What is the difference between the EQ-5D-3L descriptive system and the EQ VAS?
The descriptive system can be represented as a health state, e.g. health state 11212 represents a patient who indicates some problems on the usual activities and anxiety/depression dimensions. These health states can be converted to a single index value using (one of) the available EQ-5D-3L value sets. These value sets have been derived using VAS or TTO valuation techniques, and reflect the opinion of the general population. The EQ VAS scores are patient-based and are therefore not representative of the general population. The EQ VAS self-rating records the respondents own assessment of their health status. The EQ VAS scores however are anchored on 100 = best imaginable health and 0 = worst imaginable health, whereas the value sets are anchored on 11111 = 1 and dead = 0 and can therefore be used in QALY calculations.
