Health Problem: Diabetes can damage blood vessels, compromising blood flow and oxygen circulation. Resulting tissue hypoxia may contribute to failure of even minor wounds to heal. Chronic foot ulcers in people with diabetes may occur when foot injuries, such as cuts, blisters, or sores, develop, worsen, and do not heal. Reasons are multifactorial and may include compromised s…
Health Technology Assessments
Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) are a comprehensive systematic review and critical analysis of available evidence for A SINGLE medical technology for which there are several published clinical trials and a substantial body of evidence. This report details an entire technology class for which there are one or more indications or patient populations in use.
Our analysts evaluate clinical trial data, along with information regarding safety issues, coverage policies from the private and public sectors, regulatory approvals, consensus statements, and an overall projection of the potential clinical efficacy and economic impact of the technology. Reports are reviewed annually up to 5 years post publication to determine if there is new literature or evidence that would impact a change in rating and warrant an updated report.
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Resulting from Ovarian Cancer
Health Problem: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States and the fifth most common type of cancer-related death among women. In 2015, the 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with OC was 47.6%. A woman’s risk of developing OC during her lifetime is 1 in 78; the risk of death from OC cancer is 1 in 108. The majority of …
Magnetic Resonance–Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
Health Problem: Uterine fibroids (UFs) (also called leiomyomata or myomas) are benign tumors of the myometrium, the smooth muscle layer of the uterus. Approximately 25% of fibroids are symptomatic. Fibroids are the most common indication for hysterectomy in many countries.
Technology Descript…
Magnetic Resonance–Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
Health Problem: Uterine fibroids (UFs) (also called leiomyomata or myomas) are benign tumors of the myometrium, the smooth muscle layer of the uterus. Approximately 25% of fibroids are symptomatic. Fibroids are the most common indication for hysterectomy in many countries.
Technology Descript…
Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Migraine Headache
Health Problem: Headache is a common disorder affecting more than 45 million individuals in the United States. There are several types of headache, with symptoms that vary with the underlying pathophysiology. Headaches can be primary, such as migraine, cluster, and tension headaches; or secondary to systemic, intracranial, or extracranial causes. Migraine affects 18% of women…
The Early Start Denver Model for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Health Problem: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that presents in childhood and is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction; restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities; and clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other i…
Intrathecal Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain
Health Problem: Chronic pain, or pain persisting > 6 months, is a multifaceted condition with an estimated prevalence of 2% to 40% in adults in the United States. There are numerous etiologies of chronic noncancer pain. Treatment of chronic pain depends on individual and pain-related factors. Common treatments include oral analgesics, injecti…
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis
Health Problem: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressively disabling autoimmune disease of the connective tissue that causes skin thickening; the disease can thicken visceral connective tissue that results in organ impairment, organ failure, and mortality. SSc is a rare disease, estimated to affect 250 people per 1,000,000 population in the …
Hybrid Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation
Health Problem: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular, accelerated heart rhythm characterized by uncoordinated atrial activation that leads to inefficient, irregular atrial contraction. According to 2010 data, approximately 2.7 to 6.1 million people in the United States have AF. In both men and women, AF is associated with a signific…
iStent inject Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent (Glaukos Corp.) in Combination with Cataract Surgery for Management of Open-Angle Glaucoma
Health Problem: Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells; remodeling of the lamina cribrosa; structural changes to the nerve; elevated intraocular pressure (IOP); and progressive, irreversible loss of vision leading to blindness. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is associated with partial blockage of t…