Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis for HTA across four EU Member States: Piloting the Advance Value Framework.

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has emerged as a methodology for Health Technology Assessment (HTA). However, limited empirical evidence is available on its use by decision-makers; where available, it only comes from single-setting exercises, while cross-country comparative studies are unavailable. This study applies the Advance Value Framework (AVF), an MCDA methodology for HTA based on multi-attribute value theory, through a series of case studies with decision-makers in four countries, to explore its feasibility and compare decision-makers' value preferences and results. The AVF was applied in the evaluation of three drugs for metastatic, castrate resistant, prostate cancer (abiraterone, cabazitaxel and enzalutamide) in the post-chemotherapy indication. Decision conferences were organised in four European countries in collaboration with their HTA or health insurance organisations by involving relevant assessors and experts: Sweden (TLV), Andalusia/Spain (AETSA), Poland (AOTMiT) and Belgium (INAMI-RIZIV). Participants' value preferences, including performance scoring and criteria weighting, were elicited through a facilitated decision-analysis modelling approach using the MACBETH technique. Between 6 and 11 criteria were included in each jurisdiction's value model, allocated across four criteria domains; Therapeutic Benefit criteria consistently ranked first in relative importance across all countries. Consistent drug rankings were observed in all settings, with enzalutamide generating the highest overall weighted preference value (WPV) score, followed by abiraterone and cabazitaxel. Dividing drugs' overall WPV scores by their costs produced the lowest "cost per unit of value" for enzalutamide, followed by abiraterone and cabazitaxel. These results come in contrast with the actual country HTA recommendations and pricing decisions. Overall, although some differences in value preferences were observed between countries, drug rankings remained the same. The MCDA methodology employed could act as a decision support tool in HTA, due to the transparency in the construction of value preferences in a collaborative manner.

The relative clinical efficacy of trametinib-dabrafenib and cobimetinib-vemurafenib in advanced melanoma: an indirect comparison.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. The outcome of melanoma depends on its stage at diagnosis. Currently, for patients with advanced melanoma, two MEK inhibitors (trametinib and cobimetinib) have been authorized by the European Medicines Agency. The main objective of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of trametinib-dabrafenib and cobimetinib-vemurafenib in patients with advanced melanoma through adjusted indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs). METHODS: A search was made up to the 3rd of November 2015. Databases consulted were MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared the efficacy of trametinib-dabrafenib or cobimetinib-vemurafenib versus a common treatment comparator, in which outcomes of overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR) were considered. ITCs were carried out using the method proposed by Bucher et al. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Two RCTs were included (one for each drugs combination). The results of the adjusted ITCs showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two combinations in terms of PFS and ORR. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The ITCs indicate no difference in efficacy between both treatments. However, there should be an independent, head-to-head trial of both combinations to confirm the results.

Stentoplasty effectiveness and safety for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures: a systematic review.

UNLABELLED: To assess the effectiveness and safety of stentoplasty in people with osteoporotic vertebral body fractures. A systematic search of databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library, between others, was conducted to June 9, 2014. Clinical trials and observational studies that included alive adults with osteoporotic vertebral body fractures and the comparators were the intervention himself, vertebroplasty or balloon kyphoplasty were selected. Quality of evidence was graded according to the GRADE approach. Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Forty-two citations were identified during the search. After removing duplicates, five studies were included: two clinical trials and three observational studies. Stentoplasty, showed higher rate of adverse events related to material (P=0.043) and cuff pressure (P=0.014) in comparison to kyphoplasty. There was no difference between two procedures in terms of reduction of kyphosis, time of exposure to radiation or postoperative loss of cement. Stentoplasty in comparison to vertebroplasty, showed an improvement of restoration of vertebral height (P=0.042), kyphosis correction and volume of bone cement. No differences were found between two procedures in terms of loss of vertebral body volume. Based on observational studies, stentoplasty improved vertebral height, pain and functional disability at 6 and 12months follow-up, and corrected the angle vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporotic vertebral body. Stentoplasty was presented as a safe procedure in short-medium term, with a low complication rate, a reduced loss of cement and new vertebral body fractures lower rates. Stentoplasty improves vertebral height, reduces the pain and functional disability and correct the vertebral angle in patients with osteoporotic vertebral body fracture with minimum adverse events. Stentoplasty is comparable to kyphoplasty in terms of correction of kyphosis, time of exposure to radiation and cement postoperative loss, and comparable to vertebroplasty in terms of restoration of vertebral height correction and bone cement volume. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II systematic review.

Indirect comparison for Anti-TNF drugs in moderate to severe ulcerative colitis / Fármacos anti-TNF en colitis ulcerosa moderada-grave: comparación indirecta

Objective: To compare the relative efficacy of infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab through adjusted indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs). Methods: An exhaustive search was performed until October 2013. Databases consulted were MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and the Web of Science. Randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab versus placebo, in terms of clinical remission, clinical response and mucosal healing, were included. In the case that more than one RCT fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the same drug, a metanalysis was undertaken using a fixed effects model. ITCs were carried out using the method proposed by Bucher et al. Results: 6 RCTs published in 5 papers were included: 2 for infliximab (ACT 1 and ACT 2), 2 for adalimumab (ULTRA 1 y ULTRA 2) and 2 for golimumab (PURSUIT-SC y PURSUIT-M).In these RTCs, each biological agent was superior in efficacy to placebo. The results of the adjusted ITC are the following. In relation to the clinical remission, in the induction and maintenance period, there are no statistically significant differences between the three anti-TNF drugs. In relation to the clinical response and mucosal healing, in the induction period, there are statistically significant differences between infliximab and adalimumab. Conclusion: In view of the results obtained, infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab appear to be similarly effective the rapeutic alternatives. Therefore, other considerations such as safety, tolerance and cost-effectiveness should be taken into account in order to select the most appropriate treatment (AU)

Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia relativa de infliximab, adalimumab y golimumab mediante comparaciones indirectas (CI) ajustadas. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica que abarcó hasta Octubre 2013. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination y the Web of Science. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) que compararan la eficacia de infliximab, adalimumab o golimumab frente a placebo en términos de remisión clínica, respuesta clínica y curación de la mucosa. En el caso de que se incluyera más de un ECA para un mismo fármaco se llevó a cabo un metanálisis utilizado el modelo de efectos fijos. Las CI se realizaron utilizando el mé- todo de Butcher et al. Resultados: Se incluyeron 6 ECA publicados en 5 artículos: 2 para infliximab (ACT 1 y ACT 2), 2 para adalimumab (ULTRA 1 y ULTRA 2) y 2 para golimumab (PURSUIT-SC y PURSUIT-M). Los tres agentes biológicos presentaron mayor eficacia que placebo. Los resultados de las CI fueron los siguientes: en relación a la remisión clínica, en el período de inducción y en el período de mantenimiento, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tres fármacos anti-TNF. En relación a la respuesta clínica y a la curación de la mucosa, en el período de inducción hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre infliximab y adalimumab. Conclusiones: En base a los resultados obtenidos (eficacia similar), infliximab, adalimumab y golimumab parecen ser alternativas terapéuticas. Así, otras consideraciones como la seguridad, la tolerancia y el coste-efectividad deben considerarse a la hora de seleccionar el tratamiento más adecuado (AU)

Indirect comparison for Anti-TNF drugs in moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative efficacy of infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab through adjusted indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs). METHODS: An exhaustive search was performed until October 2013. Databases consulted were MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and the Web of Science. Randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab versus placebo, in terms of clinical remission, clinical response and mucosal healing, were included. In the case that more than one RCT fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the same drug, a metanalysis was undertaken using a fixed effects model. ITCs were carried out using the method proposed by Bucher et al. RESULTS: 6 RCTs published in 5 papers were included: 2 for infliximab (ACT 1 and ACT 2), 2 for adalimumab (ULTRA 1 y ULTRA 2) and 2 for golimumab (PURSUIT-SC y PURSUIT-M).In these RTCs, each biological agent was superior in efficacy to placebo. The results of the adjusted ITC are the following. In relation to the clinical remission, in the induction and maintenance period, there are no statistically significant differences between the three anti-TNF drugs. In relation to the clinical response and mucosal healing, in the induction period, there are statistically significant differences between infliximab and adalimumab. CONCLUSION: In view of the results obtained, infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab appear to be similarly effective therapeutic alternatives. Therefore, other considerations such as safety, tolerance and cost-effectiveness should be taken into account in order to select the most appropriate treatment.

Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia relativa de infliximab, adalimumab y golimumab mediante comparaciones indirectas (CI) ajustadas. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica que abarcó hasta Octubre 2013. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination y the Web of Science. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) que compararan la eficacia de infliximab, adalimumab o golimumab frente a placebo en términos de remisión clínica, respuesta clínica y curación de la mucosa. En el caso de que se incluyera más de un ECA para un mismo fármaco se llevó a cabo un metanálisis utilizado el modelo de efectos fijos. Las CI se realizaron utilizando el método de Butcher et al. Resultados: Se incluyeron 6 ECA publicados en 5 artículos: 2 para infliximab (ACT 1 y ACT 2), 2 para adalimumab (ULTRA 1 y ULTRA 2) y 2 para golimumab (PURSUIT-SC y PURSUIT-M). Los tres agentes biológicos presentaron mayor eficacia que placebo. Los resultados de las CI fueron los siguientes: en relación a la remisión clínica, en el período de inducción y en el período de mantenimiento, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tres fármacos anti-TNF. En relación a la respuesta clínica y a la curación de la mucosa, en el período de inducción hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre infliximab y adalimumab. Conclusiones: En base a los resultados obtenidos (eficacia similar), infliximab, adalimumab y golimumab parecen ser alternativas terapéuticas. Así, otras consideraciones como la seguridad, la tolerancia y el coste-efectividad deben considerarse a la hora de seleccionar el tratamiento más adecuado.

Evaluación de la calidad de vida de la braquiterapia vs prostatectomia robotizada en pacientes con carcinoma prostático localizado. Revisión sistemática / Quality of life after brachytherapy or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer

OBJETIVO: Efectuar una revisión sistemática de la literatura evaluando la calidad de vida y complicaciones de la prostatectomía robotizada (PR) frente a la braquiterapia permanente a bajas dosis (BPBD) en pacientes con cáncer de próstata (PCa) localizado. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda sistematizada en Pubmed, EMBASE y Cochrane, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Emergency Care Research Institute, Web of Knowledge, Technology Evaluation Center, Clinical Evidence, Uptodate, Hayes y Drug Effectiveness Review Project. Se incluyeron las revisiones sistemáticas y estudios prospectivos que comparaban PR frente a BPBD en varones con PCa localizado y confirmado. La variable de resultado principal fue la calidad de vida y la variable secundaria, la tasa de complicaciones. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 3 revisiones sistemáticas y 4 estudios prospectivos. PR mostró mejores resultados vs BPBD para el dominio físico del cuestionario SF-12 (p <0,01) y una recuperación más rápida a las puntuaciones previas a la cirugía. BPBD mejoró las puntuaciones para la función urinaria y sexual medidas con el cuestionario UCLA-PCI vs PR durante los tres primeros años de seguimiento (p < 0,001). La tasa de pacientes con incontinencia urinaria en el primer año de seguimiento resultó a favor de BPBD (88,0% vs 84,5%, p < 0,001). No se encontraron diferencias en las puntuaciones para la función intestinal en los tres primeros años posintervención (p = 0,02). Las principales complicaciones de la BPBD fueron la toxicidad gastrointestinal (GI) y genitourinarias (GU), aunque la tasa de eventos ponderada de los estudios incluidos no fue analizada. CONCLUSIÓN: La BPBD ha mostrado una mejora en las puntuaciones para la calidad de vida relacionada con la función urinaria y sexual en pacientes con PCa localizado frente a la PR en los tres primeros años posintervención

OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic bibliographic review of the literature assessing the quality of life and complications of robotic prostatectomy (RP) versus low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Emergency Care Research Institute, Web of Knowledge, Technology Evaluation Center, Clinical vidence, Uptodate, Hayes and Drug Effectiveness Review Project. Systematic reviews and prospective studies comparing RP to LDR-BT in men with localized PCa were included. The primary outcome was quality of life and the secondary endpoint complications rate. RESULTS: Three systematic reviews and four prospective studies were included. RP showed better results than LDR-BT for SF-12-physical domain (p <0.01) and faster recovery to pre-operative scores. LDR-BT improved scores for UCLAPCI questionnaire-urinary and sexual domains compared to RP during the first three years of follow-up (p <0.001). First postoperative year urinary incontinence rate was favorable for LDR-BT (88.0% vs 84.5%, p <0.001). No differences for intestinal function scores for the first three post-intervention years (p = 0.02) were found. Major complications of LDR-BT were gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity, although pooled weighted events rate of the studies was not analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: LDR-BT improves quality of life in terms of urinary and sexual function in patients with localized PCa vs RP during the first three years post-intervention

Comparison of the accuracy of CT colonography and colonoscopy in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

AIM: The available evidence was reviewed to compare the effectiveness of CT colonography with that of colonoscopy for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. METHOD: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination databases, from inception to July 2009. Studies were included if investigations used CT colonography for CRC screening in asymptomatic populations. Studies were excluded if investigations were conducted for the diagnosis of CRC or in elderly, high-risk or symptomatic populations. RESULTS: Of the 213 references identified, nine studies were included. The specificity of CT colonography in screening for CRC was high, although it decreased with decreasing diameter of polyp to be detected. The sensitivity of CT colonography for the detection of polyps < 6 mm in diameter was low and heterogeneous, although it was higher for polyps > 10 mm. The main factors contributing to a greater sensitivity of CT colonography were the inclusion of only populations with an average CRC risk and colonic insufflation with CO2 . The incidence of adverse effects was very low for both tests. CONCLUSION: CT colonography has high specificity but heterogeneous sensitivity, although in most cases it is not as sensitive or specific as conventional colonoscopy. CT colonography could therefore be useful as a screening test for populations with an average risk of CRC.

[Efficacy of educational sessions to modify the prescription of new drugs]. / Eficacia de las sesiones educativas para modificar la prescripción de fármacos nuevos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention to minimise the prescription of those new medicines whose therapeutic effects are of little benefit. DESIGN: Controlled and randomised experimental study. SETTING: 27 health centres in the province of Sevilla, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: 376 general practitioners. The 264 who worked in the same posts were randomised for the 6 pre-intervention months. 10 of them did not complete the post-intervention period. INTERVENTIONS: Four 45-minute training sessions in a 2-month period, given by health team doctors, with a critical reading of the studies available on recently marketed drugs, plus personal feed-back on prescription and bulletins on therapeutic novelties. The control group received only the feed-back and bulletins. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Prescription of new medication of little benefit, measured as the number of packages out of the total. Second, the amount of coxib and eprosartan measured as defined daily doses. RESULTS: In the 6 months after the educational sessions, the doctors in the intervention group prescribed proportionately fewer therapeutic novelties of little benefit than those allocated to the control group (1.34% vs 1.62%; P<.001). The coxib and eprosartan prescribed showed only a non-significant trend towards less prescription by the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The group educational sessions, run by doctors trained in aspects of evidence-based medicine and prepared jointly with the pharmacy unit, reduced discreetly the prescription of new medicines that were not very innovative.

Eficacia de las sesiones educativas para modificar la prescripción de fármacos nuevos / Efficacy of educational sessions to modify the prescription of new drugs

Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia de una intervención educativa para minimizar la prescripción de medicamentos nuevos cuya aportación terapéutica es poco relevante. Diseño. Estudio experimental, controlado y aleatorizado. Emplazamiento. El estudio se realizó en 27 centros de salud de la provincia de Sevilla. Participantes. Participaron 376 médicos de familia generalistas. Se aleatorizó a los 264 que trabajaron en una misma plaza los 6 meses preintervención; 10 de ellos no completaron el período postintervención. Intervenciones. Se realizaron 4 sesiones formativas de 45 minutos en un intervalo de 2 meses, impartidas por médicos de equipos de salud, sobre lectura crítica de los estudios disponibles de medicamentos de reciente comercialización, además de retroinformación personalizada de la prescripción y los boletines sobre novedades terapéuticas. El grupo control recibió sólo la retroinformación y los boletines. Mediciones principales. Prescripción de medicamentos nuevos poco relevantes, medida como la proporción de envases respecto al total de medicamentos. Secundariamente, se midió la proporción de coxib y eprosartán medida como dosis diarias definidas. Resultados. En los 6 meses posteriores a las sesiones educativas, los médicos del grupo intervención prescribieron proporcionalmente menos novedades terapéuticas no relevantes que los asignados al grupo control (el 1,34 frente al 1,62%, respectivamente; p < 0,001). La proporción de coxib y eprosartán sólo muestra una tendencia no significativa hacia una menor prescripción por el grupo intervención. Conclusiones. Las sesiones educativas grupales, mediadas por médicos formados en elementos de medicina basada en la evidencia y preparadas de manera conjunta con la unidad de farmacia, disminuyen de manera discreta la prescripción de medicamentos nuevos escasamente innovadores

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention to minimise the prescription of those new medicines whose therapeutic effects are of little benefit. Design. Controlled and randomised experimental study. Setting. 27 health centres in the province of Sevilla, Spain. Participants. 376 general practitioners. The 264 who worked in the same posts were randomised for the 6 pre-intervention months. 10 of them did not complete the post-intervention period. Interventions. Four 45-minute training sessions in a 2-month period, given by health team doctors, with a critical reading of the studies available on recently marketed drugs, plus personal feed-back on prescription and bulletins on therapeutic novelties. The control group received only the feed-back and bulletins. Main measurements. Prescription of new medication of little benefit, measured as the number of packages out of the total. Second, the amount of coxib and eprosartan measured as defined daily doses. Results. In the 6 months after the educational sessions, the doctors in the intervention group prescribed proportionately fewer therapeutic novelties of little benefit than those allocated to the control group (1.34% vs 1.62%; P<.001). The coxib and eprosartan prescribed showed only a non-significant trend towards less prescription by the intervention group. Conclusions. The group educational sessions, run by doctors trained in aspects of evidence-based medicine and prepared jointly with the pharmacy unit, reduced discreetly the prescription of new medicines that were not very innovative

[Computer-aided prescribing: from utopia to reality]. / Receta electrónica: de la utopía a la realidad.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the introduction of computer-aided prescribing helped reduce the administrative burden at primary care centers. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional design. SETTING: Torreblanca Health Center in the province of Seville, southern Spain. From 29 October 2003 to the present a pilot project involving nine pharmacies in the basic health zone served by this health center has been running to evaluate computer-aided prescribing (the Receta XXI project) with real patients. PARTICIPANTS: All patients on the center's list of patients who came to the center for an administrative consultation to renew prescriptions for medications or supplies for long-term treatment. MEASURES: Total number of administrative visits per patient for patients who came to the center to renew prescriptions for long-term treatment, as recorded by the Diraya system (Historia Clinica Digital del Ciudadano, or Citizen's Digital Medical Record) during the period from February to July 2004. Total number of the same type of administrative visits recorded by the previous system (TASS) during the period from February to July 2003. MAIN RESULTS: The mean number of administrative visits per month during the period from February to July 2003 was 160, compared to a mean number of 64 visits during the period from February to July 2004. The reduction in the number of visits for prescription renewal was 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Introducing a system for computer-aided prescribing significantly reduced the number of administrative visits for prescription renewal for long-term treatment. This could help reduce the administrative burden considerably in primary care if the system were used in all centers.

Receta electrónica: de la utopía a la realidad / Computer-aided prescribing: from utopia to reality

Objetivo. Valorar si la introducción de la receta electrónica ayuda a desburocratizar las consultas de atención primaria. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Emplazamiento. Centro de Salud de Torreblanca, donde desde el 29 de octubre de 2003 se está pilotando, junto con las 9 oficinas de farmacia de la Zona Básica de Salud, la implantación de la Receta Electrónica de Andalucía (Receta XXI) con pacientes reales. Participantes. Todos los pacientes de un cupo médico que acuden a consulta administrativa para la renovación de tratamientos crónicos entre febrero y junio de 2004. Mediciones. Número total de consultas administrativas realizadas por todos los pacientes que acuden para la renovación de tratamientos crónicos registrados mediante el sistema operativo DIRAYA (Historia Clínica Digital del Ciudadano) y comparación con el mismo tipo de consulta administrativa registrado en TASS en el período comprendido entre febrero y julio de 2003. Resultados principales. La media mensual de consultas administrativas entre febrero y julio de 2003 fue de 160, frente a las 64 habidas entre febrero y julio de 2004, lo que supone una reducción de la frecuentación para la renovación de recetas del 60%. Conclusiones. La introducción de la receta electrónica reduce significativamente la frecuentación de consultas administrativas para la renovación de recetas de tratamientos crónicos, lo que ayudará a desburocratizar de forma importante las consultas de atención primaria cuando se generalice su uso

Objective. To determine whether the introduction of computer-aided prescribing helped reduce the administrative burden at primary care centers. Design. Descriptive, cross-sectional design. Setting. Torreblanca Health Center in the province of Seville, southern Spain. From 29 October 2003 to the present a pilot project involving nine pharmacies in the basic health zone served by this health center has been running to evaluate computer-aided prescribing (the Receta XXI project) with real patients. Participants. All patients on the center's list of patients who came to the center for an administrative consultation to renew prescriptions for medications or supplies for long-term treatment. Measures. Total number of administrative visits per patient for patients who came to the center to renew prescriptions for long-term treatment, as recorded by the Diraya system (Historia Clínica Digital del Ciudadano, or Citizen's Digital Medical Record) during the period from February to July 2004. Total number of the same type of administrative visits recorded by the previous system (TASS) during the period from February to July 2003. Main results. The mean number of administrative visits per month during the period from February to July 2003 was 160, compared to a mean number of 64 visits during the period from February to July 2004. The reduction in the number of visits for prescription renewal was 60%. Conclusions. Introducing a system for computer-aided prescribing significantly reduced the number of administrative visits for prescription renewal for long-term treatment. This could help reduce the administrative burden considerably in primary care if the system were used in all centers

Modificación de la calidad de vida de pacientes polimedicados mediante atención farmacéutica / No disponible

Fundamento. Determinar si las actividades de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico a pacientes crónicos polimedicados,como parte de la atención farmacéutica realizada por farmacéuticos comunitarios, modifica las distintas dimensiones de la calidad de vida percibida. Métodos. 110 pacientes polimedicados fueron aleatorizados ofertándosele a la mitad el seguimiento farmacotera-péutico en la farmacia comunitaria, y a la otra mitad atención habitual. La oferta de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico se hizo en 8 farmacias de la provincia de Sevilla durante 6 meses, cuyos titulares son farmacéuticos específicamente entrenados en actividades de atención farmacéutica. La variable resultado principal es la calidad de vida percibida, medida según el cuestionario SF-36 (versión española). La evaluación se hizo por investigadores independientes.Resultados. A los 6 meses, no se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ninguno de los ochocomponentes de la calidad de vida (función física, rol físico, dolor corporal, salud general, vitalidad, funciónsocial, rol emocional y salud mental). Comparativamente con los valores nacionales de referencia, los pacientescrónicos polimedicados tienden a manifestar peor calidad de vida que la media nacional de referencia,especialmente las mujeres en las dimensiones de rol físico, dolor corporal, vitalidad, función social y saludmental (p<0,05).Conclusiones. La calidad de vida de los pacientes polimedicados es peor que la media nacional. El seguimiento farmacoterapéutico desde las oficinas de farmacia no demuestra mejoría

Objective. To determine whether pharmacotherapeutic follow-up activities in chronic patients on multidrugtherapy, as part of the pharmaceutical care provided by community pharmacists, modifies the dimensionsof perceived quality of life.Methods. The study involved 110 patients on multidrug therapy. Half of them were randomized to undergopharmacotherapeutic follow-up in the community pharmacy and the other half to regular care. The offer ofpharmatherapeutic follow-up involved eight pharmacies in the province of Seville over a six-month period.The proprietors were pharmacists specifically trained in pharmaceutical care activities. The main outcomevariable was the perceived quality of life, measured according to the Spanish version of the SF-36 questionnaire. The evaluation was carried out by independent investigators.Results. After six months of study, no statistically significant differences were observed in any of the eightquality of life components (physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role and mental health). When compared with the national reference values, chronicpatients on multidrug therapy tended to present a lower quality of life than the national average. The mostmarked differences were found in women with respect to physical role, bodily pain, vitality, social functioningand mental health (p<0.05).Conclusions. The quality of life in patients on multidrug therapy is lower than the national average. Pharmacotherapeutic follow-up carried out in pharmacies is not associated with an improvement

[Community effectiveness of vaccines against infectious parotiditis (mumps). Report of cases]. / Efectividad comunitaria de las vacunas frente a la parotiditis infecciosa. Estudio de casos.

BACKGROUND: In our country, there are two types of infectious mumps vaccines available. In recent times, doubts have been raised regarding the overall effectiveness of these vaccines and the comparative effectiveness of the two strains (Rubini strain and Jeryl Lynn strain). In the "East Seville" Primary Care district, 245 cases were reported in 1997 (90.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). This study is aimed at taking advantage of the outbreak of cases of mumps to evaluate affected populations and comparative incidence according to type of vaccines given during childhood. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of the cases (age, territorial spread, inoculation history') and trend analysis (annual incident rates) within this health care district and the surrounding area. The overall effectiveness of the mumps vaccines. The case incidence rates among those inoculated with Rubini strain and those inoculated with Jeryl Lynn strain are also estimated. RESULTS: The highest rates of incidence are found among children in the 1-4 age range. Overall effectiveness rates for these vaccines have been estimated. A significantly higher rate of infection has been found among the children inoculated with Rubini strain than those inoculated with the Jeryl Lynn strain (relative risk of 6.5 with a Confidence Interval of 95% 3.6-11.8). CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness which follows from this study does not seem as good as the theoretical effectiveness anticipated for the mumps vaccines. It thus seems advisable for other case studies to be conducted by types of vaccines used. The data to be furnished by means of sero-epidemiological studies are also of major interest.