OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the discrepancy of self-reported health valuation by incident dialysis patients and the societal valuation of the health states of these patients. Subsequently, it investigates which socio-demographic and medical characteristics explain this discrepancy.

METHODS: We used data from the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD-2), a prospective multicenter cohort study on incident end-stage renal disease patients. Health valuation was measured with the EuroQol (EQ-5D) questionnaire. The discrepancy in valuation, ΔEQ-5D, was calculated by subtracting the health valuation by patients (EQ-5D Visual Anologue Scale; EQ-5D VAS) from the societal valuation (EQ-5D Index). Mean ΔEQ-5D scores were stratified by problem level, socio-demographic and medical characteristics. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to explain the discrepancy by socio-demographic and medical characteristics.

RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the societal valuation of the health states of dialysis patients is generally higher than patients’ own health valuation, especially for patients who are younger, male, have never been married, a better kidney function and reported no problems. This indicates that using societal valuation with the EQ-5D may underestimate the impact of dialysis on the quality of life of this patient group.