Health Technology Assessments

Health Problem: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is 1 of 4 major ligaments in the knee joint that maintain stability of the joint. Rupture of the ACL is a common knee injury, with > 200,000 ruptures occurring yearly in the United States. Most ACL injuries are complete or near-complete tears resulting in substantial joint instability, and approximately half of such injur…

Health Problem: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) have a high rate of mortality among hospital-acquired infections. These infections pose such a high risk because patients who require central venous catheters (CVCs) are usually acutely ill or highly immunosuppressed.

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Health Problem: Dry eye disease (DED) is a group of tear film disorders attributed to reduced tear production or excessive tear evaporation and associated with ocular discomfort, visual symptoms, and possible disease of the ocular surface. DED is estimated to be present in 25% of all adults seen in ophthalmology and optometry clinics and in approximately 5 million adults ≥ 50 …

Health Problem: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is responsible for serious harms, including myocardial infarction (MI) and death. It is characterized by atherosclerosis, the thickening and hardening of arteries due to plaque buildup. Atherosclerosis results from the accumulation of fatty deposits and cell products, including calcium and other crystalized materials. Over time, at…

Health Problem: Keratoconus is the most common corneal degenerative disorder, with prevalence estimates varying from 760 to 3300 cases per 100,000 people. In keratoconus, collagen fibers within the cornea weaken and no longer maintain the normal round shape of the cornea. Consequently, the cornea bulges outward, steepens, and develops a progressive conical shape. This abnormal…

Health Problem: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular, accelerated heart rhythm (tachyarrhythmia) characterized by uncoordinated atrial activation that leads to inefficient, irregular atrial contraction. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is standard care to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AF and risk factors for stroke. The limitations of OAC therapy have spurred …

Health Problem: More than one-third of the adults in the United States are obese. Obesity is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality and with increased risk for the following conditions: hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and breathing problems, certain cancers, and me…

Health Problem: The bile duct normally conveys bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine to facilitate the digestion of fats. However, gallstones can form in the gallbladder and be pushed into the bile duct to block the flow of bile. Gallstones can also cause pancreatitis since the bile duct joins the pancreatic duct before emptying into the small intestine. Other disor…

Health Problem: Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous disorder primarily affecting the central face, including the cheeks, chin, nose, and central forehead; it is characterized by remissions and exacerbations. Patients with rosacea exhibit various combinations of cutaneous signs such as flushing, erythema, telangiectasia, edema, papules, pustules, ocular lesions, and rhinophyma.

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Health Problem: Chronic pain is defined as persistent or episodic pain of a duration > 6 months of an intensity that adversely affects the function or well-being of an individual. Back and neck pain are very common conditions in the United States. Low back pain was the leading cause contributing to the most years lived with disability in 2010, both in the United States and …