Health state utilities for infertility and subfertility

• Published in: Reproductive health Vol. 16; no. 1; p. 47
• Main Authors: Krol, Marieke, Nap, Annemiek, Michels, Renée, Veraart, Christiaan, Goossens, Lucas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03.05.2019; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Budgets; Care and treatment; Clinical decision making; Cost analysis; Decision making; Embryos; Fertility; Fertility problems; Health care policy; Health insurance; Health insurance industry; In vitro fertilization; Infertility; Insurance; Insurance companies; Insurance industry; Preferences; Quality of life; Reproductive health; Reproductive technologies; Subfertility; Systematic review; Time trade-off; Utility; Womens health; Netherlands; Utility; Subfertility; Time trade-off; Infertility; Fertility problems; Quality of life
• DOI: 10.1186/s12978-019-0706-9
• ISSN: 1742-4755

Health state utility values allow for comparison of treatments across different diseases. Utility values for fertility-impaired health states are currently unavailable. Such values are necessary in order to determine the relative costs-effectiveness of fertility treatments. This study aimed to determine utility weights for infertile and subfertile health states. In addition, it explored the Dutch general population's opinions regarding the inclusion of infertility treatments in the Dutch health insurers' basic benefit package. An online questionnaire was designed to determine the health-related quality of life values of six fertility-impaired health states. The study population consisted of a representative sample of the Dutch adult population. Respondents were asked to evaluate the health states through direct health valuation methods, i.e. the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Time Trade-Off (TTO) method. In addition, respondents were asked about their opinions regarding reimbursement of fertility-related treatments. The respondents' (n = 767) VAS scores ranged from 0.640 to 0.796. TTO utility values ranged from 0.792 to 0.868. Primary infertility and subfertility was valued lower than secondary infertility and subfertility. In total, 92% of the respondents stated that fertility treatments should be fully or partially reimbursed by the health insurance basic benefit package. Having fertility problems results in substantial disutilities according to the viewpoint of the Dutch general population. The results make it possible to compare the value for money of infertility treatment to that of treatments in other disease areas. There is strong support among the general population for reimbursing fertility treatments through the Dutch basic benefit package.