Bio-impedance spectroscopy added to a fluid management protocol does not improve preservation of residual kidney function in incident hemodialysis patients in a randomized controlled trial.

Avoiding excessive dialysis-associated volume depletion may help preserve residual kidney function (RKF). To establish whether knowledge of the estimated normally hydrated weight from bioimpedance measurements (BI-NHW) when setting the post-hemodialysis target weight (TW) might mitigate rate of loss of RKF, we undertook an open label, randomized controlled trial in incident patients receiving HD, with clinicians and patients blinded to bioimpedance readings in controls. A total of 439 patients with over 500 ml urine/day or residual GFR exceeding 3 ml/min/1.73m2 were recruited from 34 United Kingdom centers and randomized 1:1, stratified by center. Fluid assessments were made for up to 24 months using a standardized proforma in both groups, supplemented by availability of BI-NHW in the intervention group. Primary outcome was time to anuria, analyzed using competing-risk survival models adjusted for baseline characteristics, by intention to treat. Secondary outcomes included rate of RKF decline (mean urea and creatinine clearance), blood pressure and patient-reported outcomes. There were no group differences in cause-specific hazard rates of anuria (0.751; 95% confidence interval (0.459, 1.229)) or sub-distribution hazard rates (0.742 (0.453, 1.215)). RKF decline was markedly slower than anticipated, pooled linear rates in year 1: -0.178 (-0.196, -0.159)), year 2: -0.061 (-0.086, -0.036)) ml/min/1.73m2/month. Blood pressure and patient-reported outcomes did not differ by group. The mean difference agreement between TW and BI-NHW was similar for both groups, Bioimpedance: -0.04 kg; Control: -0.25 kg. Thus, use of a standardized clinical protocol for fluid assessment when setting TW is associated with excellent preservation of RKF. Hence, bioimpedance measurements are not necessary to achieve this.

An assessment of the construct validity of the Child Health Utility 9D-CHN instrument in school-aged children: evidence from a Chinese trial.

BACKGROUND: Although there is emerging data regarding the psychometric properties of the Child Health Utility-9D instrument, more evidence is required with respect to its validity for use in different country settings. The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity of the CHU-9D-CHN instrument in Chinese children. METHODS: Baseline Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and demographic data were collected from children recruited to the CHIRPY DRAGON obesity prevention intervention randomised controlled trial in China. HRQoL was measured using the Chinese version of the CHU-9D instrument (CHU-9D-CHN) and the PedsQL instrument. CHU-9D-CHN utility scores were generated using two scoring algorithms [UK and Chinese tariffs]. Discriminant validity, known-group validity and convergent validity were evaluated using non-parametric test for trend, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation coefficient analysis respectively. RESULTS: Data was available for 1,539 children (mean age 6 years). The CHU-9D-CHN was sensitive to known group differences determined by the median PedsQL total score. Furthermore, the mean CHU-9D-CHN utility values decreased linearly with increasing levels of severity on each dimension of the PedsQL for emotional and social functioning domains. They decreased monotonically with increasing levels of severity on each dimension of the PedsQL for physical and school functioning domains (p < 0.001). Contrary to studies conducted in Western countries, and although not statistically significant, we found an indication that HRQoL, using both the CHU-9D-CHN and the PedsQL, was higher in children whose parents had lower levels of education, compared to those whose parents were university educated. The correlation between the CHU-9D-CHN utility values using UK and Chinese tariffs, and PedsQL total scores showed a statistically significant moderate positive correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.5221, p < 0.001 and Spearman's rho = 0.5316, p < 0.001), respectively. However, each CHU-9D-CHN dimension was either weakly, or very weakly correlated with each of the predetermined PedsQL domain functioning scores. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings provide some support for the construct validity of the CHU-9D-CHN within a Chinese population aged 6-7 years. However, some uncertainty remains. We recommend future studies continue to test the validity of the CHU-9D in different country settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Identifier ISRCTN11867516, Registered on 19/08/2015.

A systematic review of economic evaluations for donor human milk versus standard feeding in infants.

Reviews on the cost/outcome of donor human milk (DHM) for infants requiring care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting have been undertaken. However, the cost-effectiveness evidence is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of published full economic evaluations of DHM versus standard feeding in infants in neonatal care with the aim of undertaking a narrative synthesis of the cost-effectiveness evidence and critical appraisal of the methods used. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) and PROSPERO databases were searched. Studies were included if they were full economic evaluations (model-based or trial-based), the participants were infants in neonatal units requiring nutritional support, the intervention was DHM and the comparator was any standard feeding option. There were no restrictions on outcome measures. Two authors independently assessed eligibility, extracted data, assessed quality and cross-checked results, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Information extracted focused on study context, and economic evaluation methods and results. Of 2861 studies, seven were included. Six (86%) studies originated from high-income countries. Four (57%) of the studies were model-based. Although we could not directly compare the different studies, due to the heterogenous nature of health and economic parameters used in the studies, all DHM interventions indicated cost-effective or cost saving results. This review suggests that economic evaluation of DHM interventions is an expanding area of research. Although these interventions show promise, future economic evaluations of DHM interventions need to explicitly provide more details on long-term costs and consequences.

The CHIRPY DRAGON intervention in preventing obesity in Chinese primary-school--aged children: A cluster-randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In countries undergoing rapid economic transition such as China, rates of increase in childhood obesity exceed that in the West. However, prevention trials in these countries are inadequate in both quantity and methodological quality. In high-income countries, recent reviews have demonstrated that school-based prevention interventions are moderately effective but have some methodological limitations. To address these issues, this study evaluated clinical- and cost- effectiveness of the Chinese Primary School Children Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviour Changes Intervention (CHIRPY DRAGON) developed using the United Kingdom Medical Research Council complex intervention framework to prevent obesity in Chinese primary-school-aged children. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this cluster-randomised controlled trial, we recruited 40 state-funded primary schools from urban districts of Guangzhou, China. A total of 1,641 year-one children with parent/guardian consent took part in baseline assessments prior to stratified randomisation of schools (intervention arm, 20 schools, n = 832, mean age = 6.15 years, 55.6% boys; control arm n = 809, mean age = 6.14 years, 53.3% boys). The 12-month intervention programme included 4 school- and family-based components delivered by 5 dedicated project staff. We promoted physical activity and healthy eating behaviours through educational and practical workshops, family activities, and supporting the school to improve physical activity and food provision. The primary outcome, assessed blind to allocation, was between-arm difference in body mass index (BMI) z score at completion of the intervention. A range of prespecified, secondary anthropometric, behavioural, and psychosocial outcomes were also measured. We estimated cost effectiveness based on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), taking a public sector perspective. Attrition was low with 55 children lost to follow up (3.4%) and no school dropout. Implementation adherence was high. Using intention to treat analysis, the mean difference (MD) in BMI z scores (intervention - control) was -0.13 (-0.26 to 0.00, p = 0.048), with the effect being greater in girls (MD = -0.18, -0.32 to -0.05, p = 0.007, p for interaction = 0.015) and in children with overweight or obesity at baseline (MD = -0.49, -0.73 to -0.25, p < 0.001, p for interaction < 0.001). Significant beneficial intervention effects were also observed on consumption of fruit and vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy snacks, screen-based sedentary behaviour, and physical activity in the intervention group. Cost effectiveness was estimated at £1,760 per QALY, with the probability of the intervention being cost effective compared with usual care being at least 95% at a willingness to pay threshold of £20,000 to 30,000 per QALY. There was no evidence of adverse effects or harms. The main limitations of this study were the use of dietary assessment tools not yet validated for Chinese children and the use of the UK value set to estimate QALYS. CONCLUSIONS: This school- and family-based obesity prevention programme was effective and highly cost effective in reducing BMI z scores in primary-school-aged children in China. Future research should identify strategies to enhance beneficial effects among boys and investigate the transferability of the intervention to other provinces in China and countries that share the same language and cultures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Identifier ISRCTN11867516.

Self-efficacy and relevance of bioscience for nursing, midwifery and healthcare students.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare students' self-efficacy for science, perceived relevance of bioscience to their studies and expectations for academic success and the changes that occur after completing first-year introductory bioscience subjects. BACKGROUND: Bioscience is a foundation subject that underpins nursing, midwifery and other allied health courses. Bioscience subjects continue to be source of anxiety for students in those courses. Raising students' self-efficacy and perceptions of the importance and utility of bioscience to practice may be a way of ameliorating students' expectations and confidence in this subject area. DESIGN: A prospective correlational survey design. METHODS: Students were surveyed in the first semester of first year and the commencement of the second year. Students were drawn from nursing, midwifery, public health and allied health courses. The surveys contained scales for self-efficacy for science, perceived relevance of bioscience to their course and personal expectations for success in their bioscience subject. RESULTS: Ninety-seven and 82 students completed survey 1 and 2 respectively. Twenty-six surveys could be matched. Self-efficacy increased from survey 1 to survey 2, but expectations for academic success and task value, a measure for relevance, were lower. This was statistically significant for the matched pair sample. Using a mean split, students with high self-efficacy valued science more and had higher expectations for success in their bioscience courses than those with low self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Academic success in bioscience, confidence undertaking science tasks and perceiving bioscience as relevant to their course are interwoven concepts that are important for nursing, midwifery and applied healthcare students and ultimately for their professional practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Literature indicates practitioners may not feel confident in their bioscience knowledge. Assisting undergraduate students to develop confidence in and perceive the relevance of bioscience to their discipline may ultimately impact on clinical practice.

Cost-effectiveness of bioimpedance-guided fluid management in patients undergoing haemodialysis: the BISTRO RCT.

Background: The BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of bioimpedance spectroscopy added to a standardised fluid management protocol on the risk of anuria and preservation of residual kidney function (primary trial outcomes) in incident haemodialysis patients. Despite the economic burden of kidney disease, the cost-effectiveness of using bioimpedance measurements to guide fluid management in haemodialysis is not known. Objectives: To assess the cost-effectiveness of bioimpedance-guided fluid management against current fluid management without bioimpedance. Design: Within-trial economic evaluation (cost-utility analysis) carried out alongside the open-label, multicentre BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output randomised controlled trial. Setting: Thirty-four United Kingdom outpatient haemodialysis centres, both main and satellite units, and their associated inpatient hospitals. Participants: Four hundred and thirty-nine adult haemodialysis patients with > 500 ml urine/day or residual glomerular filtration rate > 3 ml/minute/1.73 m2. Intervention: The study intervention was the incorporation of bioimpedance technology-derived information about body composition into the clinical assessment of fluid status in patients with residual kidney function undergoing haemodialysis. Bioimpedance measurements were used in conjunction with usual clinical judgement to set a target weight that would avoid excessive fluid depletion at the end of a dialysis session. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measure of the BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output economic evaluation was incremental cost per additional quality-adjusted life-year gained over 24 months following randomisation. In the main (base-case) analysis, this was calculated from the perspective of the National Health Service and Personal Social Services. Sensitivity analyses explored the impact of different scenarios, sources of resource use data and value sets. Results: The bioimpedance-guided fluid management group was associated with £382 lower average cost per patient (95% CI -£3319 to £2556) and 0.043 more quality-adjusted life-years (95% CI -0.019 to 0.105) compared with the current fluid management group, with neither values being statistically significant. The probability of bioimpedance-guided fluid management being cost-effective was 76% and 83% at commonly cited willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 and £30,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, respectively. The results remained robust to a series of sensitivity analyses. Limitations: The missing data level was high for some resource use categories collected through case report forms, due to COVID-19 disruptions and a significant dropout rate in the informing BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output trial. Conclusions: Compared with current fluid management, bioimpedance-guided fluid management produced a marginal reduction in costs and a small improvement in quality-adjusted life-years. Results from both the base-case and sensitivity analyses suggested that use of bioimpedance is likely to be cost-effective. Future work: Future work exploring the association between primary outcomes and longer-term survival would be useful. Should an important link be established, and relevant evidence becomes available, it would be informative to determine whether and how this might affect longer-term costs and benefits associated with bioimpedance-guided fluid management. Funding details: This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme as award number HTA 14/216/01 (NIHR136142).

'Bioimpedance' is a measure of how difficult it is for an electric current to pass through a biological object. Bioimpedance is used in devices that assess fluid status (over- or under-hydration) because it is very sensitive to the amount of water in tissue. Bioimpedance can be used in addition to clinical judgement when deciding how much water should be removed from someone with kidney failure during a dialysis treatment session. This is the first study to examine whether using this treatment represents a cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. We carried out an economic evaluation within a large randomised controlled trial in patients with kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis. We calculated the additional costs and quality-adjusted life-years (a measure that combines quality and quantity of life) using established methods. Over 2 years, our study showed that taking into account bioimpedance measurements about target weight resulted in slightly lower costs and marginally more quality-adjusted life-years, although there is uncertainty around these findings.

Recurrent patellar dislocation: personalised therapy or operative treatment? The REPPORT randomised trial protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent patellar dislocation is a debilitating musculoskeletal condition, affecting mainly adolescents and adults under the age of 30. It can persist for many decades, causing pain and cartilage and soft-tissue damage, potentially leading to osteoarthritis. Recurrent patellar dislocation can be managed with physiotherapy or surgery. However, it is not known which treatment is most effective. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Recurrent Patellar Dislocation: Personalised Therapy or Operative Treatment (REPPORT) is a pragmatic, multicentre, two-arm, superiority, randomised controlled trial. It will compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an initial management strategy of personalised, phased and progressive rehabilitation, termed personalised knee therapy versus surgery for recurrent patellar dislocation.The trial's target sample size is 276 participants who will be recruited from approximately 20 sites across the UK. Participants will be randomly allocated to the two treatment groups via a central computer-based minimisation system. Treatment allocation will be in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by age, presence of patella alta and recruitment site.The primary outcome is participant-reported function using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome 4-domain score at 18 months post randomisation. Health economic evaluation will be conducted from a healthcare system and personal social services perspective. Secondary outcome data including patellar instability, health utility, work/education status, satisfaction with social roles and treatment, health resource use and adverse events will be collected at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Analysis will be on an intention-to-treat basis and reported in-line with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial was approved by the East Midlands-Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee on 30 March 2023.Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at national and international conferences, in lay summaries, and using the REPPORT website and social media channels. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN17972668.

Relationship Between Weight Status and Health-Related Quality of Life in School-age Children in China.

Background: Some studies from high-income countries suggest that overweight and/or obesity in children are negatively associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the relationship between weight status and HRQOL is not well established in China, where obesity trends follow a different pattern compared with high-income countries. The risk of obesity is greater in children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and higher in boys compared with girls. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between weight status and HRQOL in children between 6 and 7 years old in this unique country context. Methods: Baseline HRQOL and demographic data were collected from children recruited to the CHIRPY DRAGON obesity prevention trial in China. HRQOL was measured using the Chinese version of the Child Health Utility-9D (CHU-9D-CHN) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) instruments. CHU-9D-CHN utility scores were generated using 2 scoring algorithms (UK and Chinese tariffs). Height and weight measures were taken at school by trained researchers using standardized methods, and BMI z scores were calculated using the World Health Organization 2007 growth charts. The relationship between HRQOL and weight status was examined using multivariable analyses, adjusting for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Results: Full data were available for 1539 children (mean age, 6 years). In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, HRQOL, using both the CHU-9D-CHN and the PedsQL™, was marginally higher in children who were overweight or living with obesity compared with children with healthy weight, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. Separate analyses and models by gender showed that the relationship between weight status and HRQOL scores was similar in boys and girls. Conclusions: Our results suggest no statistically significant difference in HRQOL between children with overweight/obesity compared with those with healthy weight. These results have implications for the methods of economic evaluation for obesity treatment and prevention interventions within this population cohort and country setting, as there appears to be no discernible consequences on children's HRQOL from living with overweight and obesity.

Association between vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D level and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 including clinical course, morbidity and mortality outcomes? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systemically review and critically appraise published studies of the association between vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D level and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19, including clinical course, morbidity and mortality outcomes. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MedRxiv and BioRxiv preprint databases. COVID-19 databases of the WHO, Cochrane, CEBM Oxford and Bern University up to 10 June 2020. STUDY SELECTION: Studies that assessed vitamin D supplementation and/or low serum vitamin D in patients acutely ill with, or at risk of, severe betacoronavirus infection (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2). DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form and assessed risk of bias using the Downs and Black Quality Assessment Checklist. RESULTS: Searches elicited 449 papers, 59 studies were eligible full-text assessment and 4 met the eligibility criteria of this review. The four studies were narratively synthesised and included (1) a cross-sectional study (n=107) suggesting an inverse association between serum vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2; (2) a retrospective cohort study (348 598 participants, 449 cases) in which univariable analysis showed that vitamin D protects against COVID-19; (3) an ecological country level study demonstrating a negative correlation between vitamin D and COVID-19 case numbers and mortality; and (4) a case-control survey (n=1486) showing cases with confirmed/probable COVID-19 reported lower vitamin D supplementation. All studies were at high/unclear risk of bias. CONCLUSION: There is no robust evidence of a negative association between vitamin D and COVID-19. No relevant randomised controlled trials were identified and there is no robust peer-reviewed published evidence of association between vitamin D levels and severity of symptoms or mortality due to COVID-19. Guideline producers should acknowledge that benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 are as yet unproven despite increasing interest.

Cost-Effectiveness of a School-and Family-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Programme in China: The "CHIRPY DRAGON" Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Rapid socioeconomic and nutrition transitions in Chinese populations have contributed to the growth in childhood obesity. This study presents a cost-effectiveness analysis of a school- and family-based childhood obesity prevention programme in China. Methods: A trial-based economic evaluation assessed cost-effectiveness at 12 months. Forty schools with 1,641 children were randomised to either receive the multi-component (diet and physical activity) intervention or to continue with usual activities. Both public sector and societal perspectives were adopted. Costs and benefits in the form of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were compared and uncertainty was assessed using established UK and US thresholds. Results: The intervention cost was 35.53 Yuan (£7.04/US$10.01) per child from a public sector perspective and 536.95 Yuan (£106/US$151) from a societal perspective. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 272.7 Yuan (£54/US$77)/BMI z-score change. The ICER was 8,888 Yuan (£1,760/US$2,502) and 73,831 Yuan (£14,620/US$20,796) per QALY from a public sector and societal perspective, respectively and was cost-effective using UK (£20,000) and US (US$50,000) per QALY thresholds. Conclusion: A multi-component school-based prevention programme is a cost-effective means of preventing childhood obesity in China.

Exercise for premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is recommended as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in clinical guidelines, but this is currently based on poor-quality trial evidence. AIM: To systematically review the evidence for the effectiveness of exercise as a treatment for PMS. DESIGN & SETTING: This systematic review searched eight major databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and two trial registries from inception until April 2019. METHOD: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise interventions of a minimum of 8-weeks duration with non-exercise comparator groups in women with PMS were included. Mean change scores for any continuous PMS outcome measure were extracted from eligible trials and standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated where possible. Random-effects meta-analysis of the effect of exercise on global PMS symptoms was the primary outcome. Secondary analyses examined the effects of exercise on predetermined clusters of psychological, physical, and behavioural symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 436 non-duplicate returns were screened, with 15 RCTs eligible for inclusion (n = 717). Seven trials contributed data to the primary outcome meta-analysis (n = 265); participants randomised to an exercise intervention reported reduced global PMS symptom scores (SMD = -1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.88 to -0.29) versus comparator, but with substantial heterogeneity (I 2 = 87%). Secondary results for psychological (SMD = -1.67; 95% CI = -2.38 to -0.96), physical (SMD = -1.62; 95% CI = -2.41 to -0.83) and behavioural (SMD = -1.94; 95% CI = -2.45 to -1.44) symptom groupings displayed similar findings. Most trials (87%) were considered at high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Based on current evidence, exercise may be an effective treatment for PMS, but some uncertainty remains.

A Systematic Review of Methods, Study Quality, and Results of Economic Evaluation for Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Intervention.

Many suggested policy interventions for childhood and adolescent obesity have costs and effects that fall outside the health care sector. These cross-sectorial costs and consequences have implications for how economic evaluation is applied and although previous systematic reviews have provided a summary of cost-effectiveness, very few have conducted a review of methods applied. We undertook this comprehensive review of economic evaluations, appraising the methods used, assessing the quality of the economic evaluations, and summarising cost-effectiveness. Nine electronic databases were searched for full-economic evaluation studies published between January 2001 and April 2017 with no language or country restrictions. 39 economic evaluation studies were reviewed and quality assessed. Almost all the studies were from Western countries and methods were found to vary by country, setting and type of intervention. The majority, particularly "behavioural and policy" preventive interventions, were cost-effective, even cost-saving. Only four interventions were not cost effective. This systematic review suggests that economic evaluation of obesity interventions is an expanding area of research. However, methodological heterogeneity makes evidence synthesis challenging. Whilst upstream interventions show promise, an expanded and consistent approach to evaluate cost-effectiveness is needed to capture health and non-health costs and consequences.

Protocol for a systematic review of methods and cost-effectiveness findings of economic evaluations of obesity prevention and/or treatment interventions in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major global public health problem, with governments increasingly having to undertake various strategies to reduce excess weight in their populations. Considering the increasing number of well-conducted intervention studies in the field of childhood obesity prevention, there are relatively few published economic evaluations. The proposed systematic review will explore the methods of these economic evaluations, examine the limitations and establish the evidence base for cost-effectiveness analyses. METHODS/DESIGN: Systematic review methodology will be applied to identify, select and extract data from published economic evaluation studies (trial-based, non-trial based, simulation-based, decision model and trial based model economic evaluations) of obesity prevention and/or treatment interventions in children and adolescents. A systematic literature search will be conducted using bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, EconLit, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) Registry). The review will only include full economic evaluations. There will be no restrictions based on language, perspective, follow-up duration, sample size, country or setting. To minimise selection bias, translation of non-English language articles will be undertaken. The quality of included studies will be assessed. Following data extraction, a narrative synthesis of the results from the included studies will be undertaken. Subgroup analysis will be considered where deemed appropriate. DISCUSSION: The findings from this review, which will include primary studies, will provide evidence to assist health policy decision makers interpret economic evaluations in this field. In addition, we will identify gaps in the current literature to inform future-related research. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Prospero CRD42017062236.