文摘
Objective The aim of the study was to analyse the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D in patients with social phobia. Methods We used a sample of 445 patients with social phobia with five measurement points over a 30 month period. The discriminative ability of the EQ-5D was analysed by comparing the patients-responses with the general population and between different disease severity levels. For test-retest reliability we assessed the level of agreement in patients-responses over time, when there was no change in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Construct validity was analysed by identifying correlations of the EQ-5D with more specific instruments. For responsiveness we compared the means of EQ VAS/EQ-5D index anchored on improved (deteriorated) health status and computed effect sizes as well as a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results Compared to the general population, patients with social phobia reported more problems in the dimensions “usual activities- “pain/discomfort- and “anxiety/depression-and less problems in “mobility-and “self-care- The EQ-5D was able to distinguish between different disease severity levels. The test-retest reliability was moderate (intraclass correlation coefficient-gt;-.6). Correlations between the EQ-5D and other instruments were mostly small except for correlations with Beck Depression Inventory. The EQ-5D index seemed to be more responsive than the EQ VAS, but with only medium effect sizes (0.5-lt;?effect size-lt;-.8) in the British EQ-5D index and only significant in patients with improved health status. The ROC analysis revealed no significant results. Conclusions The EQ-5D was moderately reliable and responsive in patients with improved health status. Construct validity was limited. Trial registration Current controlled trials ISRCTN53517394