Lead versus lag-time trade-off variants: Does it make any difference?

Abstract

Objectives The traditional time trade-off (TTO) method has some problems in the valuation of health states considered worse than dead. The aim of our study is to compare two TTO variants that address this issue: lead-time and lag-time TTO. Methods Quota sampling was undertaken in June 2011 in Buenos Aires as part of the EQ-5D-5L Multinational Pilot Study. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of the TTO variants with two blocks of five EQ-5D-5L health states. Tasks were administered using a web-based digital aid (EQ-VT) administered in a group interview. Results A total of 387 participants were included [mean age 38.85 (SD: 13.97); 53.14 % females]. The mean observed values ranged from 0..