A systematic review of the techniques used to value temporary health states

Background

A broad literature on health state utility values exists, but compared with chronic health states (HSs), issues surrounding the valuation of temporary health states (THSs) have been poorly explored.

Objectives

To assess the methods used by previous studies to value HSs that are considered temporary so as to determine the strengths and limitations associated with various approaches and to inform future study designs.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken to explore the methods used, assess how the valuation was conducted for diseases that might lead to HSs deemed as temporary, and identify the challenges encountered in the valuation of THSs.

Results

Of the 36 relevant studies, 22 were explicit that the HS being valued was temporary. Most of the studies used more than one technique (often incorporating both conventional and adapted approaches). In using adapted techniques, the primary challenge was identifying an appropriate intermediate “anchor” HS and the possibility of negative utilities.

Conclusions

There is no agreement on the most methodologically robust approach to THS valuation. Valuation is complex and important issues relating to the validity, practicality, and reliability of the techniques used were not adequately covered by most of the studies identified.