Depression is associated with high impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Health state valuations are used for cost-effectiveness analysis to provide results for health-policy interventions.

The study aims to estimate a population-based value set of depression described by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We intend to assess vignettes describing PHQ-9 health states to estimate utility values

Current research elicited direct utility scores using time trade-off (TTO) method obtained from the Hungarian general population (N=2,000). TTO vignettes were created to describe hypothetical health states of depression based on the nine items of PHQ-9. The hypothetical health states were sorted orthogonally in 11 blocks, each containing 4 vignettes (combinations of no; mild; moderate; severe depression). All respondents valued the four health states of one randomly given block. Conventional TTO method was applied, using a 10-year timeframe, while the first iteration step was randomized to 1,3 and 5 year. Preference weights were estimated using regression model fitted to TTO utility results.

Altogether 1,999 respondents valued overall 34 different health states. The mean age was 47.3 (16.9) years, the majority was female (57.2%). Nearly half of the respondents were secondary educated 45.4%, 27.3% higher educated and 27.2% completed primary school. The mean TTO utility of selected mild, moderate and severe depression was: 0.83; 0.82 and 0.77 respectively.

Our results constitute the first population-based value set for PHQ-9. Utility scores give useful information for cost-effectiveness assessments. Estimates provide preference-based quality of life weights for the Hungarian population.

No significant relationships.