Quality of life assessment in cosmetics: specificity and interest of the international BeautyQol instrument.

The wide use of cosmetics and their perceived benefits upon well-being imply objective descriptions of their effects upon the different dimensions contributing to the quality of life (QoL). Such a goal pleas for using relevant and validated scientific instruments with robust measurement methods. This paper discusses the interest of the new validated questionnaire BeautyQoL specifically designed to assess the effect of cosmetic products on physical appearance and QoL.

Validation of the underlying assumptions of the quality-adjusted life-years outcome: results from the ECHOUTCOME European project.

Background: Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) have been used since the 1980s as a standard health outcome measure for conducting cost-utility analyses, which are often inadequately labeled as 'cost-effectiveness analyses'. This synthetic outcome, which combines the quantity of life lived with its quality expressed as a preference score, is currently recommended as reference case by some health technology assessment (HTA) agencies. While critics of the QALY approach have expressed concerns about equity and ethical issues, surprisingly, very few have tested the basic methodological assumptions supporting the QALY equation so as to establish its scientific validity.

Difference of perceptions and evaluation of cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder patients across psychiatrists internationally.

Background: Many studies have suggested that major depressive disorder (MDD) is often associated with cognitive dysfunction. Despite this, guidance addressing assessment of cognitive dysfunction in MDD is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine psychiatrists' perceptions and evaluation of cognitive dysfunction in routine practice in MDD patients across different countries.

[Contracts including performance and management of uncertainty].

Since many decades in France, the most important part of ambulatory health care expenditure is represented by drug consumption. By the fact, French patient is indeed the greatest world consumer of pharmaceuticals treatments. Therefore, the regulation authorities by successive strategies, attempt to limit or even restrict market access for new drugs in the health care sector secured by public social insurance coverage.

Comparing antidepressant treatment patterns in older and younger adults: a claims database analysis.

Objectives: To compare depressed older (≥65) and younger (25-64) adults with regard to antidepressant treatment patterns and to assess factors associated with 180-day nonpersistence.

Design: Retrospective matched cohort study.

Setting: U.

Antidepressant monotherapy: A claims database analysis of treatment changes and treatment duration.

Background: The basic principles of pharmacotherapy for depression are consistent among most US and western European guidelines. All recommend ≥6 months of antidepressant therapy and propose several alternatives in cases of inappropriate response.

Objectives: The aims of this analysis were to describe antidepressant treatment changes and treatment duration in patients undergoing treatment for a new episode of depression and to identify risk factors for treatment changes and treatment discontinuation.

Cost-effectiveness of escitalopram vs. citalopram in major depressive disorder.

Clinical trials have shown better efficacy of escitalopram over citalopram, and review-based economic models the cost-effectiveness of escitalopram vs. citalopram (brand and generic). No head-to-head clinical trial has, however, evaluated the cost-effectiveness of both drugs so far.

[Socio-economic impact of migraine and headaches in France].

The International Headache Society has defined a clear diagnostic guideline classifying headaches into three categories. It is now well known that headaches have a significant effect on the quality of life and the professional, school or family activities of individuals, and that the economic impact is far from negligible. An extensive survey drawn from a sample of 10 585 individuals in the French adult population was carried out in the last three months of 1999.

Economic impact of migraine and other episodic headaches in France: data from the GRIM2000 study.

Background: Migraine is a prevalent and incapacitating condition that affects individuals in the prime of their productive life, thus generating an economic burden for both society and healthcare systems. The direct annual healthcare costs of migraine in France were assessed over 10 years ago, and the current study updates these figures.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the economic cost (primarily direct costs) of migraine and other episodic headache in France based on a general population survey of headache, the GRIM2000 (Groupe de Researche Interdisciplinaire sur la Migraine).

Use and misuse of triptans in France: data from the GRIM2000 population survey.

The extent and nature of triptan use for headache relief has been evaluated in a large epidemiological survey in the French general population. Over 25 000 individuals were screened for headache and for triptan use. Of this sample, 290 triptan users were identified from whom extensive data on headache characteristics and healthcare resource consumption were obtained.

[Quality of life and economic cost of multiple sclerosis].

In multiple sclerosis, evaluation of quality of life is important because the patients are usually confronted with a decrease in physical, cognitive and social functioning. Apart from the personal suffering, the financial consequences for these patients and their family and the economic burden for society are enormous. Measurement of health related quality of life is important for the understanding of disease burden and the impact of specific MS treatments.

Cost-effectiveness of recombinant versus urinary follicle-stimulating hormone in assisted reproduction techniques in the Spanish public health care system.

Purpose: To evaluate the relative cost-effectiveness of recombinant and urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in assisted reproduction techniques in the Spanish National Health Service.

Methods: Markov modelling was used to compare costs and outcomes of three complete treatment cycles using recombinant or urinary FSH for controlled ovarian stimulation. Cost and effectiveness estimates were obtained from the literature and from Spanish clinicians.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of migraine in France.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical features of migraine and related headache types in France.

Methods: The authors recruited a population of subjects with headache representative of the national population using a stratified sampling method. They screened 10,585 subjects aged 15 and older who were representative of the general population.

Limitations of the methods used for calculating quality-adjusted life-year values.

Objective: To test the validity of the techniques used to calculate quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) values based on utility functions, using a real population dataset.

Design: Using the standard gamble technique, we gathered the preferences of a population sample of 189 individuals on a combination of probabilities concerning four simple health states (no physical disability, limp, walk with crutches and need a wheelchair), and three life-year spans (5, 10 and 15 years). Each of the four assumptions of the multiplicative model was tested based on the results of the experiment.

[A new tool for evaluation of medication errors applied to pediatric hematology].

This study was conducted in a haematological paediatric department and was aimed at evaluating drug medication errors. Their frequency was studied, but also and mainly their degree of severity and preventability. Only adverse drug events that were identified as possibly due to pharmacological properties of drugs or medication errors were collected.

Analysis of the cost effectiveness of recombinant versus urinary follicle-stimulating hormone in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection programs in the United States.

Objective: To compare the cost effectiveness of recombinant human FSH (Gonal-F; Serono, Inc., Randolph, MA) and urinary FSH (Fertinex; Serono, Inc.) for ovarian stimulation during IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection for the treatment of infertility.

Cost-effectiveness modelling of recombinant FSH versus urinary FSH in assisted reproduction techniques in the UK.

Background: The purpose of this study was to undertake an economic evaluation to compare the cost-effectiveness of recombinant (r)FSH with urinary (u)FSH for attaining clinical pregnancy with assisted reproduction.

Methods: Mathematical modelling was utilized incorporating a Markovian decision framework and a Monte Carlo simulation. Statistical representations of recurrent events over time were incorporated into a decision analysis involving fresh and frozen cycles in any sequence (after the first fresh embryo transfer cycle) over three successive assisted reproduction attempts.

[Which measures are to be taken in the prevention of prematurity in working women?].

The aim of this study was to determine the best preventive measures for employed pregnant women. Assuming that certain working conditions constitute a risk factor for preterm birth, should we give time off to women whose jobs are strenuous, reduce their weekly hours of work, or lengthen their antenatal maternity leave in an attempt to reduce risk of preterm birth? To answer this question, a survey carried out in 50 factories showed that a reduction of weekly working hours (routinely granted in many factories at present) appears helpful in reducing the preterm birth rate : this is also true for sick leaves granted for fatigue without pathological reason : on the other hand, the lengthening of antenatal maternity leave for fatigue, without medical reason, seems without effect. In the absence of experimental evaluation of preventive measures proposed at the end of this study, we provide a model for evaluating, theoretically, the relationship efficiency/cost/acceptability of such measures.

On the choice of an organization for a pathology laboratory.

The study describes an approach to the optimal allocation of sample analysis in a pathology laboratory. The paper consists of three parts: identification of the problem to be resolved; description of the model and application of the model to the organization of a specific laboratory.