Applying SF-6D to measure health state utilities among the middle and old aged patients with hypertension in China.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in China; however, little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) especially health state utility (HSU) of patients with hypertension in rural China. This study aimed to examine the HSU as measured by SF-6D and to investigate its associated factors among middle and old aged patients with hypertension in rural China. METHODS: Data were collected from twelve villages in Shandong Province in 2016. SF-36 was administrated to measure HRQoL of middle and old aged patients with hypertension and was got to the SF-6D values using Hong Kong's tariff. Descriptive analyses, such as demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, and utility, were stratified by hypertension classification. Multiple linear regression models were applied to assess the associated factors of HSU. RESULTS: A total of 933 (response rate86.4%) middle and old aged patients (69.1 ± 8.2 years) with hypertension participated in the study. 39.4% of participants were male; 44.2% had stage I hypertension; 26.4% had stage II and above. The mean score of SF-6D utility score was 0.743 (SD 0.14, range 0.32-1.00, median 0.756, Interquartile range0.634-0.859). Being female (ß = -0.046), having two or more comorbidities (2 vs. 1 ß = -0.066; > 3 vs. 1 ß = -0.098) and the health expenditure higher than 2000 RMB (2000-3999 vs.< 2000 ß = -0.042; 4000-5999 vs. < 2000 ß = -0.046; > 6000 vs. < 2000 ß = -0.071) were significantly associated with lower SF-6D overall score; while being farmer (ß = 0.032), having high household income (10,000-14,999 vs. < 5000 ß = 0.045; > 15,000 vs. < 5000 ß = 0.064) and having stage I and above hypertension (stage I vs. Normotensive ß = 0.047; stage II vs. Normotensive ß = 0.079; stage III vs. Normotensive ß = 0.095) were significantly associated with higher SF-6D overall score. CONCLUSION: SF-6D was capable to measure quality of life middle and old aged patients with hypertension in China. And multiple factors were demonstrated to be significantly associated with quality of life.