Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · May 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Pragmatic Clinical TrialEarly versus deferred endovenous ablation of superficial venous reflux in patients with venous ulceration: the EVRA RCT.
Venous ulceration is a common and costly health-care issue worldwide, with poor healing rates greatly affecting patient quality of life. Compression bandaging has been shown to improve healing rates and reduce recurrence, but does not address the underlying cause, which is often superficial venous reflux. Surgical correction of the reflux reduces ulcer recurrence; however, the effect of early endovenous ablation of superficial venous reflux on ulcer healing is unclear. ⋯ Longer-term follow-up is ongoing and will determine if early ablation will affect recurrence rates in the medium and long term.
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Health Technol Assess · May 2019
Interventions to improve the mental health of children and young people with long-term physical conditions: linked evidence syntheses.
Although mental health difficulties can severely complicate the lives of children and young people (CYP) with long-term physical conditions (LTCs), there is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of interventions to treat them. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula.
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Health Technol Assess · May 2019
Interferon gamma release assays for Diagnostic Evaluation of Active tuberculosis (IDEA): test accuracy study and economic evaluation.
Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are blood tests recommended for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) infection. There is currently uncertainty about the role and clinical utility of IGRAs in the diagnostic workup of suspected active TB in routine NHS clinical practice. ⋯ This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Health Technol Assess · Apr 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTherapist telephone-delivered CBT and web-based CBT compared with treatment as usual in refractory irritable bowel syndrome: the ACTIB three-arm RCT.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10-22% of people in the UK. Abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habits affect quality of life and can lead to time off work. Current treatment relies on a positive diagnosis, reassurance, lifestyle advice and drug therapies, but many people suffer ongoing symptoms. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended in guidelines for patients with ongoing symptoms but its availability is limited. ⋯ Longer-term follow-up and research to translate these findings into usual clinical practice is needed.
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Health Technol Assess · Apr 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA group memory rehabilitation programme for people with traumatic brain injuries: the ReMemBrIn RCT.
People with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) commonly report memory impairments. These are persistent, debilitating and reduce quality of life, but patients do not routinely receive memory rehabilitation after discharge from hospital. ⋯ The group memory rehabilitation delivered in this trial is very unlikely to lead to clinical benefits or to be a cost-effective treatment for people with TBI in the community. Future studies should examine the selection of participants who may benefit most from memory rehabilitation.