Ontario health technology assessment series
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2009
Optical coherence tomography for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema: an evidence-based analysis.
The purpose of this evidence-based review was to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with retinal disease, specifically age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Specifically, the research question addressed was: What is the sensitivity and specificity of spectral domain OCT relative to the gold standard? ⋯ The conclusions for SD OCT based on Level 5 evidence, or expert consultation, are as follows: OCT is considered an essential part of the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with DME and AMD.OCT is adjunctive to FA for both AMD and DME but should decrease utilization of FA as a monitoring modality.OCT will result in a decline in the use of BM in the monitoring of patients with DME, given its increased accuracy and consistency.OCT is diffusing rapidly and the technology is changing. Since FA is still considered pivotal in the diagnosis and treatment of AMD and DME, and there is no common outcome against which to compare these technologies, it is unlikely that RCT evidence of efficacy for OCT will ever be forthcoming.In addition to the accuracy of OCT in the detection of disease, assessment of the clinical utility of this technology included a rapid review of treatment effects for AMD and DME. The treatment of choice for AMD is Lucentis®, with or without Avastin® and photodynamic therapy. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2009
Intraocular lenses for the treatment of age-related cataracts: an evidence-based analysis.
The objective of the report is to examine the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of various intraocular lenses (IOLs) for the treatment of age-related cataracts. ⋯ The conclusions of the systematic review of IOLs for age-related cataracts are summarized in Executive Summary Table 1. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ONTARIO HEALTH SYSTEM: Procedures for crystalline lens removal and IOL insertion are insured and listed in the Ontario Schedule of Benefits.If a particular lens is determined to be medically necessary for a patient, the cost of the lens is covered by the hospital budget. If the patient chooses a lens that has enhanced features, then the hospital may choose to charge an additional amount above the cost of the usual lens offered.An IOL manufacturer stated that monofocal lenses comprise approximately 95% of IOL sales in Ontario and premium lenses (e.g., multifocal/accomodative) consist of about 5% of IOL sales.A medical consultant stated that all types of lenses are currently being used in Ontario (e.g., multifocal, monofocal, accommodative, tinted, nontinted, spheric, and aspheric). Nonfoldable lenses, rarely used in routine cases, are primarily used for complicated cataract implantation situations.ES Table 1:Conclusions for the Systematic Review of IOLs for Age-Related CataractsComparisonConclusionGRADE QualityMultifocal vs. monofocalObjective OutcomesSignificant improvement in BDCUNVANo significant difference in BCDVAInconclusive evidence for contrast sensitivityInconclusive evidence for glareSubjective OutcomesInconclusive evidence for visual satisfactionSignificant increase in glare/halosSignificant increase in freedom from spectaclesmoderatemoderatelowvery lowlowlow/moderatelow/moderateAccommodative vs. multifocal/monofocalInconclusive due to Insufficient limited evidence for any effectiveness outcomevery lowHydrophilic acrylic vs. other materials (hydrophobic acrylic, silicone)Significant increase in PCO scoreLowSharp edged compared to round edgedSignificant reduction in PCO scoreLowOne piece compared to three pieceNo significant difference in PCO scorelowHydrophobic acrylic compared to siliconeNo significant difference in PCO scoremoderateAspherical modified prolate anterior surface compared to sphericalNo significant difference in VASignificant reduction in contrast sensitivityvery lowvery lowBlue light filtering compared to non blue-light filteringNo significant difference in BCDVANo significant difference in contrast sensitivityNo significant difference in HRQLlowlowhigh/moderateBCDVA refers to best corrected distance visual acuity; BDCUNVA, best distance corrected unaided near visual acuity; HRQL, health related quality of life; PCO, posterior capsule opacification; VA, visual acuity.
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2008
Caregiver- and patient-directed interventions for dementia: an evidence-based analysis.
In early August 2007, the Medical Advisory Secretariat began work on the Aging in the Community project, an evidence-based review of the literature surrounding healthy aging in the community. The Health System Strategy Division at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care subsequently asked the secretariat to provide an evidentiary platform for the ministry's newly released Aging at Home Strategy.After a broad literature review and consultation with experts, the secretariat identified 4 key areas that strongly predict an elderly person's transition from independent community living to a long-term care home. Evidence-based analyses have been prepared for each of these 4 areas: falls and fall-related injuries, urinary incontinence, dementia, and social isolation. For the first area, falls and fall-related injuries, an economic model is described in a separate report.Please visit the Medical Advisory Secretariat Web site, http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/mas/mas_about.html, to review these titles within the Aging in the Community series.AGING IN THE COMMUNITY: Summary of Evidence-Based AnalysesPrevention of Falls and Fall-Related Injuries in Community-Dwelling Seniors: An Evidence-Based AnalysisBehavioural Interventions for Urinary Incontinence in Community-Dwelling Seniors: An Evidence-Based AnalysisCaregiver- and Patient-Directed Interventions for Dementia: An Evidence-Based AnalysisSocial Isolation in Community-Dwelling Seniors: An Evidence-Based AnalysisThe Falls/Fractures Economic Model in Ontario Residents Aged 65 Years and Over (FEMOR)This report features the evidence-based analysis on caregiver- and patient-directed interventions for dementia and is broken down into 4 sections: IntroductionCaregiver-Directed Interventions for DementiaPatient-Directed Interventions for DementiaEconomic Analysis of Caregiver- and Patient-Directed Interventions for Dementia CAREGIVER-DIRECTED INTERVENTIONS FOR DEMENTIA: ⋯ The section on patient-directed interventions for dementia is broken down into 4 subsections with the following questions: 3. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2008
Limbal stem cell transplantation: an evidence-based analysis.
The objective of this analysis is to systematically review limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) for the treatment of patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This evidence-based analysis reviews LSCT as a primary treatment for nonpterygium LSCD conditions, and LSCT as an adjuvant therapy to excision for the treatment of pterygium. ⋯ NONPTERYGIUM LIMBAL STEM CELL DEFICIENCY: The search identified 873 citations published between January 1, 2000, and March 31, 2008. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, and 1 additional citation was identified through a bibliography review. The review included 10 case series (3 prospective and 7 retrospective). Patients who received autologous transplants (i.e., CLAU) achieved significantly better long-term corneal surface results compared with patients who received allogeneic transplants (lr-CLAL, P< .001; KLAL, P< .001). There was no significant difference in corneal surface outcomes between the allogeneic transplant options, lr-CLAL and KLAL (P = .328). However, human leukocyte antigen matching and systemic immunosuppression may improve the outcome of lr-CLAL compared with KLAL. Regardless of graft type, patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome had poorer long-term corneal surface outcomes. Concurrent AMT was associated with poorer long-term corneal surface improvements. When the effect of the AMT was removed, the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplants was much smaller. Patients who received CLAU transplants had a significantly higher rate of visual acuity improvements compared with those who received lr-CLAL transplants (P = .002). However, to achieve adequate improvements in vision, patients with deep corneal scarring will require a corneal transplant several months after the LSCT. No donor eye complications were observed. Epithelial rejection and microbial keratitis were the most common long-term complications associated with LSCT (complications occurred in 6%-15% of transplantations). These complications can result in graft failure, so patients should be monitored regularly following LSCT. PTERYGIUM: The search yielded 152 citations published between January 1, 2000 and May 16, 2008. Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated LSCT as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of pterygium met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Limbal stem cell transplantation was compared with CAU, AMT, and MMC. The results showed that CLAU significantly reduced the risk of pterygium recurrence compared with CAU (relative risk [RR], 0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.69; P = .02). CLAU reduced the risk of pterygium recurrence for primary pterygium compared with MMC, but this comparison did not reach statistical significance (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.21-1.10; P = .08). Both AMT and CLAU had similar low rates of recurrence (2 recurrences in 43 patients and 4 in 46, respectively), and the RR was not significant (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.37-9.5; P = .45). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2008
Social isolation in community-dwelling seniors: an evidence-based analysis.
In early August 2007, the Medical Advisory Secretariat began work on the Aging in the Community project, an evidence-based review of the literature surrounding healthy aging in the community. The Health System Strategy Division at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care subsequently asked the secretariat to provide an evidentiary platform for the ministry's newly released Aging at Home Strategy.After a broad literature review and consultation with experts, the secretariat identified 4 key areas that strongly predict an elderly person's transition from independent community living to a long-term care home. Evidence-based analyses have been prepared for each of these 4 areas: falls and fall-related injuries, urinary incontinence, dementia, and social isolation. For the first area, falls and fall-related injuries, an economic model is described in a separate report.Please visit the Medical Advisory Secretariat Web site, http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/mas/mas_about.html, to review these titles within the Aging in the Community series.AGING IN THE COMMUNITY: Summary of Evidence-Based AnalysesPrevention of Falls and Fall-Related Injuries in Community-Dwelling Seniors: An Evidence-Based AnalysisBehavioural Interventions for Urinary Incontinence in Community-Dwelling Seniors: An Evidence-Based AnalysisCaregiver- and Patient-Directed Interventions for Dementia: An Evidence-Based AnalysisSocial Isolation in Community-Dwelling Seniors: An Evidence-Based AnalysisThe Falls/Fractures Economic Model in Ontario Residents Aged 65 Years and Over (FEMOR) OBJECTIVE OF THE EVIDENCE-BASED ANALYSIS: The objective was to systematically review interventions aimed at preventing or reducing social isolation and loneliness in community-dwelling seniors, that is, persons ≥ 65 years of age who are not living in long-term care institutions. The analyses focused on the following questions: Are interventions to reduce social isolation and/or loneliness effective?Do these interventions improve health, well-being, and/or quality of life?Do these interventions impact on independent community living by delaying or preventing functional decline or disability?Do the interventions impact on health care utilization, such as physician visits, emergency visits, hospitalization, or admission to long-term care? ⋯ Although effective interventions were identified for social isolation and loneliness in community-dwelling seniors, they were directed at specifically targeted groups and involved only a few of the many potential causes of social isolation. Little research has been directed at identifying effective interventions that influence the social isolation and other burdens imposed upon caregivers, in spite of the key role that caregivers assume in caring for seniors. The evidence on technology-assisted interventions and their effects on the social health and well-being of seniors and their caregivers is limited, but increasing demand for home health care and the need for efficiencies warrant further exploration. Interventions for social isolation in community-dwelling seniors need to be researched more broadly in order to develop effective, appropriate, and comprehensive strategies for at-risk populations.