Impact of influenza-like illnesses on health-related quality of life
among Japanese children and adults
Abstract
Background: For 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.
Methods: We 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-5L)
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 on disutility. Results: In total, 264
participants answered the follow-up survey (134 adult participants and
130 parents or guardians). The mean differences in the utility value and
VAS score between the first and follow-up surveys were −0.067 and −14.2,
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.
Conclusions: Utility 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 national decision-making
on the preventive and therapeutic management of respiratory infections.