Health technology assessment : HTA
-
Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
Review Meta AnalysisSystematic review and meta-analysis of the growth and rupture rates of small abdominal aortic aneurysms: implications for surveillance intervals and their cost-effectiveness.
Small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; 3.0-5.4 cm in diameter) are usually asymptomatic and managed by regular ultrasound surveillance until they grow to a diameter threshold (commonly 5.5 cm) at which surgical intervention is considered. The choice of appropriate surveillance intervals is governed by the growth and rupture rates of small AAAs, as well as their relative cost-effectiveness. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
-
Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
Review Meta AnalysisSystematic review and meta-analysis of the current evidence on the duration of protection by bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination against tuberculosis.
Recent evidence suggests that the duration of protection by bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) may exceed previous estimates with potential implications for estimating clinical and cost-efficacy. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
-
Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
Review Meta AnalysisAspirin for prophylactic use in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: a systematic review and overview of reviews.
Prophylactic aspirin has been considered to be beneficial in reducing the risks of heart disease and cancer. However, potential benefits must be balanced against the possible harm from side effects, such as bleeding and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. It is particularly important to know the risk of side effects when aspirin is used as primary prevention--that is when used by people as yet free of, but at risk of developing, cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cancer. In this report we aim to identify and re-analyse randomised controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews and meta-analyses to summarise the current scientific evidence with a focus on possible harms of prophylactic aspirin in primary prevention of CVD and cancer. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
-
Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
ReviewRapid fetal fibronectin testing to predict preterm birth in women with symptoms of premature labour: a systematic review and cost analysis.
Premature birth is defined as birth of before 37 completed weeks' gestation. Not all pregnant women showing symptoms of preterm labour will go on to deliver before 37 weeks' gestation. Hence, addition of fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing to the diagnostic workup of women with suspected preterm labour may help to identify those women who do not require active management, and thus avoid unnecessary interventions, hospitalisations and associated costs. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
-
Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
ReviewA systematic review of evidence on malignant spinal metastases: natural history and technologies for identifying patients at high risk of vertebral fracture and spinal cord compression.
Spinal metastases can lead to significant morbidity and reduction in quality of life due to spinal cord compression (SCC). Between 5% and 20% of patients with spinal metastases develop metastatic spinal cord compression during the course of their disease. An early study estimated average survival for patients with SCC to be between 3 and 7 months, with a 36% probability of survival to 12 months. An understanding of the natural history and early diagnosis of spinal metastases and prediction of collapse of the metastatic vertebrae are important. ⋯ This report was commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme NIHR HTA Programme as project number HTA 10/91/01.