RESUMO
OBJECTIVE To study the cost-utility threshold （WTP/Q） based on the preference of the population in Liaoning province with willingness-to-pay（WTP） survey method， and to provide reference for decision-making. METHODS Using the method of questionnaire survey， quota sampling combined with snowball sampling were used to conduct telephone interviews with the general population in Liaoning province， collect data and analyze it. Probit regression combined with generalized linear model was used to analyze the relevant factors affecting WTP/Q. RESULTS A total of 755 general people were recruited. The WTP/Q of Liaoning population was 119 175 yuan，the average WTP/Q for improving the quality of life was 84 902 yuan， and the average WTP/Q for extending the survival period was 188 005 yuan. The analysis of influential factors showed that the older the age， the lower the probability of people purchasing medical interventions； the higher the education level and income， the greater the WTP/ Q； at the same time， the physical feelings of the interviewee， such as pain and depression， could also affect the WTP/Q results； compared with the scenario of improving quality of life， the WTP/Q for the extended survival period was higher. CONCLUSIONS The WTP/Q of Liaoning province based on the WTP survey method is about 2.07 times of the per capita gross domestic product of Liaoning province in the same period. The WTP/Q for extending survival period is about 2.21 times that of improving the quality of life. Therefore， interventions to improve quality of life and to extend the survival period need to be treated differently， in measurement or decision-making.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the population's willingness to pay (WTP) for an additional quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) in China. METHODS: The WTP for an additional QALY (WTP/Q) was estimated using a contingent valuation survey with quota sampling and snowball sampling, using a pre-designed questionnaire with 18 hypothetical scenarios. The change in health state was depicted by the EQ-5D-5L. The questionnaires were completed by telephone and face-to-face interviews. Two-part regression models were used to test validity and how different factors affect WTP/Q. RESULTS: A total of 2008 people participated in this survey and provided 3265 WTP responses for further analysis. The average WTP/Q for the entire sample is 113,120 Renminbi (RMB) (USD 16,884), which is 1.75 times the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. For the quality-of-life improvement scenarios, the mean WTP/Q is RMB 78,907 (USD 11,777, 1.22 times GDP per capita), which is significantly lower than the life extension scenarios (RMB 177,761, USD 26,531, 2.76 times GDP per capita). Age was found to be negatively related to positive WTP. Educational level was positively related to the probability of reporting positive WTP and the level of WTP/Q. Although the EQ-5D-5L utility scores of respondents did not prove to be statistically significant determinants of WTP/Q, the two dimensions of EQ-5D-5L, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, had an impact on WTP/Q. In addition, WTP/Q was higher when the health outcome had a 50% probability of occurring than when the health outcome was 100% certain. WTP/Q was higher when a lower health gain was presented to the respondent. CONCLUSION: This study provides empirical evidence of the monetary value of an additional QALY from a sample of the Chinese population. In addition, a higher threshold for end-of-life therapies should be considered.