EORTC QLU-C10D Australian utility weights
This is a set of values developed for Australia that helps measure the quality of life for cancer patients in economic evaluations. It uses data from the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and converts it into health utility scores that reflect how much different symptoms and functioning levels affect overall well-being.
At a glance
Use when
Conducting cost-utility analyses in oncology using EORTC QLQ-C30 data in the Australian context; when country-specific utility values are required for reimbursement submissions or HTA.
Avoid when
When non-Australian population values are needed; when condition-specific instruments with existing utility algorithms are preferred; when detailed symptom interaction effects are critical.
Inputs
Health states defined by the EORTC QLU-C10D (10 dimensions, 4 levels each), typically derived from EORTC QLQ-C30 patient-reported outcomes.
Outputs
Utility scores on a scale where 1 = full health and 0 = death, with possible negative values indicating states worse than death.
How it works
The EORTC QLU-C10D Australian utility weights are derived from a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with 1846 respondents from a representative Australian online panel. The QLU-C10D consists of 10 dimensions (Physical, Role, Social, Emotional Functioning; Pain, Fatigue, Sleep, Appetite, Nausea, Bowel Problems), each with 4 levels. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate coefficients, which were scaled against life expectancy to generate utility weights within the QALY framework. The worst health state was valued at -0.096. These weights enable transformation of EORTC QLQ-C30 data into utility scores for cost-utility analyses in the Australian context.
- HTA domains
- Costs & Economic Evaluation, Patient and Social Aspects
- Categories
- HRQoL
- Assumptions
- Respondents' choices in the DCE reflect consistent preferences over health states and life expectancy; the QLU-C10D adequately captures relevant aspects of cancer-related quality of life; the model is generalizable to the broader Australian population.
- Strengths
- Based on a large, representative Australian sample (n=1846),Uses robust DCE methodology aligned with QALY framework,Provides country-specific values required for local HTA submissions,Enables use of widely collected EORTC QLQ-C30 data in economic evaluations,Demonstrates monotonicity and face validity across most dimensions
- Limitations
- Utility weights may not reflect preferences of cancer patients specifically,Some dimensions (e.g., Fatigue, Sleep) show smaller than expected impact,Limited ability to capture interactions between dimensions,Based on hypothetical health states rather than real-time patient experience
- Also known as
- QLU-C10D AU weights, Australian utility weights for QLU-C10D, EORTC QLU-C10D value set (Australia)
Questions this answers
- › What is the utility value of a given cancer-related health state in the Australian population?
- › How do different levels of functioning and symptoms in cancer patients affect quality of life as valued by Australians?
- › How can EORTC QLQ-C30 data be converted into utility scores for cost-utility analysis in Australia?
- › Which cancer-related health dimensions have the greatest impact on quality of life according to Australian preferences?
- › What is the disutility associated with specific levels of fatigue, pain, or nausea in cancer patients?
- › Is a particular cancer health state valued as worse than death in the Australian population?
References & sources
Similar by meaning
- EORTC QLU-C10D
- Danish value sets for the EORTC QLU-C10D (cancer utility)
- Norwegian and Swedish value sets for the EORTC QLU-C10D (cancer utility)
- German value sets for the EORTC QLU-C10D, a cancer-specific utility instrument based on the EORTC QLQ-C30
- Validation of the cancer-specific utility measure EORTC QLU-C10D using evidence from four lung cancer trials covering six country value sets
Beta record. Generated from the primary source via AI extraction and independent audit, pending final human review.