Health Problem: Approximately 3.2 million people in the United States have a chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which puts them at risk for developing hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, a need for liver transplantation, and possible death due to liver failure or liver cancer. However, HCV infection is a treatable disease and effective antiviral treatments that can lead to …
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
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (mild; Vertos Medical Inc.) Device Kit for Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Health Problem: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) affects more than 200,000 adults in the United States and is a source of substantial pain and disability. Major contributors to LSS include degenerative intervertebral discs and bone structures, as well as hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum.
Technology Description: The mild device kit (Vertos Medical Inc.) …
Rezūm System (NxThera Inc.) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Health Problem: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement or growth of the prostate that affects approximately 8 million men in the United States, including 30% of men older than 50 years of age and nearly 70% of men older than 70 years of age. The enlarged prostate restricts the urethra and applies pressure on the base of the bladder. This restriction of the urethr…
Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (Wright Medical Group) for Treatment of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthritis
Health Problem: Osteoarthritis is the second most common disorder of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the progressive loss of articular cartilage and development of osteophytes. Also referred to as hallux rigidus or hallux limitus depending upon the severity of joint dysfunction, the condition is characterized by pain …
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Health Problem: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system. MS is estimated to affect 400,000 to 1,000,000 people in the United States and 2,300,000 people worldwide.
Technology Description: During hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a patient undergoes a partially or fully my…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Conditions of the Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fascia
Health Problem: Conditions of the Achilles tendon, such as Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) or Achilles tendinopathy (AT), as well as conditions of the plantar fascia (plantar fasciitis [PF]) can result from overuse or can be due to sports, age, and/or a combination of seve…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Health Problem: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which 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 important areas of current functio…
DaTscan (123I-Ioflupane; GE Healthcare) for Diagnosis and Management of Parkinson Disease
Health Problem: Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, postural instability, and bradykinesia and nonmotor symptoms such as sleep disorders, olfactory impairment, attention/memory impairment, apathy, depression, and anxiety. The cause of PD is degeneration of the dopaminergic system due t…
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Health Problem: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by intrusive obsessions and repetitive compulsions where symptoms interfere with a person’s routine, occupation, or social functioning; lifetime prevalence of OCD is estimated between 2% to 3% in the United States. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as an alternat…
Epidural Steroid Injections for Cervical Radiculopathy
Health Problem: Cervical radiculopathy is a condition that involves nerve root compression in the cervical spine. Causes of cervical radiculopathy include cervical degenerative disc disease, such as herniated disc, as well as spondylosis and cervical spinal stenosis. Few studies have examined the prevalence of cervical radiculopathy, but an oft-cited estimate is 83 patients di…