EQ-5D-Y-3L Population Norms for Children in Mainland China Derived from A Nationally Representative Survey 2023-2024

Background: The EQ-5D-Y-3L scale and value sets have been developed in mainland China.However, a nationally representative EQ-5D-Y-3L population norm for children has not yet been established. This study aims to develop EQ-5D-Y-3L norms for children in mainland China based on a nationally representative survey. Methods: The data for this study were derived from the Medication Literacy Investigation of Chinese Children (MLICC).The survey spanned 18 provinces and regions in mainland China.MLICC employed a multi-stage quota sampling strategy, resulting in a sample of 5,191 for final analysis. The utility index were reported for the entire sample and by the characteristics of the study participants. Results: The weighted mean UI score was 0.951 (SD = 0.099). The most frequently reported problem was AD (24.59%), followed by PD (17.87%), UA (7.73%), and MO (4.76%), with SC being the least reported problem (4.23%). Respondents who were male, younger, nonsmokers, nondrinkers, and those with longer sleep durations, higher sleep quality, no chronic conditions, cohabitation with parents, longer family contact, no siblings, better family functioning, and residence in urban or eastern developed regions had higher UI scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides national EQ-5D-Y-3L population norms for children in mainland China.The study found that the overall HRQoL of Chinese children is at the upper-middle level globally. Trial registration: The MLICC study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University ([2023]-E-015-R). The survey adhered to the ethical principles for biomedical research involving humans, as outlined in the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki and the International Ethical Guidelines for Human Biomedical Research.