Health Economic Studies of Colorectal Cancer and the Contribution of Administrative Data: a Systematic Review

Introduction: Several forces are contributing to an increase in the number of people living with and surviving colorectal cancer (CRC). However, due to the lack of available data, little is known about those implications. In recent years, the use of administrative records to inform research has been increasing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential contribution that administrative data could have on the health economic research of CRC. Methods: To achieve this aim we conducted a systematic review of the health economic CRC literature published in the United Kingdom and Europe within the last decade (2009-2019). Results: Thirty-seven relevant studies were identified and divided into economic evaluations, cost of illness studies and cost consequence analyses. Conclusions: The use of administrative data, including cancer registry, screening and hospital records, within the health economic research of CRC is commonplace. However, we found that this data often comes from regional databases, which reduces the generalisability of results. Further, administrative data appear less able to contribute towards understanding the wider and indirect costs associated with the disease. We have identified several ways in which various sources of administrative data could enhance future research in this area.

Economic Burden of Mental Disorders in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Recommendations for Future Research

Mental disorders are highly prevalent in different population groups in Bangladesh. Effective policymaking and evaluation may need economic evidence on complex mental health problems. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the economic burden of mental disorders in Bangladesh. We searched six major databases and additional sources using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included studies that were published in English, as peer-reviewed articles, reported any economic burden of any mental disorders, and focused on the Bangladeshi population. Among a total of 1241 citations, no study met our criteria. This scarcity of evidence on the economic burden of mental disorders can be attributable to many factors, including a suboptimal state of research in mental health, lack of institutional and national priorities on mental health economic research, and lack of capacities or resources to improve knowledge. Future efforts should aim at strengthening research capacities, providing resources, prioritizing mental health research, improving collaboration, and effective policymaking and strategic planning to promote mental health economic research in the context of Bangladesh.

Knowledge of public patient involvement among health economists in Ireland: a baseline audit

Background: While there is growing public and patient involvement (PPI) in health research in Ireland, there is little information on the extent to which PPI has permeated the field of health economics research. The aim of this scoping study is to explore the knowledge and use of PPI among health economists in Ireland. Methods: This paper is based on a survey questionnaire administered electronically to all members of Health Economics Association of Ireland (HEAI). The study provides a baseline audit on the knowledge and use of PPI in health economics research. A review of the international literature on the interface between PPI and health economics informed the design of the questions used in the survey. Results: Half of respondents incorporate PPI in their health economics research. Two thirds report their knowledge of PPI as weak or fair; only 8% say it is excellent. PPI, when it occurs, is largely focused on the identification of research priorities and appropriate outcomes. Just over one third of respondents currently evaluate their PPI activities in health economic research; there is almost no focus on impact as part of the evaluation process. Conclusion: Health economists in Ireland do not have a strong knowledge of PPI, either in practice or in theory. They find PPI challenging due to limited time, resources, information and the absence of appropriate skills to engage patients and the public in their work. Education and training are needed to support greater use of PPI in health economics research.