Impact of influenza-like illnesses on health state utility value among Japanese children and adults.

purposeFor future health technology assessment, an assessment of the utility value of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) is crucial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of ILIs on utility value in a Japanese population.

methodsWe conducted an online survey between March and June 2024 to evaluate the impacts of ILIs on health-related quality of life, using a Japanese version of the EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) and EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). Participants were children and adults aged < 80 years who experienced ILI symptoms or required home isolation due to a respiratory infection. A follow-up survey was conducted 2-3 weeks after the first survey to assess recovery. For children, we asked their parents or guardians to answer as the child's proxy. A generalized linear model was used to assess the impact of patient demographics, type and onset of symptoms and diagnosis on disutility.

resultsIn total, 392 participants answered the first survey, and 264 participants answered the follow-up survey (134 adult participants and 130 parents or guardians). Compared with those who only answered the first survey, those who also answered the follow-up survey were older and more likely to be male in adult participants. The mean differences in the utility value and VAS scores between the first and follow-up surveys were - 0.055 and - 10.6 in the adult samples and - 0.079 and - 17.9 in the pediatric samples, respectively. In the generalized linear model, symptom onset within 7 days in the first survey was significantly associated with disutility value (coefficient - 0.049 [95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.086 to - 0.012], p = 0.010). However, none of the patient demographics were significantly associated with disutility value.

conclusionUtility values were lower during the symptomatic phase compared with the recovery phase. Our results are useful for disease burden assessment, health technology assessment, and cost-effectiveness analysis, which can support decision-making on the preventive and therapeutic management of respiratory infections.