Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research
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Hypoglycemia is a common side effect of antidiabetic therapy. In addition to reducing well-being, hypoglycemic events may lead to substantial costs of medical care and lost productivity. The cost of hypoglycemia is, however, not well identified, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost of hypoglycemia in Type 2 diabetes in Sweden. ⋯ The results indicate that hypoglycemic events lead to substantial costs, but data are scarce and more studies are needed to better understand the cost and consequences of hypoglycemia.
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Injury Severity Score (ISS) is the most widely used method of assessing severity of injury in blunt trauma. It has been recognized that, by only allowing the score to consider the worst injury for each body system, ISS underestimates the problems of multiple musculoskeletal injuries. The New ISS (NISS) allows the three most severe injuries to be scored, irrespective of region affected, and may give better prediction of functional recovery in these patients. ⋯ NISS, a simple modification from ISS, better predicts functional outcomes in survivors of musculoskeletal trauma, and offers an improvement in the assessment of effectiveness of trauma care delivery.
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The objective of this study was to review and analyze the use of health-related quality of life (HRQL) and other patient-reported outcome (PRO) evaluations for the approval of new pharmaceutical products by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). ⋯ There is further scope for health outcomes researchers and regulatory decision-makers to contribute to the more efficient utilization of PROs and HRQL outcomes. Health researchers need to better justify the inclusion of these outcomes in clinical trials and highlight the added value of PRO data; while the regulators should develop harmonized procedures and capacities to adequately appraise the submitted information.
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To describe recent federal sponsorship of cost-effectiveness and related health economics research to provide insight into the functioning of existing research support systems and assess the roles of federal health agencies. ⋯ Federal support of health economics research has paralleled growth in the field. Federal funders support projects consistent with their mission and focus on high-burden disease areas. However, overlapping funding areas, ambiguity concerning agency interests within overlapping content areas, and gaps in some disease and intervention areas suggest that the coordination of health economics research funding could be improved.
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The Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life questionnaire (RLSQoL) assesses the impact of RLS on daily life, emotional well-being, social life, and work life. This study investigates its validity and reliability. ⋯ These findings support the conceptual framework of the RLSQoL. It is a valid and reliable measure of the impact of RLS on QoL and is responsive to short-term changes in symptom severity. The RLSQoL appears to be an appropriate tool for trial-based assessments of treatments for RLS.