Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Feb 2010
ReviewDissemination and publication of research findings: an updated review of related biases.
To identify and appraise empirical studies on publication and related biases published since 1998; to assess methods to deal with publication and related biases; and to examine, in a random sample of published systematic reviews, measures taken to prevent, reduce and detect dissemination bias. ⋯ Dissemination of research findings is likely to be a biased process, although the actual impact of such bias depends on specific circumstances. The prospective registration of clinical trials and the endorsement of reporting guidelines may reduce research dissemination bias in clinical research. In systematic reviews, measures can be taken to minimise the impact of dissemination bias by systematically searching for and including relevant studies that are difficult to access. Statistical methods can be useful for sensitivity analyses. Further research is needed to develop methods for qualitatively assessing the risk of publication bias in systematic reviews, and to evaluate the effect of prospective registration of studies, open access policy and improved publication guidelines.
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Health Technol Assess · Feb 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomised 2 x 2 trial of community versus hospital pulmonary rehabilitation, followed by telephone or conventional follow-up.
To determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation carried out in a community setting is more effective than that carried out in a standard hospital setting and which is more cost-effective; also whether telephone follow-up is both cost-effective and useful in prolonging the beneficial effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. ⋯ Pulmonary rehabilitation delivered in a community setting has similar efficacy to that produced in a more traditional hospital-based setting, both settings producing significant improvements in terms of exercise capacity and quality of life acutely and after long-term follow-up. Health economic analysis showed that neither hospital nor community programmes were greatly favoured. The choice of model will depend on local factors of convenience, existing availability of resources and incremental costs. Staff characteristics may be important in gaining optimal outcome, and care should be taken in staff recruitment and training.
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Health Technol Assess · Feb 2010
ReviewClinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for diabetes: systematic review and economic evaluation.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) was reviewing its previous guidance on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). The review provided an assessment of evidence which had been published since the previous NICE appraisal (TA 151) in 2007. ⋯ Based on the totality of evidence, using observational studies to supplement the limited data from randomised trials against best MDI, CSII provides some advantages over MDI in T1DM for both children and adults. However, there was no evidence that CSII is better than analogue-based MDI in T2DM or in pregnancy. Further trials with larger numbers and longer durations comparing CSII and optimised MDI in adults, adolescents and children are needed. In addition, there should be a trial of CSII versus MDI with similar provision of structured education in both arms. A trial is also needed for pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes, to investigate using CSII to the best effect.
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Health Technol Assess · Feb 2010
ReviewThe effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural interventions for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in young people aged 13-19: a systematic review and economic evaluation.
To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of schools-based skills-building behavioural interventions to encourage young people to adopt and maintain safer sexual behaviour and to prevent them from acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). ⋯ School-based behavioural interventions for the prevention of STIs in young people can bring about improvements in knowledge and increased self-efficacy, but the interventions did not significantly influence sexual risk-taking behaviour or infection rates. Future investigation should include long-term follow-up to assess the extent to which safer sexual behaviour is adopted and maintained into adulthood, and prospective cohort studies are needed to look at the parameters that describe the transmission of STIs between partners. Funding should focus on the effectiveness of the interventions on influencing behaviour.
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Health Technol Assess · Jan 2010
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of arthroscopic lavage in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a mixed methods study of the feasibility of conducting a surgical placebo-controlled trial (the KORAL study).
To ascertain the acceptability of a randomised controlled trial comparing arthroscopic lavage with a placebo-surgical procedure for the management of osteoarthritis of the knee; and to assess the practical feasibility of mounting such a multicentre placebo-controlled trial. ⋯ The study showed that, in principle, a placebo-controlled trial of arthroscopic lavage could be conducted in the UK, albeit with difficulty. Against the background of falling use of arthroscopic lavage the decision was, therefore, taken not to proceed to full-scale trial for this procedure. The study showed that for some health professionals the use of placebo surgery can never be justified. It highlighted the importance of the surgeon-anaesthetist relationship in this context and how acceptance of the trial design by both parties is essential to successful participation. It also highlighted the importance of informed consent for trial participants and the strength and influence of individuals' ethical perspectives in addition to collective ethics provided by MRECs.