EuroQol EQ-5D-3L Quality of Life Population Norms for Sierra Leone

Abstract Purpose To provide population norms of the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Sierra Leone with the EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L. The norm score can be used to compare patients’ health status and development of their quality-of-life status during treatment. Methods EQ-5D-3L data was collected of 1894 respondents by face-to-face interviews, along with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and demographic data including gender, age, work, ethnicity and country district. VAS scores, index scores (based on the Zimbabwe value set), sum scores, and distribution of levels per dimension were described and calculated. Statistical tests were performed to determine which demographic variable influenced the VAS and index scores. Results The mean VAS score (standard deviation (SD)) and index (SD) found were 82 (12) and 0.85 (0.09), respectively. No statistical difference was found in the VAS score for gender but in the index; with male and female mean index values of 0.84 and 0.86, respectively (p < 0.001). The best possible QoL index state was found in 59.4% of the respondents. The lowest possible QoL index was not encountered. The percentage of an unimpaired QoL in the dimensions were: mobility 92.0%; self-care 96.7%; usual activities 90.9%; pain/discomfort 68.3% and anxiety/depression 77.0%, respectively. Conclusion This study provides a population norm for Sierra Leone, which can be used to compare a patient’s HRQoL to the population’s norm, and to assess the effect of a treatment on the HRQoL.

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Publication Details

Journal
Applied Research in Quality of Life
Published
2025-08-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-025-10478-2
Primary Topic
Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

EuroQol EQ-5D-3L Quality of Life Population Norms for Sierra Leone

Daniel van Leerdam, Kerstin Klipstein‐Grobusch, Hanna M. Mathéron, James A. Medo et al.
Applied Research in Quality of Life
Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
article

EuroQol EQ-5D-3L Quality of Life Population Norms for Sierra Leone

Daniel van Leerdam, Kerstin Klipstein‐Grobusch, Hanna M. Mathéron, James A. Medo, Sara K. Hoel, Janine P. J. Martens, Sofie M. Løvdal, Merel van der Stelt, Alex J. van Duinen, Håkon A. Bolkan, Lars Brouwers, Reinou S. Groen, Osman Sankoh, Jonathan Vas Nunes, Sonnia-Magba Bu-Buakei Jabbi, Karel C. Lindenbergh, Silleh Bah, Diede van Delft, Josien Westendorp, Giulia L. E. Mönnink, Mia N. Østensen, Laura D. Cassidy, Jurre van Kesteren, Martin P. Grobusch, Abubakarr Kamanda‐Bongay, Helene Solberg, Daan van Herwaarden, Martin Peter Grobusch, Esmee Desi van Uum, Kees Slump, Fenna Traa
article en

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To provide population norms of the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Sierra Leone with the EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L. The norm score can be used to compare patients’ health status and development of their quality-of-life status during treatment. Methods EQ-5D-3L data was collected of 1894 respondents by face-to-face interviews, along with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and demographic data including gender, age, work, ethnicity and country district. VAS scores, index scores (based on the Zimbabwe value set), sum scores, and distribution of levels per dimension were described and calculated. Statistical tests were performed to determine which demographic variable influenced the VAS and index scores. Results The mean VAS score (standard deviation (SD)) and index (SD) found were 82 (12) and 0.85 (0.09), respectively. No statistical difference was found in the VAS score for gender but in the index; with male and female mean index values of 0.84 and 0.86, respectively (p < 0.001). The best possible QoL index state was found in 59.4% of the respondents. The lowest possible QoL index was not encountered. The percentage of an unimpaired QoL in the dimensions were: mobility 92.0%; self-care 96.7%; usual activities 90.9%; pain/discomfort 68.3% and anxiety/depression 77.0%, respectively. Conclusion This study provides a population norm for Sierra Leone, which can be used to compare a patient’s HRQoL to the population’s norm, and to assess the effect of a treatment on the HRQoL.

Applied Research in Quality of LifeVol. 20(4)
Radboud University Nijmegen (NL), Radboud University Medical Center (NL), Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis (NL), Amsterdam University Medical Centers (NL), Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SL), University of Amsterdam (NL), University of Twente (NL)
Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Openalex Percentile: Top 72%
Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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