EQ-5D-derived health utility values in patients undergoing surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Health utility value (HUV) is an index used to measure health-related quality of life for the valuation and comparison of treatments. The Euroqol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire is a widely used method for determining HUV, but it has not been applied for this purpose in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who undergo sinus surgery. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Patients with CRS, who were recruited from 11 different otolaryngologic practices, completed the EQ-5D questionnaire at baseline, as well as 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery. HUVs calculated from the results of this questionnaire were compared to those reported in the general U.S. population and to patients suffering from other chronic diseases. RESULTS Baseline EQ-5D surveys were completed by 242 patients. Mean baseline HUV (standard deviation) was 0.81 (0.13). Female gender, revision surgery, and the use of intraoperative image guidance were associated was significantly lower baseline values. HUV rose at 3 months to 0.89 (0.12) and remained improved at 12 months 0.88 (0.10) and 24 months 0.89 (0.10) (P < 0.001). Baseline HUV in CRS (0.81[0.13]) is lower than the general U.S. population (0.85 [0.18]) and appears appropriately positioned among other common chronic conditions including asthma (0.82-0.92), migraine (0.81-0.91), and seasonal allergies (0.94). CONCLUSIONS Sinus surgery provides improvement in HUV in patients with CRS. These values may be paired with costs of care to perform cost-utility analysis on this group of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2c.