A Value Set for EQ-5D-5L in the United Arab Emirates

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a value set for the EQ-5D-5L based on preferences of the general adult population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: The study followed the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L valuation protocol and involved conducting interviewer-administered face-to-face or online interviews in Arabic or English, using the EuroQol Valuation Technology with a sample of 1005 adults representing the UAE general population. Sample recruitment involved a 2-stage quota sampling strategy across the 7 emirates of the UAE, ensuring representation of nationals and expatriates. Various models using composite time trade-off data only, discrete choice experiment data only, and hybrid using both composite time trade-off and discrete choice experiment data were examined, along with various sensitivity analyses to examine the robustness of the models. Results: The average age of respondents was 39 years (SD 10.8), 44.5% were female, and 11% were UAE nationals. The best-performing model to generate the value set for the EQ-5D-5L was the hybrid tobit model censored at −1.0, corrected for heteroskedasticity. Values ranged from −0.654 for the worst health state (55555) to 1 for full health (11111) and 0.962 for 11211, with 15.3% of predicted values worse than dead. Mobility problems had the largest impact on health state preference values relative to other dimensions. Conclusion: This value set will facilitate the application and use of the EQ-5D-5L instrument in the UAE population in generating local evidence on the cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions, as well as to enhance other applications of EQ-5D in population health assessment and health systems.