Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
ReviewRapid fetal fibronectin testing to predict preterm birth in women with symptoms of premature labour: a systematic review and cost analysis.
Premature birth is defined as birth of before 37 completed weeks' gestation. Not all pregnant women showing symptoms of preterm labour will go on to deliver before 37 weeks' gestation. Hence, addition of fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing to the diagnostic workup of women with suspected preterm labour may help to identify those women who do not require active management, and thus avoid unnecessary interventions, hospitalisations and associated costs. ⋯ The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.
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Health Technol Assess · Sep 2013
ReviewA systematic review of evidence on malignant spinal metastases: natural history and technologies for identifying patients at high risk of vertebral fracture and spinal cord compression.
Spinal metastases can lead to significant morbidity and reduction in quality of life due to spinal cord compression (SCC). Between 5% and 20% of patients with spinal metastases develop metastatic spinal cord compression during the course of their disease. An early study estimated average survival for patients with SCC to be between 3 and 7 months, with a 36% probability of survival to 12 months. An understanding of the natural history and early diagnosis of spinal metastases and prediction of collapse of the metastatic vertebrae are important. ⋯ This report was commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme NIHR HTA Programme as project number HTA 10/91/01.