A MAPPING GAP IN THE NEW UK EQ-5D-5L ERA: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Author(s)
George Bungey, MSc1, Eszter Nagy, MPhil1, Pedro Saramago, MSc, PhD1, Caroline von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, PhD1, Steven Duffy, PgDip1, Irina Proskorovsky, MSc2.
1Thermo Fisher Scientific, London, United Kingdom, 2Thermo Fisher Scientific, Valencia, Spain.
1Thermo Fisher Scientific, London, United Kingdom, 2Thermo Fisher Scientific, Valencia, Spain.
OBJECTIVES: The new UK EQ-5D-5L value set was recently published and is anticipated to be adopted by NICE later this year. Although studies regarding the implications on previous NICE appraisal cost-effectiveness analysis results have been published, along with new crosswalk algorithms from EQ-5D-3L, there has been limited discussion so far on the implications on mapping from other quality of life (QoL) measures. While EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms would facilitate application of the new value set, these may not be widely available. Our objective was to review the availability of published EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms, and highlight potential consequences on mapping analyses.
METHODS: The latest Health Economics Research Centre (HERC) mapping database (searches conducted February 2025) was reviewed, and searches updated by the authors (up to May 2026) to identify published EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms with available model coefficients.
RESULTS: Among the 275 unique sets of studies included in the current HERC database, only 12 studies (4.36%) were identified with EQ-5D-5L response mapping models across 13 different QoL measures, excluding EQ-5D-3L crosswalk algorithms. Between March 2025 and May 2026, an additional 33 mapping studies were identified, with 8 (24.24%) providing EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms across 10 QoL measures. In total, 5 studies provided EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms for EORTC QLQ-C30, while others were spread across a range of measures, with 2 HAQ studies and 1 study per measure otherwise.
CONCLUSIONS: Excluding cases where EORTC QLQ-C30 data are available, application of the new UK EQ-5D-5L value set is heavily constrained by the current scarcity of appropriate algorithms when EQ-5D data is not collected and mapping may be required. Reliance on a “double mapping” approach from EQ-5D-3L may increase uncertainty in utility estimation, highlighting the need for further development of either response mapping algorithms or direct mapping models based on the new UK EQ-5D-5L value set.
METHODS: The latest Health Economics Research Centre (HERC) mapping database (searches conducted February 2025) was reviewed, and searches updated by the authors (up to May 2026) to identify published EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms with available model coefficients.
RESULTS: Among the 275 unique sets of studies included in the current HERC database, only 12 studies (4.36%) were identified with EQ-5D-5L response mapping models across 13 different QoL measures, excluding EQ-5D-3L crosswalk algorithms. Between March 2025 and May 2026, an additional 33 mapping studies were identified, with 8 (24.24%) providing EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms across 10 QoL measures. In total, 5 studies provided EQ-5D-5L response mapping algorithms for EORTC QLQ-C30, while others were spread across a range of measures, with 2 HAQ studies and 1 study per measure otherwise.
CONCLUSIONS: Excluding cases where EORTC QLQ-C30 data are available, application of the new UK EQ-5D-5L value set is heavily constrained by the current scarcity of appropriate algorithms when EQ-5D data is not collected and mapping may be required. Reliance on a “double mapping” approach from EQ-5D-3L may increase uncertainty in utility estimation, highlighting the need for further development of either response mapping algorithms or direct mapping models based on the new UK EQ-5D-5L value set.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
HTA137
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Health Technology Assessment, Methodological & Statistical Research
Topic Subcategory
Decision & Deliberative Processes
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas