Fundus autofluorescence imaging: systematic review of test accuracy for the diagnosis and monitoring of retinal conditions.

We conducted a systematic review of the accuracy of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging for diagnosing and monitoring retinal conditions. Searches in November 2014 identified English language references. Sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and MEDION databases; reference lists of retrieved studies; and internet pages of relevant organisations, meetings, and trial registries. For inclusion, studies had to report FAF imaging accuracy quantitatively. Studies were critically appraised using QUADAS risk of bias criteria. Two reviewers conducted all review steps. From 2240 unique references identified, eight primary research studies met the inclusion criteria. These investigated diagnostic accuracy of FAF imaging for choroidal neovascularisation (one study), reticular pseudodrusen (three studies), cystoid macular oedema (two studies), and diabetic macular oedema (two studies). Diagnostic sensitivity of FAF imaging ranged from 32 to 100% and specificity from 34 to 100%. However, owing to methodological limitations, including high and/or unclear risks of bias, none of these studies provides conclusive evidence of the diagnostic accuracy of FAF imaging. Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. In most studies, the patient spectrum was not reflective of those who would present in clinical practice and no studies adequately reported whether FAF images were interpreted consistently. No studies of monitoring accuracy were identified. An update in October 2016, based on MEDLINE and internet searches, identified four new studies but did not alter our conclusions. Robust quantitative evidence on the accuracy of FAF imaging and how FAF images are interpreted is lacking. We provide recommendations to address this.

Bivalirudin for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a NICE single technology appraisal.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) invited the manufacturer (The Medicines Company) of bivalirudin to submit evidence for its clinical and cost effectiveness within its licensed indication for the treatment of adults with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) intended for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), as part of NICE's single technology appraisal (STA) process. The School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield was commissioned to act as the Evidence Review Group (ERG), which produced a review of the evidence within the manufacturer's submission to NICE. This article describes the manufacturer's submission, the ERG review and NICE's subsequent decisions. The main evidence was derived from one randomized controlled trial (RCT) of STEMI patients intended for PPCI, comparing bivalirudin with unfractionated heparin plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPIs). Bivalirudin was associated with a significant reduction in cardiac mortality at 30 days (p = 0.03) and at 1-year follow-up (p = 0.005), and a significant reduction in major bleeding at 30 days (p < 0.001) and 1 year (p < 0.0001), compared with heparin plus GPI. Stent thrombosis up to 24 hours following PPCI was significantly (p < 0.001) more common with bivalirudin. However, there was no significant treatment effect for stent thrombosis from 1 to 30 days (p = 0.28), or at 1-year follow-up (p = 0.53). There were no significant treatment group differences at 30 days and at 1 year in stroke (p = 0.68 and p = 0.99, respectively), in myocardial infarction [MI] (p = 0.90 and p = 0.22, respectively), or in the need for the revascularization of the target vessel for ischaemia (p = 0.18 and p = 0.12, respectively). There were two decision-analytic models: the base-case scenario used 1-year follow-up data from the RCT; and a sensitivity analysis used 3-year follow-up data. Resource use was primarily drawn from this RCT. Health-related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) estimates were drawn from a UK cohort study. Both models evaluated the incremental costs and outcomes of bivalirudin compared with heparin plus GPI for patients with STEMI intended for PPCI. The analysis adopted a UK NHS perspective over a lifetime horizon. Unit costs were based on year 2009-2010 prices. The model adopted a decision-tree structure to reflect initial events for the initial period (stroke, repeat MI, minor/major bleeding events, repeat revascularization and death) and a two-state Markov component to simulate longer-term survival. The economic analysis suggested that bivalirudin is expected to dominate the heparin plus GPI strategy. This finding was consistent across the probabilistic sensitivity analysis and the vast majority of deterministic sensitivity analyses undertaken. Three exceptions to this finding were observed for the following sensitivity analyses: (1) the exclusive use of eptifibatide as the GPI (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [ICER] = £1,764); (2) the combination of 100 % eptifibatide use, 100 % radial arterial access and no differential length between strategies for initial hospital stay (ICER = £4,106); and (3) a longer length of ward stay (increase of 0.33 days) for the initial hospitalization (ICER = £415). The Appraisal Committee (AC) gave a positive recommendation for bivalirudin for the treatment of adults with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home-based, nurse-led health promotion for older people: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In older age, reduction in physical function can lead to loss of independence, the need for hospital and long-term nursing or residential home care, and premature death. Home-visiting programmes for older people, carried out by nurses and other health-care professionals (e.g. occupational therapists and physiotherapists), aim to positively affect health and functional status, and may promote independent functioning of older people. OBJECTIVE: The main research question addressed by this assessment is 'What is the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home-based, nurse-led health promotion intervention for older people in the UK?' DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken across 12 different databases and research registries from the year 2001 onwards (including MEDLINE, MEDLINE in Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Health Economic Evaluation Database, Health Technology Assessment Database, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature). Published systematic reviews were also hand searched to identify other trials previously published. REVIEW METHODS: Potentially relevant studies were sifted by one reviewer, and inclusion decisions were agreed among the broader research team. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The results of included studies were synthesised using narrative and statistical methods. A separate systematic search was undertaken to identify existing health economic analyses of home-based, nurse-led health promotion programmes. Included studies were critically appraised using a published checklist. Owing to resource constraints, a de novo health economic model was not developed. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included in the systematic review of clinical effectiveness. There was considerable heterogeneity among the studies with respect to the nature of the intervention, the nurses delivering the programmes and the populations in which the interventions were assessed. Overall, the quality of the included studies was good: all but one of the included studies were judged to be at medium or low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of eight studies suggested a statistically significant mortality benefit for the home-based health promotion groups, whereas a meta-analysis of four studies suggested non-significant benefits in terms of fewer falls in the intervention groups than in the control groups. Positive outcomes for home-based, nurse-led health promotion interventions were also reported within individual studies across several other outcomes. Only three economic studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review of cost-effectiveness. This evidence base consists of one non-randomised cost minimisation analysis and two economic evaluations undertaken alongside randomised controlled trials. Two of these studies involved an intervention targeted specifically at patients with a known underlying incurable disease, whereas the third study examined the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early discharge in patients with a range of conditions, including fractures, neurological conditions and cardiorespiratory conditions. Each study indicated some likelihood that home-based, nurse-led health promotion may offer cost savings to the NHS and associated sectors, such as social services. However, one study did not report any comparison of health outcomes and instead simply assumed equivalence between the intervention and comparator groups, whereas the other two studies suggested at best a negligible incremental benefit in terms of preference-based health-related quality-of-life measures. LIMITATIONS: The evidence base for clinical effectiveness is subject to considerable heterogeneity. The UK economic evidence base is limited to three studies. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the evidence included in this systematic review, home-based, nurse-led health promotion may offer clinical benefits across a number of important health dimensions. However, it is generally unclear from the available studies which components of this type of complex intervention contribute towards individual aspects of benefit for older people. Given the limitations of the current evidence base, it remains unclear whether or not home-based health promotion interventions offer good value for money for the NHS and associated sectors. Given the considerable uncertainties in the available evidence base, it is difficult to isolate the key areas in which future research would be valuable or the exact study design required. Although this report does not identify specific studies that should be undertaken, it does set out a number of key considerations for the design of future research in this area. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO number: CRD42012002133.

[Peculiarities of splanchnic hemodynamics after performance of partial portosystemic shunting].

Complex hemodynamical investigations were conducted in 1985-2004 yrs in 60 patients with hepatic diseases before the operation, in 6-8 and 12-24 months after performance of portosystemic shunting operation (in 26 patients was formed H-like mesentericocaval anastomosis, in 10--central splenorenal anastomosis, in 14--splenorenal anastomosis side-to-side, in 10--H-like splenorenal anastomosis). Performance of shunting operation had promoted the lowering of volumetric speed of blood flow and pressure in portal vein, her diameter reduction, the general hepatic blood flow lowering. The lowering of blood flow in the portal vein system after the shunting have caused enhancement of arterial hepatic blood flow.

[Radical methods in the treatment of liver hemangioma]. / Radikal'nye metody lecheniia gemangiomy pecheni.

Experience of hepatic resection in 93 patients, performed for hemangioma is presented. Anatomic hepatic resection was done in 54 (58.1%) of patients, atypical one--in 22 (23.6%), enucleation of hemangioma--in 17 (18.3%). The least intraoperative blood loss was noted in enucleation of hemangioma and the most--in atypical hepatic resection. Complications had occurred in 15 (16.1%) patients, postoperative mortality was 1.1%.

[Transcutaneous hepatic biopsy under ultrasonographic control: options, indications, procedure, results]. / Chreskozhnaia biopsiia pod kontrolem ul'trazvukovogo issledovaniia: vozmozhnosti, pokazaniia, tekhnika, rezul'taty.

The options, indications and contraindications for conduction of transcutaneous diagnostic interventions under ultrasonographic control in diffuse and focal hepatic affection were studied up. The procedure technique of the fine-needle aspiration and the tissue hepatic biopsy was adduced. Comparative analysis of the biopsy needles owing various constructions and diameters was conducted. High efficacy of transcutaneous biopsy under ultrasonographic control for the hepatic diseases diagnosis was proved.

[The partial portosystemic shunting and its hemodynamic consequences]. / Partsial'noe portosistemnoe shuntirovanie i ego gemodinamicheskie posledstviia.

Complex hemodynamical investigations were done in 32 patients in 1985-1999 yr. period before the operation, in 6-8 and 12-24 mo after performance of the partial portosystemic shunting operation (in 8 patients mesentericocaval anastomosis was formed, in 10--central splenorenal anastomosis, in 12--splenorenal anastomosis side to side and in 2--lowermesentericorenal anastomosis). The performance of shunting operation had promoted the lowering of the blood flow volumetric velocity and of the pressure in v. cava as well, its diameter reduction, the lowering of general hepatic blood flow. The lowering of blood flow in the v. cava system after the shunting operation performance caused the arterial hepatic blood flow enhancement occurrence.

[Results of partial shunting in liver cirrhosis]. / Rezul'taty partsial'nogo shuntirovaniia pri tsirroze pecheni.

Complex hemodynamical investigations were conducted in 32 patients before the operation and after performance of partial portosystemic shunting (in 8--mesentericocaval anastomosis was done, in 10--central splenorenal one, in 12--splenorenal side-to-side, in 2--lowermesenterial-renal). The formation of anastomosis 8-10 mm in diameter had promoted the sufficient reduction of pressure in v. porta, preservation in it the hepatopetal blood flow, prophylaxis of uncontrolled occurrence of portosystemic encephalopathy, had secured the stable hepatic function during 36 months.

[Splanchnic circulation after distal splenorenal anastomosis in hepatic cirrhosis]. / Splankhnicheskoe krovoobrashchenie posle nalozheniia distal'nogo splenorenal'nogo anastomoza pri tsirroze pecheni.

While the result estimation of the distal splenorenal anastomosis formation operation, done in 12 patients according to the W. D. Warren method and in another 12 patients--according to the method, modified by K. Inokuchi, it was established that the hepatic portal perfusion loss causes compensational enhancement of blood flow in a. hepatica, including while the standard method application--by 22% and the modified one--by 8%. Doing the splenorenal venous disconnection improves the patients' quality of life due to the incidence rate of portosystemic encephalopathy reduction by 8.3%, and in this circumstances the life span and the hemorrhage recurrency rate do not differ with such while using the standard method.