Long-term cocaine use is associated with a wide range of cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric pathologies. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an emerging therapeutic strategy that stimulates the prefrontal cortex and may improve cognitive inhibitory control and decision-making. This systematic review aimed to evaluate and synthesize evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of rTMS for the treatment of cocaine addiction.

A systematic review of the literature was carried out. The following electronic databases were searched to identify relevant studies published from inception to October 2020: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs), case series studies, and full economic evaluations were included.

A total of 12 relevant studies were identified, which included five RCTs, one nRCTs, and six case series studies. None of the studies reported data on cost effectiveness. The results indicated that rTMS reduces cocaine cravings and the number of doses consumed. No serious adverse effects were observed.

The ability to modulate the craving for cocaine in a specific way with non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as rTMS, could be a new adjunct to the behavioral treatment of addiction, especially for cocaine use where there is currently no approved pharmacological treatment. Despite the low quality of the included studies, preliminary results indicate that rTMS may reduce cocaine use and cravings. In any case, since this effect is considered moderate, future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow up are required.

To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal (2-year follow-up) associations between dietary diversity (DD) and depressive symptoms.

An energy-adjusted dietary diversity score (DDS) was assessed using a validated FFQ and was categorised into quartiles (Q). The variety in each food group was classified into four categories of diversity (C). Depressive symptoms were assessed with Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck II) questionnaire and depression cases defined as physician-diagnosed or Beck II >= 18. Linear and logistic regression models were used.

Spanish older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

A total of 6625 adults aged 55–75 years from the PREDIMED-Plus study with overweight or obesity and MetS.

Total DDS was inversely and statistically significantly associated with depression in the cross-sectional analysis conducted; OR Q4 v. Q1 = 0·76 (95 % CI (0·64, 0·90)). This was driven by high diversity compared to low diversity (C3 v. C1) of vegetables (OR = 0·75, 95 % CI (0·57, 0·93)), cereals (OR = 0·72 (95 % CI (0·56, 0·94)) and proteins (OR = 0·27, 95 % CI (0·11, 0·62)). In the longitudinal analysis, there was no significant association between the baseline DDS and changes in depressive symptoms after 2 years of follow-up, except for DD in vegetables C4 v. C1 = (β = 0·70, 95 % CI (0·05, 1·35)).

According to our results, DD is inversely associated with depressive symptoms, but eating more diverse does not seem to reduce the risk of future depression. Additional longitudinal studies (with longer follow-up) are needed to confirm these findings.

Cognitive and functional deterioration is common in hospital setting and occurs in 40 percent of admitted older patients. One of its main causes is physical inactivity. The objective of our health technology assessment was to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of a structured multicomponent intervention of physical exercise (Vivifrail) for the prevention of the cognitive and functional deterioration in hospitalized patients aged 70 years or older and to estimate costs and the budgetary impact for the Spanish National Health Service.

A systematic review of available scientific literature (including experimental and observational designs) on the safety and effectiveness of Vivifrail was performed. A costing study and budgetary impact analysis of the incorporation of Vivifrail as a therapeutic alternative to standard care with a time horizon of 5 years was performed.

One randomized controlled trial (RCT) (n = 370) showed positive effects of Vivifrail compared to usual care in functional capacity (mean difference (MD) = 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78 to 2.62), cognitive state (MD = 1.80, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.36), and quality of life (MD = 13.20, 95% CI 12.70 to 13.70). Regarding other variables, the Vivifrail increased the grip strength of the dominant hand (MD = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.79 to 2.81), verbal fluency (MD = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.56 to 2.74), performance of double tasks (MD = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.13), executive function (MD = −31.07; 95% CI = −49.23 to −12.91) and emotional state (MD = −2.00; 95% CI = −2.50 to −1.50).

The total cost of implementing Vivifrail in a 1,000-bed general hospital would be EUR18,000 per year (adjusted to 2020 currency), with approximately 150 patients older than 75 years benefited. This represents a cost of EUR120 per patient.

The Vivifrail could improve functional and cognitive capacity, although available evidence on the Vivifrail is very scarce. More well designed and executed RCT and cost-effectiveness study confirming or refuting the promising findings are needed for a new assessment.

Delirium is a prevalent syndrome in the hospital setting and the elderly are the most affected. The objective was to assess the safety, clinical effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of interventions for preventing delirium among people aged 65 years or older at hospital admission.

A systematic review of available scientific literature (randomized controlled trials) on the safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of the interventions was conducted. The overall effect size for each type of intervention was estimated through a meta-analysis. A cost-effectiveness study in the context of the Spanish National Healthcare System was performed.

Forty-nine studies were included for the effectiveness and safety assessment (25 on pharmacological interventions, 12 on perioperative interventions, 2 on non-pharmacological interventions, and 10 on multicomponent interventions). The following interventions reduced delirium incidence relative to usual care or placebo: hypnotics and sedatives (13 studies; risk ratio [RR] 0.54: 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–0.80); perioperative interventions aimed at limiting opioid use (two studies; RR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.29–0.86); controlling the intensity of general anesthesia (three studies; RR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.59–0.99); and multicomponent interventions (10 studies; RR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54–0.72). In addition, multicomponent interventions reduced the duration (mean difference −1.18, 95% CI: −1.95 - −0.40) and severity of delirium (standardized mean difference −0.98, 95% CI: −1.46 - −0.49), while dexmedetomidine reduced the duration of delirium (mean difference −0.70, 95% CI: −1.03 - −0.37).

The economic analysis of a multicomponent preventive intervention estimated an average cost of EUR7,282 per patient, which was EUR140 per patient more expensive than usual care. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was EUR21,391 per quality-adjusted life-year, which is below the acceptability threshold used in Spain. The literature review yielded two economic evaluations that estimated the cost effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention in the United Kingdom and found that the multicomponent intervention was a dominant strategy.

This meta-analysis suggests that multicomponent interventions and dexmedetomidine are effective in reducing the incidence of delirium in hospitalized patients and that multicomponent interventions could be a cost-effective strategy in Spain.

Hepatitis A (HA) is a liver disease with a low mortality rate, but it can cause debilitating symptoms and fulminant hepatitis in some cases. Its incidence is greater in geographical areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Spain is considered a low-endemicity country, so universal childhood immunization against HA is currently not financed by the National Health System. The aim of this study was to synthesize the scientific evidence on the cost effectiveness of universal childhood vaccination against HA.

Full economic evaluations, published in the English or Spanish languages, were included if they reported outcome measures related to the prevention of HA, adverse effects, or incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). The Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published from the beginning of the databases to April 2018.

A total of 23 economic evaluations were included: one in a country of high endemicity, nine in countries of intermediate endemicity, and 13 in countries with low endemicity. Only one Spanish study, published in 1997, was found. Studies conducted in high- and intermediate- endemicity countries concluded that a universal childhood vaccination program against HA was a cost-effective option. However, in the case of countries with low endemicity the results were heterogeneous, although most agreed that a systematic vaccination strategy would not be a cost-effective option and that the adoption of such a strategy would not be justified given the limited benefits it would offer. The results of the economic evaluations depended on parameters such as the price and duration of the vaccine effect and the program coverage.

In countries with low endemicity the results were heterogeneous, although most studies concluded that the implementation of a universal vaccination strategy is not justified from the point of view of cost effectiveness.

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) require the administration of insulin to maintain glycemic control. Currently, two modes of subcutaneous insulin delivery have gained wider acceptance: multiple daily injections (MDI) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Randomized controlled trials have shown that CSII is associated with a slightly lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level when compared with MDI.

The case study on diabetes by the H2020 Next Generation Health Technology Assessment project aims to link evidence from randomized controlled trials to real-world data to estimate the impact of health technology on specific subgroups of patients, as a first step in building prediction models to personalize treatment strategies. This work aims to assess whether patients with T1D can be stratified according to the use of health technology for insulin delivery and associated glycemic control from real-world data.

We used a longitudinal prospective data repository of T1D patients from 83 clinics in the United States (T1D exchange). A data-driven two-step clustering analysis was done on adult individuals (n = 8,034) with more than five years of disease duration. Clusters were based on body mass index (BMI), sex, age at diagnosis, diabetes duration, HbA1c level, and insulin delivery method. The optimal number of clusters was estimated based on silhouette width.

We identified the following four clusters of T1D patients characterized by differences in gender and insulin delivery method: men and women with insulin injections or pens and men and women with CSII. Individuals that used CSII had lower HbA1c levels, a higher BMI, and longer diabetes duration than those using Injections or pens.

This preliminary work identified subgroups of T1D patients linked to insulin delivery methods. Future research includes the study of complications associated with different clusters and additional data sources. While the data were sourced from the T1D Exchange, the analyses, content, and conclusions presented have not been reviewed or approved by the T1D Exchange.

To ascertain whether patients prescribed second generation antipsychotics for off-label indications are being monitored and screened adequately for physical health side-effects.

The prevalence of off-label antipsychotic use has increased significantly over recent decades. Common off-licence uses include dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjunctive treatment for unipolar depression and personality disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that up to 65% of antipsychotic prescriptions are now off-label. Since the metabolic side-effects of second-generation antipsychotics are well-established, guidelines have emphasised the need for active, routine physical health screening of all individuals taking these drugs. However, there have been few studies or reviews which have specifically investigated screening rates of individuals receiving antipsychotic medications for off-licence indications.

An audit of patients taking second-generation antipsychotics for off-label indications, under the caseload of Neighbourhoods 1, 3 and 4 of Lewisham Assessment & Liaison team, was conducted. After isolating individual patients fulfilling inclusion criteria, patient investigation documents were requested from relevant GP practices. 40 patients were isolated in total, and data were successfully collected in 60% (n = 24). Data were collected via a proforma. This consisted of patient information, indications for antipsychotic use, and each variable to be monitored. The audit standard used was the recommendations of the 12th Maudsley guidelines. Data were then entered into SPSS and analysed.

The most common reasons for off-label antipsychotic prescribing were Emotionally Unstable Personality disorder (42%, n = 10) and depression (29%, n = 7). Findings demonstrated that 54% (n = 13) of patients audited had ‘basic’ blood screening (FBC, U&E, LFTs), however glucose (38%, n = 9), Prolactin (13%, n = 3), and Creatine Kinase (0%, n = 0), and monitoring was less frequent. 0% (n = 0) were completely monitored as per audit standard.

Primary care monitoring of off-label antipsychotics is unsatisfactory, with no patients having a complete set of investigations. Reasons for this are unclear at this stage, however based on initial discussion with GP surgeries, may be due to lack of education regarding screening investigations, patients lost between primary and secondary care services, and a lack of clarity regarding responsibility and designated roles. This audit will be expanded to also include patients from Neighbourhood 2 of the Lewisham Assessment & Liaison team. A more detailed investigation will be conducted into the barriers to physical health screening, such that a targeted intervention can be implanted.