Are the EQ-5D-3L and the ICECAP-O responsive among older adults with impaired mobility? Evidence from the Vancouver Falls Prevention Cohort Study

Preference-based generic measures are gaining increased use in mobility research to assess health-related quality of life and wellbeing. Hence, we examined the responsiveness of these two measures among individuals at risk of mobility impairment among adults aged ≥70 years.

We conducted a 12-month prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults (n = 288 to n = 341 depending on analysis) who were seen at the Vancouver Falls Prevention Clinic who had a history of at least one fall in the previous 12 months. We compared the responsiveness of the EuroQol-5 Domain-3 Level (EQ-5D-3L) and the index of capability for older adults (ICECAP-O) by examining changes in these measures over time (i.e., over 6 and 12 months) and by examining whether their changes varied as a function of having experienced 2 or more falls over 6 and 12 months.

Only the ICECAP-O showed a significant change over time from baseline through 12 months; however, neither measure showed change that exceeded the standard error of the mean. Both measures were responsive to falls that occurred during the first 6 months of the study (p < .05). These effects appeared to be amplified among individuals identified as having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at baseline (p < .01). Additionally, the EQ-5D-3L was responsive among fallers who did not have MCI as well as individuals with MCI who did not fall (p < .05).

This study provides initial evidence suggesting that the EQ-5D-3L is generally more responsive, particularly during the first 6 months of falls tracking among older adults at risk of future mobility impairment.