Evaluation of patient involvement strategies in health technology assessment in Spain: the viewpoint of HTA researchers.

Objective: The Spanish Network of Agencies for Assessing National Health System Technologies and Performance (RedETS) defined a patient involvement (PI) framework for health technology assessment (HTA) activities in 2016. The aim of this study is to evaluate the process and impact of those PI initiatives that were implemented in the first year following the publication of this new framework.

Methods: A survey was sent to those HTA researchers who implemented PI in RedETS projects.

Effect of oral nitrates on pulse pressure and arterial elasticity in patients aged over 65 years with refractory isolated systolic hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension is a highly prevalent disease among the elderly. The little available evidence on the efficacy of nitrates for treating the disease is based on small experimental studies.

Methods/design: We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III, placebo-controlled trial in 154 patients aged over 65 years with refractory isolated systolic hypertension.

A cluster-randomised clinical trial comparing two cardiovascular health education strategies in a child population: the Savinghearts project.

Background: This paper describes a methodology for comparing the effects of an eduentertainment strategy involving a music concert, and a participatory class experience involving the description and making of a healthy breakfast, as educational vehicles for delivering obesity-preventing/cardiovascular health messages to children aged 7-8 years.

Methods/design: This study will involve a cluster-randomised trial with blinded assessment. The study subjects will be children aged 7-8 years of both sexes attending public primary schools in the Madrid Region.

[The EPICARDIAN project, a cohort study on cardiovascular diseases and risk factors among the elderly in Spain: methodological aspects and major demographic findings].

Background: Despite a greater incidence of ischemic heart disease among individuals over age 65, most cardiovascular research has been focused on the middle-aged adult population. To date no cohort study on this population have been made in Spain. This study is aimed as reviewing the role and methodology of cohort studies as an epidemiological tool absolutely essential for researching the prevalence and incidence of angina, AMI, stroke and the major cardiovascular risk factors.