Last update:
16-Sep-2004

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodological issues concerning the EuroQol applications in Europe and to present evidence from the translation and validation of the EQ-5D in Greece.

METHOD The translation process of the EuroQol instrument from English into Greek was conducted according to the EQ-Net published guidelines. Subsequently a pilot study of 30 individuals showed that the EQ-5D Greek version was comprehensive and applicable to the Greek cultural environment. A valuation exercise was conducted using a sample of 487 individuals from different demographic profiles and socio-economic backgrounds. Correlation coefficient matrixes and regression analysis was used in order to establish comparisons with similar valuation exercises conducted in Germany, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands.

RESULTS The pilot study of 30 individuals showed that the EQ-5D instrument is a comprehensive measure which can be used effectively for health related quality of life estimation in Greece. The results obtained from the valuation exercise with 487 individuals revealed that as any as 76.6 of the sample population found the questionnaire either easy or very easy to administer. Values for 18 selected health states were obtained from the above sample. The Greek values were compared with those from similar valuation exercises conducted in Germany, the UK, Spain and the Netherlands are found to be very close. The estimated correlation coefficients revealed a high level of association between the Greek values and the corresponding values of other countries under investigation.

CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study highlight the importance of the EuroQol instrument as a reliable and valid measure for obtaining values of different health states in Greece.

Key words: EQ-5D, EuroQol, Quality of life, Translation, Validation.