No abstract

BackgroundThe use of network meta-analysis has increased dramatically in recent years. WinBUGS, a freely available Bayesian software package, has been the most widely used software package to conduct network meta-analyses. However, the learning curve for WinBUGS can be daunting, especially for new users. Furthermore, critical appraisal of network meta-analyses conducted in WinBUGS can be challenging given its limited data manipulation capabilities and the fact that generation of graphical output from network meta-analyses often relies on different software packages than the analyses themselves.MethodsWe developed a freely available Microsoft-Excel-based tool called NetMetaXL, programmed in Visual Basic for Applications, which provides an interface for conducting a Bayesian network meta-analysis using WinBUGS from within Microsoft Excel. . This tool allows the user to easily prepare and enter data, set model assumptions, and run the network meta-analysis, with results being automatically displayed in an Excel spreadsheet. It also contains macros that use NetMetaXL’s interface to generate evidence network diagrams, forest plots, league tables of pairwise comparisons, probability plots (rankograms), and inconsistency plots within Microsoft Excel. All figures generated are publication quality, thereby increasing the efficiency of knowledge transfer and manuscript preparation.ResultsWe demonstrate the application of NetMetaXL using data from a network meta-analysis published previously which compares combined resynchronization and implantable defibrillator therapy in left ventricular dysfunction. We replicate results from the previous publication while demonstrating result summaries generated by the software.ConclusionsUse of the freely available NetMetaXL successfully demonstrated its ability to make running network meta-analyses more accessible to novice WinBUGS users by allowing analyses to be conducted entirely within Microsoft Excel. NetMetaXL also allows for more efficient and transparent critical appraisal of network meta-analyses, enhanced standardization of reporting, and integration with health economic evaluations which are frequently Excel-based.

The cost effectiveness of adding NAT screening is outside the typical range for most healthcare interventions, but not for established blood safety measures.

The combination of extended HCO-HD and chemotherapy resulted in sustained reductions in serum FLC concentrations in the majority of patients and a high rate of independence of dialysis.

The object of our study is to project the impact of a prophylactic vaccine against persistent human papillomavirus (HPV)-16/18 infection on age-specific incidence of invasive cervical cancer. We developed a computer-based mathematical model of the natural history of cervical carcinogenesis to incorporate the underlying type-specific HPV distribution within precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. After defining plausible ranges for each parameter based on a comprehensive literature review, the model was calibrated to the best available population-based data. We projected the age-specific reduction in cervical cancer that would occur with a vaccine that reduced the probability of acquiring persistent infection with HPV 16/18, and explored the impact of alternative assumptions about vaccine efficacy and coverage, waning immunity and competing risks associated with non-16/18 HPV types in vaccinated women. The model predicted a peak age-specific cancer incidence of 90 per 100,000 in the 6th decade, a lifetime cancer risk of 3.7% and a reproducible representation of type-specific HPV within low and high-grade cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. A vaccine that prevented 98% of persistent HPV 16/18 was associated with an approximate equivalent reduction in 16/18-associated cancer and a 51% reduction in total cervical cancer; the effect on total cancer was attenuated due to the competing risks associated with other oncogenic non-16/18 types. A vaccine that prevented 75% of persistent HPV 16/18 was associated with a 70% to 83% reduction in HPV-16/18 cancer cases. Similar effects were observed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) although the impact of vaccination on the overall prevalence of HPV and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) was minimal. In conclusion, a prophylactic vaccine that prevents persistent HPV-16/18 infection can be expected to significantly reduce HPV-16/18-associated LSIL, HSIL and cervical cancer. The impact on overall prevalence of HPV or LSIL, however, may be minimal. Based on the relative importance of different parameters in the model, several priorities for future research were identified. These include a better understanding of the heterogeneity of vaccine response, the effect of type-specific vaccination on other HPV types and the degree to which vaccination effect persists over time. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Key words: HPV; cervical cancer precursors; invasive cervical cancer; vaccine; modeling In the past several years there have been substantial advances in our understanding of the epidemiology of cervical carcinogenesis and the causal role of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). [1][2][3] Despite this scientific progress, cervical cancer continues to have a devastating impact on women worldwide, with an estimated 400,000 women developing cervical cancer and 200,000 dying from this disease each year. 4 -7 From the perspective of developing countries, where less than 5% of women are ever screened, the development of a preventive vacci...

The cost-effectiveness ratios for insulin glargine use for type 1 and 2 diabetes provide evidence for its adoption from a Canadian healthcare payer perspective.

Assessing the cost-effectiveness of long-term treatment for osteoporosis requires use of mathematical models to estimate health effects and costs for competing interventions. The primary motivations for model-based analyses include the lack of long-term clinical trial outcome data and the lack of data comparing all relevant treatments within randomized clinical trials. We report on specific modeling challenges that arose in the development of a model of the natural history of postmenopausal osteoporosis that is suitable for assessing the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis interventions among various population subgroups in diverse countries. These include choice of modeling changes in bone mineral density (BMD) or in fracture rate, definition of health states, modeling mortality and costs of long-term care following fracture, incorporation of health utility, and model validation. This report should facilitate future postmenopausal osteoporosis model development and provide insight for decision-makers who must evaluate model-based economic analyses of postmenopausal osteoporosis interventions.

This study demonstrates that MS produces substantial health care costs and reductions in patient quality of life and ability to work, losses that can be avoided or delayed if disease progression is slowed. These data provide health-care decision-makers with the opportunity to consider the full impact of MS when faced with budget allocation decisions.