Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the EQ-5D in diseases of the upper respiratory tract: a systematic review of measurement properties.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the published evidence regarding the measurement properties of the EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L) in patients with upper respiratory tract diseases, encompassing conditions associated with the nose, pharynx, and larynx.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was carried out utilizing the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EuroQol website (up to November 21, 2024). Full-text English articles focusing on original research concerning the measurement properties of the EQ-5D, including construct validity, test-retest reliability, or responsiveness, were included. Studies involving experimental versions of the EQ-5D were excluded. The quality assessment utilized the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, and data synthesis followed the COSMIN methodology.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies, published across 23 publications (20 to 17,780 patients), were included, with the majority focusing on chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. There was high certainty of the evidence of sufficient construct validity for EQ VAS and the EQ-5D Index (3L and 5L). In case of chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis, test in line with the hypotheses constituted 100% and 92%, respectively. Evidence regarding responsiveness had moderate certainty of sufficient quality. There was no available data for test-retest reliability.

CONCLUSION

Both EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L are suitable for assessing health-related quality of life in upper respiratory tract diseases, though their responsiveness needs further confirmation. The available evidence suggests that both versions have sufficient construct validity, and may be used to assess HRQoL especially in chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis.