Disjunctive answer options complicate communication – a linguistic analysis of the danish EQ-5D (5 L) version

Introduction: EQ-5D is an internationally acknowledged tool for assessing health-related quality of life. Our aim was to examine how pragmatic dynamics may influence answers the EQ-5D-5 L in items where structure answer options disjunctive. Methods: We performed a 3-step linguistic analysis building on seminal work Grice, including (1) examination lexical meanings options, (2) considerations conversational maxims might affect respondent’s interpretation compatible under single item, and (3) questionnaire’s context counteract problem omitted by shifting meaning context-sensitive expressions. Results: All with disjunctive exhibit both compatibilities omissions. In combination form these features complicates communicative task respondents relying norms identify most suitable instrument’s questions. Discussion: have structure, Gricean will depend their individual understanding fine-grained details concerning purpose weigh conflicting should be balanced. While such are likely go undetected cognitive interviews, help them.