Purpose: So far there is no Norwegian value algorithm to inform healthcare decision making. The 15D health state values estimated with the original 15D valuation procedure tend to be higher than the values of other generic preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments. The main purpose of this study was to use a new 15D valuation procedure to estimate Norwegian 15D health state values and to explore their empirical performance.
Methods: The visual analogue scale was used to collect 15D valuation data in a representative sample of the Norwegian general population. The new procedure used fewer valuation tasks and anchored the 15D health state values in an empirically assessed range. The Norwegian 15D health state values were compared to the values of five HRQoL instruments which were provided by Norwegian residents belonging to seven disease groups and a healthy population.
Results: The Norwegian 15D health state values ranged from 1 to - 0.52. Compared to 15D health state values estimated with the original procedure, the Norwegian 15D health state values were lower and more in line with values of other HRQoL instruments.
Conclusions: The new 15D valuation procedure is simpler, links the 15D health state values better to the requirements of the QALY model, and provides an empirically-based range. We recommend using the new valuation procedure in future 15D valuation studies, and the Norwegian health state values for use in 15D-based health economic analyses in Norway.
Keywords: 15D; Health-related quality of life; Value algorithm; Visual analogue scale.