According to Metsini, her research focuses on the relationship between two quality-of-life measures for skin diseases: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the EQ-5D-5L. The EQ-5D-5L is often used in health economic evaluations but is frequently missing in dermatological studies, she said. Metsini's model makes it possible to estimate EQ-5D-5L values from existing DLQI data.
"The model makes it possible to conduct health economic analyses even when EQ-5D-5L data is missing. This is important for healthcare to be able to make well-informed decisions about resources and treatments," Metsini said. The study, with co-author Anu Molarius, an epidemiologist in Region Värmland, will soon be published in the journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica, according to the researchers.
The research was conducted within the framework of Metsini's PhD project at the Center for Clinical Research (CKF) in Region Värmland.