Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma is a common and highly lethal malignancy. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have a key role in the development and progression of metastatic disease. While expression of CSC markers CD44, CD133 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) in locoregional gastroesophageal cancer is known to be associated with poorer clinical outcomes, the significance of CSC marker expression in distal metastatic disease is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Endoscopic surveillance for non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE) is contentious and its cost effectiveness unclear.
Objective: To perform an economic analysis of endoscopic surveillance strategies.
Design: Cost-utility analysis by using a simulation Markov model to synthesize evidence from large epidemiologic studies and clinical data for surveillance, based on international guidelines, applied in a coordinator-managed surveillance program.
Objective: This study aims to synthesize cost and health outcomes for current treatment pathways for esophageal adenocarcinoma and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and to model comparative net clinical and economic benefits of alternative management scenarios.
Methods: A decision-analytic model of real-world practices for esophageal adenocarcinoma treatment by tumor stage was constructed and validated. The model synthesized treatment probabilities, survival, quality of life, and resource use extracted from epidemiological datasets, published literature, and expert opinion.
Objectives: Health-care costs for the treatment of skin cancers are disproportionately high in many white populations, yet they can be reduced through the promotion of sun-protective behaviors. We investigated the lifetime health costs and benefits of sunscreen promotion in the primary prevention of skin cancers, including melanoma.
Methods: A decision-analytic model with Markov chains was used to integrate data from a central community-based randomized controlled trial conducted in Australia and other epidemiological and published sources.
Using cross-sectional survey data from Brisbane, Australia, this study identifies prevalence and factors associated with indoor tanning in office workers. Over 12-months, 72/2867 (2.5%) survey participants used solaria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study uses data from a prospective randomized controlled trial to estimate predictors of pharmaceutical expenditure in diabetes (DM) or cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. Identifying drivers of pharmaceutical use and the extent to which they are modifiable may inform cost-effective policy-making.
Methods: The trial followed 260 patients aged >18 years (mean 68) from three general practices for 12 months.
Background And Aim: Several health economic evaluations have explored the cost-effectiveness of endoscopic surveillance for patients with non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus, with conflicting results. By comparing results across studies and highlighting key methodological and data limitations a platform for future, more rigorous analyses, can be developed.
Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken of studies evaluating cost-effectiveness of surveillance for non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.
Background: Many smoking-cessation programs and pharmaceutical aids demonstrate substantial health gains for a relatively low allocation of resources. Genetic information represents a type of individualized or personal feedback regarding the risk of developing lung cancer, and hence the potential benefits from stopping smoking, may motivate the person to remain smoke-free. The purpose of this study was to explore what the impact of a genetic test needs to have within a typical smoking-cessation program aimed at heavy smokers in order to be cost-effective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF1) Leading international health organisations are concerned about high use of artificial tanning services and the associated risk of skin cancer. Similar concerns exist about the growing Australian solarium industry. 2) Pre-teens appear to be ignoring sun safety messages in their desire to tan and use solaria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF