Health Problem: Nausea is a subjective phenomenon of an unpleasant sensation in the epigastrium and back of the throat that may or may not progress to vomiting. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach, duodenum, or jejunum through the mouth. Three causes of nausea and vomiting that acupuncture has been investigated for the treatment of include pregnan…
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
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein (rhBMP) for Use in Spinal Fusion
Health Problem: It is estimated that 1.5 million bone-grafting operations are performed annually in the United States. One major application of bone grafting is in lumbar and cervical spinal fusion. Spinal fusion is performed for a variety of reasons, including trauma, herniated intervertebral discs, and degenerative disease. Spinal fusion has traditionally been performed with…
Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitor for Maintaining Glycemic Control in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
Health Problem: Diabetes mellitus (DM or diabetes) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by impaired metabolism of carbohydrates. This disorder manifests in 2 main forms: type 1 DM and type 2 DM. Diabetes is associated with a high incidence of vascular disease involving the large and small blood vessels, which contribute to late secondary complications of diabetes, i…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Episodic and Chronic Tension-Type Headache and Episodic Migraine: A Review of Reviews
Health Problem: Headache is a common neurological condition characterized by aching or pain that occurs in 1 or more areas of the head, face, mouth, or neck. Headaches may be primary or secondary. Familiar types of primary headaches include tension-type (TTH), migraine, and cluster. Twenty percent of women and 9.7% of men in the United States report having had a severe headach…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization Versus Alternative Hemorrhoidal Treatments
Health Problem: Hemorrhoids are enlarged and/or symptomatic venous cushions in the rectum and anus. They are composed of clusters of vascular tissue, smooth muscle, and connective tissue. Symptomatic hemorrhoids are thought to develop when their supporting tissues deteriorate, causing abnormal downward displacement of the anal cushions and venous dilation. They can cause pain,…
FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System for Maintaining Glycemic Control in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus
Health Problem: Diabetes mellitus (DM or diabetes) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by impaired metabolism of carbohydrates. This disorder manifests in 2 main forms: type 1 DM and type 2 DM. Type 1 DM typically manifests during childhood and adolescence but can also develop in adults. Type 1 DM accounts for < 10% of cases and stems from the lack of production…
Photodynamic Therapy with Verteporfin (Visudyne) for Choroidal Hemangioma
Health Problem: Choroidal hemangioma is a relatively uncommon benign vascular tumor that presents either as a circumscribed mass, generally without systemic associations, or as a diffuse mass that is often associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome. Choroidal hemangiomas can produce visual acuity loss from macular fluid or even lead to serous retinal detachment and elevated risk fo…
Acupuncture for Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Health Problem: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Estimates suggest that nearly 3.7 million people in the United States have fibromyalgia.
Technology Description: The technique of acupuncture involves percutaneous insertion of very fine needles to a depth of approximately…
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Shoulder Pain or Chronic Neck Pain: A Review of Reviews
Health Problem: Both neck and shoulder pain are health impairments that become more frequent as individuals age. Neck pain affects up to 66% of people in developed countries during their lifetime and can become chronic in approximately 10% of individuals. Shoulder pain is also quite common, with prevalence estimates ranging from 4% to 36%.
Technology Description…
Partial Knee Arthroplasty with the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery (Stryker) for Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Health Problem: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder affecting more than 30 million adults in the United States and is the leading cause of disability in older adults. OA is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage with involvement of the subchondral bone and synovium. Symptoms of OA of the knee include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which ultimately i…