Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42249989›Full record

ArticleQuality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation2026

EQ-5D-5L population norms for Singapore: a household survey-based analysis.

Akemu Xiamusiya, Jia Jia Lee, Yiyun Shou, Shuang Hao, Mythily Subramaniam, Ling Jie Cheng, Nan Luo

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Article in Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Akemu Xiamusiya *Department of Learning Informatics, Management and Ethics Medical Management Centre, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-5773-330X
Jia Jia Lee *Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7821-9131
Yiyun ShouSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7386-0031
Shuang HaoDepartment of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2303-4532
Mythily SubramaniamSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4530-1096
Ling Jie Cheng *National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. cheng.lingjie@nus.edu.sg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5338-578X
Nan LuoSaw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7980-6979

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPopulation norms for the EQ-5D-5L are essential for health economic evaluations. However, existing norms for Singapore were established before the COVID-19 pandemic, whose prolonged health and societal impacts may have rendered them outdated. Updated post-pandemic benchmarks are therefore needed to inform cost-utility analyses and public health policy accurately. This study aimed to establish updated EQ-5D-5L population norms among Singapore residents aged ≥ 15 years and to examine variation in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by sociodemographic characteristics.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional household survey between May and July 2024 among Singapore citizens and permanent residents, using a three-stage sampling strategy with demographic quotas. We assessed HRQoL using the EQ-5D-5L and EQ VAS. We derived index scores using the Singapore-specific value set. We generated descriptive statistics and used multivariable linear regression to identify independent associations between HRQoL and sociodemographic characteristics.

resultsThe analysis included 2,005 respondents. While 54.6% reported no problems ('11111'), pain/discomfort (30.7%) and anxiety/depression (27.1%) were the most prevalent issues. The mean EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.933 (SD 0.122), and the mean EQ VAS score was 82.3 (SD 13.3). Multivariable regression showed that older age was most strongly associated with lower HRQoL (p < 0.001). Higher socioeconomic status, measured by income and housing type, was independently associated with better HRQoL. Gender was not significantly associated with either outcome.

conclusionThis study provides updated, post-pandemic EQ-5D-5L population norms for Singapore. These norms offer an essential benchmark for interpreting EQ-5D-5L scores in cost-utility analyses and highlight priorities for addressing socioeconomic health inequalities.

Indexed as

COVID-19Health StatusQuality of LifeAdolescentAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSARS-CoV-2SingaporeSociodemographic FactorsSocioeconomic FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesEQ-5DHealth-related quality of lifePopulation normsSingapore

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PMID42249989
PMCPMC13242447

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.