Health Technology Assessments in Radiology in Germany: Lack of Demand, Lack of Supply.

Background:  Health technology assessments (HTAs) are an interdisciplinary method to support sustainable, evidence-based healthcare decisions. They systematically assess medical products, procedures, and technologies with respect to medical, economic, legal, social, and ethical aspects.

Method:  This review analyzes the current use of HTAs in radiology in Germany and discusses challenges associated with HTAs.

[Checklist for the Development and Assessment of Cost-of-Illness Studies].

Background: Cost-of-illness (CoI) studies are important instruments for estimating the socioeconomic burden of specified diseases. CoI studies provide important information about the cost structure of a disease, the resulting research need, approaches to improve aspects of care and, monetary consequences from different perspectives. This information can be useful for healthcare research and health policy.

Regional differences in health care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Germany.

Background: The regional availability of specialized physicians is an important aspect in healthcare of patients with IBD. The association between physician density and healthcare is not yet clear. Most studies did not consider district type, which reflects population density.

A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of targeted therapies for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) imposes a substantial burden on patients, health care systems and society due to increasing incidence and poor survival rates. In recent years, advances in the treatment of metastatic NSCLC have resulted from the introduction of targeted therapies. However, the application of these new agents increases treatment costs considerably.

Targeted therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer: a systematic review and assessment of currently available data.

Background: Survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been significantly improved with the introduction of the monoclonal antibodies targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Novel molecular-targeted agents such as aflibercept and regorafenib have recently been approved. The aim of this review is to summarize and assess the effects of molecular agents in mCRC based on the available phase II and III trials, pooled analyses, and meta-analyses/systematic reviews.

Who prefers the 'cost-effectiveness ratio' prioritization approach in health-care decisions? Results of an empirical analysis.

Background: The problem of resource scarcity has led to an on-going debate about priority setting in the health-care system. Prioritization via the economic-based cost-effectiveness ratio (CER), for example, is controversial and has many advocates as well as opponents. Hence, the aim of our research is to analyse the fairness consideration of the CER approach in comparison with other prioritization approaches and to investigate whether these preferences depend on the field of study.

Does the perception of fairness and standard of care in the health system depend on the field of study? Results of an empirical analysis.

Background: The main challenge in the context of health care reforms and priority setting is the establishment and/or maintenance of fairness and standard of care. For the political process and interdisciplinary discussion, the subjective perception of the health care system might even be as important as potential objective criteria. Of special interest are the perceptions of academic disciplines, whose representatives act as decision makers in the health care sector.

Genome sequencing: a systematic review of health economic evidence.

Recently the sequencing of the human genome has become a major biological and clinical research field. However, the public health impact of this new technology with focus on the financial effect is not yet to be foreseen. To provide an overview of the current health economic evidence for genome sequencing, we conducted a thorough systematic review of the literature from 17 databases.

Impact of radiofrequency ablation for patients with varicose veins on the budget of the German statutory health insurance system.

Objectives: In contrast to other countries, surgery still represents the common invasive treatment for varicose veins in Germany. However, radiofrequency ablation, e.g.

How do insured perceive their financial security in the event of illness?--a panel data analysis for Germany.

Objective: There is a lack of research regarding the subjective perception of financial security in the event of illness of insured persons. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze the subjective perception of financial security in the event of illness in the German setting over time and to identify major determinants of that perception.

Methods: We applied a probit-adapted ordinary least squares estimation procedure including fixed effects to a balanced data set from the German Socio-Economic Panel.

Cost effectiveness of ulcerative colitis treatment in Germany: a comparison of two oral formulations of mesalazine.

Background: The treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) can place a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems. The anti-inflammatory compound 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA; mesalazine) is the recommended first-line treatment for patients with UC. In this analysis, the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of two oral formulations of 5-ASA (Mezavant® and Asacol®) is examined in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate, active UC in Germany.

Considerations about the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of therapies in the treatment of hyperphosphataemia.

Because of an elevated serum phosphate level, patients who suffer from chronic kidney failure frequently tend to have cardiovascular calcification and are therefore exposed to a higher probability of a fatal event. Phosphate binders are able to reduce these negative effects. Currently, there are primarily two groups of phosphate binders (calcium-containing and calcium-free phosphate binders) which are considered to be almost equally effective in terms of binding of free phosphate.

Health care costs and their predictors of inflammatory bowel diseases in Germany.

Objectives: Detailed cost studies of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) for Germany are limited. Aim of this study was to collect resource-use data related to IBD via a cross-sectional study, to quantify these from the perspective of the Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) and to identify cost-driving factors.

Methods: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) from 24 gastroenterological specialists' practices and two hospitals were enrolled in an internet-based database between March 2006 and July 2007.

[Aspects of outpatient palliative care and assessment of the nursing workload. Survey among care givers in Germany].

Introduction: The aim of this study is to explore aspects of the health care situation of outpatient palliative patients in Germany as well as effort and workload of care from the viewpoint of involved care givers. Additionally the future development with regard to the cooperation with other health care providers is assessed.

Methods: A detailed questionnaire was developed and sent to 188 outpatient care givers, all members of the German Association for Palliative Medicine, in January 2009.

Cancer management and reimbursement aspects in Germany: an overview demonstrated by the case of colorectal cancer.

This paper provides an overview of cancer management, particularly with respect to colorectal cancer (CRC), in Germany. The information presented reflects findings from the peer-review literature and government documentation, as well as interviews with cancer and CRC specialists. Topics such as epidemiology, expenditure, CRC screening, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment are discussed in this paper.