02008nas a2200205 4500000000100000008004100001100001500042700001100057700001700068700002100085700001100106700001500117700001500132700002200147700001800169245007300187250001500260520148100275020004601756 2012 d1 aSritara P.1 aWee H.1 aKimman Merel1 aVathesatogkit P.1 aTai E.1 aThumboo J.1 aYamwong S.1 aRatanachaiwong W.1 aWoodward Mark00aValidity of the Thai EQ-5D in an occupational population in Thailand a2012/08/293 a

PURPOSE: To assess the construct validity of the Thai EuroQoL (EQ-5D) among an occupational population in Thailand. METHODS: Data were derived from a large cohort study among employees of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. In 2008 and 2009, 4,850 participants completed the Thai EQ-5D and Short-Form 36 version 2 (SF-36v2). Thai preferences weights were used to convert EQ-5D health states into EQ-5D index scores. Construct validity of the Thai EQ-5D was examined by specifying and testing hypotheses about the relationships between the EQ-5D, SF-36v2, and participants' demographic and medical characteristics. RESULTS: Construct validity of the Thai EQ-5D was supported by expected relationships with SF-36v2 scale and summary scores. For example, SF-36v2 scores on the mental health scale were much lower for participants who reported having problems on the EQ-5D anxiety/depression dimension compared to those reporting no problems (mean norm-based SF-36v2 scores: 52.9 vs. 41.8, p < 0.001). Additionally, reporting a problem in a given EQ-5D dimension was generally associated with lower SF-36v2 summary scores. The EQ-5D index score distinguished between groups of participants in the expected manner, on the basis of sex, age, education and self-reported health, thus providing evidence of known-groups validity. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated good construct validity of the Thai EQ-5D in a large occupational population in Thailand.

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