Compare the preference measures derived from the SF-36, based on the two Brazilian versions of the Short Form 6 Dimensions questionnaire-Brazil (SF-6D Brazil).
Observational and transversal study. The following quality of life assessment instruments were applied: HAQ, SF-36, EQ-5D and SF-6D (1998 and 2002 versions). Descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients were used for data analysis.
The study assessed 200 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, with a mean age of 49.22 years, mean time with the disease of 11.16 years and mean HAQ score of 1.02. Preferences measured by the two versions of the SF-6D and by the EQ-5D showed significant correlations with one another, and Pearson coefficients ranged from 0.59 to 0.88 (p<0.01).
The most current version of the SF-6D, based on the 2002 model, was found to be valid when compared to the version initially validated to Brazil and is a questionnaire alternative to assess preferences in economic analyses carried out in health care.