APERSU Research Agenda

The scientific advisory committee identified four key areas of research that will define APERSU’s research agenda.

  • Applications of PROMs in clinical practice (e.g., decision aids, patient engagement, patient management, decision making, patients and clinicians perspective, clinical and cost effectiveness of PROMs)
  • Applications of PROMs in health systems (e.g., routine outcome measurement, quality management, quality improvement and performance, international comparisons)
  • Understanding of PROMs scores (e.g., minimal clinical important difference, measurement properties, comparisons across PROMs measures)
  • Enhancing the quality of PROMs Use (e.g., methods of data collection and presentation, methods of repeated measurements, usefulness of PROMs in special groups, response shift, case mix adjustment, knowledge transfer, translation, and utilization)

Current Projects

Properties of the EQ-5D-5L in the Canadian Population: Minimal Important Difference and Comparative Performance with other Measures in Large Scale Health Applications:
This program of research has two general aims: 1) to compare the measurement properties of the EQ-5D instruments (3- and 5-level) with other generic and disease-specific measures of health status and health-related quality of life, with particular attention to the individual dimensions of the EQ-5D; and 2) to generate estimates for a minimal important difference (MID) for the EQ-5D-5L index score.

Evaluation of routinely Measured PATient reported outcomes in HemodialYsis care (“EMPATHY”) Trial: This project aims to determine the effects of routine measurement and reporting to care providers of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) namely the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale – renal (mESASr) and/or the EQ-5D-5L on patient reported experience, particularly patient-clinician communication, for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. The EMPATHY Trial will be a large, multi-center cluster randomized trial, involving up to 80 dialysis units in Ontario, Alberta and BC. The EMPATHY Trial is one project under the umbrella of a large, pan-Canadian research network known as CAN-SOLVE CKD.

The use and measurement properties of EQ-5D in vulnerable populations: A systematic review of the literature: The objective of this review is to identify, summarize and appraise the literature on the use and measurement properties of EQ-5D instruments in socially vulnerable populations, i.e. populations who are at risk of adverse health outcomes due to the socioeconomic environment and resources; including but not limited to homelessness, substance abuse among others.

PROMs in Primary Care Networks in Alberta: An end-user perspective: APERSU’s team collaborated with the Primary Care Measurement Capacity Initiative (MCI) group led by Dr. Scott Oddie with Alberta Health Services, on a project that explored the use of PROMs in primary care networks (PCNs) in Alberta, and identified the facilitators and barriers to PROMs implementation in this setting.The scientific advisory committee identified four key areas of research that will define APERSU’s research agenda.

  • Applications of PROMs in clinical practice (e.g., decision aids, patient engagement, patient management, decision making, patients and clinicians perspective, clinical and cost effectiveness of PROMs)
  • Applications of PROMs in health systems (e.g., routine outcome measurement, quality management, quality improvement and performance, international comparisons)
  • Understanding of PROMs scores (e.g., minimal clinical important difference, measurement properties, comparisons across PROMs measures)
  • Enhancing the quality of PROMs Use (e.g., methods of data collection and presentation, methods of repeated measurements, usefulness of PROMs in special groups, response shift, case mix adjustment, knowledge transfer, translation, and utilization)

APERSU Insights

About APERSU

Click here for information on APERSU.

Why measure HRQL?

Click here to learn about health-related quality of life.

Minimally Important Difference (MID) of the EQ-5D-5L Index Score

Click here to learn about hte minimally important difference of the EQ-5D-5L index score and how it can be used.

What is a QALY?

Click here to learn about a Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY).

Summer Internships

This program aims to encourage a new generation of talented young researchers to pursue research and careers in health status measurement and health services research. Interns receive invaluable, direct experience working on specific projects under the guidance of academic members during the summer months (between May and August).

2016 INTERNS

  • Katelynn Crick, PhD candidate, University of Alberta
  • Shelby Hoffman, MPH student, University of Saskatchewan

2017 INTERNS

  • Andrews Tawiah, PhD student, University of Alberta
  • Tahmid Kashem, MPH student, University of Alberta

2018 INTERNS

  • Maryna Derkach, PhD student, University of Alberta
  • Shahela Laboni, MSc student, University of Alberta

Publications

2019

  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall D, Johnson JA. Responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L in patients following total hip or knee replacement. Quality of Life Research, 2019; 28(9):2409-2417.
  • Zhao H, McClure NS, Johnson JA, Soprovich A, Al Sayah F, Eurich DT. A longitudinal study on the association between diabetic foot disease and health related quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes. Canadian Journal of Diabetes 2019 (forthcoming).
  • Tawiah A, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Discriminative validity of the EQ-5D-5L and SF-12 in older adults with arthritis. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2019; 17:68.
  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall D, Smith C, Johnson JA. The EQ-5D-5L is Superior to the -3L Version in Measuring Health-related Quality of Life in Patients Awaiting Hip or Knee Arthroplasty. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 2019; 477(7): 1632-1644.
  • Soprovich A, Ingstrup M, & Eurich D. The frequency and availability of population-specific patient reported outcome measures and minimal clinically important differences among approved drugs in Canada.Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2019. 17:4.

2018

  • Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms in type 2 diabetes using patient-reported outcome measures: Comparative performance of the EQ-5D-5L and SF-12v2. MDM Policy and Practice 2018; doi.org/10.1177/2381468318799361.
  • Al Sayah F, Yeung RO, Johnson JA. Association of Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes Distress With Severe Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 2018; S1499-2671(17)30413-6.
  • Short H, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. The relationship of neighborhood-level material and social deprivation with health-related quality of life. Quality of life Research 2018; 27(12):3265-3274.
  • Zhao H, Johnson JA, Al Sayah F, Soprovich A, Eurich D. The association of self-efficacy and hospitalization rates in people with type-2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 2018; 143:113-119.
  • McClure N, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa, Johnson JA. Minimally Important Difference of the EQ-5D-5L in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Value in Health2018; 21(9):1090-1097.
  • Crick K, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Responsiveness of the anxiety/depression dimension of the 3- and 5-level versions of the EQ-5D in assessing mental health. Quality of life Research 2018; 27(6):1625-1633.

2017

  • McClure N, Al Sayah F, Xie F, Luo N, Johnson JA. Instrument-defined estimates of minimally important difference in EQ-5D-5L index score for Canadian, Chinese and Spanish scoring algorithms. Value in Health 2017; 20(4):644-650
  • Al Sayah F, Xie F, Qiu W, Johnson JA. Comparative Performance of the EQ-5D-5L and SF-6D Index Scores in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Quality of life Research 2017; 26(8):2057-2066.
  • Al Sayah F, Johnson JA, Ohinmaa A, Xie F, Bansback N. Health literacy and logical inconsistencies in health state valuations: Results from the Canadian EQ-5D-5L valuation study. Quality of life Research 2017; 26(6):1483-92
  • Johnson ST, Thiel D, Al Sayah F, Mundt C, Qiu W, Buman MP, Vallance JK, Johnson JA. Objectively measured sleep and health-related quality of life in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study from the Alberta’s Caring for Diabetes study. Sleep Health 2017;3(2):102-106.

2016

  • Al Sayah F, Bansback N, Bryan S, Ohinmaa A, Pullenayegum E, Poissant L, Xie F, Johnson JA. Determinants of Health Preferences in the Canadian EQ-5D-5L Valuation Study. Quality of life Research 2016 Jul;25(7):1679-85.
  • Al Sayah F, Qiu W, Johnson JA. Health literacy and health related quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal study. Quality of life Research 2016, 25(6):1487-94.
  • Al Sayah F, Mladenovic A, Gaebel K, Xie F, Johnson JA. How dead is dead? Qualitative findings from participants of combined traditional and lead-time time trade-off valuations. Quality of life Research 2016, 25(1):35-43.

Conference Presentations

2019

  • Ilkiw N and Short H. EMPATHY Initiative [Oral Presentation]. 2019 Alberta Kidney Days, March 15, 2019, Calgary, Alberta.
  • Jin X, McClure NS, Le CY, Baghbaninaghadehi F, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Minimally Important Differences for EQ-5D instruments: A Systematic Review of Estimates in Published Literature. CADTH Symposium, April 14-16, 2019, Edmonton AB.
  • McClure NS, Xie F, Johnson JA. Individual and public preferences for health states: what can be learned from ties in EQ-5D-5L time-trade-off valuation studies? [Poster Presentation] 2019 Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health Symposium, Edmonton, AB, April 14, 2019.
  • Johnson JA, Buzinski R, Corradetti B, Davison S, Duperron P, Klarenbach S, Manns B, Short H, Thomas C, Walsh M. Evaluation of routinely Measured PATient reported outcomes in HemodialYsis care (EMPATHY): Implementing a cluster randomized controlled trial at the health system level. CAHSPR 2019, Halifax NS, May 29-31, 2019.
  • Wen J, Jin X, Ohinmaa A. Economic Evaluation of Sucrose Octasulfate Dressing for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Canada. 11th Huaxia Pharmacoeconomics and HTA Forum, Nanjing, China, June 29-30, 2019.
  • Al Sayah F, Lubetkin E, Rey Ares L, Derrett S. A Systematic Review on EQ-5D and Health Inequalities – Preliminary Results. 36th EuroQol Plenary meeting, September 18- 21, 2019, Brussels, Belgium.
  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall DA, Johnson JA. What is behind the “mobility” dimension of the EQ-5D? An exploratory analysis in patients following total hip/knee replacement. 36th EuroQol Plenary meeting, September 18- 21, 2019, Brussels, Belgium.

2018

  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall D, Smith C, Johnson JA. EQ-5D-5L vs. EQ-5D-3L: A cross-sectional comparison of measurement properties among total hip and knee replacement patients. [Poster Presentation] 3rd EuroQol Academy Meeting, Budapest Mar 6-8, 2018.
  • Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Can the EQ-5D-3L predict post-hospitalization healthcare use and outcomes? [Poster Presentation] 3rd EuroQol Academy Meeting, Budapest Mar 6-8, 2018.
  • Belag A, Al Sayah F, Yeung RO. Diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviours, and metabolic control in Arabic speaking adults with Type 2 diabetes in Edmonton. [oral presentation] Alberta SPOR SUPPORT unit Summer Institute, May 14-16, 2018.
  • Belag A, Al Sayah F, Yeung RO. Diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviours, and metabolic control in Arabic speaking adults with Type 2 diabetes in Edmonton. [poster presentation] Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Research Day, University of Alberta, May 23, 2018.
  • Al Sayah F, Janssen MF, Short H, McClure NS, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. The Use of EQ-5D in Vulnerable Populations: A Systematic Review of the Literature. [poster presentation] 35th EuroQol Plenary meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, September 19-22, 2018.
  • Lubetkin E, Derrett S, Al Sayah F, Janssen MF, Bonsel G. Convening a health inequalities special interest group and results from a survey of EuroQol Group members. [poster presentation] 35th EuroQol Plenary meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, September 19-22, 2018.
  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall D, Johnson JA. Responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L in patients following total hip or knee replacement. [paper presentation] 35th EuroQol Plenary meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, September 19-22, 2018.
  • Al Sayah, F, Janssen B, Short H, McClure B, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. The Use of EQ-5D in Vulnerable Populations: A Systematic Review of the Literature [Poster Presentation]. ISOQOL25th Annual Conference, October 24-27, 2018, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Can the EQ-5D-3L predict post-hospitalization healthcare use and outcomes? [Poster presentation] ISPOR Europe, Nov 10-14, Barcelona, Spain. Value in Health 2018, 21 (S3); PMU92.
  • Kashem T, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. The relationship between individual-level deprivation with health-related quality of life in the general population. ISPOR Europe, Nov 10-14, Barcelona, Spain. Value in Health 2018, 21 (S3); PMU123.
  • Tawiah A, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Discriminative validity of the EQ-5D-5L and SF-12 in older adults with arthritis. ISPOR Europe, Nov 10-14, Barcelona, Spain. Value in Health 2018, 21 (S3); PRM173.
  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall D, Johnson JA. EQ-5D-3L vs. EQ-5D-5L: A cross-sectional comparison of measurement properties among total hip and knee replacement patients. Value in Health 2018, 21 (S3); PRM175.
  • Jin X, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Marshall D, Johnson JA. Responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D-3L in patients following total hip or knee replacement. Value in Health 2018, 21 (S3); PRM169.

2017

  • Crick K, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. How well do the EQ-5D-3L and 5L perform in assessing changes in mental health? [Podium presentation] International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 22nd Annual International Meeting, May 20-24, 2017. Value in Health 2017; 20 (5): A12-A13.
  • Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. How well does the EQ-5D-5L screen for mental health compared to the SF-12? [Poster presentation] International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 22nd Annual International Meeting, May 20-24, 2017.
  • McClure NS, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Minimally Important Difference of the EQ-5D-5L in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. [Poster Presentation] International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 22nd Annual International Meeting, May 20-24, 2017.
  • Crick K, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. How well do the EQ-5D-3L and 5L perform in assessing changes in mental health? [Podium presentation] International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, 22nd Annual International Meeting, May 20-24, 2017.
  • McClure NS, Al Sayah F, Johnson JA. Interpretation of health-related quality of life scores using estimates of the minimally important difference. [Poster presentation] Summer Institute 2017, A Spotlight on Patient-Oriented Research, Edmonton, AB, June 26, 2017.
  • Short H, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. The relationship of material and social deprivation with health status. [Poster Presentation] 34th EuroQol Plenary Meeting, Barcelona Sept 19-21, 2017.
  • Herdman M, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Mott D, Devlin N, Johnson JA. Workshop to discuss the legitimacy, estimation and uses of the minimal important difference (MID) with EQ-5D. EuroQol Plenary Meeting, Barcelona, Spain Sept 21-23, 2017.
  • Short H, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson J.A. The relationship of material and social deprivation with health status. [Poster presentation] 24th Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality of Life Research, October 18-21, 2017, Philadelphia, United States. Quality of Life Research 2017; 26: Suppl. 1:(A2064):109.
  • Huffman S, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson J.A. What does the “usual activities” dimension of the EQ-5D measure? [Poster presentation] 24th Annual Conference of the International Society for Quality of Life Research, October 18-21, 2017, Philadelphia, United States. Quality of Life Research 2017; 26: Suppl. 1:(A2035):90.
  • Al Sayah F, Leischner R, Oddie S, Makin A, Ohinmaa A, Johnson J.A. Putting Patients at the Centre of Health Care: The use of PROMs in Primary Care Networks [oral presentation: 1 hour workshop]. Accelerating Primary Care Conference, Calgary, AB, Nov 17-18, 2017.
  • McClure NS, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Minimally important differences for preference-based measures of health-related quality of life: The state of the debate and a look forward. [Discussion paper] Alberta Health Economics Study Group, Edmonton, AB, Nov 21, 2017.

2016

  • Al Sayah F, Johnson ST, Vallance JK. The association of health literacy with physical activity and walking in community-dwelling older adults. [Poster Presentation] The Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting. Washington, DC, April 2016.
  • Al Sayah F, Johnson JA, Ohinmaa A, Xie F, Bansback N. Health literacy and logical inconsistencies in health state valuations: Results from the Canadian EQ-5D-5L valuation study. [Poster Presentation] 33rd EuroQol Plenary Meeting, Berlin Sept 15-17, 2016.
  • Al Sayah F, Johnson JA, Ohinmaa A, Xie F, Bansback N. Health literacy and logical inconsistencies in health state valuations: Results from the Canadian EQ-5D-5L valuation study. [Oral Presentation] ISOQOL 23rd Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19-22, 2016. Quality of Life Research 2016:25(Suppl 1):24(A102.4).
  • McClure N, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Minimally Important Difference of the EQ-5D-5L in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. [Poster Presentation] ISOQOL 23rd Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19-22, 2016. Quality of Life Research 2016:25(Suppl 1):133(A2107).
  • Nagase FN, Al Sayah F, Ohinmaa A, Johnson JA. Health-related quality of life of adults with type 2 diabetes reporting diabetic foot disease. ISOQOL 23rd Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19-22, 2016. Quality of Life Research 2016:25 (Suppl 1):133(A2109).
  • Al Sayah F, Johnson JA, Ohinmaa A. The performance of EQ-5D-5L and VR-12 in Assessing Mental Health. [Poster Presentation] ISOQOL 23rd Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19-22, 2016. Quality of Life Research 2016:25(Suppl 1):94(A1018)
  • Al Sayah F, Qiu W, Xie F, Johnson JA. Comparative Performance of the EQ-5D-5L and SF-6D in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. [Poster Presentation] ISOQOL 23rd Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 19-22, 2016. Quality of Life Research 2016:25(Suppl 1):132(A2103).
  • Al Sayah F, Johnson JA, Ohinmaa A. The performance of EQ-5D-5L and VR-12 in Assessing Mental Health. [Oral Presentation] 38th Annual North American Society for Medical Decision Meeting (SMDM), October 23-26, 2016.
  • Al Sayah F, Johnson JA, Ohinmaa A, Xie F, Bansback N. Health literacy and logical inconsistencies in health state valuations: Results from the Canadian EQ-5D-5L valuation study. [Poster Presentation] 38th Annual North American Society for Medical Decision Meeting (SMDM), October 23-26, 2016.

2015

  • Wozniak L, Soprovich A, Rees S, Al Sayah F, Majumdar SR, Johnson JA. Contextualizing the Effectiveness of a Collaborative Care Model for Diabetes and Depression in Primary Care: A Qualitative Assessment. [Oral Presentation] CAHSPR Conference 2014, Toronto, ON May 12-15, 2014.
  • Johnson JA, Lier D, Soprovich A, Al Sayah F, Qiu W, Majumdar SR.  Cost-effectiveness of Nurse-led Collaborative Care For Patients With Diabetes Who Screen Positive For Depression in Primary Care: Results from a controlled implementation trial. [Oral Presentation]. CAHSPR Conference, Montreal, PQ, May 26-28, 2015.
  • Agborsangaya C, Al Sayah F, Bansback N, Ohinmaa A, Pullenayegum E, Xie F, Johnson JA. Impact of Health Literacy and Multimorbidity on EQVT Health Valuation: A Secondary Analysis of the Canadian EQ-5D-5L Valuation Study. [Poster Presentation] 31st EuroQol Plenary meeting, Stockholm, Sweden, Sept 25-27, 2014.
  • McClure N, Al Sayah F, Xie F, Luo N, Johnson JA. Instrument-defined estimates of minimally important difference in EQ-5D-5L index score for Canadian, Chinese and Spanish scoring algorithms. [Poster Presentation] ISOQOL 22nd Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada, October 21-24, 2015. Quality of Life Research 2015:24(Suppl 1): 181 (A3038).
  • Al Sayah F, Bansback N, Bryan S, Ohinmaa A, Pullenayegum E, Xie F, Johnson JA. Determinants of Health Preferences in the Canadian EQ-5D-5L Valuation Study. [Poster Presentation] ISOQOL 22nd Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada, October 21-24, 2015. Quality of Life Research 2015:24(Suppl 1): 177 (A3016).
  • Al Sayah F, Qiu W, Johnson JA. Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study. [Poster Presentation] ISOQOL 22nd Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada, October 21-24, 2015. Quality of Life Research 2015:24(Suppl 1): 103 (A1054).
  • Mladenovic AB, Al Sayah F, Qiu W, Johnson JA, Intervention Dose and Health-related Quality of life in a Collaborative Care Intervention for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Positive Depressive Symptoms. [Poster Presentation] 14th Symposium of the International Diabetes Epidemiology Group, Vancouver, Canada, Dec 2015.
  • Thiel DM, Al Sayah F, Johnson ST, Johnson JA. Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Alberta’s Type 2 Diabetes Population. [Poster Presentation] 14th Symposium of the International Diabetes Epidemiology Group (IDEG); 2015 Dec 5-6; Vancouver, British Columbia.

Collaborations

APERSU collaborates with researchers from several academic institutions across Canada and internationally:

  • Nancy Devlin, Office of Health Economics, UK
  • Mike Herdman, Office of Health Economics, UK
  • Michael Walsh, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
  • Feng Xie, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
  • Nan Luo, National University of Singapore, Singapore
  • Braden Manns, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
  • Nick Bansback, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Deborah Marshall, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
  • Scott Oddie, AHS and Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta
  • Bas Janssen, The EuroQol Group, Netherlands
  • David Whitehurst, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia

Research Highlights

Xuejing (Jennifer) Jin, Fatima Al Sayah, Arto Ohinmaa, Deborah A. Marshall, Christopher Smith, Jeffrey A. Johnson

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR) July 2019, 477:1632-1644.

The EQ-5D has been widely using in measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients following joint arthroplasty, especially in registry programs. Previous studies indicated that the ceiling effect of the three-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L) limits its application in joint arthroplasty. The five-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) was developed by adding two response levels to each dimension to improve measurement properties of the instrument; however, in joint arthroplasty field, evidence that supports the EQ-5D-5L is superior to the 3L version is limited.

In this study, Jin and colleagues examined and compared the performance of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L among patients awaiting total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty using data from the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Data Repository, which recorded information on all patients receiving elective hip or knee replacements in Alberta since 2010.

The study showed that, compared to the 3L version, the EQ-5D-5L had better measurement properties in terms of response distribution, construct validity, and ability to discriminate between patients with different severity levels of health problems, especially in mobility (a key health aspect or outcome in these patients).

Jin concluded, “the EQ-5D-5L is more appropriate for measuring HRQL of patients awaiting THA and TKA than the EQ-5D-3L.” The findings “support the use of the EQ-5D-5L for more accurate measurement of HRQL in clinical research and routine application among these patients.”

You can read the full article here.

Following the publication, the Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research journal published a commentary that summarized the importance and limitations of collecting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in hip and knee replacement. The commentary endorsed the application of the EQ-5D in economic evaluations of hip and knee interventions, and highlighted the demand of minimally important difference (MID) in this field. Additionally, it recommended establishing public searchable databases, and exploring the use of pre-surgery PROMs to screen patients or predict prognosis.
You can read the full commentary here.

For any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at apersu@ualberta.ca.

Fatima Al Sayah, Arto Ohinmaa, Jeffrey A. Johnson

MDM Policy and Practice 2018 (in press)

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in chronic disease patients, including those with type 2 diabetes. These symptoms, often undiagnosed and untreated, adversely impact diabetes management and outcomes.

In this study, Al Sayah and colleagues examined the performance of two of the most commonly used patient-reported outcome (PRO)measures of health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L and the SF-12 v.2) in screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms in type 2 diabetes patients in primary care setting in Alberta. The researchers opted to explore these measures given their increasing use in the healthcare system in routine outcome measurement.

The researchers found that the EQ-5D-5L and the SF-12 to be suitable tools for screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults with type 2 diabetes. The anxiety/depression dimension of the EQ-5D and the MCS score of the SF-12 had the best performance in screening for these symptoms.

Al Sayah stated “These tools present a unique opportunity for a standardized approach for routine mental health screening in primary care settings within the context of routine outcome measurement initiatives, particularly for patients with chronic diseases”. And added “Users should consider all pros and cons of each measure while selecting a PRO measure that would also serve as a screener for mental health”.

You can read the full article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2381468318799361

For any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us at apersu@ualberta.ca