SF-6Dv2
The SF-6Dv2 is a tool that measures health-related quality of life by converting responses on six health dimensions into a single utility score. This updated version improves on the original by capturing a broader range of health states, including worse-than-death states, and is designed for use in economic evaluations to help compare treatments.
At a glance
Use when
Conducting economic evaluations (e.g., cost-utility analysis) in the UK or other settings where SF-6Dv2 has been valued; when broader utility ranges and inclusion of worse-than-death states are needed; when using data derived from SF-36 or SF-12 surveys.
Avoid when
When country-specific value sets are required but not yet developed; when simpler or faster scoring methods without preference-based weights are sufficient; when detailed modeling of preference heterogeneity is not feasible.
Inputs
Health state descriptions defined across six dimensions (physical functioning, role limitations, social functioning, pain, mental health, energy/fatigue) with five or six levels each, derived from the SF-36 or SF-12 surveys.
Outputs
Utility scores representing health state values on a scale where 1 = full health, 0 = death, and negative values = states worse than death; models account for severity interactions and preference heterogeneity.
How it works
The SF-6Dv2 value set was developed using a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) with duration in a UK general population sample (n=3014). Two experimental designs were used: Design 1 included 10 DCE tasks from a 300-set efficient design; Design 2 included 2 DCE tasks with immediate death as an option from a 60-set design. Conditional logit models estimated utility values with ordered coefficients per dimension; a preferred model included interaction terms for the most severe level in any dimension. Latent class analysis revealed preference heterogeneity (2-class model). The resulting value sets show a wider utility range and more negative values compared to SF-6D, with pain, mental health, and physical functioning being the most influential dimensions.
- HTA domains
- Clinical Effectiveness, Patient and Social Aspects
- Categories
- HRQoL
- Assumptions
- Respondents can reliably trade off health states against duration of life; health state utilities are consistent with expected ordering within dimensions; the DCE design captures sufficient variation to estimate robust values.
- Strengths
- Captures a wider range of health states, including more negative utilities than the original SF-6D,Incorporates interaction effects for severe health levels, improving sensitivity,Based on a large, representative UK general population sample,Uses rigorous DCE methodology with efficient design and latent class analysis to address preference heterogeneity
- Limitations
- Value sets differ between the two experimental designs, raising questions about robustness,Preference heterogeneity is present but not yet fully integrated into standard value set application,Limited to UK population preferences; international adaptation requires further study,Relies on hypothetical choices which may not reflect real-world decisions
- Also known as
- SF-6D version 2, SF-6Dv2 value set, Short Form 6D version 2
Questions this answers
- › What is the utility value of a given health state described by the SF-6Dv2?
- › How do different health dimensions (e.g., pain, mental health) contribute to overall health-related quality of life?
- › Can health states worse than death be captured in economic evaluations using this instrument?
- › How do preferences for health states vary across individuals in the population?
- › How does the SF-6Dv2 compare to the original SF-6D in terms of range and sensitivity?
- › Can discrete-choice experiments with duration be used to generate valid utility values for multi-attribute health classification systems?
References & sources
Similar by meaning
- 15D
- Mapping CushingQoL Scores onto SF-6D Utility Values in Patients with Cushing’s Syndrome
- Properties of SF-6D when longitudinal data from 16,398 spine surgery procedures is applied to 9 national SF-6D value sets
- Mapping the schizophrenia quality of life scale to EQ-5D, HUI3 and SF-6D utility scores in patients with schizophrenia
- EQ-VT v2 (EuroQol Valuation Technology Protocol, Version 2)
Beta record. Based on the original catalogue summary; primary-source enrichment pending.