24828790
OBJECTIVE	The aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) scores obtained from the instrument Short Form ( SF ) -36 through the so-called SF-6D utilities , and those obtained from 15D , in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction ( STEMI ) , and to evaluate the consequences in estimation of quality adjusted life years ( QALYs ) .
METHODS	This was a sub-study of the Norwegian District Treatment of STEMI , in which patients with STEMI treated with tenecteplase , were randomized to early angioplasty or standard management ( n = 266 ) .
METHODS	HRQoL data were collected at all visits ( 0 , 1 , 3 , 7 and 12 months ) .
METHODS	All patients with complete data were included ( n = 248 ) .
RESULTS	The score range was 0.33-1 .0 for SF-6D and 0.49-1 .0 for 15D .
RESULTS	Mean utility scores from 15D were higher and had different distribution compared to scores from SF-6D .
RESULTS	Mean QALY for the whole group was higher using 15D than SF-6D ( 0.89 vs. 0.77 ) .
RESULTS	The incremental number of QALYs with early angioplasty compared to standard treatment was 0.005 ( 95 % CI : - 0.018 to 0.028 ) using SF-6D , and 0.004 ( 95 % CI : - 0.010 to 0.018 ) using the 15D instrument .
CONCLUSIONS	Choice of instrument may influence HRQoL scores , but not necessarily the gain in QALYs .

