Key facts
- Score direction
- Higher is better
- Meaningful change
- A clinically meaningful change in the EQ-5D index score is typically considered to be 0.03-0.05 points for the index utility score and 5-8 points for the VAS score. These thresholds represent minimal clinically important differences.
- Scoring
- The EQ-5D-5L uses a 5-level scale (1-5) for each of 5 dimensions: Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. The index value is calculated using country-specific value sets that conve…
About the EQ-5D-5L
The EQ-5D-5L is a standardized instrument for measuring generic health status developed by the EuroQol Group. It provides a simple, generic measure of health that is applicable to a wide range of health conditions and treatments. The questionnaire is widely used in clinical trials, health surveys, and health economic evaluations.
Medical Specialties
Anatomic Areas
Clinical Indications
Developer Information
The EQ-5D-5L was developed by the EuroQol Group, an international network of researchers dedicated to the development of health outcome measures. The 5-level version (5L) was developed and introduced in 2009 as an expansion of the original 3-level version (3L).
Origin
Built on Patient Watch - an open-source community form. It is not validated or endorsed by any copyright holder.
Administration Instructions
Please answer all questions to the best of your ability.
Scoring Methodology
The EQ-5D-5L uses a 5-level scale (1-5) for each of 5 dimensions: Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. The index value is calculated using country-specific value sets that convert the health state into a single utility score ranging from -0.285 to 1.000. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) rates overall health from 0 (worst imaginable) to 100 (best imaginable).
Meaningful Change Threshold
A clinically meaningful change in the EQ-5D index score is typically considered to be 0.03-0.05 points for the index utility score and 5-8 points for the VAS score. These thresholds represent minimal clinically important differences.
Score Interpretation
Understanding what your score means
severe
-0.285 - 0.4Severe health problems requiring immediate intervention
moderate
0.41 - 0.7Moderate health limitations affecting daily life
good
0.71 - 0.9Good health with minor limitations
excellent
0.91 - 1Excellent health with no significant problems
Subscales
This questionnaire measures multiple dimensions
Pain/Discomfort(1-5)
Pain and discomfort levels
Anxiety/Depression(1-5)
Psychological wellbeing
Mobility(1-5)
Walking and mobility problems
Self-Care(1-5)
Washing and dressing ability
Usual Activities(1-5)
Work, study, housework, family or leisure activities
Clinical Limitations & Considerations
The EQ-5D-5L is a generic measure and may not capture all aspects of specific diseases or conditions. Some patients may find the questionnaire too simplistic, while others may have difficulty understanding certain questions. The time frame ("today") is very short and may be sensitive to daily fluctuations in health.
Supporting Literature
Key validation and development studies for the EQ-5D-5L
- 1
Development and preliminary testing of the new five-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L)
Herdman M, Gudex C, Lloyd A, Janssen MF, Kind P, Parkin D, Bonsel G, Badia X
Quality of Life Research, 2011
- 2
Measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L compared to the EQ-5D-3L across eight patient groups: a multi-country study
Janssen MF, Pickard AS, Golicki D, Gudex C, Niewada M, Scalone L, Swinburn P, Busschbach J
Quality of Life Research, 2013
- 3
Development and preliminary testing of the new five-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L)
Herdman M, Gudex C, Lloyd A, Janssen MF, Kind P, Parkin D, Bonsel G, Badia X
Quality of Life Research, 2011
- 4
Measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L compared to the EQ-5D-3L across eight patient groups: a multi-country study
Janssen MF, Pickard AS, Golicki D, Gudex C, Niewada M, Scalone L, Swinburn P, Busschbach J
Quality of Life Research, 2013
Used in Literature
Studies and publications that have used the EQ-5D-5L
- 1
Comparing the UK EQ-5D-3L and English EQ-5D-5L Value Sets
Mulhern B, Feng Y, Shah K, Janssen MF, Herdman M, van Hout B, Devlin N
PharmacoEconomics, 2018
- 2
Comparing the UK EQ-5D-3L and English EQ-5D-5L Value Sets
Mulhern B, Feng Y, Shah K, Janssen MF, Herdman M, van Hout B, Devlin N
PharmacoEconomics, 2018
Frequently asked questions
What does a good EQ-5D-5L score mean?
A EQ-5D-5L score of 0.71 to 0.9 is classified as good. Good health with minor limitations
What does a severe EQ-5D-5L score mean?
A EQ-5D-5L score of -0.285 to 0.4 is classified as severe. Severe health problems requiring immediate intervention
What does a moderate EQ-5D-5L score mean?
A EQ-5D-5L score of 0.41 to 0.7 is classified as moderate. Moderate health limitations affecting daily life
What does a excellent EQ-5D-5L score mean?
A EQ-5D-5L score of 0.91 to 1 is classified as excellent. Excellent health with no significant problems
Related Outcome Measures
Other clinical questionnaires for similar specialties and conditions
Patient's Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I)
A single-item questionnaire assessing a patient's perception of change in their condition following treatment. Uses a 7-point scale from "Very much improved" to "Very much worse".
Adverse event report
Allows patients to report a possible adverse event related to their treatment in free text.
Blood Glucose Concentration
A generic reading of blood glucose concentration in mmol/L, with optional comments.
Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)
The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) is a 10-item self-report questionnaire measuring the severity of fatigue. It includes two subscales: Physical Fatigue (Q1-5, range 5-25) and Mental Fatigue (Q6-10, range 5-25). Total score ranges from 10-50, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue.
Fatigue (NRS 0-10) and Comments
Allows patients to record fatigue severity on a 0-10 numerical rating scale and provide additional comments.
MS Activities of Daily Living
Choose up to 3 important activities of daily living from a predefined list, then rate your current difficulty with each (0 = no difficulty, 10 = unable to perform).
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