Expression of Elafin and CD200 as Immune Checkpoint Molecules Involved in Celiac Disease.

We comprehensively evaluated the expression of therapeutically targetable immune checkpoint molecules involved in celiac disease (CD). We have focused on the alteration of the CD200/CD200R pathway and Elafin expression in celiac disease and discussed their roles in regulating the immune response. There are limited data related to the expression or function of these molecules in celiac disease. This finding could significantly contribute to the understanding of the clinical manifestation of CD. CD200, CD200R and Elafin distributions were determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry analyses in serum and biopsies of CD patients. Analyses of Th1 and Th17 cytokines were determined. PCR amplification of a fragment of the PI3 gene was carried out using genomic DNA isolated from whole blood samples of the study subjects. Different aliquots of the PCR reaction product were subjected to RFLP analysis for SNP genotyping and detection. We characterized the expression and function of the CD200-CD200R axis and PI3 in celiac disease. A significantly higher level of soluble CD200 and CD200R and lower expression of PI3 in serum of CD patients was observed compared to healthy controls. Consistent with our results, CD200 expression is regulated by IFN-gamma. Interaction of CD200/CD200R leads to production of type-Th1 and -Th17 cytokines. Regarding the PI3 genotype, the CT genotype proportion SNP rs1733103 and the GG genotype SNP rs41282752 were predominant in CD patients. SNP rs1733103 showed a significant association between the SNP variables and CD. In celiac disease the immune checkpoint is compromised or dysregulated, which can contribute to inflammation and the autoimmunity process. The study of these checkpoint points will lead to the development of targeted therapies aimed at restoring immunological balance in CD. Specific coding regions of the PI3 gene-splice variants predispose the Elafin protein, both at the transcriptional and post-translational levels, to modify its expression and function, resulting in reduced differential functional protein levels in patients with active celiac disease.

Evaluation of the clinical and economic value of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Spain during the last 5 years.

OBJECTIVE: Direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) represented a paradigm shift. In 2017, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL-Epclusa®) was approved, which showed a high cure rate in all patient, contributing to HCV elimination. The analysis aimed to quantify the clinical and economic value of SOF/VEL in HCV chronic patients since its approval in Spain. METHODS: An economic evaluation was elaborated adapting a Markov model that simulated the lifetime disease progression in of all HCV chronic patients treated with SOF/VEL (30,488 patients) since its launch (5-years), compared to previous therapies. Patients entered the model and were distributed between the fibrosis states (F0-to-F4) in treated and untreated. All patients (100%) were treated with SOF/VEL regardless of their fibrosis, and 49% with previous therapies in ≥F2. The average sustained viral response (SVR) rates 98.9% SOF/VEL versus 61.0% previous therapies. All parameters for the analysis were obtained from real-life data and literature. Only direct healthcare costs associated with disease management were included. The SOF/VEL value was measured as the number of hepatic complications avoided and their associated cost, and hepatic mortality compared to previous therapies. National Health System perspective and a 3% discount rate was applied. RESULTS: SOF/VEL decreased the number of liver complications, avoiding 92% decompensated cirrhosis, 80% hepatocellular carcinomas, and 87% liver transplants, as well as 85% liver-related mortality. Their cost associated was reduced, amounting to savings of 197M€. CONCLUSION: SOF/VEL adds relevant value to the HCV treatment, reducing the clinical and economic disease burden and contributing to HCV elimination in Spain.

Impact of hepatitis D reflex testing on the future disease burden: A modelling analysis.

Chronic hepatitis D (CHD) is a severe form of viral hepatitis that leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. CHD is underdiagnosed, and this study aimed to assess the impact of hepatitis D reflex testing in HBsAg-positive individuals in Spain over the next 8 years. Two scenarios were compared: the current situation (7.6% of HBsAg-positive patients tested for anti-HDV) and reflex testing for all positive samples. A decision tree model was designed to simulate the CHD care cascade. Implementing reflex testing would increase anti-HDV detection to 5498 cases and HDV-RNA to 3225 cases. Additionally, 2128 more patients would receive treatment, with 213 achieving undetectable HDV-RNA levels. The cost per anti-HDV case detected would be €132. In the median time of the analysis, liver complications (decompensated cirrhosis, HCC and liver-related deaths) would be reduced by 35%-38%, implying an estimated cost savings of 36 million euros associated with the management of such complications. By 2030, implementing anti-HDV reflex testing would reduce the clinical and economic burden of CHD by 35%-38%.

Current state of telemedicine in the field of Hepatology in Spain: challenges, threats and next steps to follow for an intelligent digital transformation.

Medicine and technology are constantly evolving. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development of digitalization in the health sector and specifically of telemedicine. Through a structured bibliographic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology, in this study, the concepts related to telemedicine, its application and the legal regulatory context are defined. With this information, some recommendations and codes of good practice are proposed for their effective implementation in the field of Hepatology.

Recommendations for the integral diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis in a single analytical extraction. / Recomendaciones para el diagnóstico integral de las hepatitis virales crónicas en una única extracción analítica.

The Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology (SEPD), the Spanish Association for the Study of the Liver (AEEH), the Spanish Society of Infections and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and its Viral Hepatitis Study Group (GEHEP), and with the endorsement of the Alliance for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Spain (AEHVE), have agreed on a document to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of viral hepatitis (B, C and D), from a single blood sample; that is, a comprehensive diagnosis, in the hospital and/or at the point of care of the patient. We propose an algorithm, so that the positive result in a viral hepatitis serology (B, C and D), as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), would trigger the analysis of the rest of the virus, including the viral load when necessary, in the same blood draw. In addition, we make two additional recommendations. First, the need to rule out a previous hepatitis A virus (VHA) infection, to proceed with its vaccination in cases where IgG-type studies against this virus are negative and the vaccine is indicated. Second, the determination of the HIV serology. Finally, in case of a positive result for any of the viruses analyzed, there must be an automated alerts and initiate epidemiological monitoring.

Recommendations to standardize patients' follow-up after interventional procedures in chronic pain treatment: A Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine, using the Delphi method, standardized recommendations for the follow-up of patients undergoing an interventional procedure for the treatment of chronic pain in Spain. METHODS: First, a systematic literature review was performed to identify the literature on the management of patients with chronic pain undergoing interventional techniques; subsequently, a two-round Delphi survey with 108 questions was conducted. The questionnaire was validated by a Scientific Committee (5 experts) and sent to 47 experts specialized in chronic pain. "Consensus" or "intermediate consensus" was determined when ≥ 75% or < 75% to ≥ 65% of the experts selected the same answer for each item, respectively. Then, a face-to-face deliberation process was held with the Scientific Committee to analyze and discuss the results. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 24 panelists (51%). Consensus was reached on 88.4% of the questions. The panelists identified pain, drug consumption, and quality of life as essential variables in the follow-up of patients with chronic pain. Consensus was reached on most of the scales/questionnaires to be used in measuring outcomes during follow-up, except for psychological status. Regarding the follow-up frequency, in radicular spinal chronic pain, a consensus was reached on the first visit 1-2 months after the intervention, during the first year, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and then every 6 months thereafter. For non-radicular spinal chronic pain, the first visit 1-2 months after surgery was agreed upon, however, there was no consensus on follow-up during the first year. For non-spinal chronic pain, consensus was reached regarding the first visit at 1-2 months after surgery and during the first year at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. No consensus was reached on follow-up frequency for oncological chronic pain. After receiving a permanent neurostimulator implant for chronic pain, the first visit was agreed upon at 1-3 weeks, during the first year, at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and after, every 6 months. For intrathecal infusion, it was agreed that the first visit should occur during the first month, and thereafter whenever the pump requires a refill. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide recommendations in relation to the frequency of follow-up and the scales to be used with chronic pain patients undergoing interventional techniques in Spain.

Point-of-care hepatitis C testing and treatment strategy for people attending harm reduction and addiction centres for hepatitis C elimination.

According to WHO goals, the elimination of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) by 2030 requires enhancing and simplifying HCV testing. Our aim was to create a model to assess and compare different strategies for HCV testing, linkage to care and treatment among people who access harm reduction centres (HRC) and Addiction Centres in Catalonia. A decision tree model was designed to evaluate two strategies: Hepatitis C Point-of-care (POC) "test and treat", at the community versus standard-of-care (SOC), in which HCV testing was performed at community and therapy at the hospital. Both strategies were assessed separately in HRCs (6,878 users) and Addiction Centres (13,778 users). with a time horizon of 18 months. Healthcare outcomes were HCV testing, linkage to care, treatment outcomes and reinfection rate. HCV testing was performed in 3,178 (46%) of the HRC users. Compared with SOC, POC increased access to treatment by 57% (63% vs. 6%). SVR rates were 64% in POC vs. 23% in SOC. Reinfection rates were 21% with POC compared to 24% with SOC. With POC, losses to follow-up were reduced by 41%. In the Addiction Centres, 12,566 users (91%) were screened using the two strategies. Compared to the SOC, POC increased access to treatment and linkage to care by 19% along with SVR at the same rate. Reinfection rates decreased by 6%. Thus, the implementation of a POC "test and treat" strategy at HRCs and Addiction Centres has shown to be an effective public health strategy to help eliminating HCV in accordance with WHO goal.

Perception of a New Prolonged-Release Buprenorphine Formulation in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: The PREDEPO Study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) to switching their opioid dependence treatment (ODT) for a prolonged-release buprenorphine (PRB) injection according to their prior ODT (buprenorphine/naloxone [B/N] or methadone). METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective/cross-sectional, multicentre study of adult patients diagnosed with OUD on ODT. Data collected from diaries were analysed to know their interest and opinion on PRB. Questions with fixed response options were included, and several Likert scales were used. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were enrolled (B/N: 50.0%, methadone: 50.0%). The mean age was 46.9 ± 8.43 years and 79.6% were males. PRB was similarly perceived by both groups in most variables analysed, receiving a mean score of 7.2/10 (B/N: 7.4, methadone: 7.0; p = 0.520), and approximately 65% of patients said they were willing to switch to PRB (B/N: 63.3%, methadone: 65.3%; p = 0.833). Of these, a higher percentage in the B/N group considered that switching would be easy/very easy (B/N: 90.3%, methadone: 46.9%; p < 0.001) and that they would start PRB when available (B/N: 64.5%, methadone: 34.3%; p = 0.005). More than 90% would prefer the monthly injection (B/N: 93.6%, methadone: 100%; p = 0.514). One-third of patients in both groups were unsure/would not switch their ODT to PRB (B/N: 36.7%, methadone: 34.7%; p = 0.833). The main reason was administration by injection. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of patients would switch their treatment for PRB, and most patients on B/N considered that switching would be easy. PRB could be a suitable alternative for OUD management.

Evaluation of the hospital care quality perceived by patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases from the pharmacy service. SACVINFA study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are a group of chronic and highly disabling diseases. The objective is to evaluate the satisfaction with the health care received by patients with the most prevalent IMIDs in Spain: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis (Ps) psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), and to determine the factors that influence patient satisfaction. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study in a real-world evidence context conducted in the Pharmacy Service in four hospital centres of the Community of Madrid that belong to the National Health System. The study included adult patients diagnosed with an IMID who had attended the Pharmacy Service at least three times. The patients were grouped according to the main IMID. Health care satisfaction was evaluated using the chronic patient experience assessment (IEXPAC) questionnaire. The responses to IEXPAC are grouped into three factors: productive interactions, new relational model and patient self-management, with a total score from 0 (worst) to 10 (best experience). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was also evaluated using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, and pharmacological adherence was evaluated through the Morisky-Green test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 578 patients were analysed (IBD = 25.3%; Ps = 19.7%; SpAs = 18.7%; RA = 18.5%; PsA = 17.8%). The mean age (SD) was 49.8 (12.3) years and 50.7% were male. The average score (SD) for the total IEXPAC sample was 6.6 (1.9). RA was the IMID with the lowest score, at 5.83 (2.0), significantly lower than the scores of Ps (SD) [7.01 (1.7); p = 0.003], IBD [6.83 (1, 9); p = 0.012] and SpAs [6.80 (1.6); p = 0.001]. Productive interactions (SD) [8.5 (1.8)] and patient self-management (SD) [7.3 (2.3)] were the factors with the highest scores, and the new relational model had the lowest score (SD) [3.2 (2.7)]. Male gender, a longer time interval between medication administrations and a higher HRQoL were correlated with better patient satisfaction. Current biological therapy (according to the Anatomical Chemical classification system) also had a significant influence; patients treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and interleukin inhibitors showed greater satisfaction than those treated with selective immunosuppressants. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The IEXPAC results show high general satisfaction with care quality reported by patients with IMIDs treated in the Pharmacy Service. However, there are areas of improvement in care quality specially health professional-patient communication, such as increasing access to information, and promoting and facilitating relationships with patients in similar conditions.

Certification program of Addiction Centres for hepatitis C virus elimination in Spain. HepCelentes Project. / Programa de certificación de Centros de Adicciones para la eliminación del virus de la hepatitis C en España. Proyecto HepCelentes.

Microelimination strategies for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in vulnerable populations, such as users of Addiction Centres (AC), are key for the elimination of hepatitis C. The aim of the HepCelentes project was to design a certification program for AC from the generation of a guide with the criteria to favour the prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of HCV in Spain. The project was structured in 4 phases: normalisation, implementation, certification, and communication. In the first phase, developed between July and December 2020, a Steering Committee was created (formed by representatives of scientific societies, healthcare professionals from AC, primary care centres and hospital units, and patient associations) that, from of an exhaustive bibliographic review, generated by consensus an accreditation guide for AC. The guide consists of 22 criteria (15 mandatory and 7 recommended) structured based on the requirements to be met by AC, justification for the selection, level of action (management, prevention, diagnosis and treatment/follow-up), measurement of the indicator, objective level to be achieved, evidence of compliance, clarifications to improve understanding, and mandatory / recommendation (depending on their relevance to achieve HCV elimination and its feasibility for implementation in real practice). The development of a certification system for the AC, based on consensus and coordination of multidisciplinary teams, is intended to favour the management of hepatitis C and its elimination in AC users, supporting the international, national, and regional elimination strategies.

Las estrategias de microeliminación del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en poblaciones vulnerables, como los usuarios de los centros de adicciones (CA), son fundamentales para lograr la eliminación de la hepatitis C. El objetivo del proyecto HepCelentes fue diseñar un programa de certificación para los CA, a partir de la generación de una guía con los criterios para favorecer la prevención, diagnóstico, control y tratamiento del VHC en España. El proyecto se estructuró en 4 fases: normalización, implementación, certificación y comunicación. En la primera fase, desarrollada entre julio y diciembre de 2020, se creó un Comité de Normalización (formado por representantes de sociedades científicas, profesionales sanitarios de CA, centros de atención primaria, unidades hospitalarias, y asociaciones de pacientes) que, a partir de una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva, generó por consenso una guía de certificación de los CA. La guía consta de 22 criterios (15 obligatorios y 7 recomendados) estructurados en base a la definición del criterio, justificación de su selección, nivel de actuación (gestión, prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento/seguimiento), fórmula de medición, nivel objetivo a alcanzar, evidencias de su cumplimiento, aclaraciones para mejorar su comprensión y obligatoriedad/recomendación (en función de la relevancia en la eliminación y capacidad de implementación). El desarrollo de un sistema de certificación para los CA, a partir del consenso y la coordinación de equipos multidisciplinares, pretende favorecer el manejo de la hepatitis C y su eliminación en los usuarios de los CA, apoyando las estrategias de eliminación internacionales, nacionales y autonómicas.

Patients'satisfaction and experience in treatment with opioid substitution therapy in Spain. The PREDEPO study. / Satisfacción y experiencia de pacientes en tratamiento con sustitutivos opioides en España. Estudio PREDEPO.

The aim of this study was to compare patients' satisfaction, experience, objectives, and opinion based on their current opioid substitution therapy (OST) (buprenorphine/naloxone (B/N) or methadone). The PREDEPO study is an observational, cross-sectional, multicentric study performed in Spain. Adult patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving OST were included. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding their current OST. A total of 98 patients were enrolled (B/N: 50%, methadone: 50%). Mean age was 47 ± 8 years old and 80% were male. Treatment satisfaction was similar between groups. The most frequently reported factor for being "very/quite satisfied" was "being able to distribute the dose at different times throughout the day" (44% B/N vs. 63% methadone; p = .122). A significantly lower proportion of patients in the B/N group versus the methadone group reported that having to collect the medication daily was "very/quite annoying" (19% vs. 52%, p = .032). Treatment objectives reported by the majority of patients were similar between groups ("not feeling in withdrawal anymore", "reduce/definitely stop drug use", "improve my health", and "stop thinking about using daily") except for "not having money problems anymore" (73% B/N vs. 92% methadone; p = .012).  These results suggest there are several unmet expectations regarding current OST. There is a need for new treatments that reduce the burden of OUD, avoid the need for daily dosing, and are less stigmatizing which in turn could improve patient management, adherence and, quality of life.

El objetivo es comparar la satisfacción, experiencia, objetivos y opinión de los pacientes con trastorno por consumo de opioides (TCO) en base a su tratamiento sustitutivo de opioides (TSO) actual (metadona o buprenorfina/naloxona (B/N)). El estudio PREDEPO es un estudio observacional, transversal, multicéntrico desarrollado en España que incluyó pacientes adultos, diagnosticados de TCO y en TSO, quienes contestaron una encuesta sobre su tratamiento actual. Se incluyeron 98 pacientes (B/N:50%, metadona:50%): edad media de 47 ± 8 años y el 80% varones. A nivel de la satisfacción con su tratamiento, los resultados fueron similares entre grupos. El factor "muy/bastante satisfactorio" que se reportó con mayor frecuencia fue "poder repartir las dosis en varios momentos del día" (44% B/N vs. 63% metadona; p = ,122). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en "tener que recoger la medicación diariamente" donde una menor proporción en el grupo B/N contestaron "muy/bastante molesto" versus el grupo metadona (19% vs. 52%, p = ,032). Los objetivos reportados por la mayoría de los pacientes fueron similares entre grupos ("no sentir más síndrome de abstinencia", "disminuir o dejar definitivamente mi consumo de drogas", "mejorar mi estado de salud" y "dejar de pensar en consumir todos los días") excepto en "no tener más problemas de dinero" (72% B/N vs. 92% metadona; p = ,012). Estos resultados evidencian que existen expectativas no cubiertas con los TSO actuales y la necesidad de nuevos tratamientos que disminuyan la carga de la enfermedad, eviten la necesidad de una dosificación diaria y reduzcan el estigma, mejorando así el manejo del paciente, su adherencia y calidad de vida.

Study to determine relevant health outcome measures in opioid use disorder: Multicriteria decision analysis. / Estudio para la determinación de medidas de resultados en salud relevantes en el trastorno por consumo de opiáceos. Análisis de decisión multicriterio.

The aim of the current study was to establish the most relevant health outcomes to assess opioid substitution treatment programmes (OSP) in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Spain. A multicriteria decision analysis was applied in 3 phases: 1) concepts and criteria definitions; 2) criteria screening and weighting by means of a discrete choice experiment; 3) deliberative process. Criteria established in phase 1 were: substance use (opioids, alcohol, tobacco, stimulants and cannabis), other mental disorders (affective/anxiety disorder, psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, gambling disorder and other impulse control disorders), level of disability, adherence, medical illnesses (medical comorbidities, risk behaviours, infectious and sexually transmitted diseases), psychosocial aspects (hostile and/or violent behaviour and work problems), functional disability (quality of life, treatment and service satisfaction, social functionality). In phase 2, the most relevant factors in OSP were determined, and subsequently assessed in the deliberative process: remission of substance use (opioids, alcohol and stimulants), improvement of other mental disorders (psychosis and borderline personality disorder), improvement in comorbidity management, and improvement in social functionality, with a weighting of 56.5%, 21.9%, 11.0%, and 10.7%, respectively. The current analysis defines the main health outcomes in OSP in patients with OUD in Spain, supporting decision making and socio-health management of existing resources.

El objetivo fue establecer los resultados en salud con mayor relevancia en la evaluación de programas de tratamiento de sustitución de opiáceos (PTSO) en pacientes con trastorno por consumo de opiáceos (TCO) en España. Se realizó un análisis de decisión multicriterio con 3 fases: 1) definición de conceptos y criterios a evaluar; 2) cribado y ponderación de criterios mediante un experimento de elecciones discretas; 3) proceso deliberativo. Los criterios de la fase 1 fueron: consumo de sustancias (opiáceos, alcohol, tabaco, estimulantes y cannabis), trastornos mentales (trastorno afectivo ansioso, psicosis, trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad, trastorno límite de personalidad, trastornos de personalidad antisocial, trastorno por juego y otras alteraciones del control de los impulsos), nivel de discapacidad, adherencia, enfermedades médicas (comorbilidades, conductas de riesgo, enfermedades infecciosas y de transmisión sexual), aspectos psicosociales (conducta hostil y/o violenta, presencia de problemas laborales), discapacidad funcional (calidad de vida, satisfacción con el tratamiento y servicio, funcionamiento social). En la fase 2 se determinaron los factores fundamentales en la elección de un PTSO, revisados en el proceso deliberativo: remisión del consumo de sustancias (opiáceos, alcohol y estimulantes), mejoría en el manejo de otros trastornos mentales (psicosis y trastorno límite de la personalidad), mejoría en manejo de comorbilidades médicas y mejoría en el funcionamiento social, con un peso del 56,5%, 21,9%, 11,0% 10,7% respectivamente. Este análisis define los resultados sanitarios más relevantes en PTSO en pacientes con TCO en España, favoreciendo la toma de decisiones y la gestión socio-sanitaria de los recursos existentes.

Determinants of Informal Care, Burden, and Risk of Burnout in Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: The CONOCES Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this article was to analyze the likelihood of receiving informal care after a stroke and to study the burden and risk of burnout of primary caregivers in Spain. METHODS: The CONOCES study is an epidemiological, observational, prospective, multicenter study of patients diagnosed with stroke and admitted to a Stroke Unit in the Spanish healthcare system. At 3 and 12 months post-event, we estimated the time spent caring for the patient and the burden borne by primary caregivers. Several multivariate models were applied to estimate the likelihood of receiving informal caregiving, the burden, and the likelihood of caregivers being at a high risk of burnout. RESULTS: Eighty percent of those still alive at 3 and 12 months poststroke were receiving informal care. More than 40% of those receiving care needed a secondary caregiver at 3 months poststroke. The likelihood of receiving informal care was associated with stroke severity and the individual's health-related quality of life. When informal care was provided, both the burden borne by caregivers and the likelihood of caregivers being at a high risk of burnout was associated with (1) caregiving hours; (2) the patient's health-related quality of life; (3) the severity of the stroke measured at discharge; (4) the patient having atrial fibrillation; and (5) the degree of dependence. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the heavy burden borne by the caregivers of stroke survivors. Our analysis also identifies explanatory and predictive variables for the likelihood of receiving informal care, caregiver burden, and high risk of burnout.

Cost-utility analysis of idelalisib in combination with rituximab in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of idelalisib in combination with rituximab (IR) versus rituximab monotherapy (R) in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), from the Spanish National Health System (NHS) perspective. METHODS: A partitioned survival Markov model for a lifetime horizon (30 years) was developed to estimate costs (€, 2016) and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) with IR and R. Initial cohort included patients with CLL receiving a second or subsequent line (2L) of treatment with IR or R. Survival data were based on CLL clinical trial. Drug, administration, monitoring, adverse events and clinical management of CLL costs were included in the model. Costs and outcomes were discounted using a 3% annually. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA) were performed. RESULTS: Compared to R, 2L IR treatment resulted in QALY gain of 3.147 (4.965 versus 1.818). Total costs were €118 254 for IR versus €23 874 for R. ICUR was €29 990/QALY gained with IR versus R. In the PSA, IR was cost-effective in 78% of iterations using a threshold of €45 000/QALY. CONCLUSION: IR can be considered a cost-effective treatment compared to R, in the treatment of R/R CLL patients for the Spanish NHS.

Análisis de decisión multicriterio en programas de tratamiento de sustitución de opiáceos en trastornos por consumo de opiáceos. / Análisis de decisión multicriterio en programas de tratamiento de sustitución de opiáceos en trastornos por consumo de opiáceos.

Editorial.

Editorial.

Value and innovation of direct-acting antivirals: long-term health outcomes of the strategic plan for the management of hepatitis C in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term healthcare costs and health outcomes in association with the access to new direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), during the first year of the National Strategic Plan for Chronic Hepatitis C (SPCHC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Spain. METHODS: A decision tree and a lifetime Markov model were developed to simulate the natural history, morbidity, and mortality of a cohort of 51,900 patients with CHC before (pre-DAA strategy) and after (post-DAA strategy) access to DAAs, following SPCHC approval. The percentage of patients treated, transition probabilities, disease management costs, health state utility values, sustained virologic response rates and treatment costs were obtained from the literature and published data from Spain. The results were expressed in terms of costs (€, 2016), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and prevention of clinical events, with an annual discount rate of 3%. RESULTS: The post-DAA strategy would prevent 8,667 cases of decompensated cirrhosis, 5,471 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 1,137 liver transplants and 9,608 liver-related deaths. The cohort of 51,900 patients would require investments of 1,606 and 1,230 million euros with the post-DAA and pre-DAA strategies, respectively. This would produce 819,674 and 665,703 QALYs. CONCLUSIONS: The use of new DAA-based treatments in CHC patients during the first year after the implementation of the SPCHC significantly reduced long-term morbidity and mortality and increased quality of life; demonstrating that this plan is an efficient use of public health resources.

Cost-effectiveness of a hepatitis B virus screening strategy to prevent reactivation in patients with hematologic neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of a screening strategy for the detection of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection followed by prophylaxis in order to prevent HBV reactivation was assessed in patients with hematologic neoplasms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A decision tree was developed to compare the cost and effectiveness (prevented reactivations) over an 18 month period of a screening strategy prior to chemotherapy with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) with a non-screening approach. HBsAg+ (hepatitis B surface antigen) and/or anti-HBc+ (antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen) and HBV-DNA+ patients received oral antiviral prophylaxis with tenofovir disoproxil (245 mg once daily) from chemotherapy baseline until one year after chemotherapy completion. Non-screened patients received tenofovir in case of a reactivation. Model probabilities were obtained from the literature. The total cost (€, 2015) included: antiviral prophylaxis, R-CHOP, screening tests (HBsAg, anti-HBc, HBV-DNA) and liver function tests. Drug therapy costs were estimated using ex-factory prices with mandatory deductions. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated in order to assess the cost-effectiveness of this intervention in terms of cost per reactivation averted versus no screening. RESULTS: In a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients, screening prevented 7.36 reactivations when compared to the non-screening approach (14.9 versus 22.3). Total cost/patient (including €8,282 for R-CHOP) was €8,584 for the screening strategy and €8,449 for the non-screening approach. The ICER for screening versus non-screening was €18,376/prevented reactivation. CONCLUSION: HBV screening followed by oral antiviral prophylaxis yielded more health benefits than non-screening, reducing HBV reactivation in patients with hematologic neoplasms on chemotherapy.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of two treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis C before and after access to direct-acting antivirals in Spain. / Análisis coste-efectividad de dos estrategias de tratamiento para la hepatitis C crónica: antes y después del acceso a los agentes antivirales de acción directa en España.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a strategy based on direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) following the marketing of simeprevir and sofosbuvir (post-DAA) versus a pre-direct-acting antiviral strategy (pre-DAA) in patients with chronic hepatitis C, from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. METHODS: A decision tree combined with a Markov model was used to estimate the direct health costs (€, 2016) and health outcomes (quality-adjusted life years, QALYs) throughout the patient's life, with an annual discount rate of 3%. The sustained virological response, percentage of patients treated or not treated in each strategy, clinical characteristics of the patients, annual likelihood of transition, costs of treating and managing the disease, and utilities were obtained from the literature. The cost-effectiveness analysis was expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (incremental cost per QALY gained). A deterministic sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed. RESULTS: The post-DAA strategy showed higher health costs per patient (€30,944 vs. €23,707) than the pre-DAA strategy. However, it was associated with an increase of QALYs gained (15.79 vs. 12.83), showing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €2,439 per QALY. The deterministic sensitivity analysis and the probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of the results, with the post-DAA strategy being cost-effective in 99% of cases compared to the pre-DAA strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the pre-DAA strategy, the post-DAA strategy is efficient for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Spain, resulting in a much lower cost per QALY than the efficiency threshold used in Spain (€30,000 per QALY).