The PleurX peritoneal drainage catheter for drainage of malignant ascites in a community setting has been evaluated by the NICE Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme. This article outlines the evidence included in the Sponsor's submission, the independent critique by the External Assessment...

Background:Background: When guidelines for health economic evaluations prescribe that a societal perspective should be adopted, productivity costs should be included. However, previous research suggests that, in practice, productivity costs are often neglected. This may considerably bias the...

Background: Research has consistently demonstrated a relationship between depression and increased levels of health service use over the short term. However, much less is known about how this relationship is influenced by the success, or otherwise, of depression management strategies, and the...

Background: A large body of clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of atypical antipsychotic use in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Facing increasing budget pressure, third-party payers, such as state Medicaid programmes in the US, are demanding better understanding of the medical...

Dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis is a commonly encountered condition among patients presenting to physicians' offices and hospital EDs. Treatment options consist of oral rehydration therapy (ORT), intravenous rehydration therapy (IVRT) and subcutaneous rehydration therapy (SCRT)....

Background: The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a serious public health threat. Rational antibacterial policy, combined with enforcement of infection control practices are key strategies to combat AMR in the hospital setting. Loss of antibacterial activity as a...

Objective: To assess the relationship between severity and progression of illness in Parkinson's disease and the use of healthcare resources. Design and setting: This was a prospective cost-of-illness study conducted in France based on clinical observation over a 6-month period of patients with...

Background:Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that often results in joint pain, inflammation and bone erosions. Perhaps the most notable change in RA treatment during the last decade is the advent of biologics, and, in particular, anti-tumour necrosis factor...

Background:Background: Rasburicase is a recombinant urate-oxidase enzyme used to reduce high levels of plasma uric acid (PUA) resulting from tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). Rasburicase reduces PUA levels within 4 hours of administration, thereby minimizing the risk of serious complications from...