Health State Utilities for Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Based on Parent Preferences in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to use standard gamble (SG) utility interviews to assess parent preferences for health states of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods. The study was conducted in August 2003 in London, England. Parents (N = 83) of children diagnosed with ADHD completed SG utility interviews, rating their child’s current health and 14 hypothetical health states describing untreated ADHD and ADHD treated with a nonstimulant, immediate-release stimulant, or extended-release stimulant. Raw temporary utilities ranging from 0 (worst health) to 1 (best health) were adjusted to a chronic utility scale ranging from 0 (death) to 1 (best health) using a linear transformation. Parents rated the severity of their children’s ADHD symptoms using the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS) and their children’s health-related quality of life using the EuroQol EQ-5D. Results. Raw and adjusted SG ratings of hypothetical health states ranged from 0.63-0.90 and 0.88-0.96, respectively. Parents’ raw SG scores of their child’s current health state (mean = 0.72) were significantly correlated with inattentive, hyperactive, and overall ADHD symptoms (r = -0.25, -0.27, -0.27; P < 0.05) and the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (r = 0.26; P < 0.05). Conclusion. This UK-based study suggests that parent SG interviews are a valid method for obtaining utilities for child ADHD-related health states. The utilities obtained in this study would be appropriate for use in a cost-utility analysis evaluating the costs and benefits of childhood ADHD treatments in the United Kingdom.