Objective: To obtain utility values from EQ-5D-3L data of essential tremor (ET) patients receiving magnetic-resonance image-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) and to perform descriptive analyses on those values.

Background: The ND001 trial is a global observational study collecting patient data on the effectiveness of MRgFUS for the treatment of ET. The EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) is the most widely used validated instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in cost-utility analysis. There is limited EQ-5D associated with MRgFUS in ET which has limited formal cost-utility analyses.

Method: The UK value set by Dolan et al. was used to generate utility values from the EQ-5D-3L data collected in the ND001. The mean utility value was calculated for each of the eight timepoints of follow-up (from baseline to 3 years). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the change in mean utility value from baseline, at each timepoint of follow-up. Random effects for patient identity were added to the model, adjusting for the presence of multiple observations from the same patient at different timepoints. A linear regression model was used to investigate the relationship between mean utility values and time, using random effects to adjust for patient identity.

Results: Mean utility values in all timepoints of follow-up were significantly higher than baseline. The mean utility value at baseline (0.652) increased rapidly until month 6 and remained constant thereafter, at approximately 0.850. The highest change from mean baseline utility values was observed in year 2 (0.205, p < .001). Estimates from year 2 and year 3 were associated with higher uncertainty, due to lower sample size. The linear model showed a small but statistically significant increase of 0.005 in mean utility values per month (p < .001). However, the data did not follow a linear trend, therefore the ANOVA model was a more reliable analysis.

Conclusion: The analysis suggests that MRgFUS increases the quality of life over time, but this increase is likely not linear and stabilises after approximately 6 months of follow-up. Further investigation is needed to assess the relationship of quality of life over time with other clinical outcomes.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/utility-value-analysis-for-patients-with-essential-tremor-receiving-magnetic-resonance-image-guided-focused-ultrasound-treatment-three-years-of-follow-up/