scholarly journals Cost-Effectiveness of Surgical Decompression for Space-Occupying Hemispheric Infarction

Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2923-2925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannette Hofmeijer ◽  
H. Bart van der Worp ◽  
L. Jaap Kappelle ◽  
Sara Eshuis ◽  
Ale Algra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Surgical Decompression ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Markov Modeling ◽  
Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Case Record ◽  
Best Medical Treatment ◽  
Hemispheric Infarction

Background and Purpose— Surgical decompression reduces mortality and increases the probability of a favorable functional outcome after space-occupying hemispheric infarction. Its cost-effectiveness is uncertain. Methods— We assessed clinical outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness for the first 3 years in patients who were randomized to surgical decompression or best medical treatment within 48 hours after symptom onset in the Hemicraniectomy After Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction With Life-Threatening Edema Trial (HAMLET). Data on medical consumption were derived from case record files, hospital charts, and general practitioners. We calculated costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Uncertainty was assessed with bootstrapping. A Markov model was constructed to estimate costs and health outcomes after 3 years. Results— Of 39 patients enrolled within 48 hours, 21 were randomized to surgical decompression. After 3 years, 5 surgical (24%) and 14 medical patients (78%) had died. In the first 3 years after enrollment, operated patients had more QALYs than medically treated patients (mean difference, 1.0 QALY [95% confidence interval, 0.6–1.4]), but at higher costs (mean difference, €127 000 [95% confidence interval, 73 100–181 000]), indicating incremental costs of €127 000 per QALY gained. Ninety-eight percent of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios replicated by bootstrapping were >€80 000 per QALY gained. Markov modeling suggested costs of ≈€60 000 per QALY gained for a patient’s lifetime. Conclusions— Surgical decompression for space-occupying infarction results in an increase in QALYs, but at very high costs. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com . Unique identifier: ISRCTN94237756.

scholarly journals Interventions based on early intensive applied behaviour analysis for autistic children: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (35) ◽  
pp. 1-306
Author(s):  
Mark Rodgers ◽  
David Marshall ◽  
Mark Simmonds ◽  
Ann Le Couteur ◽  
Mousumi Biswas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Behaviour Analysis ◽  
Applied Behaviour Analysis ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Background Early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions are intensive interventions for autistic children that are often delivered on a one-to-one basis for 20–50 hours per week. Objectives To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions for autistic children, based on current evidence. Methods A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of an early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based intervention for autistic children. An economic analysis included a review of existing analyses and the development of a new model. Results Twenty studies were included in the clinical review. Individual participant data were retrieved from 15 of these studies. Results favoured the interventions when assessing adaptive behaviour after 2 years compared with treatment as usual/eclectic interventions (mean difference 7.00, 95% confidence interval 1.95 to 12.06). In analyses of cognitive ability (intelligence quotient), results favoured the interventions by approximately 10 points after 1 year (mean difference 9.16, 95% confidence interval 4.38 to 13.93) and 2 years (mean difference 14.13, 95% confidence interval 9.16 to 19.10). Evidence for other outcomes was limited and meta-analyses were generally inconclusive. There was no evidence that the effect of the interventions varied with characteristics of the children, but data were limited. Adopting a £30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year threshold, the results of the cost-effectiveness analysis indicate that early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions would need to generate larger benefits or cost savings to be cost-effective. Adopting a public sector perspective and making pessimistic assumptions about long-term effects, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based therapy compared with treatment as usual is £189,122 per quality-adjusted life-year. When optimistic assumptions are made, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is £46,768 per quality-adjusted life-year. Scenario analyses indicated that these interventions can potentially be cost-effective if long-term improvements persist into adulthood, or if they have significant impact on educational placement. Care should be taken when interpreting these scenarios owing to the limited data. Limitations All included studies were at risk of bias, there was substantial heterogeneity and effects varied considerably across studies. The effect of intervention on autism symptom severity, language development and school placement remains uncertain because of the limited data. The long-term effects are unclear owing to a lack of follow-up data. Conclusions This review found limited evidence that early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions may improve cognitive ability and adaptive behaviour, but the long-term impact of the interventions remains unknown. The economic analysis is constrained by the limited effectiveness evidence, but suggests that these interventions are unlikely to be cost-effective unless clear long-term benefits, or a substantial change in which schools children attend, can be identified. Future work Further studies into the effectiveness of early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions may be warranted if they include well-defined, alternative interventions as comparators and collect relevant outcomes. Consideration should be given to future studies that not only address whether or not early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions are clinically effective, but also aim to identify which components of early intensive applied behaviour analysis-based interventions might drive effectiveness. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017068303. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 35. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Differences in advance care planning among nursing home care staff

2021 ◽  
pp. 096973302199418
Author(s):  
Gilissen Joni ◽  
Wendrich-van Dael Annelien ◽  
Gastmans Chris ◽  
Vander Stichele Robert ◽  
Deliens Luc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advance Care

Background A team-based approach has been advocated for advance care planning in nursing homes. While nurses are often put forward to take the lead, it is not clear to what extent other professions could be involved as well. Objectives To examine to what extent engagement in advance care planning practices (e.g. conversations, advance directives), knowledge and self-efficacy differ between nurses, care assistants and allied care staff in nursing homes. Design Survey study. Participants/setting The study involved a purposive sample of 14 nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium. Nurses, care assistants and allied care staff (e.g. social workers, physical therapists) completed a survey. Ethical considerations The study was approved by the University Hospital of Brussels (B.U.N. 143201834759), as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03521206). Results One hundred ninety-six nurses, 319 care assistants and 169 allied staff participated (67% response rate). After adjusting for confounders, nurses were significantly more likely than care assistants to have carried out advance care planning conversations (odds ratio 4; 95% confidence interval 1.73–9.82; p < 0.001) and documented advance care planning (odds ratio 2.67; 95% confidence interval 1.29–5.56; p < 0.001); differences not found between allied staff and care assistants. Advance care planning knowledge total scores differed significantly, with nurses (estimated mean difference 0.13 (score range 0–1); 95% confidence interval 0.08–0.17; p < 0.001) and allied staff (estimated mean difference 0.07; 95% confidence interval 0.03–0.12; p < 0.001) scoring higher than care assistants. We found no significant differences regarding self-efficacy. Discussion While nursing home nurses conducted more advance care planning conversations and documentation than allied care staff and care assistants, these two professional groups may be a valuable support to nurses in conducting advance care planning, if provided with additional training. Conclusions Allied care staff and care assistants, if trained appropriately, can be involved more strongly in advance care planning to enhance relational and individual autonomy of nursing home residents, alongside nurses. Future research to improve and implement advance care planning should consider this finding at the intervention development stage.

scholarly journals European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines on the management of space-occupying brain infarction

2021 ◽  
pp. 239698732110141
Author(s):  
H Bart van der Worp ◽  
Jeannette Hofmeijer ◽  
Eric Jüttler ◽  
Avtar Lal ◽  
Patrik Michel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Infarction ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Surgical Decompression ◽  
Cerebellar Infarction ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Grade Approach ◽  
Quality Evidence ◽  
Hemispheric Infarction

Space-occupying brain oedema is a potentially life-threatening complication in the first days after large hemispheric or cerebellar infarction. Several treatment strategies for this complication are available, but the size and quality of the scientific evidence on which these strategies are based vary considerably. The aim of this Guideline document is to assist physicians in their management decisions when treating patients with space-occupying hemispheric or cerebellar infarction. These Guidelines were developed based on the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) standard operating procedure and followed the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A working group identified 13 relevant questions, performed systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the literature, assessed the quality of the available evidence, and wrote evidence-based recommendations. An expert consensus statement was provided if not enough evidence was available to provide recommendations based on the GRADE approach. We found high-quality evidence to recommend surgical decompression to reduce the risk of death and to increase the chance of a favourable outcome in adult patients aged up to and including 60 years with space-occupying hemispheric infarction who can be treated within 48 hours of stroke onset, and low-quality evidence to support this treatment in older patients. There is continued uncertainty about the benefit and risks of surgical decompression in patients with space-occupying hemispheric infarction if this is done after the first 48 hours. There is also continued uncertainty about the selection of patients with space-occupying cerebellar infarction for surgical decompression or drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. These Guidelines further provide details on the management of specific subgroups of patients with space-occupying hemispheric infarction, on the value of monitoring of intracranial pressure, and on the benefits and risks of medical treatment options. We encourage new high-quality studies assessing the risks and benefits of different treatment strategies for patients with space-occupying brain infarction.

scholarly journals Effects of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 030006052110317
Author(s):  
Chenyun Miao ◽  
Qingge Guo ◽  
Xiaojie Fang ◽  
Yun Chen ◽  
Ying Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Serum Insulin ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Synbiotic Supplementation

Objective This meta-analysis evaluated the effect of probiotics and synbiotics on insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods A systematic search was performed to identify all relevant publications listed on the electronic databases (PubMed®, Web of Science, Embase® and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) between inception and 30 October 2020. All statistical analyses were performed on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using RevMan version 5.3 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results A total of 486 patients from seven RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Probiotic and synbiotic supplementation appeared to improve levels of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (mean difference = –0.37; 95% confidence interval –0.69, –0.05) and serum insulin (standardized mean difference = –0.66; 95% confidence interval –1.19, –0.12). The results failed to show any influence of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and fasting blood sugar. Conclusions Probiotics and synbiotics appear to have a partially beneficial effect on indices of insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.

scholarly journals A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid Eye Drops for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2383
Author(s):  
Yun-Jung Yang ◽  
Won-Young Lee ◽  
Young-jin Kim ◽  
Yeon-pyo Hong
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Dry Eye ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Dry Eye Syndrome ◽  
Eye Drops ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Standard Mean Difference

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used for treating dry eye syndrome (DES). This meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacies of HA- and non-HA-based eye drops, including saline and conventional artificial tears (ATs), for the treatment of dry eye disease. Eight databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, DBpia, KoreaMed, KMBASE, RISS, KISS) were searched for studies comparing the efficacies of HA- and non-HA-based ATs in patients with DES published up to September 2020. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality and extracted the relevant data. The mean differences of Schirmer’s (SH) test scores, tear breakup times (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining scores (Oxford scale, 0–4), and ocular surface disease indexes were calculated. The standard mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random effect model. Nineteen studies, including 2078 cases, were included. HA eye drops significantly improved tear production compared with non-HA-based eye drops (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03, 0.33). In a subgroup analysis, the SH test scores and TBUT values after using HA significantly increased compared to those measured after using saline (SMD 0.27; 95% CI 0.05, 0.49 and SMD 0.28; 95% CI 0.03, 0.52, respectively). Based on these results, HA eye drops may be superior to non-HA eye drops including normal saline and ATs. Further research is needed to assess the efficacies stratified by age, treatment duration, the severity of dry eye, and optimal dosages.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of web-based feedback interventions for people with overweight and obesity: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Varela ◽  
Camila Oda-Montecinos ◽  
Ana Andrés ◽  
Carmina Saldaña
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Effective Treatment Option ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Self Help

Abstract Background Web-based delivered interventions have become an innovative option to treat health problems, like obesity. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to analyze the effectiveness of web-based behavioral treatments for adults with overweight and obesity. Web-based interventions and comparison interventions (traditional weight control programs) were classified according to the following feedback characteristics: frequency, personalization, and provider (human versus machine). Method From the initial 1789 studies, 15 were included in this review. A network meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the efficacy of web-based programs with traditional interventions, considering direct and indirect comparisons. The main outcome was the weight loss mean difference (kg) between baseline and post-treatment. Heterogeneity and consistency assumptions were validated to conduct the network meta-analysis. Results Network meta-analysis showed comparisons between different treatment options. The main results were that Intensive Contact Web-based programs were more effective than wait-list (Mean Difference − 1.86 kg; 95% Confidence Interval: − 3.61, − 0.12). Moreover, Intensive Contact Web-based programs were more effective than the other web-based options and self-help traditional interventions. However, the only significant comparison was Intensive Contact Web-based programs versus Guided Self-Help Web-based programs (Mean Difference − 4.31 kg; 95% Confidence Interval: − 5,22, − 3,41). Intensive Contact Web-based programs were the most effective treatment option according the obtained results, achieving the first place in the ranking provided by the network meta-analysis with 98.5% of probabilities. Conclusions Intensive Contact Web-based interventions have obtained the first position in the ranking, proving the relevance of frequent, personalized, and professional feedback and their association with a better prognosis for people with overweight and obesity. These results provide relevant information to design more effective treatments for people with overweight and obesity, in a new format especially appropriate for the current situation.

scholarly journals Effect of Hope-oriented group counseling on mental health of infertile women with failed IVF cycles: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roya Rahimi ◽  
Shirin Hasanpour ◽  
Mojgan. Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Group Counseling ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Considering the prevalence of infertility in the community and the consequences of failure of infertility treatments on women’s mental health, interventions that can control stress, anxiety and depression in infertile women with a history of IVF failure will be very helpful. This study aimed to determine the effects of hope-oriented group counseling on mental health (primary outcome) and quality of life (QoL) (secondary outcome) of women with failed IVF cycles. Method This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 women with failed IVF cycles visiting Infertility Clinic at Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital of Tabriz- Iran. Participants were allocated to the intervention group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30) based on a randomized block design. Hope-oriented group counseling was provided to the intervention group in six 45–60 min sessions (once a week). The control group only received routine care to undergo another IVF cycle. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale were filled out by interviewing the participants before the intervention and one week and one month after the intervention. After intervention 26 participants in each group were included in the analysis. Results There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the socio-demographic profile of participants (P > 0.05). The post-intervention mean score of stress (adjusted mean difference = − 1.7, 95% confidence interval: − 3.2 to − 0.3, P = 0.018) and depression (adjusted mean difference = − 1.3, 95% confidence interval: − 4.7 to − 1.5, P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control. Although the mean anxiety score was lower in the intervention group compared to the control, the difference between them was not statistically significant (adjusted mean difference = − 1.1, 95% confidence interval: − 2.6 to 0.4, P = 0.153). The mean score of QoL was significantly higher in the intervention group than that of the control group (adjusted mean difference = 6.9, 95% confidence interval: 5.1 to 8.8, P < 0.001). Conclusion Hope-oriented group counseling was effective in reducing stress and depression and improving QoL in women with failed IVF cycles. It is recommended to use this counseling approach, along with other methods, to improve the mental health of women with failed IVF cycles. Trial registration TCT Registration Number: TCTR 20191017003, registered on October 17, 2019.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document