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- Smilowska, Katarzyna, et al.
(author)
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Cost-Effectiveness of Device-Aided Therapies in Parkinson's Disease : A Structured Review
- 2021
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In: Journal of Parkinson's Disease. - 1877-7171. ; 11:2, s. 475-489
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Despite optimal dopaminergic treatment most patients in moderate to advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) experience progressively increasing disabilities, necessitating a shift from oral medication to device-aided therapies, including deep brain stimulation (DBS), intrajejunal levodopa-carbidopa infusion (IJLI), and continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI). However, these therapies are costly, limiting their implementation. Objectives: To perform a systematic review on cost-effectiveness analyses for device-aided therapies in PD. Methods: References were identified by performing a systematic search in the PubMed and Web of Science databases in accordance with the PRISMA statement. In the absence of universal cost-effectiveness definitions, the gross domestic product per capita (GDP) in the country where a study was performed was used as a cut-off for cost-effectiveness based on cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Results: In total 30 studies were retrieved. All device-aided therapies improved quality of life compared to best medical treatment, with improvements in QALYs between 0.88 and 1.26 in the studies with long temporal horizons. For DBS, nearly all studies showed that cost per QALY was below the GDP threshold. For infusion therapies only three studies showed a cost per QALY below this threshold, with several studies with long temporal horizons showing costs below or near the GDP threshold. Conclusion: Of the device-aided therapies, DBS can be considered cost-effective, but the majority of infusion therapy studies showed that these were less cost-effective. However, long-term use of the infusion therapies appears to improve their cost-effectiveness and in addition, several strategies are underway to reduce these high costs.
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2. |
- Tamás, Gertrúd, et al.
(author)
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Lack of Accredited Clinical Training in Movement Disorders in Europe, Egypt, and Tunisia
- 2020
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In: Journal of Parkinson's Disease. - 1877-7171. ; 10:4, s. 1833-1843
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Little information is available on the official postgraduate and subspecialty training programs in movement disorders (MD) in Europe and North Africa. Objective: To survey the accessible MD clinical training in these regions. Methods: We designed a survey on clinical training in MD in different medical fields, at postgraduate and specialized levels. We assessed the characteristics of the participants and the facilities for MD care in their respective countries. We examined whether there are structured, or even accredited postgraduate, or subspecialty MD training programs in neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, geriatrics, neuroradiology, neuropediatrics, and general practice. Participants also shared their suggestions and needs. Results: The survey was completed in 31/49 countries. Structured postgraduate MD programs in neurology exist in 20 countries; structured neurology subspecialty training exists in 14 countries and is being developed in two additional countries. Certified neurology subspecialty training was reported to exist in 7 countries. Recommended reading lists, printed books, and other materials are the most popular educational tools, while courses, lectures, webinars, and case presentations are the most popular learning formats. Mandatory activities and skills to be certified were not defined in 15/31 countries. Most participants expressed their need for a mandatory postgraduate MD program and for certified MD sub-specialization programs in neurology. Conclusion: Certified postgraduate and subspecialty training exists only in a minority of European countries and was not found in the surveyed Egypt and Tunisia. MD training should be improved in many countries.
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