing health-related quality of life.