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…
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
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…
Endolumenal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP; Medtronic Inc.) for Evaluation of Esophageal and Gastric Disorders
Health Problem: The esophageal and gastric disorders most frequently evaluated with the Endolumenal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP) are achalasia, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), and gastroparesis, but these disorders are relatively rare, with prevalence ranging from approximately 11 to 52 cases per 100,000 persons in the general population. Disorders of esophage…
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Hip Osteoarthritis
Health Problem: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition that occurs when the cartilage between the bones degenerates, no longer providing a smooth, gliding surface for motion or adequate cushioning. Damaged articular cartilage does not tend to heal and may progressively worsen and cause focal lesions and eventually OA. Hip OA is common. The estimated lifetime risk for …
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Radioactive Yttrium-90 Microspheres for Treatment of Primary Unresectable Liver Cancer
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 burden or severity of their dis…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Mini Gastric Bypass–One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass for the Treatment of Obesity: A Review of Reviews
Health Problem: Obesity is a common condition in the United States, where approximately 37.7% of adults aged 20 years and older are considered obese. Data from 2013 to 2014 show a rate of obesity of 17.2% among younger individuals aged 2 to 19 years. Morbid obesity is associated with substantively elevated morbidity and mortality due to comorbid conditions, including type…