[Searching for evidence. A compilation of useful resources for health technology assessment]. / Búsqueda de evidencias. Una recopilación de recursos útiles en la evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias.

The spectacular growth in the produced volume of published scientific and technical information during the last years makes it difficult to discriminate and localize the information of greater quality. The parallel development of technologies for the fast handling of great volumes of single information has partially solved the problem of the access and use of the most advisable information. Health technology assessment tries to facilitate the decision making on the introduction, diffusion or use of health technologies, being based on the best evidences available. In order to improve the process of searching for evidences, needed in the process of health technology assessment, the Agency of Health Technology Assessment of the Institute of Salud Carlos III (AETS) made a compilation of information resources that can be useful for searching biomedical information in general. This article presents the above mentioned compilation along with the description of the process of elaboration and the criteria of selection applied.

[Efficacy of the meningococcal vaccine from Group C capsular polysaccharide]. / Eficacia de la vacuna meningocócica de polisacárido capsular del grupo C.

BACKGROUND: This report is a systematic review of the effect intensity and duration of the immune response to meningococcal serogroup C vaccine. The vaccine safety, efficacy and effectiveness are also analyzed. METHODS: MEDLINE literature search in the period 1970-1996. Meningoccocal polysaccharide vaccine clinical trials and human prospective studies were specifically searched. Quality of the retrieved studies were analyzed. Information available was integrated. RESULTS: Group C meningoccal polysaccharide vaccine is a safe product. Its efficacy is over 85% among adults and children over 5 years old. 70% (CI 95%: 5-91%) under 5 years old, and 55% among children 2-3 years old. The vaccine is not effective under 2 years. The duration of protective antibody levels decrease with age. The proportion of vaccinated children effectively protected one year after vaccination is low. Vaccination does not affect the immune response to ulterior revaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Group C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is indicated in adults and children over 2 years old to protect them from meningococcal disease due to group C when exposed to high risk of infection. The outbreaks control is the main indication for the use of this vaccine. Routine immunization in not outbreak situation is not recommended due to the small vaccine protection in children under 2 years old, the limited efficacy in children under 5, and the short duration of the immunity in children.