Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on road traffic injuries in Iran: An interrupted time-series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the number of road accidents and deaths caused by them. The present study aimed to identify the effect of this epidemic on traffic accidents and their casualties in Iran. METHODS: In this study, Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA) was used in a semi-experimental design to measure the impact of the restrictive policies of COVID-19 on road accidents. Data were collected retrospectively from the Iran Red Crescent Society data set for 31 provinces from March 2017 to February 2022. The information related to the number of road accidents, injuries, deaths, and deaths in the hospital was collected. The Newey-West method is used for estimation. Statistical analyses were carried out using R software version 3.6.1. RESULTS: Since February 2020 in Iran, the reduction in the number of road accidents and the number of injuries and deaths in these accidents was significant at 5% but the reduction of deaths in the scene and hospital was significant at 10%. In general, for all variables, the reduction trend was established only in the first months, and then it had an upward trend. CONCLUSION: In the early months of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran, the number of road accidents and their casualties decreased. Policies restricting traffic, quarantine, and fines for violators can be reasons for changing people's behavior and travel patterns and also lead to a reduction in traffic accidents and fatalities. Such studies can explain the importance of the policies in changing behavioural patterns and can be used as a guide in future policies.

Economic evaluation of stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery technologies in the treatment of cancers: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review study investigated the cost-effectiveness of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for treatment of various types of cancers. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from 30 December 1990 to 1 January 2023. The entered studies were screened in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria encompassed all types of economic evaluation studies that investigated SRT/SRS technologies in the treatment of various cancers. RESULTS: A total of 47 articles were included in the review. The findings suggest that the use of Linear accelerator technology for the treatment of lung cancer (8 out of 12 studies) and prostate cancer (4 out of 5 studies) was a cost-effective strategy. Linear accelerator was found to be cost-effective in the treatment of liver metastases and liver cancer (2 out of 5 studies). All of the included studies that used Gamma Knife technology in brain metastases reported Gamma-Knife was a cost-effective treatment. Furthermore, in the treatment of prostate and liver cancer, proton therapy was identified as a cost-effective option than other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that SRT/SRS is a cost-effective procedure for the treatment of various types of cancers. Therefore, it is recommended to use SRT/SRS technology for optimal use of resources.

Economic evaluation of automated external defibrillator deployment in public settings for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major issue in aging populations. The use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places improves cardiac arrest survival rates. The purpose of this study is to review economic evaluation studies of the use of AED technology in public settings for cardiac arrest resuscitation. METHODS: Our search covered 1990-2021 and included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies that analyzed cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and cost-benefit of the AED technology. Also, we performed the quality assessment of the studies through the checklist of quality assessment standard of health economic studies (QHES). RESULTS: Our inclusion criteria were met by 25 studies. AEDs are found to be cost-effective in places with a high occurrence of cardiac arrest. In addition, proper integration of drones with AEDs into existing systems has the potential to significantly improve OHCA survival rates. CONCLUSION: The present study found that putting AEDs in high-cardiac arrest and crowded areas reduces average costs. Despite this, the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining AEDs prevent their widespread use. Further research is needed to evaluate feasibility and explore innovative strategies for AED maintenance and accessibility.

The Role of Supplementary Insurance in Achieving Universal Health Coverage: A Comprehensive Review.

Background: The gradual movement towards universal health coverage (UHC) is an important issue in many countries. The aim of this study is to identify the role of supplementary health insurance in achieving universal coverage. Methods: This comprehensive review study was conducted to identify the role of supplementary health insurance in achieving universal health coverage. 4894 articles were found in the search in databases (Scopus, PubMed, and Web Science), and finally42 articles were selected. Considering the criteria of titles and abstracts, the reviewed articles were assessed, and a thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the collected data. Results: The review showed 52 Sub dimensions in 7 dimensions. Policymakers can draw on international experiences to ensure that private health insurance contributes to achieving universal health coverage by Providing clarity within the national health financing policy framework regarding the role of private health insurance. Enhancing understanding of how supplementary health insurance impacts the performance of the healthcare system. They are improving oversight of private health insurance, regulating financial protection and consumer support, and implementing thorough market surveillance and proper allocation of health subsidies between the private and public sectors. Conclusion: Supplementary insurance holds promise as a complementary tool in achieving universal health coverage. Addressing gaps in primary insurance and providing additional financial protection can contribute to enhanced access, improved quality of care, and reduced financial barriers to healthcare services. However, careful attention must be given to affordability, equity, regulation, and coordination with primary insurance schemes to ensure its effective implementation and prevent unintended consequences.

The Global, Regional, and National Burden of Adult Lip, Oral, and Pharyngeal Cancer in 204 Countries and Territories: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Importance: Lip, oral, and pharyngeal cancers are important contributors to cancer burden worldwide, and a comprehensive evaluation of their burden globally, regionally, and nationally is crucial for effective policy planning. Objective: To analyze the total and risk-attributable burden of lip and oral cavity cancer (LOC) and other pharyngeal cancer (OPC) for 204 countries and territories and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) using 2019 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study estimates. Evidence Review: The incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to LOC and OPC from 1990 to 2019 were estimated using GBD 2019 methods. The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate the proportion of deaths and DALYs for LOC and OPC attributable to smoking, tobacco, and alcohol consumption in 2019. Findings: In 2019, 370 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 338 000-401 000) cases and 199 000 (95% UI, 181 000-217 000) deaths for LOC and 167 000 (95% UI, 153 000-180 000) cases and 114 000 (95% UI, 103 000-126 000) deaths for OPC were estimated to occur globally, contributing 5.5 million (95% UI, 5.0-6.0 million) and 3.2 million (95% UI, 2.9-3.6 million) DALYs, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, low-middle and low SDI regions consistently showed the highest age-standardized mortality rates due to LOC and OPC, while the high SDI strata exhibited age-standardized incidence rates decreasing for LOC and increasing for OPC. Globally in 2019, smoking had the greatest contribution to risk-attributable OPC deaths for both sexes (55.8% [95% UI, 49.2%-62.0%] of all OPC deaths in male individuals and 17.4% [95% UI, 13.8%-21.2%] of all OPC deaths in female individuals). Smoking and alcohol both contributed to substantial LOC deaths globally among male individuals (42.3% [95% UI, 35.2%-48.6%] and 40.2% [95% UI, 33.3%-46.8%] of all risk-attributable cancer deaths, respectively), while chewing tobacco contributed to the greatest attributable LOC deaths among female individuals (27.6% [95% UI, 21.5%-33.8%]), driven by high risk-attributable burden in South and Southeast Asia. Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic analysis, disparities in LOC and OPC burden existed across the SDI spectrum, and a considerable percentage of burden was attributable to tobacco and alcohol use. These estimates can contribute to an understanding of the distribution and disparities in LOC and OPC burden globally and support cancer control planning efforts.

Cost-effectiveness of brentuximab vedotin in Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to systematically review and critically appraise cost-effectiveness studies on Brentuximab vedotin (BV) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). METHODS: The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science core collection, and Embase databases were searched until July 3, 2022. We included published full economic evaluation studies on BV for treating patients with HL. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) checklist. Meanwhile, we used qualitative synthesis to analyze the findings. We converted the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) to the value of the US dollar in 2022. RESULTS: Eight economic evaluations met the study's inclusion criteria. The results of three studies that compared BV plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (BV + AVD) front-line therapy with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) showed that BV is unlikely to be cost-effective as a front-line treatment in patients advanced stage (III or IV) HL. Four studies investigated the cost-effectiveness of BV in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) HL after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). BV was not cost-effective in the reviewed studies at accepted thresholds. In addition, the adjusted ICERs ranged from $65,382 to $374,896 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The key drivers of cost-effectiveness were medication costs, hazard ratio for BV, and utilities. CONCLUSION: Available economic evaluations show that using BV as front-line treatment or consolidation therapy is not cost-effective based on specific ICER thresholds for patients with HL or R/R HL. To decide on this orphan drug, we should consider other factors such as existence of alternative treatment options, clinical benefits, and disease burden.

Cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging compared to common strategies in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: a systematic review.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has established exceptional diagnostic utility and prognostic value in coronary artery disease (CAD). An assessment of the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of CMR in patients referred for the investigation of CAD is essential for developing an economic model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CMR in CAD. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science core collection, Embase, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED), and health technology assessment, to identify relevant literature. After removing duplicates and screening the title/abstract, a total of 13 articles were deemed eligible for full-text assessment. We included studies that reported one or more of the following outcomes: incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALYs), cost per life year gained, sensitivity and specificity rate as the primary outcome, and health utility measures or health-related quality of life as the secondary outcome. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the CHEERS 2022 guidelines. The findings of this study demonstrate that in patients undergoing urgent percutaneous coronary intervention, CMR over a one-year and lifetime horizon leads to higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to current strategies in cases of multivessel disease. The systematic review indicates that the CMR-based strategy is more cost-effective when compared to standard methods such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and coronary angiography (CA) (CMR = $19,273, SPECT = $19,578, CCTA = $19,886, and immediate CA = $20,929). The results also suggest that the CMR strategy can serve as a cost-effective gatekeeping tool for patients at risk of obstructive CAD. A CMR-based strategy for managing patients with suspected CAD is more cost-effective compared to both invasive and non-invasive strategies, particularly in real-world patient populations with a low to intermediate prevalence of the disease.

Lenvatinib in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review of economic evaluations.

PURPOSE: This aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of economic evaluations comparing lenvatinib to other vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors and other treatment options in the management of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using highly sensitive search syntax. The titles and abstracts of all records were studied and screened to identify eligible economic evaluations. To enable comparison across different countries, the results of economic evaluations make it possible to compare, the costs and ICER of all studies were converted into 2022 US dollars, and a 3% annual increase for inflation was applied. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. This study is conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: Lenvatinib was found to be cost-effective (ICER = dominant) compared to most drugs in the included studies, except in studies where it was compared with donafenib or when the price of sorafenib was significantly discounted (e.g., with a 90% discount, the value of ICER was + 104,669 USD). CONCLUSION: Lenvatinib was generally cost-effective in most studies, but not compared to donafenib or sorafenib (if the price sorafenib was significantly discounted).

Burden of infectious disease studies in Europe and the United Kingdom: a review of methodological design choices.

This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods used in studies applying the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) concept for infectious diseases within European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the United Kingdom. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles reporting the assessment of DALY and its components. We considered studies in which researchers performed DALY calculations using primary epidemiological data input sources. We screened 3053 studies of which 2948 were excluded and 105 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 22 were multi-country and 83 were single-country studies, of which 46 were from the Netherlands. Food- and water-borne diseases were the most frequently studied infectious diseases. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of burden of infectious disease studies was 1.6 times higher compared to that published between 2000 and 2014. Almost all studies (97%) estimated DALYs based on the incidence- and pathogen-based approach and without social weighting functions; however, there was less methodological consensus with regards to the disability weights and life tables that were applied. The number of burden of infectious disease studies undertaken across Europe has increased over time. Development and use of guidelines will promote performing burden of infectious disease studies and facilitate comparability of the results.

Safety and Effectiveness of Endodermal Radiofrequency for Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of new technologies, the demand for non-invasive and effective procedures to treat skin laxity has increased. In this research, we aimed to review studies conducted on the safety and effectiveness of endodermal radiofrequency (ER) for skin rejuvenation. METHODS: We searched the databases of Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 to 2020 to conduct a systematic review based on the PRISMA statement. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full-text articles was performed independently by two reviewers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: This study showed that ER resulted in improvement in wrinkles and sagging, reduction of fat, tightening of skin of the face, neck, and jawline, improvement in skin elasticity, pigmentation, contouring of the body, and epidermal thickness decrease. ER technology leads to a significant and satisfactory improvement in skin rejuvenation, lower contouring of skin of the face and neck, as well as patients' satisfaction. Side effects of ER are temporary, and usually disappear spontaneously after a few days to one month. CONCLUSION: Cosmetic services providers can use this effective and safe technology to treat skin laxity and skin rejuvenation as a substitute for surgery. Level of evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Mapping age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence in adults in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000-2018.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still among the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the world is not on track to meet targets set for ending the epidemic by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Precise HIV burden information is critical for effective geographic and epidemiological targeting of prevention and treatment interventions. Age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence estimates are widely available at the national level, and region-wide local estimates were recently published for adults overall. We add further dimensionality to previous analyses by estimating HIV prevalence at local scales, stratified into sex-specific 5-year age groups for adults ages 15-59 years across SSA. METHODS: We analyzed data from 91 seroprevalence surveys and sentinel surveillance among antenatal care clinic (ANC) attendees using model-based geostatistical methods to produce estimates of HIV prevalence across 43 countries in SSA, from years 2000 to 2018, at a 5 × 5-km resolution and presented among second administrative level (typically districts or counties) units. RESULTS: We found substantial variation in HIV prevalence across localities, ages, and sexes that have been masked in earlier analyses. Within-country variation in prevalence in 2018 was a median 3.5 times greater across ages and sexes, compared to for all adults combined. We note large within-district prevalence differences between age groups: for men, 50% of districts displayed at least a 14-fold difference between age groups with the highest and lowest prevalence, and at least a 9-fold difference for women. Prevalence trends also varied over time; between 2000 and 2018, 70% of all districts saw a reduction in prevalence greater than five percentage points in at least one sex and age group. Meanwhile, over 30% of all districts saw at least a five percentage point prevalence increase in one or more sex and age group. CONCLUSIONS: As the HIV epidemic persists and evolves in SSA, geographic and demographic shifts in prevention and treatment efforts are necessary. These estimates offer epidemiologically informative detail to better guide more targeted interventions, vital for combating HIV in SSA.

Catastrophic pharmaceutical expenditure in patients with type 2 diabetes in Iran.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the financial burden of out-of-pocket (OOP) payments to purchase antidiabetic medicines for type 2 patients in Iran. METHOD: The "budget share" and "capacity to pay" approaches were employed to assess the catastrophic pharmaceutical expenditures of antidiabetic medication therapies. The catastrophic thresholds were adjusted for pharmaceutical sectors. The data was 2019 monthly household expenditures in rural and urban areas, insurance coverages of antidiabetic medicines and patients' out-of-pocket (OOP) payments in 30-day treatment schedules. RESULTS: The results show that expenditure on diabetes medication therapies in the form of mono-dual therapy and some cases triple oral therapies were not catastrophic even for rural households. Insulin puts patients at risk of catastrophic pharmaceutical expenditures when added to the treatment schedules, and lack of financial protection intensifies it. In general, the poorer households and those resistant to first-line treatments were at increased risk of catastrophic pharmaceutical expenditures. The number of treatments that put patients at risk of catastrophic pharmaceutical expenditure in "budget share" was higher than the "capacity to pay" approach. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing medication treatment affordability instead of a single medicine assessment is needed. Assessment could be done by utilizing a macro-level data approach and applying adjusted pharmaceutical sector threshold values. Considering the variation between treatment schedules that put patients at risk of catastrophic pharmaceutical expenditures, targeted pharmaceutical policies and reimbursement decisions are recommended to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to protect vulnerable populations from hardship.

Current knowledge of physicians' dual practice in Iran: A scoping review and defining the research agenda for achieving universal health coverage.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' dual practice (simultaneous practice in both public and private sectors) may be challenging for achieving universal health coverage. The purpose of this review is to identify the types of available evidence in physicians' dual practice in Iran and define the research agenda for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature using Arksey and O'Malley's approach. We searched Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science core collection, as well as internal databases including the National Magazine Database (Magiran) and the Scientific Information Database (SID) until August 3, 2020. Studies published in Persian or English and investigating physicians' dual practice in the health system of Iran were included. Each step of the study was performed by two of the present researchers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) recommendations were used to conduct this study and report the findings. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included in the current review. The findings were categorized and synthesized into five themes including the forms of dual practice, the extent of dual practice, the motivators and factors affecting dual practice, the policy options, and the consequences of dual practice. There were limited evidence on the nature, types, and prevalence of this phenomenon for different provinces and medical specialties and on health policy options in Iran. There seems to be a methodological gap (a gap in the type of study and its method) in the subject area. Most studies have only used quantitative or qualitative study methods and based on the self-report of research samples in most of the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: More research is required at national level on the nature, types, and prevalence of this phenomenon, focusing on clarifying the root causes of this phenomenon and on the effects of dual practice on the indicators of accessibility to health services, especially for vulnerable populations, the quality of care provided, and equity, and on complex policy research on health policy options in Iran. The research questions proposed in the present study can help to bridge the knowledge gap in this area. Additional studies should address issues related to the quality of data collection in physicians' dual practice.

Cerebral palsy and developmental intellectual disability in children younger than 5 years: Findings from the GBD-WHO Rehabilitation Database 2019.

Objective: Children with developmental disabilities are associated with a high risk of poor school enrollment and educational attainment without timely and appropriate support. Epidemiological data on cerebral palsy and associated comorbidities required for policy intervention in global health are lacking. This paper set out to report the best available evidence on the global and regional prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and developmental intellectual disability and the associated "years lived with disability" (YLDs) among children under 5 years of age in 2019. Methods: We analyzed the collaborative 2019 Rehabilitation Database of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study and World Health Organization for neurological and mental disorders available for 204 countries and territories. Point prevalence and YLDs with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) are presented. Results: Globally, 8.1 million (7.1-9.2) or 1.2% of children under 5 years are estimated to have CP with 16.1 million (11.5-21.0) or 2.4% having intellectual disability. Over 98% resided in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). CP and intellectual disability accounted for 6.5% and 4.5% of the aggregate YLDs from all causes of adverse health outcomes respectively. African Region recorded the highest prevalence of CP (1.6%) while South-East Asia Region had the highest prevalence of intellectual disability. The top 10 countries accounted for 57.2% of the global prevalence of CP and 62.0% of the global prevalence of intellectual disability. Conclusion: Based on this Database, CP and intellectual disability are highly prevalent and associated with substantial YLDs among children under 5 years worldwide. Universal early detection and support services are warranted, particularly in LMICs to optimize school readiness for these children toward inclusive education as envisioned by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Hospitalization, major complications and mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients during the COVID-19 era: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began, numerous studies have reported a concerning drop in the number of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admissions. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the rate of AMI admissions and major complication during the pandemic, in comparison with pre-pandemic periods. Three major databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection) were searched. Out of 314 articles, 41 were entered into the study. Patients hospitalized for AMI were 35% less in the COVID-19 era compared with pre-pandemic periods, which was statistically significantly (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.56-0.74; I2 = 99%; p < 0.001; 28 studies). Patients hospitalized for STEMI and NSTEMI were 29% and 34% respectively less in the COVID-19 era compared with periods before COVID-19, which was statistically significantly (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.65 -0.78; I2 = 93%; p < 0.001; 22 studies, OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.58-0.73; I2 = 95%; p < 0.001; 14 studies). The overall rate of in-hospital mortality in AMI patients increased by 26% in the COVID-19 era, which was not statistically significant (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.0-1.59; I2 = 22%; p < 0.001; six studies). The rate of in-hospital mortality in STEMI and NSTEMI patients increased by 15% and 26% respectively in the COVID-19 era, which was not statistically significant (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.85-1.57; I2 = 48%; p = 0.035; 11 studies, OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 0.64-2.86; I2 = 45%; p = 0.157; 3 articles). These observations highlight the challenges in the adaptation of health-care systems with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The burden of nonrheumatic valvular heart diseases in Iran between 1990 and 2017: Results from the global burden of disease study 2017.

Background: Nonrheumatic valvular heart diseases (NRVDs) are some of the common and treatable cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to describe the burden of NRVDs in Iran from 1990 to 2017 and to compare the findings with those from the world and in particular, the North Africa and Middle East (NAME) region. Methods: Using publicly available estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study (the GBD 2017 Study) for Iran and the NAME region, we reported the years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and the prevalence for NRVDs by age group and sex between 1990 and 2017. Results: There were an estimated 174,071 cases and 957 deaths from NRVDs in Iran in 2017. In addition, 1844 YLDs, 21,661 YLLs, and 23,506 DALYs were caused by NRVDs in Iran in 2017. Between 1990 and 2017, the age-standardized prevalence rate increased in Ian by 15%, the death rate by 15.3%, and DALYs by 2%. Nevertheless, in the world and the NAME region, the age-standardized rates for DALYs and deaths decreased and the age-standardized prevalence rate increased till 2017. Conclusions: The burden of NRVDs is on the rise in Iran. A reduction in the burden of NRVDs in Iran requires the development of appropriate plans to meet the health needs of patients, the decrease of the modifiable risk factors, the allocation of adequate resources for the early diagnosis and management of the diseases, and an improvement in access to treatment technologies.

Cost-Effectiveness of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Targeted Biopsy Versus Systematic Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically review the cost-effectiveness studies of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-guided biopsy (MRGB) compared with systematic transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy for diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science core collection, Embase and Scopus, and reference lists of the included studies were searched with no date and language restrictions through January 2020 for full economic evaluation studies (cost-effectiveness, cost-utility analysis, cost-benefit analysis) that assessed mpMRI and MRGB compared with systematic TRUS-guided biopsy or other sequential biopsy strategies in men undergoing initial prostate biopsy or men with previous negative prostate biopsy, with clinical suspicion of PCa based on abnormal prostate-specific antigen or digital rectal examination increase or both. Data were tabulated and analyzed using narrative synthesis. The reporting quality of included studies was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist. This systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. RESULTS: Finally, 9 studies were included. All studies were conducted in high-income countries. All studies found that mpMRI and MRGB was cost-effective in the initial and before repeat biopsy in men with previous negative biopsy. The cognitive-targeted TRUS-guided biopsy was cost-effective in the initial biopsy (dominant or cost-effective at willingness-to-pay threshold of the countries); it was not evaluated for repeat biopsy in men. The direct in-bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided biopsy was cost-effective for the initial biopsy (€323 per quality-adjusted life-year gained). The superiority of one of the targeted biopsy approaches (fusion, cognitive, or in-bore) over other approaches has not yet been established. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that pre-TRUS-guided biopsy MRI is more cost-effective than TRUS-guided biopsy alone. Furthermore, the use of MRI-ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy in the diagnosis of PCa in the initial biopsy and repeat biopsy and cognitive-targeted TRUS-guided biopsy in the initial biopsy is cost-effective.

Cost-Effectiveness of Sacubitril/Valsartan Compared with Enalapril in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review.

Background: To assess the cost-effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan compared with enalapril in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection (HFrEF). Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted searching in major electronic databases from inception to January 1, 2021. All relevant full economic evaluation studies of sacubitril/valsartan versus enalapril for the treatment of patients with HFrEF were identified using ad hoc search strategies. Mortality, hospital admissions, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life-years (LYQs), annual drug costs, total lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were considered as the outcomes. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the CHEERS checklist. This study was conducted and reported in accordance with the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: The initial search yielded a pool of 1026 articles, of which 703 unique articles were screened, 65 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 15 studies finally included in the qualitative synthesis. Studies show that sacubitril/valsartan reduces mortality and hospitalization rate. The mean of death risk ratio and hospitalization were computed at 0.843 and 0.844, respectively. Sacubitril/valsartan produced higher annual and total lifetime costs. The lowest and highest lifetime costs for sacubitril/valsartan were found in Thailand ($4,756) and Germany ($118,815), respectively. The lowest ICER was reported in Thailand ($4857/QALY) and the highest in the USA ($143,891/QALY). Conclusion: Sacubitril/valsartan is associated with better outcomes and may be cost-effective compared to enalapril for the management of HFrEF. However, in developing countries such as Thailand, sacubitril-valsartan costs must be reduced to yield an ICER below the threshold.

Private Demand for Covid-19 Vaccine: A Contingent Assessment from a Low-and Middle-income Country.

This study aimed to estimate Iranian willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine and its determinants. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from May 2nd to 20th, 2020 among the general population of Iran to estimate WTP for hypothetical COVID-19 vaccines. Four scenarios with different levels of efficacy and duration of protection were presented to respondents in the payment card scale of the contingent valuation method (CVM). With the corresponding WTPs under different scenarios, mean, trimmed mean, median WTP values, and vaccine demand was estimated. A semi-log regression model was employed to identify key factors. The vaccine acceptance rate and positive WTP were about 70% and 80%, respectively. The reluctant individuals believed free vaccination is a government responsibility. The highest trimmed mean and median WTP values were the US $15 and $4 for the vaccine with more than 80% efficacy and one-time vaccination. The median decreased to the US $2 in less effective scenarios. The vaccine demand was price-inelastic. Price, self-assessment virus risk, age, gender, education, income, and working in the health sector were significant factors. Given the price inelasticity of the COVID-19 vaccine, providing free vaccination by the Iranian government is highly recommended, particularly for low-income and vulnerable individuals.

Agenda-setting of tobacco control policy in Iran: a retrospective policy analysis study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of tobacco use, especially hookah, has increased in Iran In recent years, particularly among young people and women, and the age of onset of use has decreased. Tobacco use is the fourth leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases in Iran. These issues cause concerns in the country and led to the present study on tobacco control agenda-setting in Iran over a 30-year timeframe. METHODS: We conducted this retrospective analytical study to investigate process analysis in Iran using Kingdon's multiple-streams framework (MSF). We collected the data using semi-structured interviews with key informants (n = 36) and reviewing policy documents (n > 100). Then, we analyzed the policy documents and in-depth interviews using the document and framework analysis method. We used MAXQDA 11 software to classify and analyze the data. RESULTS: Iran's accession to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) opened a window of opportunity for tobacco control. The policy window opens when all three streams have already been developed. The adoption of the comprehensive law on the national control and campaign against tobacco in the Islamic Consultative Assembly in 2006 is a turning point in tobacco control activities in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: The tobacco control agenda-setting process in Iran was broadly consistent with MSF. The FCTC strengthened the comprehensive plan for national control of tobacco as a policy stream. However, there are several challenges in developing effective policies for tobacco control in the Iranian setting.