Assessing health-related quality of life in schizophrenia patients using EQ-5D-5L index: Insight from patients and caregivers

In this study, both schizophrenia patients and their family caregivers completed the same EQ-5D-5L instrument. The key difference lies in how they were instructed to fill out the assessment:

1. For Patients (Self-assessment):

• Patients were asked to evaluate their own health status and quality of life
• They rated themselves across all dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L based on their personal experience living with schizophrenia

1. For Family Caregivers (Proxy assessment):

• Family members were asked to evaluate the patient they care for
• They rated the patient's health status and quality of life based on their observations and experience as caregivers
• Important note: They were not evaluating their own health status

The researchers then compared these two sets of responses to understand:

• How patients perceive their own condition
• How caregivers perceive the patient's condition
• Any differences or similarities between these two perspectives

This dual assessment approach provides valuable insights into how schizophrenia patients and their caregivers might view the same health situations differently or similarly, which can be crucial for improving patient care and support strategies.

Note: Permission to use this instrument is requested by visiting the website https://registration.euroqol.org/