If EQ-5D-5L Mobility Dimension Ratings Are High, Is Life-Space Assessment a Clinically Sensible Next Step? Data from a Population Survey.

Background

Impaired health states can limit a person's mobility, often progressively for people with life-limiting illnesses. Quantifying mobility changes is crucial for individual clinical care and service planning.

Objective

To explore any correlation between EQ-5D-5L's mobility dimension ratings and Life-Space Assessment (LSA) from a population sample.

Methods

An online population survey of Australian adults, nationally-representative by key demographics. An analysis of variance examined each level of the EQ-5D-5L mobility dimension rating against its LSA scores; Kendall's Tau assessed correlation.

Results

Participants (n = 6366) were 53% women, mean age 46.1 years (SD 18.6), and mean LSA score 78.0 (SD = 27.5; possible range 0-120). At each EQ-5D-5L mobility dimension level there was a significant difference between LSA scores (p < 0.001), and a moderate negative correlation (Kendall's tau b = -0.342) between the two measures.

Conclusion

Given the relationship defined, EQ-5D-5L mobility dimension ratings may prompt clinicians to consider further evaluation with the more detailed Life-Space Assessment. .