Meta-analysis of health state utility values measured by EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ5D) questionnaire in Chinese women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: To synthesise EQ5D health state utility values in Chinese women with breast cancer for parameterising a cost utility model. METHODS: Eligible studies had to report health state utility values measured by EQ-5D in Chinese women diagnosed with breast cancer. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data from single arm studies was pooled using meta-analysis of single proportions to provide overall point estimates and 95% confidence intervals for fixed and random effects models using the inverse variance and Der Simonian-Laird methods respectively. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I(2) statistic and sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were conducted. RESULTS: Five papers were included, when all studies were combined (n = 4,100) the mean utility (95% confidence interval) for random effects model was 0.83 (0.78, 0.89); for TNM 0-1 0.85 (0.75, 0.95); for TNM II 0.85 (0.78, 0.93); for TNM III 0.83 (0.77, 0.90) and for TNM IV 0.73 (0.63, 0.82).The utility of patients in State P (first year after primary breast cancer) 0.84 (0.80, 0.88); in State R (first year after recurrence) 0.73 (0.69, 0.76), in State S (second and following years after primary breast cancer or recurrence) 0.88 (0.83, 0.92); and in State M (metastatic disease) 0.78 (0.74, 0.82). Mean utility for duration since diagnosis 13 to 36 months was 0.88 (0.80, 0.96, I(2) =95%); for 37 to 60 months 0.89 (0.82, 0.96, I(2) =90%); for more than 60 months 0.86 (0.76, 0.96, I(2) =90%). Mean utility for chemotherapy was 0.86 (0.79, 0.92, I(2) =97%); for radiotherapy 0.83 (0.69, 0.96, I(2) =97%); surgery 0.80 (0.69, 0.91, I(2) =98%); concurrent chemo-radiation 0.70 (0.60, 0.81, I(2) =86%) and endocrine therapy 0.90 (0.83, 0.97, I(2) =91%). Conclusion: This study synthesises the evidence for health state utility values for Chinese women with breast cancer which is useful to inform cost utility models. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-09140-5.