Methylmalonic acidemia/aciduria (MMA) is a genetically heterogeneous group of inherited metabolic disorders biochemically characterized by the accumulation of methylmalonic acid. Isolated MMA is primarily caused by the deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MMA mut; EC 5.4.99.2). A systematic literature review and a meta-analysis were undertaken to assess and compile published epidemiological data on MMA with a focus on the MMA mut subtype (OMIM #251000). Of the 1114 identified records, 227 papers were assessed for eligibility in full text, 48 articles reported on disease epidemiology, and 39 articles were included into the quantitative synthesis. Implementation of newborn screening in various countries has allowed for the estimation of birth prevalence of MMA and its isolated form. Meta-analysis pooled point estimates of MMA (all types) detection rates were 0.79, 1.12, 1.22 and 6.04 per 100,000 newborns in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, respectively. The detection rate of isolated MMA was < 1 per 100,000 newborns in all regions with the exception of MENA where it approached 6 per 100,000 newborns. Few studies published data on the epidemiology of MMA mut, therefore no meta-analysis could have been performed on this subtype. Most of the identified papers reported birth prevalence estimates below 1 per 100,000 newborns for MMA mut. The systematic literature review clearly demonstrates that MMA and its subtypes are ultra-rare disorders. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-1063-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Schizophrenia represents a substantial cost for the healthcare system in Europe driven by the high cost per patient. Substantial savings could potentially be achieved by increasing investment in the following areas: (1) reducing the number of hospitalizations e.g. by increasing the efficiency of outpatient care; (2) working out interventions targeted at specific symptoms; (3) improving patient persistence and adherence in antipsychotic therapy.

Successful implementation of treatment in cancer care partially depends on how patients' perspectives are taken into account, as preferences of health care professionals and patients may differ. Objectives of this exploratory research were (I) to identify patient preferences and values (PPVs) in cancer care as indicated by patient organizations (POs), (II) to determine how these PPVs are captured in cancer care guidelines and (III) to review how guidelines take into account these PPVs. Based on a survey developed and completed by 19 POs, a literature review was conducted to analyse how patient perspectives are incorporated in oncology treatment guidelines. Based on survey results traditional health technology assessment value propositions of oncology care, such as extended life, treatment-free remission and pain reduction, were also highly rated by POs. However, the heterogeneity of cancer PPVs were clearly reflected in the survey results. PPVs in cancer care guidelines were mostly limited to those micro-level aspects that are strictly related to health care provision, such as side-effects and comorbidities. Patient experience, emotional support and convenience of care were relatively neglected fields in the reviewed guidelines. Patient engagement was rarely presented in the guideline development phase. POs believe that patients should be encouraged to take an active role in their own care due to the heterogeneity of cancer patients and PPVs. Even if patient-centricity is a leading paradigm in cancer policy, based on our research it is not yet standard practice to include patients or POs at all appropriate levels of decision-making processes that are related to their health and well-being. Patient engagement should be an integral part of cancer care decision-making. This complexity must be reflected throughout policy making, avoiding a population level “one-size-fits-all” solution.

Propionic acidemia (PA, OMIM #606054) is a serious, life-threatening, inherited, metabolic disorder caused by the deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme propionyl-coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.3). The primary objective of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the epidemiology of PA. The literature search was performed covering Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CRD Database, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL and PROSPERO databases. Websites of rare disease organizations were also searched for eligible studies. Of the 2338 identified records, 188 articles were assessed for eligibility in full text, 43 articles reported on disease epidemiology, and 31 studies were included into the quantitative synthesis. Due to the rarity of PA, broadly targeted population-based prevalence studies are not available. Nonetheless, implementation of newborn screening programs has allowed the estimation of the birth prevalence data of PA across multiple geographic regions. The pooled point estimates indicated detection rates of 0.29; 0.33; 0.33 and 4.24 in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, respectively. Our systematic literature review and meta-analysis confirm that PA is an ultra-rare disorder, with similar detection rates across all regions with the exception of the MENA region where the disease, similar to other inherited metabolic disorders, is more frequent. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-018-0987-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

price-cut was due to the actual transaction pricing, but its impact on the reduction rate was the smallest (-4.00%). The highest reduction rate per event was the priceadjustment at the timing of generic approvals (-16.29%) and the policy change for off-patent drugs' pricing in April 2012 (-18.15%). In terms of total reduction, the most relatively important characteristic was whether being the originator or the generic drug (50.9%) and annual sales followed it (12.9%). The Listing year contributed to the annual reduction rate most (64.1%) and whether being the originator or the generic drug was also slightly important (14.1%). Conclusions: The repricing mechanism affects the price of anti-cancer drugs in a variety of ways. It is conclusive that statutory adjustments due to Actual transaction price and patent-off are the most active and influential on price change. The most critical factors driving price change are whether to be an originator or not and when to have been listed. To be more efficient and reconciled pricing system, it needs to reinforce an autonomous or competitive mechanism and value assessment.

Background To guide decision-making on immunisation programmes for ageing adults in Europe, one of the aims of the Vaccines and InfecTious diseases in the Ageing popuLation (IMI2-VITAL) project is to assess the burden of disease (BoD) of (potentially) vaccine-preventable diseases ((P)VPD). We aimed to identify the available data sources to calculate the BoD of (P)VPD in participating VITAL countries and to pinpoint data gaps. Based on epidemiological criteria and vaccine availability, we prioritized (P) VPD caused by Extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Staphylococcus aureus, and pneumococcal pneumonia. Methods We conducted a survey on available data (e.g. incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), quality-adjusted life years (QALY), sequelae, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), etc.) among national experts from European countries, and carried out five pathogen-specific literature reviews by searching MEDLINE for peer-reviewed publications published between 2009 and 2019. Results Morbidity and mortality data were generally available for all five diseases, while summary BoD estimates were mostly lacking. Available data were not always stratified by age and risk group, which is especially important when calculating BoD for ageing adults. AMR data were available in several countries for S. aureus and ExPEC. Conclusion This study provides an exhaustive overview of the available data sources and data gaps for the estimation of BoD of five (P) VPD in ageing adults in the EU/EAA, which is useful to guide pathogen-specific BoD studies and contribute to calculation of (P)VPDs BoD.

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were assessed for quality. Data on the cumulative incidence of cGVHD and related disease severity, and their predictive factors were extracted. RESULTS: After full text screening 84 articles were included. The 1-, 2-, and 5year cumulative incidence of cGVHD ranged from 14% to 60%, from 6% to 90%, and from 44% to 70%, respectively. Based on reviewed articles, age, gender, donor type, type of conditioning regimen, type of cGVHD prophylaxis, stem cell source, prior aGVHD, underlying disorders and immune system related factors (e.g. number of CD34+ cells or late activated T-cells) were predictors significantly affecting cGVHD. The 1-, 2-year cumulative incidence of moderate to severe cGVHD ranged from 8.6% to 42.6% and from 3.2% to 56.5%, respectively, while the 1-, 2-year cumulative incidence of severe cGVHD ranged from 2.2% to 13% and from 2.4% to 31.2%, respectively. The distribution of moderate and severe cGVHD patients among diagnosed cGVHD patients ranged from 15% to 84% and from 4% to 66%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: cGVHD is a highly prevalent disorder in HSCT recipients. The high number of influencing parameters may explain the wide variation of observed cGVHD cumulative incidence. Most studies focused on the factors affecting cGVHD incidence; however, more evidence is needed on the predictors of disease severity.