OBJECTIVES: Agencies such as NICE in the UK have specific requirements for economic evaluations. NICE specify how utility data should be collected and used in such analyses. The present review aimed to: 1) identify which utility measures have been used in asthma and COPD; 2) compare their measurement properties; and 3) determine if they meet NICE requirements. METHODS: A literature (Embase, PubMed) and internet (Google, PROQOLID) search for studies including utility measures in asthma and COPD was completed for the last 10 years. It identified 41 and 24 studies respectively. The evidence regarding each measure was critically appraised and summarised in terms of our three criteria. RESULTS: Asthma and COPD search generated 41 and 24 hits respectively. The following generic instruments had been used in asthma or COPD studies: EQ-5D, 15D, HUI-2, SF-6D [1]. Disease specific utility measures were also identified: ALQ-5D, Asthma Symptoms Utility Index (ASUI) and the SGRQ-U. The ALQ-5D and the SGRQ-U are derived from the Asthma Quality of life Questionnaire and St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire respectively. The EQ-5D has been most commonly used and one comparison study found it to be more sensitive than the SF-6D. Measurement properties and appropriateness for all measures will be summarised. CONCLUSION: Utility measures have been quite widely used in asthma and COPD. EQ-5D, SF-6D, ALQ-5D and HUI-2 would all in principle be suitable for NICE, but EQ-5D is probably the safest choice. Other decision makers prefer to see patient derived utilities and only the SGRQ-U would meet that requirement.