Patient-reported outcomes using a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator: results from a systematic review.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in adult patients with high risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in Medline (via PubMed) and Cochrane Library in February 2022 and included studies with a study population ≥18 years and prescribed WCD. PRO include health-related quality of life (QoL), symptoms, utilities, or satisfaction ratings.

Effectiveness, efficacy, and safety of wearable cardioverter-defibrillators in the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest - Results from a health technology assessment.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness, efficacy, and safety of a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) in adult persons with high risk for sudden cardiac arrest and for which an implantable cardioverter is currently not applicable.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CRD-databases. Study selection was performed by two reviewers independently.

Budget impact analysis on the introduction of a guideline based hepatitis B and C screening into a routine check-up in the German primary care setting.

Objectives: Systematic screening for chronic hepatitis B and C does not yet exist in Germany. Therefore, the implementation of a screening approach within a preventive medical examination performed by primary care physicians ('Check-Up 35+') was evaluated in a recent prospective multicenter study. The present analysis estimates the financial consequences for the statutory health insurance by budget impact analysis.

[Traditional Chinese Pharmacotherapy in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis - an Observational Trial Considering the Origin of Medicinal Drugs].

Background: The use of Chinese medicinal drugs is becoming more common in Germany. However, the import from China results in aggravated quality controls and potentially jeopardized therapeutic safety. Therefore, in 1999 the Bavarian Department for Agriculture has initiated an interdisciplinary research project to cultivate and analyze important Chinese herbal plants.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a vaccination program for the prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults aged 50 and over in Germany.

Herpes zoster (HZ; shingles) is a common viral disease that affects the nerves and surrounding skin causing a painful dermatomal rash and leading to debilitating complications such as, mainly, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Currently, there is no effective treatment for HZ and PHN. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a HZ vaccination program in Germany.

Cost-effectiveness of childhood rotavirus vaccination in Germany.

Background: Rotavirus (RV) causes a highly contagious gastroenteritis especially in children under five years of age. Since 2006 two RV-vaccines are available in Europe (Rotarix(®) and RotaTeq(®)). To support informed decision-making within the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) the cost-effectiveness of these two vaccines was evaluated for the German healthcare setting.

Alternative methods for the treatment of post-menopausal troubles.

Background: Menopause is described as the transition from the reproductive phase of a women to the non reproductive. Changes in hormone levels might lead to complaints and health consequences especially during peri- and postmenopause. Hormone therapy has a potential damaging health risk profile and is recommended for temporal limited therapy for acute vasomotor symptoms only.

Effectiveness of pharmaceutical therapy of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) in adults - health technology assessment.

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental disorder. Symptoms include hyperactivity, lack of attentiveness, and frivolousness. This disorder always begins in childhood, but can remain through adulthood.

Decision-analytic modeling to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HPV-DNA testing in primary cervical cancer screening in Germany.

Background: Persistent infections with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with the development of cervical neoplasia. Compared to cytology HPV testing is more sensitive in detecting high-grade cervical cancer precursors, but with lower specificity. HPV based primary screening for cervical cancer is currently discussed in Germany.

Clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of tailoring chronic hepatitis C treatment with peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin to HCV genotype and early viral response: a decision analysis based on German guidelines.

Background: Recently developed German guidelines for antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C recommend basing drug dosage, intended treatment duration and early stopping rules on the genotype of the hepatitis C virus and early viral responses to treatment.

Objectives: To evaluate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of different antiviral treatment strategies including the German guidelines, for chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: A validated lifetime Markov model was used to project life expectancy, QALYs and lifetime costs for the following strategies: (i) no antiviral therapy (NoAVT); (ii) interferon-alpha-2b plus ribavirin for 48 weeks (IFN + R); (iii) peginterferon-alpha-2b plus weight-based ribavirin for 48 weeks (PEG + R); (iv) peginterferon-alpha-2b plus ribavirin according to German guidelines with genotype-dependent treatment duration, dosage and 12-week viral response evaluation (GUIDE).

Behaviour therapy for obesity treatment considering approved drug therapy.

Introduction: Obesity is a worldwide health problem whose prevalence is on the increase. Many obesity-associated diseases require intensive medical treatment and are the cause of a large proportion of health-related expenditures in Germany. Treatment of obesity includes nutritional, exercise and behaviour therapy, usually in combination.

Cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in combination with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (CRT-D) for the treatment of chronic heart failure from a German health care system perspective.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in combination with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (CRT-D) plus Optimal Pharmacological Therapy (OPT) compared to OPT alone in patients with chronic heart failure.

Methods And Results: A decision analytic model was used to estimate the ICER from a German Health Care System perspective. Effectiveness data were used as reported in the COMPANION study.

Impact of 4 different definitions used for the assessment of the prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in primary healthcare: The German Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Project (GEMCAS).

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) places individuals at increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Prevalence rates of the population of the MetSyn are still scarce. Moreover, the impact of different definitions of the MetSyn on the prevalence is unclear.

Elastic robust intramedullary nailing for forearm fracture in children.

Background: Forearm fractures are the most common fractures in children (23% of all fractures). Basically there are two treatment options available for diaphyseal forearm fractures in children: closed reduction with cast immobilisation (conservative therapy) and the elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). Treatment decision is influenced by the doctor's estimation of fracture instability.

Assessing the prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome according to NCEP ATP III in Germany: feasibility and quality aspects of a two step approach in 1550 randomly selected primary health care practices.

Objective: Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) describes a cluster of metabolic disorders and is considered a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. Although a high prevalence is commonly assumed in Germany data about the degree of its occurrence in the population and in subgroups are still missing. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the MetSyn according to the NCEP ATP-III (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III) criteria in persons aged >or=18 years attending a general practitioner in Germany.

Using competence network collaboration and decision-analytic modeling to assess the cost-effectiveness of interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin as initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Germany.

The objective of this study was to translate and apply a decision-analytic model for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) to the German health care context using competence network collaboration. The German Hepatitis C Model (GEHMO) competence network used a systematic multistep approach to identify and transfer a high quality Markov model for CHC to the German health care context. GEHMO was used to project lifetime clinical and economic outcomes and to determine the cost-effectiveness of initial antiviral therapy with interferon a-2b plus ribavirin from a societal perspective.

Cost-effectiveness of quantitative ultrasound as a technique for screening of osteoporotic fracture risk: report on a health technology assessment conducted in 2001.

Aim: On behalf of the German Agency for Health Technology Assessment (DAHTA@DIMDI) a rapid economic HTA was conducted. Aim of the HTA was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for screening of osteoporotic fracture risk. Study population was formed by postmenopausal women.