scholarly journals Bladder ultrasonography for diagnosing detrusor overactivity: test accuracy study and economic evaluation

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suneetha Rachaneni ◽  
Shanteela McCooty ◽  
Lee J Middleton ◽  
Victoria L Parker ◽  
Jane P Daniels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Overactive Bladder ◽  
Detrusor Overactivity ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Accuracy Study ◽  
The Cost

BackgroundUrodynamics (UDS) has been considered the gold standard test for detrusor overactivity (DO) in women with an overactive bladder (OAB). Bladder ultrasonography to measure bladder wall thickness (BWT) is less invasive and has been proposed as an alternative test.ObjectivesTo estimate the reliability, reproducibility, accuracy and acceptability of BWT in women with OAB, measured by ultrasonography, in the diagnosis of DO; to explore the role of UDS and its impact on treatment outcomes; and to conduct an economic evaluation of alternative care pathways.DesignA cross-sectional test accuracy study.Setting22 UK hospitals.Participants687 women with OAB.MethodsBWT was measured using transvaginal ultrasonography, and DO was assessed using UDS, which was performed blind to ultrasonographic findings. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility were assessed by repeated measurements from scans in 37 and 57 women, respectively, and by repeated scans in 27 women. Sensitivity and specificity were computed at pre-specified thresholds. The smallest real differences detectable of BWT were estimated using one-way analysis of variance. The pain and acceptability of both tests were evaluated by a questionnaire. Patient symptoms were measured before testing and after 6 and 12 months using the International Consultation on Incontinence modular Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (short form) (ICIQ-OAB) questionnaire and a global impression of improvement elicited at 12 months. Interventions and patient outcomes were analysed according to urodynamic diagnoses and BWT measurements. A decision-analytic model compared the cost-effectiveness of care strategies using UDS, ultrasonography or clinical history, estimating the cost per woman successfully treated and the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY).ResultsBWT showed very low sensitivity and specificity at all pre-specified cut-off points, and there was no evidence of discrimination at any threshold (p = 0.25). Extensive sensitivity and subgroup analyses did not alter the interpretation of these findings. The smallest detectable difference in BWT was estimated to be 2 mm. Pain levels following both tests appeared relatively low. The proportion of women who found the test ‘totally acceptable’ was significantly higher with ultrasonography than UDS (81% vs. 56%;p < 0.001). Overall, subsequent treatment was highly associated with urodynamic diagnosis (p < 0.0001). There was no evidence that BWT had any relationship with the global impression of improvement responses at 20 months (p = 0.4). Bladder ultrasonography was more costly and less effective than the other strategies. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of basing treatment on the primary clinical presentation compared with UDS was £491,500 per woman successfully treated and £60,200 per QALY. Performing a UDS in those women with a clinical history of mixed urinary incontinence had an ICER of £19,500 per woman successfully treated and £12,700 per QALY compared with the provision of urodynamic to all women. For DO cases detected, UDS was the most cost-effective strategy.ConclusionThere was no evidence that BWT had any relationship with DO, regardless of the cut-off point, nor any relationship to symptoms as measured by the ICIQ-OAB. Bladder ultrasonography has no diagnostic or prognostic value as a test in this condition. Furthermore, despite its greater acceptability, BWT measurement was not sufficiently reliable or reproducible.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN46820623.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 20, No. 7. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Rapid antigen detection and molecular tests for group A streptococcal infections for acute sore throat: systematic reviews and economic evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (31) ◽  
pp. 1-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Fraser ◽  
Daniel Gallacher ◽  
Felix Achana ◽  
Rachel Court ◽  
Sian Taylor-Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Sore Throat ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Point Of Care Tests

Background Sore throat is a common condition caused by an infection of the airway. Most cases are of a viral nature; however, a number of these infections may be caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium. Most viral and bacterial sore throat infections resolve spontaneously within a few weeks. Point-of-care testing in primary care has been recognised as an emerging technology for aiding targeted antibiotic prescribing for sore throat in cases that do not spontaneously resolve. Objective Systematically review the evidence for 21 point-of-care tests for detecting group A Streptococcus bacteria and develop a de novo economic model to compare the cost-effectiveness of point-of-care tests alongside clinical scoring tools with the cost-effectiveness of clinical scoring tools alone for patients managed in primary care and hospital settings. Data sources Multiple electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2019. The following databases were searched in November and December 2018 and searches were updated in March 2019: MEDLINE [via OvidSP (Health First, Rockledge, FL, USA)], MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (via OvidSP), MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print (via OvidSP), MEDLINE Daily Update (via OvidSP), EMBASE (via OvidSP), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [via Wiley Online Library (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA)], Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (via Wiley Online Library), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (via Centre for Reviews and Dissemination), Health Technology Assessment database (via the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination), Science Citation Index and Conference Proceedings [via the Web of Science™ (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA, USA)] and the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (via the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination). Review methods Eligible studies included those of people aged ≥ 5 years presenting with sore throat symptoms, studies comparing point-of-care testing with antibiotic-prescribing decisions, studies of test accuracy and studies of cost-effectiveness. Quality assessment of eligible studies was undertaken. Meta-analysis of sensitivity and specificity was carried out for tests with sufficient data. A decision tree model estimated costs and quality-adjusted life-years from an NHS and Personal Social Services perspective. Results The searches identified 38 studies of clinical effectiveness and three studies of cost-effectiveness. Twenty-six full-text articles and abstracts reported on the test accuracy of point-of-care tests and/or clinical scores with biological culture as a reference standard. In the population of interest (patients with Centor/McIsaac scores of ≥ 3 points or FeverPAIN scores of ≥ 4 points), point estimates were 0.829 to 0.946 for sensitivity and 0.849 to 0.991 for specificity. There was considerable heterogeneity, even for studies using the same point-of-care test, suggesting that is unlikely that any single study will have accurately captured a test’s true performance. There is some randomised controlled trial evidence to suggest that the use of rapid antigen detection tests may help to reduce antibiotic-prescribing rates. Sensitivity and specificity estimates for each test in each age group and care setting combination were obtained using meta-analyses where appropriate. Any apparent differences in test accuracy may not be attributable to the tests, and may have been caused by known differences in the studies, latent characteristics or chance. Fourteen of the 21 tests reviewed were included in the economic modelling, and these tests were not cost-effective within the current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s cost-effectiveness thresholds. Uncertainties in the cost-effectiveness estimates included model parameter inputs and assumptions that increase the cost of testing, and the penalty for antibiotic overprescriptions. Limitations No information was identified for the elderly population or pharmacy setting. It was not possible to identify which test is the most accurate owing to the paucity of evidence. Conclusions The systematic review and the cost-effectiveness models identified uncertainties around the adoption of point-of-care tests in primary and secondary care settings. Although sensitivity and specificity estimates are promising, we have little information to establish the most accurate point-of-care test. Further research is needed to understand the test accuracy of point-of-care tests in the proposed NHS pathway and in comparable settings and patient groups. Study registration The protocol of the review is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018118653. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 31. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Technology Assessment ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Clinical Endpoints ◽  
Real World Evidence ◽  
The Many

Increasingly, health technology assessment (HTA) is used to aid decisions on the reimbursement of pharmaceuticals or recommendations for their use. The pharmaceutical industry seeks to work in partnership with HTA agencies; however, this presents a number of challenges. Clinical trials will need to include appropriate measures that capture economic and patient benefits as well as relevant clinical endpoints, and the industry will want to seek international harmonization of the many guidelines for economic evaluation. The problem of demonstrating cost-effectiveness of a product before it is available for use must be addressed, possibly by conditional reimbursement to allow collection of real world evidence. It is also important that reimbursement decision makers minimize bias, play fair, and adhere to the written rules they issue. If the industry fairly demonstrates the value of a product using the best available evidence, HTA agencies should be transparent in the rationale for their recommendations.

scholarly journals Issues for countries considering introducing the “fourth hurdle”: The case of Hungary

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
László Gulácsi ◽  
Imre Boncz ◽  
Michael Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Current Development ◽  
Fourth Hurdle ◽  
Coverage Policy ◽  
Effectiveness Data

Objectives:This study outlines the needs and current development of the “fourth hurdle” (i.e., requirement of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness data for drug coverage policy decisions) in Hungary, describes the legal background and seeks to address some of the most important questions in this field.Methods:The study draws on international experiences and discusses five issues that a given jurisdiction needs to consider before introducing the “fourth hurdle” for pharmaceuticals.Results:The “fourth hurdle” is very relevant in Hungary because many existing drugs are unevaluated and many new, expensive drugs are becoming available. On the other hand, the existing resources for health technology assessment, including economic evaluation, are quite limited. All the five issues are relevant in the Hungarian setting and were helpful in determining exactly how the “fourth hurdle” should be applied.Conclusions:The most important issue seems to be that the implementation of the “fourth hurdle” needs to be achieved in a way consistent with the limited resources for HTA in Hungary. Specifically this means that, in setting priorities for drugs to evaluate, additional criteria need to be applied. In particular, priority should be given to assessing drugs that have been evaluated in other countries, because this affords the opportunity to adapt existing studies or models to the Hungarian situation.

OP141 Health Technology Assessment In India: Current Scenario And Way Forward

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Komal Shah ◽  
Somen Saha ◽  
Priya Kotwani ◽  
Malkeet Singh ◽  
Kirti Tyagi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Technology Assessment ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Healthcare Budget ◽  
Life Years ◽  
The Cost

IntroductionIndia has introduced health technology assessment (HTA) as a tool for improving the allocation of health resources. The core mandate of HTA in India (HTAIn) is to undertake critical appraisal of available technologies, identify cost-effective interventions, and help the government pursue evidence-informed decisions regarding public health expenditures. We conducted a systematic review to assess economic evaluation studies published in the last four years from India.MethodsEconomic evaluations published from September 2015 to September 2019 were identified by searching various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and CINAHL according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. Cost-effectiveness studies and HTAs reported or conducted in India were included. Two independent reviewers performed the final selection of studies by assessing the full-text articles and conducted the data extraction. Differences of opinions were resolved through discussion and mutual consensus.ResultsAfter screening 2,837 articles, seventy met the inclusion criteria and were selected. The articles predominantly used secondary data (70%) to evaluate the cost effectiveness of an innovation. Among the technologies assessed, fifty-seven percent were curative in nature and most commonly addressed infectious diseases (27%), closely followed by non-communicable diseases, and maternal and child health. Principally, the cost effectiveness of a technology was expressed in terms of disability-adjusted or quality-adjusted life-years. Only two studies reported negative findings.ConclusionsHTA can play a pivotal role in equipping policy makers and public health payers to make appropriate decisions for healthcare budget allocations when mapped with the true disease burden of the population. It is important to highlight negative results and to create a national repository of HTA studies to facilitate faster adoption of best practices in India.

scholarly journals Implantable cardiac monitors to detect atrial fibrillation after cryptogenic stroke: a systematic review and economic evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-184
Author(s):  
Steven J Edwards ◽  
Victoria Wakefield ◽  
Tracey Jhita ◽  
Kayleigh Kew ◽  
Peter Cain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Technology Assessment ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Electrocardiographic Monitoring

Background Cryptogenic stroke is a stroke for which no cause is identified after standard diagnostic tests. Long-term implantable cardiac monitors may be better at diagnosing atrial fibrillation and provide an opportunity to reduce the risk of stroke recurrence with anticoagulants. Objectives The objectives were to assess the diagnostic test accuracy, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of three implantable monitors [BioMonitor 2-AF™ (Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Berlin, Germany), Confirm Rx™ (Abbott Laboratories, Lake Bluff, IL, USA) and Reveal LINQ™ (Medtronic plc, Minneapolis, MN, USA)] in patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke and for whom no atrial fibrillation is detected after 24 hours of external electrocardiographic monitoring. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment databases were searched from inception until September 2018. Review methods A systematic review was undertaken. Two reviewers agreed on studies for inclusion and performed quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Results were discussed narratively because there were insufficient data for synthesis. A two-stage de novo economic model was developed: (1) a short-term patient flow model to identify cryptogenic stroke patients who have had atrial fibrillation detected and been prescribed anticoagulation treatment (rather than remaining on antiplatelet treatment) and (2) a long-term Markov model that captured the lifetime costs and benefits of patients on either anticoagulation or antiplatelet treatment. Results One randomised controlled trial, Cryptogenic Stroke and underlying Atrial Fibrillation (CRYSTAL-AF) (Sanna T, Diener HC, Passman RS, Di Lazzaro V, Bernstein RA, Morillo CA, et al. Cryptogenic stroke and underlying atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2014;370:2478–86), was identified, and no diagnostic test accuracy study was identified. The CRYSTAL-AF trial compared the Reveal™ XT (a Reveal LINQ predecessor) (Medtronic plc) monitor with standard of care monitoring. Twenty-six single-arm observational studies for the Reveal devices were also identified. The only data for BioMonitor 2-AF or Confirm Rx were from mixed population studies supplied by the companies. Atrial fibrillation detection in the CRYSTAL-AF trial was higher with the Reveal XT than with standard monitoring at all time points. By 36 months, atrial fibrillation was detected in 19% of patients with an implantable cardiac monitor and in 2.3% of patients receiving conventional follow-up. The 26 observational studies demonstrated that, even in a cryptogenic stroke population, atrial fibrillation detection rates are highly variable and most cases are asymptomatic; therefore, they probably would not have been picked up without an implantable cardiac monitor. Device-related adverse events, such as pain and infection, were low in all studies. The de novo economic model produced incremental cost effectiveness ratios comparing implantable cardiac monitors with standard of care monitoring to detect atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients based on data for the Reveal XT device, which can be related to Reveal LINQ. The BioMonitor 2-AF and Confirm RX were included in the analysis by making a strong assumption of equivalence with Reveal LINQ. The results indicate that implantable cardiac monitors could be considered cost-effective at a £20,000–30,000 threshold. When each device is compared incrementally, BioMonitor 2-AF dominates Reveal LINQ and Confirm RX. Limitations The cost-effectiveness analysis for implantable cardiac monitors is based on a strong assumption of clinical equivalence and should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions All three implantable cardiac monitors could be considered cost-effective at a £20,000–30,000 threshold, compared with standard of care monitoring, for cryptogenic stroke patients with no atrial fibrillation detected after 24 hours of external electrocardiographic monitoring; however, further clinical studies are required to confirm their efficacy in cryptogenic stroke patients. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018109216. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 5. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Protocol for the cost-effectiveness of parenteral iron and oral iron therapy for first-line management of anaemia among pregnant women in a natural programme setting in Gujarat

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044712
Author(s):  
Somen Saha ◽  
Bharat Desai ◽  
Manish Fancy ◽  
Tapasvi Puwar ◽  
Deepak Saxena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Health Technology Assessment ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Appraisal Committee ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Parenteral Iron ◽  
The Cost

IntroductionMaternal anaemia is a major public health issue in India. The government of India recommends parenteral iron to manage moderate and severe grades of anaemia. In contrast to its clinical efficacy, the cost-effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose is not yet established in Indian context. This article illustrates the protocol of health technology assessment to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intravenous therapy on the improvement of haemoglobin concentration over oral therapy.Methods and analysisThe study will be carried out in two districts of Gujarat state. The study participants will be selected by a proportionate sampling method from the rural, tribal, desert and coastal region of the districts. Data will be collected over 1 year on key outcome indicators using a mixed-method approach. Key informant interviews will be conducted, and cost data will be gathered to perform cost-effectiveness analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study is approved by the Technical Appraisal Committee of Health Technology Assessment India, Department of Health Research and Institutional Ethics Committee of the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar.

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