HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

Early high-dose cryoprecipitate to reduce mortality in adult patients with traumatic haemorrhage: the CRYOSTAT-2 RCT with cost-effectiveness analysis
Curry N, Davenport R, Thomas H, Fox E, Lucas J, Evans A, Massou E, Sharma R, Shanmugaranjan S, Rourke C, Newton A, Deary A, Dallas N, Fitzpatrick-Creamer C, Podbielski JM, Wade CE, Edwards A, Benger J, Morris S, Cotton BA, Piercy J, Green L, Brohi K and Stanworth S
Traumatic haemorrhage is common after severe injury, leading to disability and death. Cryoprecipitate, a source of fibrinogen, may improve outcomes for patients with traumatic haemorrhage.
MRI software and cognitive fusion biopsies in people with suspected prostate cancer: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis
Llewellyn A, Phung TH, O Soares M, Shepherd L, Glynn D, Harden M, Walker R, Duarte A and Dias S
Magnetic resonance imaging localises cancer in the prostate, allowing for a targeted biopsy with or without transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic biopsy. Targeted biopsy methods include cognitive fusion, where prostate lesions suspicious on magnetic resonance imaging are targeted visually during live ultrasound, and software fusion, where computer software overlays the magnetic resonance imaging image onto the ultrasound in real time. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of software fusion technologies compared with cognitive fusion biopsy are uncertain.
Antidepressants for pain management in adults with chronic pain: a network meta-analysis
Birkinshaw H, Friedrich C, Cole P, Eccleston C, Serfaty M, Stewart G, White S, Moore A, Phillippo D and Pincus T
Chronic pain is common and costly. Antidepressants are prescribed to reduce pain. However, there has not been a network meta-analysis examining all antidepressants across all chronic pain conditions, so effectiveness and safety for most antidepressants for pain conditions remain unknown.
Specific phobias in children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: SPIRIT, an adaptation and feasibility study
Gray KM, Apanasionok MM, Scripps E, Bunning K, Burke C, Filipczuk M, Hastings RP, Liew A, McNamara R, Nisar A, Playle R, Williams T and Langdon PE
There is a lack of interventions for specific phobia in children and adolescents with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.
Vein bypass first vs. best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia due to infra-popliteal disease: the BASIL-2 RCT
Moakes CA, Bradbury AW, Abdali Z, Bate GR, Hall J, Jarrett H, Kelly L, Kigozi J, Lockyer S, Meecham L, Patel S, Popplewell M, Slinn G, Deeks JJ and
Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia with ischaemic pain and/or tissue loss.
Genedrive kit for detecting single nucleotide polymorphism m.1555A>G in neonates and their mothers: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis
Shabaninejad H, Kenny RP, Robinson T, Stoniute A, O'Keefe H, Still M, Thornton C, Pearson F, Beyer F and Meader N
Neonates with suspected sepsis are commonly treated with gentamicin, an aminoglycoside. These antibiotics are associated with high risk of ototoxicity, including profound bilateral deafness, in people with the m.1555A>G mitochondrial genetic variant.
Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care tests for acute respiratory infection: a systematic review of reviews
Webster KE, Parkhouse T, Dawson S, Jones HE, Brown EL, Hay AD, Whiting P, Cabral C, Caldwell DM and Higgins JP
Acute respiratory infections are a common reason for consultation with primary and emergency healthcare services. Identifying individuals with a bacterial infection is crucial to ensure appropriate treatment. However, it is also important to avoid overprescription of antibiotics, to prevent unnecessary side effects and antimicrobial resistance. We conducted a systematic review to summarise evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of symptoms, signs and point-of-care tests to diagnose bacterial respiratory tract infection in adults, and to diagnose two common respiratory viruses, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
The effect of two speech and language approaches on speech problems in people with Parkinson's disease: the PD COMM RCT
Sackley CM, Rick C, Brady MC, Burton C, Jowett S, Patel S, Woolley R, Masterson-Algar P, Nicoll A, Smith CH, Abdali Z, Ives N, Beaton G, Dickson S, Ottridge R, Nankervis H, Clarke CE and
Speech impairments are common with Parkinson's disease (reported prevalence 68%), increasing conversational demands, reliance on family and social withdrawal.
Interventions for people with perceptual disorders after stroke: the PIONEER scoping review, Cochrane systematic review and priority setting project
Hazelton C, Todhunter-Brown A, Campbell P, Thomson K, Nicolson DJ, McGill K, Chung CS, Dorris L, Gillespie DC, Hunter SM, Williams LJ and Brady MC
Stroke often affects recognition and interpretation of information from our senses, resulting in perceptual disorders. Evidence to inform treatment is unclear.
Comparison of cognitive behaviour therapy versus activity management, both delivered remotely, to treat paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: the UK FITNET-NHS RCT
Crawley E, Anderson E, Cochrane M, Shirkey BA, Parslow R, Hollingworth W, Mills N, Gaunt D, Treneman-Evans G, Rai M, Macleod J, Kessler D, Pitts K, Cooper S, Loades M, Annaw A, Stallard P, Knoop H, Van de Putte E, Nijhof S, Bleijenberg G and Metcalfe C
Parallel-group randomised controlled trial.
Timing of Stoma Closure in Neonates: the ToSCiN mixed-methods study
Lansdale N, Woolfall K, Deja E, Mitchell T, Singhal G, Goldacre R, Ramakrishnan R, Hall N, Battersby C, Gale C, Penman G, Knight M, Stanbury K, Hurd M, Murray D, Linsell L and Hardy P
Neonates undergoing emergency abdominal surgery frequently require a stoma; closing this stoma with a second operation is an essential part of recovery. Timing of closure varies. Optimal timing is unclear and would be best resolved through a randomised controlled trial; such a trial is likely to be challenging.
Behavioural interventions to treat anxiety in adults with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: the BEAMS-ID feasibility study
Langdon PE, Apanasionok MM, Scripps E, Bunning K, Filipczuk M, Gillespie D, Hastings RP, Jahoda A, McNamara R, Rai D and Gray KM
Interventions for anxiety need to be adapted to meet the needs of autistic people with moderate to severe learning disabilities and successfully modelled before evidence about efficacy can be generated from clinical trials.
Ceftazidime with avibactam for treating severe aerobic Gram-negative bacterial infections: technology evaluation to inform a novel subscription-style payment model
Harnan S, Kearns B, Scope A, Schmitt L, Jankovic D, Hamilton J, Srivastava T, Hill H, Ku CC, Ren S, Rothery C, Bojke L, Sculpher M and Woods B
To limit the use of antimicrobials without disincentivising the development of novel antimicrobials, there is interest in establishing innovative models that fund antimicrobials based on an evaluation of their value as opposed to the volumes used. The aim of this project was to evaluate the population-level health benefit of ceftazidime-avibactam in the NHS in England, for the treatment of severe aerobic Gram-negative bacterial infections when used within its licensed indications. The results were used to inform National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance in support of commercial discussions regarding contract value between the manufacturer and NHS England.
Take-home naloxone in multicentre emergency settings: the TIME feasibility cluster RCT
Snooks H, Benger J, Bell F, Black S, Dixon S, Emery H, Evans BA, Fuller G, Hoskins R, Hughes J, Jones J, Jones M, Johnston S, Long J, Moore C, Parab R, Pilbery R, Sampson FC and Watkins A
Opioids kill more people than any other drug. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which can be distributed in take-home 'kits' for peer administration (take-home naloxone).
Preventive drug treatments for adults with chronic migraine: a systematic review with economic modelling
Mistry H, Naghdi S, Brown A, Rees S, Madan J, Grove A, Khanal S, Duncan C, Matharu M, Cooklin A, Aksentyte A, Davies N and Underwood M
Chronic migraine is a disabling condition, affecting 2-4% of adults globally. With the introduction of expensive calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies, it is timely to compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive drugs for chronic migraine.
Transperineal biopsy devices in people with suspected prostate cancer - a systematic review and economic evaluation
Souto-Ribeiro I, Woods L, Maund E, Alexander Scott D, Lord J, Picot J and Shepherd J
People with suspected prostate cancer are usually offered either a local anaesthetic transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy or a general anaesthetic transperineal prostate biopsy. Transperineal prostate biopsy is often carried out under general anaesthetic due to pain caused by the procedure. However, recent studies suggest that performing local anaesthetic transperineal prostate biopsy may better identify cancer in particular regions of the prostate and reduce infection rates, while being carried out in an outpatient setting. Devices to assist with freehand methods of local anaesthetic transperineal prostate may also help practitioners performing prostate biopsies.
Strategies for older people living in care homes to prevent urinary tract infection: the StOP UTI realist synthesis
Prieto J, Wilson J, Tingle A, Cooper E, Handley M, Rycroft-Malone J, Bostock J, Williams L and Loveday H
Urinary tract infection is the most diagnosed infection in older people. It accounts for more than 50% of antibiotic prescriptions in care homes and is a frequent reason for care home residents being hospitalised.
Alitretinoin versus phototherapy as the first-line treatment in adults with severe chronic hand eczema: the ALPHA RCT
Wittmann M, Smith IL, Brown ST, Berekméri A, Vargas-Palacios A, Sunderland L, Barker A, Cowdell F, Ersser S, Gilberts R, Green C, Hampton P, Smith C and Nixon J
Hand eczema is common and a cause of morbidity and occupational disability. When education, irritant/contact allergen avoidance, moisturisation and topical corticosteroids are insufficient to control chronic hand eczema, ultraviolet therapy or systemic immune-modifying drugs are used. There is no treatment pathway generally accepted by UK dermatologists.
Care models for coexisting serious mental health and alcohol/drug conditions: the RECO realist evidence synthesis and case study evaluation
Hughes E, Harris J, Ainscough T, Bate A, Copello A, Dalkin S, Gilchrist G, Griffith E, Jones L, Maden M, Mitcheson L, Sumnall H and Walker C
People with severe mental illness who experience co-occurring substance use experience poor outcome including suicide, violence, relapses and use of crisis services. They struggle to access care and treatment due to a lack of an integrated and co-ordinated approach which means that some people can fall between services. Despite these concerns, there is limited evidence as to what works for this population.
Low-dose titrated amitriptyline as second-line treatment for adults with irritable bowel syndrome in primary care: the ATLANTIS RCT
Wright-Hughes A, Ford AC, Alderson SL, Ow PL, Ridd MJ, Foy R, Bishop FL, Chaddock M, Cook H, Cooper D, Fernandez C, Guthrie EA, Hartley S, Herbert A, Howdon D, Muir DP, Newman S, Taylor CA, Teasdale EJ, Thornton R, Everitt HA and Farrin AJ
Irritable bowel syndrome, characterised by abdominal pain and a change in stool form or frequency, is most often managed in primary care. When first-line therapies are ineffective, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines suggest considering low-dose tricyclic antidepressants as second-line treatment, but their effectiveness in primary care is unknown and they are infrequently prescribed by general practitioners.
Cost-effectiveness of bioimpedance-guided fluid management in patients undergoing haemodialysis: the BISTRO RCT
Zanganeh M, Belcher J, Fotheringham J, Coyle D, Lindley EJ, Keane DF, Caskey FJ, Dasgupta I, Davenport A, Farrington K, Mitra S, Ormandy P, Wilkie M, Macdonald JH, Solis-Trapala I, Sim J, Davies SJ and Andronis L
The BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of bioimpedance spectroscopy added to a standardised fluid management protocol on the risk of anuria and preservation of residual kidney function (primary trial outcomes) in incident haemodialysis patients. Despite the economic burden of kidney disease, the cost-effectiveness of using bioimpedance measurements to guide fluid management in haemodialysis is not known.