Health technology assessment : HTA
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Health Technol Assess · Jan 2013
Review Meta AnalysisSystematic review, meta-analysis and economic modelling of diagnostic strategies for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
Current practice for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves troponin testing 10-12 hours after symptom onset to diagnose myocardial infarction (MI). Patients with a negative troponin can be investigated further with computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) or exercise electrocardiography (ECG). ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Health Technol Assess · Jan 2012
Review Meta AnalysisAn evaluation of the feasibility, cost and value of information of a multicentre randomised controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin for sepsis (severe sepsis and septic shock): incorporating a systematic review, meta-analysis and value of information analysis.
Sepsis is a syndrome characterised by a systemic inflammatory response to infection that leads to rapid acute organ failure and potentially rapid decline to death. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a blood product derived from human donor blood, has been proposed as an adjuvant therapy for sepsis. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.