Health technology assessment : HTA
-
Health Technol Assess · Jul 2012
ReviewThe measurement of patients' expectations for health care: a review and psychometric testing of a measure of patients' expectations.
There is recognition of the importance of measuring patients' experiences, expectations and satisfaction. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Research Methodology (NCCRM).
-
Health Technol Assess · Jul 2012
ReviewInterventions to reduce or prevent obesity in pregnant women: a systematic review.
Around 50% of women of childbearing age are either overweight [body mass index (BMI) 25-29.9 kg/m(2)] or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). The antenatal period provides an opportunity to manage weight in pregnancy. This has the potential to reduce maternal and fetal complications associated with excess weight gain and obesity. ⋯ Interventions in pregnancy to manage weight result in a significant reduction in weight gain in pregnancy (evidence quality was moderate). Dietary interventions are the most effective type of intervention in pregnancy in reducing gestational weight gain and the risks of pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and shoulder dystocia. There is no evidence of harm as a result of the dietary and physical activity-based interventions in pregnancy. Individual patient data meta-analysis is needed to provide robust evidence on the differential effect of intervention in various groups based on BMI, age, parity, socioeconomic status and medical conditions in pregnancy.