Methods for the analysis of quality-of-life and survival data in health technology assessment
Billingham L J, Abrams K R, Jones D R
Record ID 31999009318
English
Authors' objectives:
This study identifies and reviews critically the methods proposed for the analysis of quality-of-life and survival data in health technology assessment, particularly those that assess both these endpoints simultaneously. In this way methodology that requires wider dissemination can be identified together with areas requiring further research. It was not within the remit of this study to address issues related to the meaning, definition and measurement of quality of life.
Authors' recommendations:
Obtaining appropriate data:
The method of analysis needs to be decided at the design stage of a study so that appropriate quality-of-life data can be collected. Issues to consider are:
the quality-of-life instrument to be used
the frequency and timing of quality-of-life assessments
the need to minimise non-compliance
the collection of additional information, such as reason for drop-out
the sample size required.
Choosing the appropriate method:
The choice of method should be based on the research question that the study aims to answer. The advantages and disadvantages of each method should be considered carefully together with the relevance and interpretability of the results to clinicians and patients.
Methods used to analyse longitudinal quality-of-life data must allow for informative drop-out.
Reporting the analysis:
Methods used should be reported clearly, with details of definitions and assumptions used in the analysis.
A sensitivity analysis should be carried out to assess the robustness of conclusions to any critical assumptions made in the analysis.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.hta.ac.uk/939
Year Published:
1999
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
- Quality of Life
- Survival Analysis
Contact
Organisation Name:
NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address:
NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright:
2009 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.