The EQ-5D: A useful quality of life measure in borderline personality disorder?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder and is associated with significant impairment in quality of life. The aim of the present study is to assess the internal and external responsiveness of the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) in BPD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Data from 49 patients included in a multi-center Dutch randomized trial were used. We used both the EQ-5D utility score and the Visual Analogue Scale of the EuroQoL, and the Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index-IV (BPDSI-IV). To determine internal responsiveness, we calculated the standardized response mean (SRM). To determine external responsiveness, we calculated Spearman correlations for the change scores, and compared EQ-5D scores for clinically improved vs. non-clinically improved patients as measured with the BPDSI-IV.

RESULTS:

Patient scores improved on all instruments during the three years. SRMs for BPDSI-IV were significantly higher than EQ-5D utility. Three-year Spearman correlation between change scores of BPDSI-IV and EQ-5D utility was 0.487, between BPDSI-IV and EQ-VAS it was 0.404, both statistically significant. EQ-5D utility scores for patients who clinically improved were significantly higher than for patients who did not.

DISCUSSION:

We conclude that the EQ-5D is fairly responsive in BPD, and, therefore, especially because of its brevity and user-friendliness, can serve as a useful tool in economic evaluations in patients with BPD.

• Authors: A D I van Asselt, C D Dirksen, A Arntz, J H Giesen-Bloo, J L Severens
• Journal: European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists (Eur Psychiatry) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 79-85 (Mar 2009) ISSN: 0924-9338 [Print] England
• PMID: 19095421 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Borderline Personality Disorder (diagnosis)
• Female
• Humans
• Interview, Psychological
• Male
• Netherlands
• Pain Measurement (methods, statistics & numerical data)
• Psychometrics
• Quality of Life
• Reproducibility of Results
• Self Disclosure
• Severity of Illness Index
• Surveys and Questionnaires (standards)