Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Papers in Economics,
University of Bergen, Department of Economics

No 08/11: “How are you feeling?” Assessing reporting bias in a subjective measure of health by quantile regression

Lene Lunde () and Katrine Vellesen Løken ()
Additional contact information
Lene Lunde: University of Bergen, Postal: Department of Economics, Fosswinckelsgt. 14, 5007 Bergen, Norway
Katrine Vellesen Løken: University of Bergen, Postal: Department of Economics, Fosswinckelsgt. 14, 5007 Bergen, Norway

Abstract: In this paper we investigate reporting heterogeneity in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) when it is used to measure current health status in cardiovascular patients. We provide a new framework to identify reporting heterogeneity using quantile regressions. EQ-5D responses are used as a proxy to control for objective health. The objectiveness of this generic measure is supported by other measures of actual health. The data comes from a Norwegian, health-related quality of life study. We find substantial evidence of reporting bias in VAS related to gender and education. For some quantiles we observe reporting heterogeneity related to age and weight.

Keywords: Reporting bias; quantile regression; health measurement

JEL-codes: C21; I10; I12

36 pages, May 1, 2011

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