Health Problem: Varicose veins are dilated, thickened, elongated, and twisted blood vessels that may appear thread-like or as grape-like clusters under the skin, most often on the legs. They are manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition characterized by dysfunction of the valves in veins, leading to increased blood pressure,…
Evidence Analysis
It is a challenge for health plans and clinicians to distill and analyze volumes of clinical evidence to determine likely clinical, financial, and risk impacts. This is what we do.Accessed through the Hayes Knowledge Center, the Evidence Analysis Solution addresses the following fundamental questions to help our clients determine coverage positions:
- Does the technology improve health outcomes?
- Are there other benefits associated with the technology?
- What harms might be associated with the technology?
- Have patient selection criteria been established for the technology?
- For which patients might the technology provide a benefit?
- Health Technology Assessments
- Evidence Analysis Research Briefs
- Evolving Evidence Review
- Clinical Research Responses
Proton Beam Therapy for Treatment of Rhabdomyosarcomas of the Head and Neck Region in Pediatric Patients
Health Problem: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma diagnosed in children and the third most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. Although progress in the treatment for RMS has led to improved survival, some children have nonresponsive or recurrent disease, and current treatment modalities can lead to long-term…
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Movement Disorders
Health Problem: Movement disorders, such as Parkinson disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET), are neurological conditions that can cause tremor that cannot be controlled with medication in some patients. ET is the most common movement disorder, affecting an estimated 7 million Americans and approximately 1% to 6% of the adult population > 40 …
Radioactive Yttrium-90 Microspheres for the Treatment of Primary Unresectable Liver Cancer for Downstaging or as a Bridge to Transplantation or Surgery
Health Problem: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy in the United States, accounting for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers. The definitive therapies for HCC are surgical resection, tumor ablation, and liver transplantation; however, most patients are not eligible for these therapies due to the overall b…
Risk-Reducing (Prophylactic) Salpingectomy
Health Problem: In the United States, ovarian cancer ranks fifth among cancer deaths. This type of cancer is often not detected at an early stage since early signs or symptoms are usually absent or easily overlooked. There is no effective method for screening women at normal risk for ovarian cancer.
Technology Description: Bilateral salpingectomy refer…
Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks for Treatment of Migraine
Health Problem: Migraine is a chronic, familial neurological disorder characterized by episodic headache attacks that are typically unilateral and often debilitating, lasting for hours or days and occurring multiple times per month. It is the third most prevalent illness in the world and considered the most disabling of the neurological disor…
Grafix Cryopreserved Placental Membrane (Osiris Technologies Inc.) for Treatment of Chronic Foot Ulcers in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
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…
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…