Time to full publication of studies of anti-cancer medicines for breast cancer, and the potential for publication bias: a short systematic review

Article history

The research reported in this issue of the journal was funded by the HTA programme as project number 07/55/01. The contractual start date was in October 2007. The draft report began editorial review in April 2008 and was accepted for publication in May 2008. The authors have been wholly responsible for all data collection, analysis and interpretation, and for writing up their work. The HTA editors and publisher have tried to ensure the accuracy of the authors’ report and would like to thank the reviewers for their constructive comments on the draft document. However, they do not accept liability for damages or losses arising from material published in this report.

Declared competing interests of authors

None

Copyright statement

© Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2008. This work was produced by Takeda et al. under the terms of a commissioning contract issued by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. This issue may be freely reproduced for the purposes of private research and study and extracts (or indeed, the full report) may be included in professional journals provided that suitable acknowledgement is made and the reproduction is not associated with any form of advertising. Applications for commercial reproduction should be addressed to: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK.

2008 Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO

Description of underlying health problem and treatments

In 2004 there were 36,939 new cases of breast cancer in women in England, which represents a crude rate of 144.6 per 100,000 women. 1 Figures for Wales are available for 2005, when there were 2364 new registrations or a rate of 155.4 per 100,000 women. These figures equate to age-standardised rates per 100,000 population of 120.7 (95% CI 119.5–121.9) for England and 120.8 (95% CI 115.9–125.7) for Wales. 2 A recent review by the Office for National Statistics found a 20-year survival rate of 64% for women diagnosed with breast cancer between the ages of 50 and 69. 3

The survival rates for breast cancer have shown great improvements since 1991 and these changes are consistent with earlier and better diagnosis and improvements in the management of breast cancer with the use of more effective treatments. 4 Recent advances in molecular oncology and sequencing of the human genome have led to greater understanding of the transformation and growth of malignant cells. 5 Drug development is therefore moving away from systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy towards novel targeted agents. These act by inhibiting specific requirements or functions of tumour cells, and some are inhibitory to normal tissues such as vascular endothelial cells. 6

Targeted cancer therapies include several types of drugs such as monoclonal antibodies and apoptosis-inducing drugs. 7 For example, trastuzumab and lapatinib target the HER2 gene, whereas bevacizumab targets the new blood vessels that allow tumours to grow. 8 Most targeted therapies work in the same way as antibodies made by the immune system and so they are often referred to as immune-targeted therapies. 9

In the last 10–15 years the development of targeted therapies has led to an increase in the number of specialised anti-cancer treatments. The first monoclonal antibody to be licensed in the UK for cancer was rituximab, for high-grade lymphoma in 1998. 10 Trastuzumab was approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in 200211 and for early breast cancer in 2006. 12 Other treatments for breast cancer that have emerged in recent years include antimetabolites such as gemcitabine and a microtubule-interacting agent (vinorelbine), in addition to older drugs such as the taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel. 13 NICE has issued guidance on all of these drugs and continues to assess new treatments as they become licensed. 11,14–17 Many more targeted therapies are still in the preclinical testing stage7 and it is likely that these will be used in combined therapy with existing cytotoxic drugs. 6 The addition of these treatments considerably increases the cost to the health service of treating the disease. In addition to the costs of the drugs themselves there may also be the costs of administration and monitoring. 18 Timely appraisal of such drugs is therefore of interest to NICE.

Current NICE guidance for breast cancer

The NICE Single Technology Appraisal (STA) Programme aims to provide a rapid appraisal of new technologies and to allow guidance to be made available to the NHS. Chemotherapy drugs have been among the first technologies to be appraised under this new system. To make a fair and transparent appraisal of a technology it is important to evaluate all of the available evidence on its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This should include an appraisal of the methods and results of studies. Because the technologies are often undergoing market authorisation or have only recently been licensed, the evidence base is usually limited. Often there will be only one randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessing efficacy. This may not be fully published at the time of appraisal (e.g. the recent appraisal of gemcitabine for metastatic breast cancer17) and may never be fully published in a peer-reviewed publication.

Publication bias

There are four main areas of the literature relevant to this review: time to publication; publication bias in terms of direction of results; differences in results reported in abstracts and full publications; and differences in quality of reporting between abstracts and full publications.

A recently published Cochrane review19 investigated the time lag to publication for results of clinical trials. The systematic review identified two review articles of 196 trials. The systematic review found that studies with results that statistically significantly favoured the experimental arm tended to take 4–5 years to publish, whereas trials with null or negative results (i.e. not statistically significant or statistically significantly favouring the control arm) were generally published 6–8 years following trial inception. One of the included reviews investigated AIDS trials and the other examined the time interval between the date of a trial’s ethics committee approval (in Australia, between 1979 and 1988) and the date of first publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The Cochrane review19 did not include any reviews that were specifically investigating publication bias in anti-cancer drug trials. The reviewers did identify one such study, published in 1987, but excluded it because the analysis of time to publication was not available separately for the registered and published cohorts of the trials.

Krzyzanowska and colleagues20 conducted a survey of 510 abstracts from large phase III RCTs presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meetings between 1989 and 1998. Their searches found that 26% of the trials reported in abstracts were not published in full within 5 years of presentation at a meeting. Krzyzanowska and colleagues found considerable evidence of bias in favour of full publication of significant results (p ≤ 0.05 for primary outcome), with 81% being published within 5 years compared with 68% of studies with non-significant results. The authors followed up a number of studies that had not been published in full to find the reasons for this; the most frequent reason given was lack of time, funding or other resources.

A recent Cochrane review21 found that only 63% of results from 79 reports (29,729 abstracts) describing randomised or controlled clinical trials are published in full. Results that showed statistical significance, favoured the experimental treatment or were from randomised or controlled clinical trials were more frequently published as full publications than other kinds of results. The review included summary reports that examined the subsequent rate of full publication of results related to biomedical science which were initially published in abstract or summary forms. The review included subject areas as far-ranging as marine biology, gastroenterology and emergency medicine. It is therefore not possible to draw any specific conclusions relating to anti-cancer therapies from this review. 21

Other work on publication bias followed the fate of abstracts from the 1984 ASCO meeting. 22 However, this study followed up all conference abstracts to assess publication bias and did not specifically focus on time to full publication of RCTs. It is also likely that trends in publication time have changed over the past 15–20 years. A systematic review published in 2003 investigated publication bias around the acceptance rates of abstracts and their subsequent full publication. 23 The review searched for studies that identified the publication route of abstracts submitted to conferences. Again, this study was concerned with following all abstracts, not just those reporting RCTs.

Chan and colleagues24 investigated selective reporting and publication bias in 102 randomised trials, comparing registered protocols with published reports. Their review included all clinical studies approved by an ethical committee in a particular time period, and results were not presented separately for oncology trials.

Previous HTA methodology work has assessed the link between data in conference abstracts and data in full publications. Dundar and colleagues25,26 carried out an audit to assess the use of conference abstracts in Technology Assessment Reports compiled for NICE, and investigated whether data presented in the conference abstract differed substantially from that reported in the full publication. Rosmarakis and colleagues27 have also documented differences in outcomes reported by abstracts and full publications in the fields of infectious diseases and microbiology.

Quality of reporting in abstracts is generally more limited than that in full papers. Hopewell and colleagues28 identified RCTs presented at the 1992 ASCO conference and searched the literature to find corresponding full publications. The focus of their work was on identifying differences between quality of reporting in conference abstracts and quality of reporting in the later full publications. Their results found that only 46% of the 37 identified trials had the same number of participants randomised in the abstract and full publication, and only 22% reported the same number analysed. The majority of abstracts reported results from ongoing trials, whereas 82% of the trials in the full publication were closed to follow-up. Hopewell and colleagues reported great limitations in assessing trial quality based on information presented in abstracts. Only 14% of the abstracts reported intention to treat (ITT) analysis, compared with 46% of the full publications. In an attempt to encourage more complete reporting in abstracts, Krzyzanowska and colleagues29 modified the guidelines for the conduct and reporting of randomised trials to apply to abstracts submitted to ASCO meetings.

Rationale for the study

With the development of new chemotherapy agents the NICE STA process is likely to see a rise in the number of drugs gaining marketing authorisation over the coming years. This will lead to a concurrent increase in the number of systematic reviews being carried out on more limited evidence bases, compared with standard technology appraisals in which more fully published trial data are usually available. NICE has already issued guidance for cases when full peer-reviewed trial data are not available. 17 It is therefore important to establish the pattern of full publications to inform the developing methodology for reviews in this fast-moving area.

Identification of anti-cancer drugs for breast cancer

A full search of existing NICE technology appraisals of anti-cancer drugs for breast cancer was undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second. This included technologies that were currently in the process of being appraised by NICE. Eleven areas of NICE guidance were identified for eight anti-cancer drugs (three drugs had guidance both for early breast cancer and for advanced/metastatic breast cancer). As such, the number of related references likely to require screening was beyond the capacity available for this short report. During this early stage of the review a decision was therefore taken to limit the number of technologies to those that had been, or were due to be, appraised under the STA programme at NICE. Such drugs tend to be appraised closer to their marketing authorisation dates than those considered under the more established Multiple Technology Appraisal (MTA) programme, and there is generally less published evidence available for them. Given the limited time available it was therefore deemed more relevant to focus on drugs appraised under these conditions, to obtain an indication of the data available and any publication bias that might affect the STA programme.

This reduced the number to six interventions that had received, or were being considered for, NICE guidance. The list of anti-cancer drugs that were identified and included is shown in Table 1. For each technology identified a search of the European Medicines Agency (EMeA) website, the British National Formulary (BNF) and the relevant manufacturers’ websites was made to clarify the UK license details. The NICE website and the EMeA website [and the European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) identified from the EMeA website] were also used to search for any additional information on the licensed agents and to identify RCTs of the relevant drugs.

Search strategy

A comprehensive search strategy was developed to identify RCTs of the interventions for the treatment of breast cancer. The search strategy aimed to systematically identify all relevant studies that met the inclusion criteria given in Table 1. The strategy for MEDLINE, shown in Appendix 1, was modified for use in other databases. The following databases were searched for published RCTs: Ovid MEDLINE; EMBASE; Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE); Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews (CDSR); Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; and ISI Proceedings. The National Research Register (NRR) and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched to identify RCTs in progress. Bibliographies of retrieved articles were also checked for additional studies.

Websites of international conferences such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) were also searched to identify relevant conference proceedings and abstracts. These were searched from 5 years prior to the date of marketing authorisation until the present date. The internet was also searched using trial names/identifiers in internet search engines such as Google.

As there were previous NICE technology assessments for many of the interventions, the searches were limited to studies published after the cut-off dates of searching in the previous publications until August 2007. Dates were therefore from 2002 for capecitabine, from 2005 for docetaxel, from 2006 for paclitaxel, and from 2000 for trastuzumab and vinorelbine. For those technologies that are currently in the process of being appraised by NICE, searches were undertaken from 5 years before the date of the first license of the technology up until August 2007.

Study inclusion

All references identified by the literature searches were imported into a Reference Manager bibliographic database. After deleting duplicate references from the database, the title and (where available) abstract of each reference was screened systematically against the inclusion criteria reported in Table 1, to assess the relevance of the study for inclusion in the review. This was undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Full manuscripts of all selected citations were retrieved and assessed by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements over study inclusion were resolved by consensus or if necessary through arbitration by a third reviewer.

Inclusion criteria

The planned inclusion/exclusion criteria for the systematic review are shown in Table 1. There was no restriction placed on the outcome measures used at this stage of the project.

Data extraction

Data were extracted from the included studies using a predesigned and piloted data extraction template to report information on the month and year of publication of each included study, the numbers of participants in each study arm (to allow identification of linked studies) and key outcome data from each study (see Appendix 2). Data from each study were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus, if necessary involving a third reviewer. Given the limited resources available it was only possible to extract data on the key outcomes of studies, giving preference to overall survival and any measures relating to time to disease progression. Full publications and abstracts were linked by reference to trial identifiers, trial arms, numbers of participants and any other available information. For each intervention, information on the date of any decisions made by NICE was also noted.

Interventions included

Six anti-cancer treatments for breast cancer were included in the review. Of these treatments three were for early breast cancer and three were for advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Interventions for early breast cancer were docetaxel, paclitaxel and trastuzumab and interventions for advanced or metastatic breast cancer were gemcitabine, lapatinib and bevacizumab. Docetaxel, paclitaxel, trastuzumab and gemcitabine have been appraised by NICE; two were used as monotherapy and two were used in combination with other treatments (Table 2). Bevacizumab and lapatinib have appraisals in process. To keep this review relevant to the NICE appraisal process, only these applications for each of the respective drugs were used. For the two interventions that are appraisals in process we have reported all of the treatment combinations identified in the literature for bevacizumab, and restricted lapatinib to the treatment combination described in the ongoing STA. For two of the anti-cancer drugs for early breast cancer an additional indication (as per the NICE guidance) required the diagnosis to include node-positive disease (Table 2).

Included RCTs

The literature searches (including checking reference lists) generated 1556 references, whose titles and abstracts were inspected. The full process is documented in the flow chart in Appendix 3. A total of 71 publications were retrieved and screened for inclusion. Of these, 30 publications were excluded according to the review criteria and 41 publications of 18 RCTs included at least one arm of treatment meeting the indications noted in Table 2 and therefore met the inclusion criteria for the review. The breakdown in respect to each individual treatment was as follows: docetaxel, three RCTs; paclitaxel, two RCTs; trastuzumab, three RCTs; gemcitabine, two RCTs; lapatinib, three RCTs; bevacizumab, five RCTs.

Assessment of mean time between publication of abstracts and publication of full paper

Tables 3–8 illustrate, for each intervention, the mean time between publication of an abstract and publication of the full paper for each trial. In some cases a trial has reported key outcomes in abstract form but no full publication of these results has been identified; for these a calculation of the mean time between publication of the abstract and the present date has been made. Some trials have reported outcomes in more than one abstract and full publication; where this has occurred careful matching of each abstract with its respective full publication was made and a calculation undertaken for each. Matching was based on the trial identifier number, where available, numbers of participants, description of treatment arms and outcomes and any other information available. Calculation of time to publication was restricted to abstracts and corresponding full papers that reported measures of overall survival or aspects of disease progression. Abstracts that only reported baseline characteristics, adverse events or quality of life scores were not included in the analysis.

As can be seen in the above tables, of the 18 included trials only three trials (GEPARDUO,36,37 HERA48–51 and INT 014842,43) had a conference abstract and full publication sharing a common outcome (the HERA trial has two different abstracts linked to two full publications). Some of the trials reported interim analyses of their data in one publication (usually the abstract) and full analysis in another linked publication. 30,31,40,41,45,46 In others, abstracts and full publications simply reported different outcomes from the range assessed within the trial. 32–35,58,59,64,65 Therefore it would be inappropriate to include these in any overall assessment of length of time between publications.

Of the four sets of publications (from three trials) that reported the same outcomes in both an abstract and full publication, the time between the abstract and full publications was 5 months for two RCTs (docetaxel, GEPARDUO;36,37 trastuzumab, HERA48,49), 7 months for one RCT (trastuzumab, HERA50,51) and 19 months for the other RCT (paclitaxel, INT 014842,43). The mean time to full publication for these four sets of publications from the three trials is therefore 9 months.

Eleven trials were identified that have not currently published in a full publication the data presented in an abstract or conference proceeding. The duration between publication of the abstracts and the end of August 2007 varies from 3 months to 38 months (see Table 9). Seven trials have not published their data in full after at least 12 months since the abstract data were presented, and four of these remain unpublished after 21 months or more. The data in Table 9 are presented under subcategories of the interventions evaluated in the trials, showing that the trials for the two drugs gemcitabine and bevacizumab have the longest time without full publication.

The range of results found in this investigation makes it difficult to establish what an estimated time to publication for these sorts of drugs might be. The mean time awaiting publication for these drugs is 16.5 months, to the end of August 2007. This estimate is based on a small sample that has a large range (3–38 months). The calculation does not take into account any differences in the interventions, the manufacturers or the trial sponsors and any publication bias due to positive or negative results. However, it would appear that for the majority of the trials there is at least a 12-month delay for full publication, to the end of August 2007.

Comparison of results of abstracts and full papers

Four sets of publications from three trials (GEPARDUO,36,37 HERA48–51 and INT 014842,43) reported the same outcome in an abstract and a full publication. Of these, only two (both sets of publications from the HERA trial48–51) reported data on overall survival and time to disease progression. Of the other two linked studies, one was a publication of a secondary outcome (pathological complete response36,37) and one was a subgroup analysis of radiotherapy delivery. 42,43 Because of the limitations of this review as a short report, these last two outcomes were not data extracted. The interim analysis of data in the HERA trial48,49 for overall survival and for time to disease progression was the same in the abstract and the linked full publication. The 2-year follow-up analysis of data from patients receiving a years’ treatment in the HERA trial50,51 was also the same in the abstract and the corresponding full publication.

Ongoing trials

A number of trials in progress were identified in searches of the National Research Register and ClinicalTrials.gov, and these were assessed against the inclusion criteria for this review to see if they would be of relevance for any future update of this review. These trials are summarised in Appendix 4; some may be related to trials included in this review.

Time to publication

The main focus of this review was the calculation of time from conference abstract to full publication for RCTs of paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, trastuzumab, lapatinib and bevacizumab.

For docetaxel, time to full publication varied from 5 months for pathological response outcomes in the GEPARDUO trial,37 to 37 months for publication of interim survival in another trial. 31 Overall survival for the GEPARDUO trial was published in March 2006 as a conference abstract39 but has not yet been published in full. The other trial had two conference abstracts32,34 and two full papers,33,35 but these did not report the same outcome measures and so could not be compared directly.

The publication delay for paclitaxel trials tended to be longer than that for docetaxel trials, although it was difficult to compare the abstracts and full publications directly as both paclitaxel trials reported interim analyses in abstracts and final analyses in the full papers. For one trial41 the delay between the interim analysis appearing in an abstract and the final analysis being published in a full paper was 58 months, and there was a 55-month delay in the other trial. 46 One set of subgroup analyses was published more quickly (19 months43), and another was still unpublished after 15 months as of August 2007.

For one of the trastuzumab trials there was only a 5-month delay between the interim analyses being published in a conference abstract and as a full paper,49 and a 7-month delay between the abstract and full publication of the 2-year follow-up analysis of patients who received a year of treatment. However, other trials have been published only as abstracts so far, with delays of 5–21 months as of August 2007. One of the gemcitabine RCTs identified by the literature searches has not yet been published in full, despite a delay of 38 months since the most recent abstract was presented at a conference. 57 For the other identified gemcitabine trial, both a full paper and an abstract were identified, but the abstract did not present any efficacy data.

The two most recent breast cancer drugs to be in the process of NICE appraisal are lapatinib and bevacizumab. Although one full paper was identified for a lapatinib trial,60 this only presented interim analysis. A more recent abstract of this trial61 and two of another trial62,63 had not been published in full as of August 2007. Only one full paper was presented for a bevacizumab trial,65 and the only abstract linked with this presented baseline data rather than any results. None of the other four bevacizumab trials have yet been published in full, with delays in publication of between 1570 and 3367 months as of August 2007.

Overall, very few of the identified trials had both a conference abstract and a full publication that reported the same results. Mean time to publication for the three paclitaxel and docetaxel trials that had both an abstract and a full paper reporting the same outcome measures was 9 months. Mean time without full publication for those trials that have only published as abstracts was 16.5 months to the end of August 2007. The longest delays in publication were for trials investigating gemcitabine (38 months) or bevacizumab (33 months).

Direction of effect

Overall survival and time to disease progression were of particular interest in this review as they are the measures most commonly used by NICE for analysis of an anti-cancer drug’s effectiveness. Only three trials reported the same outcome measures in both abstracts and a full publication, and only two sets of abstracts and publications (from the HERA trastuzumab trial) reported outcomes of overall survival and time to disease progression. For the HERA trial, the overall survival and time to disease progression results were consistent between the abstracts and corresponding full publications.

Trials that published interim analysis in an abstract and final analysis in a full publication were examined separately from those discussed above. There were two paclitaxel trials and one docetaxel trial that fell into this category. One of the paclitaxel trials (INT0148) reported a positive effect on survival in both the abstract40 and the full publication. 41 The other paclitaxel trial (NSABP B-28) reported no significant difference at either the interim analysis45 or the final analysis. 46 Disease-free survival was reported to be statistically better with paclitaxel by the time of the final analysis46 but not at the time of the interim analysis. 45 The docetaxel trial reported statistically significant benefits of treatment with docetaxel in terms of overall survival and time to disease progression in both the abstract and full publication. The trials were therefore consistent in the direction of effect reported in the abstracts and full publications, with the exception of disease-free survival in the NSABP B-28 trial.

Overall, it would appear that, when linkage of abstracts and full publications was possible, the results presented in the abstracts were in line with the results presented later in a full publication. It is important to note that this is based on observation of the data only (no statistical analysis was undertaken) and on a small sample of trials.

Limitations of the report

This short report was written within a tight timescale and as such there were a number of limitations that restricted the review at key stages. It was not possible to include studies beyond those drug combinations and patient groups appraised under the NICE STA programme. This restricted the available evidence and, although it allowed us to focus on the types of published evidence available to NICE under the STA programme, it resulted in a rather small sample size. No statistical analysis was performed because of the small sample size and the short time frame for this report.

Data extraction resources were focused on the key outcomes of overall survival and disease-free survival or time to progression. These were thought to be of most relevance to the NICE review process, but consideration of other outcomes could have yielded interesting data if resources had allowed.

We calculated the mean time from abstract to full publication or to the time of writing if no full publication had occurred, i.e. the data were censored at the time of this analysis. This is a limitation of the project as mean times would be affected by the subsequent publication of full articles if the analysis were to be repeated at a later date.

Research recommendations

• Extension of this work to other anti-cancer drugs that have been through NICE’s MTA or earlier technology appraisal processes. With a larger sample size than that in the present report, investigation into the effect of publication delay on decision-making might be feasible.

• Investigation into the reasons for lengthy delays to full publication noted for some trials.

• Investigation of publications appearing as ‘online early’, which may not appear in databases such as MEDLINE until a later date.

• Investigation of trials that publish as full papers but which do not have associated conference abstracts.

Contribution of authors

Andrea Takeda co-ordinated the project, developed the protocol and background, performed the inclusion screening, and drafted the report. Emma Loveman developed the protocol and background, performed the inclusion screening and data extraction, and drafted the report. Petra Harris developed the background, performed the inclusion screening and data extraction, and drafted the report. Debbie Hartwell performed the inclusion screening and data extraction, and drafted the report. Karen Welch carried out the literature search.

Disclaimers

This report presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views and opinions expressed by authors in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NHS, the NIHR, NETSCC, the HTA programme or the Department of Health and Social Care. If there are verbatim quotations included in this publication the views and opinions expressed by the interviewees are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect those of the authors, those of the NHS, the NIHR, NETSCC, the HTA programme or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Docetaxel (Taxotere^®; Sanofi-Aventis)

Paclitaxel (Taxol^®, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Paxene^®, Norton Healthcare)

Trastuzumab

Gemcitabine (Gemzar^®, Lilly)

Lapatinib (Tykerb^®, GlaxoSmithKline)

Bevacizumab (Avastin^®, Roche)

Paclitaxel

NCT00041119. A trial comparing cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin (CA) (four versus six cycles) versus paclitaxel (four versus six cycles) as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer in women with 0–3 positive auxiliary lymph nodes. Study type: 2 × 2 factorial phase III RCT. Sample size: 4646. Start date: May 2002. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: Cancer and Leukemia Group B, National Cancer Institute. Funding amount: not reported.

Lapatinib

N0051189183. This trial is an open-label expanded access study of lapatinib and capecitabine therapy in women with HER2 (ErbB2) overexpressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Study type: multicentre, single-arm, open-label, expanded access study. Sample size: approximately eight. Start date: September 2006. End date: not reported [the study will continue to run and enrol subjects until the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gives approval for lapatinib]. Status: ongoing. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline. Funding amount: not reported.

N0258184664/NCT00347919. A phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre trial of GW786034 (pazopanib) in combination with lapatinib (GW572016) compared with lapatinib alone as first-line therapy in women with advanced or metastatic breast cancer with ErbB2 fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)-positive tumours. Study type: open-label, multicentre, phase II safety/efficacy RCT. Sample size: 140. Start date: June 2006. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline. Funding amount: not reported.

Docetaxel

NCT00408408. A randomised phase III trial of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with palpable and operable breast cancer, evaluating the effect on the pathological complete response (pCR) of adding capecitabine or gemcitabine to docetaxel when administered before adjuvant chemotherapy (AC)with or without bevacizumab. Study type: phase III RCT. Sample size: 1200. Start date: November 2006. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), National Cancer Institute. Funding amount: not reported.

NCT00391092. A randomised open-label study to compare the effect of first-line treatment with Avastin in combination with Herceptin/docetaxel with Herceptin/docetaxel alone on progression-free survival in patients with HER2-positive locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Study type: open-label, phase III, safety/efficacy RCT. Sample size: target 100–500. Start date: September 2006. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: Hoffmann-La Roche. Funding amount: not reported.

Bevacizumab

NCT00262067. A multicentre, phase III, randomised, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy regimens in women with previously untreated metastatic breast cancer. Study type: phase III multicentre RCT. Sample size: 1200. Start date: December 2005. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: Genentech, Hoffmann-La Roche. Funding amount: not reported.

NCT00281697. A phase III, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy regimens in women with previously treated metastatic breast cancer. Study type: phase III multicentre RCT. Sample size: 700. Start date: February 2006. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: Genentech. Funding amount: not reported.

NCT00433511. A double-blind phase III trial of doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel with bevacizumab or placebo in patients with lymph node-positive and high-risk lymph node-negative breast cancer. Study type: phase III, open-label, multicentre RCT. Sample size: 4950. Start date: January 2006. End date: not reported. Status: not yet open for patient recruitment. Funding: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, National Cancer Institute (NCI), North Central Cancer Treatment Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group B. Funding amount: not reported.

NCT00373256. A phase III study of SU011248 in combination with paclitaxel versus bevacizumab with paclitaxel in the first-line advanced disease setting in patients having breast cancer. Study type: phase III open-label RCT. Sample size: 740. Start date: November 2006. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting patients. Funding: Pfizer. Funding amount: not reported.

Trastuzumab

MREC reference MREC01/1/68 (N0258107389, N0265110588, N0143108959 N0205108841). The HERA trial is a phase III multicentre RCT with three arms, comparing 1 and 2 years of Herceptin with no Herceptin in women with HER2-positive primary breast cancer who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy. Sample size: 3192. Start date: 1 November 2001. End date: 31 January 2015. Status: project ongoing. Some funding is provided by Roche, as well as NIHR (N0265110588 only). Funding amount: only reported for N0265110588: £140,000 Roche, NIHR £12,500.24.

NCT00381901 (study ID numbers: CDR0000509793; INCA-PHARE; INCA-RECF0146; EUDRACT-2006–000070–67). A randomised phase III trial comparing 6 or 12 months of adjuvant trastuzumab treatment in women with non-metastatic breast cancer that can be removed by surgery, stratified according to participating centre, modality of adjuvant chemotherapy (concurrent versus sequential), and adjuvant hormonal therapy (yes versus no), with a 5-year follow-up. Study design: phase III, treatment, randomised, active control. Sample size: 7000. Start date: May 2006. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting. Funding provided by the National Cancer Institute, France. Funding amount: not reported.

Adjuvant lapatinib and/or trastuzumab

NCT00490139 (study ID numbers: EGF106708; BIG 2–06/N063D); ALTTO: A trial comparing lapatinib alone versus trastuzumab alone versus trastuzumab followed by lapatinib versus lapatinib concomitantly with trastuzumab in the adjuvant treatment of patients with HER2/ErbB2-positive primary breast cancer. Study design: phase III, treatment, randomised, open-label, active control, parallel assignment, safety/efficacy study (Breast International Group, North Central Cancer Treatment Group). Sample size: 8000. Start date: May 2007. End date: not reported. Status: currently recruiting in some countries. Funded by GlaxoSmithKline. Funding amount: not reported.

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   By Richards DM, Deeks JJ, Sheldon TA, Shaffer JL.

2. Diagnosis, management and screening of early localised prostate cancer.

   A review by Selley S, Donovan J, Faulkner A, Coast J, Gillatt D.

3. The diagnosis, management, treatment and costs of prostate cancer in England and Wales.

   A review by Chamberlain J, Melia J, Moss S, Brown J.

4. Screening for fragile X syndrome.

   A review by Murray J, Cuckle H, Taylor G, Hewison J.

5. A review of near patient testing in primary care.

   By Hobbs FDR, Delaney BC, Fitzmaurice DA, Wilson S, Hyde CJ, Thorpe GH, et al.

6. Systematic review of outpatient services for chronic pain control.

   By McQuay HJ, Moore RA, Eccleston C, Morley S, de C Williams AC.

7. Neonatal screening for inborn errors of metabolism: cost, yield and outcome.

   A review by Pollitt RJ, Green A, McCabe CJ, Booth A, Cooper NJ, Leonard JV, et al.

8. Preschool vision screening.

   A review by Snowdon SK, Stewart-Brown SL.

9. Implications of socio-cultural contexts for the ethics of clinical trials.

   A review by Ashcroft RE, Chadwick DW, Clark SRL, Edwards RHT, Frith L, Hutton JL.

10. A critical review of the role of neonatal hearing screening in the detection of congenital hearing impairment.

    By Davis A, Bamford J, Wilson I, Ramkalawan T, Forshaw M, Wright S.

11. Newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism: a systematic review.

    By Seymour CA, Thomason MJ, Chalmers RA, Addison GM, Bain MD, Cockburn F, et al.

12. Routine preoperative testing: a systematic review of the evidence.

    By Munro J, Booth A, Nicholl J.

13. Systematic review of the effectiveness of laxatives in the elderly.

    By Petticrew M, Watt I, Sheldon T.

14. When and how to assess fast-changing technologies: a comparative study of medical applications of four generic technologies.

    A review by Mowatt G, Bower DJ, Brebner JA, Cairns JA, Grant AM, McKee L.

1. Antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome.

   A review by Wald NJ, Kennard A, Hackshaw A, McGuire A.

2. Screening for ovarian cancer: a systematic review.

   By Bell R, Petticrew M, Luengo S, Sheldon TA.

3. Consensus development methods, and their use in clinical guideline development.

   A review by Murphy MK, Black NA, Lamping DL, McKee CM, Sanderson CFB, Askham J, et al.

4. A cost–utility analysis of interferon beta for multiple sclerosis.

   By Parkin D, McNamee P, Jacoby A, Miller P, Thomas S, Bates D.

5. Effectiveness and efficiency of methods of dialysis therapy for end-stage renal disease: systematic reviews.

   By MacLeod A, Grant A, Donaldson C, Khan I, Campbell M, Daly C, et al.

6. Effectiveness of hip prostheses in primary total hip replacement: a critical review of evidence and an economic model.

   By Faulkner A, Kennedy LG, Baxter K, Donovan J, Wilkinson M, Bevan G.

7. Antimicrobial prophylaxis in colorectal surgery: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

   By Song F, Glenny AM.

8. Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for malignancy.

   A review by Johnson PWM, Simnett SJ, Sweetenham JW, Morgan GJ, Stewart LA.

9. Screening for speech and language delay: a systematic review of the literature.

   By Law J, Boyle J, Harris F, Harkness A, Nye C.

10. Resource allocation for chronic stable angina: a systematic review of effectiveness, costs and cost-effectiveness of alternative interventions.

    By Sculpher MJ, Petticrew M, Kelland JL, Elliott RA, Holdright DR, Buxton MJ.

11. Detection, adherence and control of hypertension for the prevention of stroke: a systematic review.

    By Ebrahim S.

12. Postoperative analgesia and vomiting, with special reference to day-case surgery: a systematic review.

    By McQuay HJ, Moore RA.

13. Choosing between randomised and nonrandomised studies: a systematic review.

    By Britton A, McKee M, Black N, McPherson K, Sanderson C, Bain C.

14. Evaluating patient-based outcome measures for use in clinical trials.

    A review by Fitzpatrick R, Davey C, Buxton MJ, Jones DR.

15. Ethical issues in the design and conduct of randomised controlled trials.

    A review by Edwards SJL, Lilford RJ, Braunholtz DA, Jackson JC, Hewison J, Thornton J.

16. Qualitative research methods in health technology assessment: a review of the literature.

    By Murphy E, Dingwall R, Greatbatch D, Parker S, Watson P.

17. The costs and benefits of paramedic skills in pre-hospital trauma care.

    By Nicholl J, Hughes S, Dixon S, Turner J, Yates D.

18. Systematic review of endoscopic ultrasound in gastro-oesophageal cancer.

    By Harris KM, Kelly S, Berry E, Hutton J, Roderick P, Cullingworth J, et al.

19. Systematic reviews of trials and other studies.

    By Sutton AJ, Abrams KR, Jones DR, Sheldon TA, Song F.

20. Primary total hip replacement surgery: a systematic review of outcomes and modelling of cost-effectiveness associated with different prostheses.

    A review by Fitzpatrick R, Shortall E, Sculpher M, Murray D, Morris R, Lodge M, et al.

1. Informed decision making: an annotated bibliography and systematic review.

   By Bekker H, Thornton JG, Airey CM, Connelly JB, Hewison J, Robinson MB, et al.

2. Handling uncertainty when performing economic evaluation of healthcare interventions.

   A review by Briggs AH, Gray AM.

3. The role of expectancies in the placebo effect and their use in the delivery of health care: a systematic review.

   By Crow R, Gage H, Hampson S, Hart J, Kimber A, Thomas H.

4. A randomised controlled trial of different approaches to universal antenatal HIV testing: uptake and acceptability. Annex: Antenatal HIV testing – assessment of a routine voluntary approach.

   By Simpson WM, Johnstone FD, Boyd FM, Goldberg DJ, Hart GJ, Gormley SM, et al.

5. Methods for evaluating area-wide and organisation-based interventions in health and health care: a systematic review.

   By Ukoumunne OC, Gulliford MC, Chinn S, Sterne JAC, Burney PGJ.

6. Assessing the costs of healthcare technologies in clinical trials.

   A review by Johnston K, Buxton MJ, Jones DR, Fitzpatrick R.

7. Cooperatives and their primary care emergency centres: organisation and impact.

   By Hallam L, Henthorne K.

8. Screening for cystic fibrosis.

   A review by Murray J, Cuckle H, Taylor G, Littlewood J, Hewison J.

9. A review of the use of health status measures in economic evaluation.

   By Brazier J, Deverill M, Green C, Harper R, Booth A.

10. Methods for the analysis of quality-of-life and survival data in health technology assessment.

    A review by Billingham LJ, Abrams KR, Jones DR.

11. Antenatal and neonatal haemoglobinopathy screening in the UK: review and economic analysis.

    By Zeuner D, Ades AE, Karnon J, Brown J, Dezateux C, Anionwu EN.

12. Assessing the quality of reports of randomised trials: implications for the conduct of meta-analyses.

    A review by Moher D, Cook DJ, Jadad AR, Tugwell P, Moher M, Jones A, et al.

13. ‘Early warning systems’ for identifying new healthcare technologies.

    By Robert G, Stevens A, Gabbay J.

14. A systematic review of the role of human papillomavirus testing within a cervical screening programme.

    By Cuzick J, Sasieni P, Davies P, Adams J, Normand C, Frater A, et al.

15. Near patient testing in diabetes clinics: appraising the costs and outcomes.

    By Grieve R, Beech R, Vincent J, Mazurkiewicz J.

16. Positron emission tomography: establishing priorities for health technology assessment.

    A review by Robert G, Milne R.

17. The debridement of chronic wounds: a systematic review.

    By Bradley M, Cullum N, Sheldon T.

18. Systematic reviews of wound care management: (2) Dressings and topical agents used in the healing of chronic wounds.

    By Bradley M, Cullum N, Nelson EA, Petticrew M, Sheldon T, Torgerson D.

19. A systematic literature review of spiral and electron beam computed tomography: with particular reference to clinical applications in hepatic lesions, pulmonary embolus and coronary artery disease.

    By Berry E, Kelly S, Hutton J, Harris KM, Roderick P, Boyce JC, et al.

20. What role for statins? A review and economic model.

    By Ebrahim S, Davey Smith G, McCabe C, Payne N, Pickin M, Sheldon TA, et al.

21. Factors that limit the quality, number and progress of randomised controlled trials.

    A review by Prescott RJ, Counsell CE, Gillespie WJ, Grant AM, Russell IT, Kiauka S, et al.

22. Antimicrobial prophylaxis in total hip replacement: a systematic review.

    By Glenny AM, Song F.

23. Health promoting schools and health promotion in schools: two systematic reviews.

    By Lister-Sharp D, Chapman S, Stewart-Brown S, Sowden A.

24. Economic evaluation of a primary care-based education programme for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

    A review by Lord J, Victor C, Littlejohns P, Ross FM, Axford JS.

1. The estimation of marginal time preference in a UK-wide sample (TEMPUS) project.

   A review by Cairns JA, van der Pol MM.

2. Geriatric rehabilitation following fractures in older people: a systematic review.

   By Cameron I, Crotty M, Currie C, Finnegan T, Gillespie L, Gillespie W, et al.

3. Screening for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia: a systematic review with supplementary research.

   By Davies SC, Cronin E, Gill M, Greengross P, Hickman M, Normand C.

4. Community provision of hearing aids and related audiology services.

   A review by Reeves DJ, Alborz A, Hickson FS, Bamford JM.

5. False-negative results in screening programmes: systematic review of impact and implications.

   By Petticrew MP, Sowden AJ, Lister-Sharp D, Wright K.

6. Costs and benefits of community postnatal support workers: a randomised controlled trial.

   By Morrell CJ, Spiby H, Stewart P, Walters S, Morgan A.

7. Implantable contraceptives (subdermal implants and hormonally impregnated intrauterine systems) versus other forms of reversible contraceptives: two systematic reviews to assess relative effectiveness, acceptability, tolerability and cost-effectiveness.

   By French RS, Cowan FM, Mansour DJA, Morris S, Procter T, Hughes D, et al.

8. An introduction to statistical methods for health technology assessment.

   A review by White SJ, Ashby D, Brown PJ.

9. Disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis: a rapid and systematic review.

   By Clegg A, Bryant J, Milne R.

10. Publication and related biases.

    A review by Song F, Eastwood AJ, Gilbody S, Duley L, Sutton AJ.

11. Cost and outcome implications of the organisation of vascular services.

    By Michaels J, Brazier J, Palfreyman S, Shackley P, Slack R.

12. Monitoring blood glucose control in diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

    By Coster S, Gulliford MC, Seed PT, Powrie JK, Swaminathan R.

13. The effectiveness of domiciliary health visiting: a systematic review of international studies and a selective review of the British literature.

    By Elkan R, Kendrick D, Hewitt M, Robinson JJA, Tolley K, Blair M, et al.

14. The determinants of screening uptake and interventions for increasing uptake: a systematic review.

    By Jepson R, Clegg A, Forbes C, Lewis R, Sowden A, Kleijnen J.

15. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prophylactic removal of wisdom teeth.

    A rapid review by Song F, O’Meara S, Wilson P, Golder S, Kleijnen J.

16. Ultrasound screening in pregnancy: a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and women’s views.

    By Bricker L, Garcia J, Henderson J, Mugford M, Neilson J, Roberts T, et al.

17. A rapid and systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the taxanes used in the treatment of advanced breast and ovarian cancer.

    By Lister-Sharp D, McDonagh MS, Khan KS, Kleijnen J.

18. Liquid-based cytology in cervical screening: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Payne N, Chilcott J, McGoogan E.

19. Randomised controlled trial of non-directive counselling, cognitive–behaviour therapy and usual general practitioner care in the management of depression as well as mixed anxiety and depression in primary care.

    By King M, Sibbald B, Ward E, Bower P, Lloyd M, Gabbay M, et al.

20. Routine referral for radiography of patients presenting with low back pain: is patients’ outcome influenced by GPs’ referral for plain radiography?

    By Kerry S, Hilton S, Patel S, Dundas D, Rink E, Lord J.

21. Systematic reviews of wound care management: (3) antimicrobial agents for chronic wounds; (4) diabetic foot ulceration.

    By O’Meara S, Cullum N, Majid M, Sheldon T.

22. Using routine data to complement and enhance the results of randomised controlled trials.

    By Lewsey JD, Leyland AH, Murray GD, Boddy FA.

23. Coronary artery stents in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Meads C, Cummins C, Jolly K, Stevens A, Burls A, Hyde C.

24. Outcome measures for adult critical care: a systematic review.

    By Hayes JA, Black NA, Jenkinson C, Young JD, Rowan KM, Daly K, et al.

25. A systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote the initiation of breastfeeding.

    By Fairbank L, O’Meara S, Renfrew MJ, Woolridge M, Sowden AJ, Lister-Sharp D.

26. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators: arrhythmias. A rapid and systematic review.

    By Parkes J, Bryant J, Milne R.

27. Treatments for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Brañas P, Jordan R, Fry-Smith A, Burls A, Hyde C.

28. Early asthma prophylaxis, natural history, skeletal development and economy (EASE): a pilot randomised controlled trial.

    By Baxter-Jones ADG, Helms PJ, Russell G, Grant A, Ross S, Cairns JA, et al.

29. Screening for hypercholesterolaemia versus case finding for familial hypercholesterolaemia: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis.

    By Marks D, Wonderling D, Thorogood M, Lambert H, Humphries SE, Neil HAW.

30. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists in the medical management of unstable angina.

    By McDonagh MS, Bachmann LM, Golder S, Kleijnen J, ter Riet G.

31. A randomised controlled trial of prehospital intravenous fluid replacement therapy in serious trauma.

    By Turner J, Nicholl J, Webber L, Cox H, Dixon S, Yates D.

32. Intrathecal pumps for giving opioids in chronic pain: a systematic review.

    By Williams JE, Louw G, Towlerton G.

33. Combination therapy (interferon alfa and ribavirin) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Shepherd J, Waugh N, Hewitson P.

34. A systematic review of comparisons of effect sizes derived from randomised and non-randomised studies.

    By MacLehose RR, Reeves BC, Harvey IM, Sheldon TA, Russell IT, Black AMS.

35. Intravascular ultrasound-guided interventions in coronary artery disease: a systematic literature review, with decision-analytic modelling, of outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

    By Berry E, Kelly S, Hutton J, Lindsay HSJ, Blaxill JM, Evans JA, et al.

36. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of counselling patients with chronic depression.

    By Simpson S, Corney R, Fitzgerald P, Beecham J.

37. Systematic review of treatments for atopic eczema.

    By Hoare C, Li Wan Po A, Williams H.

38. Bayesian methods in health technology assessment: a review.

    By Spiegelhalter DJ, Myles JP, Jones DR, Abrams KR.

39. The management of dyspepsia: a systematic review.

    By Delaney B, Moayyedi P, Deeks J, Innes M, Soo S, Barton P, et al.

40. A systematic review of treatments for severe psoriasis.

    By Griffiths CEM, Clark CM, Chalmers RJG, Li Wan Po A, Williams HC.

1. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine for Alzheimer’s disease: a rapid and systematic review.

   By Clegg A, Bryant J, Nicholson T, McIntyre L, De Broe S, Gerard K, et al.

2. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of riluzole for motor neurone disease: a rapid and systematic review.

   By Stewart A, Sandercock J, Bryan S, Hyde C, Barton PM, Fry-Smith A, et al.

3. Equity and the economic evaluation of healthcare.

   By Sassi F, Archard L, Le Grand J.

4. Quality-of-life measures in chronic diseases of childhood.

   By Eiser C, Morse R.

5. Eliciting public preferences for healthcare: a systematic review of techniques.

   By Ryan M, Scott DA, Reeves C, Bate A, van Teijlingen ER, Russell EM, et al.

6. General health status measures for people with cognitive impairment: learning disability and acquired brain injury.

   By Riemsma RP, Forbes CA, Glanville JM, Eastwood AJ, Kleijnen J.

7. An assessment of screening strategies for fragile X syndrome in the UK.

   By Pembrey ME, Barnicoat AJ, Carmichael B, Bobrow M, Turner G.

8. Issues in methodological research: perspectives from researchers and commissioners.

   By Lilford RJ, Richardson A, Stevens A, Fitzpatrick R, Edwards S, Rock F, et al.

9. Systematic reviews of wound care management: (5) beds; (6) compression; (7) laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, electrotherapy and electromagnetic therapy.

   By Cullum N, Nelson EA, Flemming K, Sheldon T.

10. Effects of educational and psychosocial interventions for adolescents with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

    By Hampson SE, Skinner TC, Hart J, Storey L, Gage H, Foxcroft D, et al.

11. Effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte transplantation for hyaline cartilage defects in knees: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Jobanputra P, Parry D, Fry-Smith A, Burls A.

12. Statistical assessment of the learning curves of health technologies.

    By Ramsay CR, Grant AM, Wallace SA, Garthwaite PH, Monk AF, Russell IT.

13. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of temozolomide for the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Dinnes J, Cave C, Huang S, Major K, Milne R.

14. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of debriding agents in treating surgical wounds healing by secondary intention.

    By Lewis R, Whiting P, ter Riet G, O’Meara S, Glanville J.

15. Home treatment for mental health problems: a systematic review.

    By Burns T, Knapp M, Catty J, Healey A, Henderson J, Watt H, et al.

16. How to develop cost-conscious guidelines.

    By Eccles M, Mason J.

17. The role of specialist nurses in multiple sclerosis: a rapid and systematic review.

    By De Broe S, Christopher F, Waugh N.

18. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of orlistat in the management of obesity.

    By O’Meara S, Riemsma R, Shirran L, Mather L, ter Riet G.

19. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pioglitazone for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a rapid and systematic review.

    By Chilcott J, Wight J, Lloyd Jones M, Tappenden P.

20. Extended scope of nursing practice: a multicentre randomised controlled trial of appropriately trained nurses and preregistration house officers in preoperative assessment in elective general surgery.

    By Kinley H, Czoski-Murray C, George S, McCabe C, Primrose J, Reilly C, et al.

21. Systematic reviews of the effectiveness of day care for people with severe mental disorders: (1) Acute day hospital versus admission; (2) Vocational rehabilitation; (3) Day hospital versus outpatient care.

    By Marshall M, Crowther R, Almaraz- Serrano A, Creed F, Sledge W, Kluiter H, et al.

22. The measurement and monitoring of surgical adverse events.

    By Bruce J, Russell EM, Mollison J, Krukowski ZH.

23. Action research: a systematic review and guidance for assessment.

    By Waterman H, Tillen D, Dickson R, de Koning K.

24. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of gemcitabine for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

    By Ward S, Morris E, Bansback N, Calvert N, Crellin A, Forman D, et al.

25. A rapid and systematic review of the evidence for the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.

    By Lloyd Jones M, Hummel S, Bansback N, Orr B, Seymour M.

26. Comparison of the effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease: a systematic review of the literature.

    By Brocklebank D, Ram F, Wright J, Barry P, Cates C, Davies L, et al.

27. The cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of the knee joint.

    By Bryan S, Weatherburn G, Bungay H, Hatrick C, Salas C, Parry D, et al.

28. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of topotecan for ovarian cancer.

    By Forbes C, Shirran L, Bagnall A-M, Duffy S, ter Riet G.

29. Superseded by a report published in a later volume.

30. The role of radiography in primary care patients with low back pain of at least 6 weeks duration: a randomised (unblinded) controlled trial.

    By Kendrick D, Fielding K, Bentley E, Miller P, Kerslake R, Pringle M.

31. Design and use of questionnaires: a review of best practice applicable to surveys of health service staff and patients.

    By McColl E, Jacoby A, Thomas L, Soutter J, Bamford C, Steen N, et al.

32. A rapid and systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine and vinorelbine in non-small-cell lung cancer.

    By Clegg A, Scott DA, Sidhu M, Hewitson P, Waugh N.

33. Subgroup analyses in randomised controlled trials: quantifying the risks of false-positives and false-negatives.

    By Brookes ST, Whitley E, Peters TJ, Mulheran PA, Egger M, Davey Smith G.

34. Depot antipsychotic medication in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia: (1) Meta-review; (2) Patient and nurse attitudes.

    By David AS, Adams C.

35. A systematic review of controlled trials of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of brief psychological treatments for depression.

    By Churchill R, Hunot V, Corney R, Knapp M, McGuire H, Tylee A, et al.

36. Cost analysis of child health surveillance.

    By Sanderson D, Wright D, Acton C, Duree D.

1. A study of the methods used to select review criteria for clinical audit.

   By Hearnshaw H, Harker R, Cheater F, Baker R, Grimshaw G.

2. Fludarabine as second-line therapy for B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a technology assessment.

   By Hyde C, Wake B, Bryan S, Barton P, Fry-Smith A, Davenport C, et al.

3. Rituximab as third-line treatment for refractory or recurrent Stage III or IV follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Wake B, Hyde C, Bryan S, Barton P, Song F, Fry-Smith A, et al.

4. A systematic review of discharge arrangements for older people.

   By Parker SG, Peet SM, McPherson A, Cannaby AM, Baker R, Wilson A, et al.

5. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of inhaler devices used in the routine management of chronic asthma in older children: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Peters J, Stevenson M, Beverley C, Lim J, Smith S.

6. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of sibutramine in the management of obesity: a technology assessment.

   By O’Meara S, Riemsma R, Shirran L, Mather L, ter Riet G.

7. The cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance angiography for carotid artery stenosis and peripheral vascular disease: a systematic review.

   By Berry E, Kelly S, Westwood ME, Davies LM, Gough MJ, Bamford JM, et al.

8. Promoting physical activity in South Asian Muslim women through ‘exercise on prescription’.

   By Carroll B, Ali N, Azam N.

9. Zanamivir for the treatment of influenza in adults: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Burls A, Clark W, Stewart T, Preston C, Bryan S, Jefferson T, et al.

10. A review of the natural history and epidemiology of multiple sclerosis: implications for resource allocation and health economic models.

    By Richards RG, Sampson FC, Beard SM, Tappenden P.

11. Screening for gestational diabetes: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Scott DA, Loveman E, McIntyre L, Waugh N.

12. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of surgery for people with morbid obesity: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Clegg AJ, Colquitt J, Sidhu MK, Royle P, Loveman E, Walker A.

13. The clinical effectiveness of trastuzumab for breast cancer: a systematic review.

    By Lewis R, Bagnall A-M, Forbes C, Shirran E, Duffy S, Kleijnen J, et al.

14. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of vinorelbine for breast cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Lewis R, Bagnall A-M, King S, Woolacott N, Forbes C, Shirran L, et al.

15. A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty for treatment of hip disease.

    By Vale L, Wyness L, McCormack K, McKenzie L, Brazzelli M, Stearns SC.

16. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Woolacott NF, Jones L, Forbes CA, Mather LC, Sowden AJ, Song FJ, et al.

17. A systematic review of effectiveness and economic evaluation of new drug treatments for juvenile idiopathic arthritis: etanercept.

    By Cummins C, Connock M, Fry-Smith A, Burls A.

18. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of growth hormone in children: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Bryant J, Cave C, Mihaylova B, Chase D, McIntyre L, Gerard K, et al.

19. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of growth hormone in adults in relation to impact on quality of life: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Bryant J, Loveman E, Chase D, Mihaylova B, Cave C, Gerard K, et al.

20. Clinical medication review by a pharmacist of patients on repeat prescriptions in general practice: a randomised controlled trial.

    By Zermansky AG, Petty DR, Raynor DK, Lowe CJ, Freementle N, Vail A.

21. The effectiveness of infliximab and etanercept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Jobanputra P, Barton P, Bryan S, Burls A.

22. A systematic review and economic evaluation of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety.

    By Kaltenthaler E, Shackley P, Stevens K, Beverley C, Parry G, Chilcott J.

23. A systematic review and economic evaluation of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride for ovarian cancer.

    By Forbes C, Wilby J, Richardson G, Sculpher M, Mather L, Reimsma R.

24. A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions based on a stages-of-change approach to promote individual behaviour change.

    By Riemsma RP, Pattenden J, Bridle C, Sowden AJ, Mather L, Watt IS, et al.

25. A systematic review update of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists.

    By Robinson M, Ginnelly L, Sculpher M, Jones L, Riemsma R, Palmer S, et al.

26. A systematic review of the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and barriers to implementation of thrombolytic and neuroprotective therapy for acute ischaemic stroke in the NHS.

    By Sandercock P, Berge E, Dennis M, Forbes J, Hand P, Kwan J, et al.

27. A randomised controlled crossover trial of nurse practitioner versus doctor-led outpatient care in a bronchiectasis clinic.

    By Caine N, Sharples LD, Hollingworth W, French J, Keogan M, Exley A, et al.

28. Clinical effectiveness and cost – consequences of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of sex offenders.

    By Adi Y, Ashcroft D, Browne K, Beech A, Fry-Smith A, Hyde C.

29. Treatment of established osteoporosis: a systematic review and cost–utility analysis.

    By Kanis JA, Brazier JE, Stevenson M, Calvert NW, Lloyd Jones M.

30. Which anaesthetic agents are cost-effective in day surgery? Literature review, national survey of practice and randomised controlled trial.

    By Elliott RA Payne K, Moore JK, Davies LM, Harper NJN, St Leger AS, et al.

31. Screening for hepatitis C among injecting drug users and in genitourinary medicine clinics: systematic reviews of effectiveness, modelling study and national survey of current practice.

    By Stein K, Dalziel K, Walker A, McIntyre L, Jenkins B, Horne J, et al.

32. The measurement of satisfaction with healthcare: implications for practice from a systematic review of the literature.

    By Crow R, Gage H, Hampson S, Hart J, Kimber A, Storey L, et al.

33. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of imatinib in chronic myeloid leukaemia: a systematic review.

    By Garside R, Round A, Dalziel K, Stein K, Royle R.

34. A comparative study of hypertonic saline, daily and alternate-day rhDNase in children with cystic fibrosis.

    By Suri R, Wallis C, Bush A, Thompson S, Normand C, Flather M, et al.

35. A systematic review of the costs and effectiveness of different models of paediatric home care.

    By Parker G, Bhakta P, Lovett CA, Paisley S, Olsen R, Turner D, et al.

1. How important are comprehensive literature searches and the assessment of trial quality in systematic reviews? Empirical study.

   By Egger M, Jüni P, Bartlett C, Holenstein F, Sterne J.

2. Systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and economic evaluation, of home versus hospital or satellite unit haemodialysis for people with end-stage renal failure.

   By Mowatt G, Vale L, Perez J, Wyness L, Fraser C, MacLeod A, et al.

3. Systematic review and economic evaluation of the effectiveness of infliximab for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.

   By Clark W, Raftery J, Barton P, Song F, Fry-Smith A, Burls A.

4. A review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of routine anti-D prophylaxis for pregnant women who are rhesus negative.

   By Chilcott J, Lloyd Jones M, Wight J, Forman K, Wray J, Beverley C, et al.

5. Systematic review and evaluation of the use of tumour markers in paediatric oncology: Ewing’s sarcoma and neuroblastoma.

   By Riley RD, Burchill SA, Abrams KR, Heney D, Lambert PC, Jones DR, et al.

6. The cost-effectiveness of screening for Helicobacter pylori to reduce mortality and morbidity from gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease: a discrete-event simulation model.

   By Roderick P, Davies R, Raftery J, Crabbe D, Pearce R, Bhandari P, et al.

7. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of routine dental checks: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Davenport C, Elley K, Salas C, Taylor-Weetman CL, Fry-Smith A, Bryan S, et al.

8. A multicentre randomised controlled trial assessing the costs and benefits of using structured information and analysis of women’s preferences in the management of menorrhagia.

   By Kennedy ADM, Sculpher MJ, Coulter A, Dwyer N, Rees M, Horsley S, et al.

9. Clinical effectiveness and cost–utility of photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Meads C, Salas C, Roberts T, Moore D, Fry-Smith A, Hyde C.

10. Evaluation of molecular tests for prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities.

    By Grimshaw GM, Szczepura A, Hultén M, MacDonald F, Nevin NC, Sutton F, et al.

11. First and second trimester antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome: the results of the Serum, Urine and Ultrasound Screening Study (SURUSS).

    By Wald NJ, Rodeck C, Hackshaw AK, Walters J, Chitty L, Mackinson AM.

12. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound locating devices for central venous access: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Calvert N, Hind D, McWilliams RG, Thomas SM, Beverley C, Davidson A.

13. A systematic review of atypical antipsychotics in schizophrenia.

    By Bagnall A-M, Jones L, Lewis R, Ginnelly L, Glanville J, Torgerson D, et al.

14. Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) feasibility study.

    By Donovan J, Hamdy F, Neal D, Peters T, Oliver S, Brindle L, et al.

15. Early thrombolysis for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Boland A, Dundar Y, Bagust A, Haycox A, Hill R, Mujica Mota R, et al.

16. Screening for fragile X syndrome: a literature review and modelling.

    By Song FJ, Barton P, Sleightholme V, Yao GL, Fry-Smith A.

17. Systematic review of endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyps.

    By Dalziel K, Stein K, Round A, Garside R, Royle P.

18. Towards efficient guidelines: how to monitor guideline use in primary care.

    By Hutchinson A, McIntosh A, Cox S, Gilbert C.

19. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acute hospital-based spinal cord injuries services: systematic review.

    By Bagnall A-M, Jones L, Richardson G, Duffy S, Riemsma R.

20. Prioritisation of health technology assessment. The PATHS model: methods and case studies.

    By Townsend J, Buxton M, Harper G.

21. Systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tension-free vaginal tape for treatment of urinary stress incontinence.

    By Cody J, Wyness L, Wallace S, Glazener C, Kilonzo M, Stearns S, et al.

22. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of patient education models for diabetes: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Loveman E, Cave C, Green C, Royle P, Dunn N, Waugh N.

23. The role of modelling in prioritising and planning clinical trials.

    By Chilcott J, Brennan A, Booth A, Karnon J, Tappenden P.

24. Cost–benefit evaluation of routine influenza immunisation in people 65–74 years of age.

    By Allsup S, Gosney M, Haycox A, Regan M.

25. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of pulsatile machine perfusion versus cold storage of kidneys for transplantation retrieved from heart-beating and non-heart-beating donors.

    By Wight J, Chilcott J, Holmes M, Brewer N.

26. Can randomised trials rely on existing electronic data? A feasibility study to explore the value of routine data in health technology assessment.

    By Williams JG, Cheung WY, Cohen DR, Hutchings HA, Longo MF, Russell IT.

27. Evaluating non-randomised intervention studies.

    By Deeks JJ, Dinnes J, D’Amico R, Sowden AJ, Sakarovitch C, Song F, et al.

28. A randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of a package comprising a patient-orientated, evidence-based self- help guidebook and patient-centred consultations on disease management and satisfaction in inflammatory bowel disease.

    By Kennedy A, Nelson E, Reeves D, Richardson G, Roberts C, Robinson A, et al.

29. The effectiveness of diagnostic tests for the assessment of shoulder pain due to soft tissue disorders: a systematic review.

    By Dinnes J, Loveman E, McIntyre L, Waugh N.

30. The value of digital imaging in diabetic retinopathy.

    By Sharp PF, Olson J, Strachan F, Hipwell J, Ludbrook A, O’Donnell M, et al.

31. Lowering blood pressure to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke: a new preventive strategy.

    By Law M, Wald N, Morris J.

32. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of capecitabine and tegafur with uracil for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Ward S, Kaltenthaler E, Cowan J, Brewer N.

33. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of new and emerging technologies for early localised prostate cancer: a systematic review.

    By Hummel S, Paisley S, Morgan A, Currie E, Brewer N.

34. Literature searching for clinical and cost-effectiveness studies used in health technology assessment reports carried out for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisal system.

    By Royle P, Waugh N.

35. Systematic review and economic decision modelling for the prevention and treatment of influenza A and B.

    By Turner D, Wailoo A, Nicholson K, Cooper N, Sutton A, Abrams K.

36. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Hickman line insertions in adult cancer patients by nurses.

    By Boland A, Haycox A, Bagust A, Fitzsimmons L.

37. Redesigning postnatal care: a randomised controlled trial of protocol-based midwifery-led care focused on individual women’s physical and psychological health needs.

    By MacArthur C, Winter HR, Bick DE, Lilford RJ, Lancashire RJ, Knowles H, et al.

38. Estimating implied rates of discount in healthcare decision-making.

    By West RR, McNabb R, Thompson AGH, Sheldon TA, Grimley Evans J.

39. Systematic review of isolation policies in the hospital management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a review of the literature with epidemiological and economic modelling.

    By Cooper BS, Stone SP, Kibbler CC, Cookson BD, Roberts JA, Medley GF, et al.

40. Treatments for spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

    By Beard S, Hunn A, Wight J.

41. The inclusion of reports of randomised trials published in languages other than English in systematic reviews.

    By Moher D, Pham B, Lawson ML, Klassen TP.

42. The impact of screening on future health-promoting behaviours and health beliefs: a systematic review.

    By Bankhead CR, Brett J, Bukach C, Webster P, Stewart-Brown S, Munafo M, et al.

1. What is the best imaging strategy for acute stroke?

   By Wardlaw JM, Keir SL, Seymour J, Lewis S, Sandercock PAG, Dennis MS, et al.

2. Systematic review and modelling of the investigation of acute and chronic chest pain presenting in primary care.

   By Mant J, McManus RJ, Oakes RAL, Delaney BC, Barton PM, Deeks JJ, et al.

3. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of microwave and thermal balloon endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and economic modelling.

   By Garside R, Stein K, Wyatt K, Round A, Price A.

4. A systematic review of the role of bisphosphonates in metastatic disease.

   By Ross JR, Saunders Y, Edmonds PM, Patel S, Wonderling D, Normand C, et al.

5. Systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of capecitabine (Xeloda^®) for locally advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer.

   By Jones L, Hawkins N, Westwood M, Wright K, Richardson G, Riemsma R.

6. Effectiveness and efficiency of guideline dissemination and implementation strategies.

   By Grimshaw JM, Thomas RE, MacLennan G, Fraser C, Ramsay CR, Vale L, et al.

7. Clinical effectiveness and costs of the Sugarbaker procedure for the treatment of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

   By Bryant J, Clegg AJ, Sidhu MK, Brodin H, Royle P, Davidson P.

8. Psychological treatment for insomnia in the regulation of long-term hypnotic drug use.

   By Morgan K, Dixon S, Mathers N, Thompson J, Tomeny M.

9. Improving the evaluation of therapeutic interventions in multiple sclerosis: development of a patient-based measure of outcome.

   By Hobart JC, Riazi A, Lamping DL, Fitzpatrick R, Thompson AJ.

10. A systematic review and economic evaluation of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography compared with diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

    By Kaltenthaler E, Bravo Vergel Y, Chilcott J, Thomas S, Blakeborough T, Walters SJ, et al.

11. The use of modelling to evaluate new drugs for patients with a chronic condition: the case of antibodies against tumour necrosis factor in rheumatoid arthritis.

    By Barton P, Jobanputra P, Wilson J, Bryan S, Burls A.

12. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of neonatal screening for inborn errors of metabolism using tandem mass spectrometry: a systematic review.

    By Pandor A, Eastham J, Beverley C, Chilcott J, Paisley S.

13. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Czoski-Murray C, Warren E, Chilcott J, Beverley C, Psyllaki MA, Cowan J.

14. Routine examination of the newborn: the EMREN study. Evaluation of an extension of the midwife role including a randomised controlled trial of appropriately trained midwives and paediatric senior house officers.

    By Townsend J, Wolke D, Hayes J, Davé S, Rogers C, Bloomfield L, et al.

15. Involving consumers in research and development agenda setting for the NHS: developing an evidence-based approach.

    By Oliver S, Clarke-Jones L, Rees R, Milne R, Buchanan P, Gabbay J, et al.

16. A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of minimally invasive direct coronary bypass grafting versus percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stenting for proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

    By Reeves BC, Angelini GD, Bryan AJ, Taylor FC, Cripps T, Spyt TJ, et al.

17. Does early magnetic resonance imaging influence management or improve outcome in patients referred to secondary care with low back pain? A pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

    By Gilbert FJ, Grant AM, Gillan MGC, Vale L, Scott NW, Campbell MK, et al.

18. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of anakinra for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults: a systematic review and economic analysis.

    By Clark W, Jobanputra P, Barton P, Burls A.

19. A rapid and systematic review and economic evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of newer drugs for treatment of mania associated with bipolar affective disorder.

    By Bridle C, Palmer S, Bagnall A-M, Darba J, Duffy S, Sculpher M, et al.

20. Liquid-based cytology in cervical screening: an updated rapid and systematic review and economic analysis.

    By Karnon J, Peters J, Platt J, Chilcott J, McGoogan E, Brewer N.

21. Systematic review of the long-term effects and economic consequences of treatments for obesity and implications for health improvement.

    By Avenell A, Broom J, Brown TJ, Poobalan A, Aucott L, Stearns SC, et al.

22. Autoantibody testing in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus.

    By Dretzke J, Cummins C, Sandercock J, Fry-Smith A, Barrett T, Burls A.

23. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prehospital intravenous fluids in trauma patients.

    By Dretzke J, Sandercock J, Bayliss S, Burls A.

24. Newer hypnotic drugs for the short-term management of insomnia: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Dündar Y, Boland A, Strobl J, Dodd S, Haycox A, Bagust A, et al.

25. Development and validation of methods for assessing the quality of diagnostic accuracy studies.

    By Whiting P, Rutjes AWS, Dinnes J, Reitsma JB, Bossuyt PMM, Kleijnen J.

26. EVALUATE hysterectomy trial: a multicentre randomised trial comparing abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic methods of hysterectomy.

    By Garry R, Fountain J, Brown J, Manca A, Mason S, Sculpher M, et al.

27. Methods for expected value of information analysis in complex health economic models: developments on the health economics of interferon-β and glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis.

    By Tappenden P, Chilcott JB, Eggington S, Oakley J, McCabe C.

28. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of imatinib for first-line treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase: a systematic review and economic analysis.

    By Dalziel K, Round A, Stein K, Garside R, Price A.

29. VenUS I: a randomised controlled trial of two types of bandage for treating venous leg ulcers.

    By Iglesias C, Nelson EA, Cullum NA, Torgerson DJ, on behalf of the VenUS Team.

30. Systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and economic evaluation, of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for the diagnosis and management of angina and myocardial infarction.

    By Mowatt G, Vale L, Brazzelli M, Hernandez R, Murray A, Scott N, et al.

31. A pilot study on the use of decision theory and value of information analysis as part of the NHS Health Technology Assessment programme.

    By Claxton K, Ginnelly L, Sculpher M, Philips Z, Palmer S.

32. The Social Support and Family Health Study: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of two alternative forms of postnatal support for mothers living in disadvantaged inner-city areas.

    By Wiggins M, Oakley A, Roberts I, Turner H, Rajan L, Austerberry H, et al.

33. Psychosocial aspects of genetic screening of pregnant women and newborns: a systematic review.

    By Green JM, Hewison J, Bekker HL, Bryant, Cuckle HS.

34. Evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding: comparison of three outpatient procedures within cohorts defined by age and menopausal status.

    By Critchley HOD, Warner P, Lee AJ, Brechin S, Guise J, Graham B.

35. Coronary artery stents: a rapid systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Hill R, Bagust A, Bakhai A, Dickson R, Dündar Y, Haycox A, et al.

36. Review of guidelines for good practice in decision-analytic modelling in health technology assessment.

    By Philips Z, Ginnelly L, Sculpher M, Claxton K, Golder S, Riemsma R, et al.

37. Rituximab (MabThera^®) for aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Knight C, Hind D, Brewer N, Abbott V.

38. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole in the secondary prevention of occlusive vascular events: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Jones L, Griffin S, Palmer S, Main C, Orton V, Sculpher M, et al.

39. Pegylated interferon α-2a and -2b in combination with ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Shepherd J, Brodin H, Cave C, Waugh N, Price A, Gabbay J.

40. Clopidogrel used in combination with aspirin compared with aspirin alone in the treatment of non-ST-segment- elevation acute coronary syndromes: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Main C, Palmer S, Griffin S, Jones L, Orton V, Sculpher M, et al.

41. Provision, uptake and cost of cardiac rehabilitation programmes: improving services to under-represented groups.

    By Beswick AD, Rees K, Griebsch I, Taylor FC, Burke M, West RR, et al.

42. Involving South Asian patients in clinical trials.

    By Hussain-Gambles M, Leese B, Atkin K, Brown J, Mason S, Tovey P.

43. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for diabetes.

    By Colquitt JL, Green C, Sidhu MK, Hartwell D, Waugh N.

44. Identification and assessment of ongoing trials in health technology assessment reviews.

    By Song FJ, Fry-Smith A, Davenport C, Bayliss S, Adi Y, Wilson JS, et al.

45. Systematic review and economic evaluation of a long-acting insulin analogue, insulin glargine

    By Warren E, Weatherley-Jones E, Chilcott J, Beverley C.

46. Supplementation of a home-based exercise programme with a class-based programme for people with osteoarthritis of the knees: a randomised controlled trial and health economic analysis.

    By McCarthy CJ, Mills PM, Pullen R, Richardson G, Hawkins N, Roberts CR, et al.

47. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of once-daily versus more frequent use of same potency topical corticosteroids for atopic eczema: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Green C, Colquitt JL, Kirby J, Davidson P, Payne E.

48. Acupuncture of chronic headache disorders in primary care: randomised controlled trial and economic analysis.

    By Vickers AJ, Rees RW, Zollman CE, McCarney R, Smith CM, Ellis N, et al.

49. Generalisability in economic evaluation studies in healthcare: a review and case studies.

    By Sculpher MJ, Pang FS, Manca A, Drummond MF, Golder S, Urdahl H, et al.

50. Virtual outreach: a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of joint teleconferenced medical consultations.

    By Wallace P, Barber J, Clayton W, Currell R, Fleming K, Garner P, et al.

1. Randomised controlled multiple treatment comparison to provide a cost-effectiveness rationale for the selection of antimicrobial therapy in acne.

   By Ozolins M, Eady EA, Avery A, Cunliffe WJ, O’Neill C, Simpson NB, et al.

2. Do the findings of case series studies vary significantly according to methodological characteristics?

   By Dalziel K, Round A, Stein K, Garside R, Castelnuovo E, Payne L.

3. Improving the referral process for familial breast cancer genetic counselling: findings of three randomised controlled trials of two interventions.

   By Wilson BJ, Torrance N, Mollison J, Wordsworth S, Gray JR, Haites NE, et al.

4. Randomised evaluation of alternative electrosurgical modalities to treat bladder outflow obstruction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

   By Fowler C, McAllister W, Plail R, Karim O, Yang Q.

5. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of palliative therapies for patients with inoperable oesophageal cancer.

   By Shenfine J, McNamee P, Steen N, Bond J, Griffin SM.

6. Impact of computer-aided detection prompts on the sensitivity and specificity of screening mammography.

   By Taylor P, Champness J, Given- Wilson R, Johnston K, Potts H.

7. Issues in data monitoring and interim analysis of trials.

   By Grant AM, Altman DG, Babiker AB, Campbell MK, Clemens FJ, Darbyshire JH, et al.

8. Lay public’s understanding of equipoise and randomisation in randomised controlled trials.

   By Robinson EJ, Kerr CEP, Stevens AJ, Lilford RJ, Braunholtz DA, Edwards SJ, et al.

9. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy for depressive illness, schizophrenia, catatonia and mania: systematic reviews and economic modelling studies.

   By Greenhalgh J, Knight C, Hind D, Beverley C, Walters S.

10. Measurement of health-related quality of life for people with dementia: development of a new instrument (DEMQOL) and an evaluation of current methodology.

    By Smith SC, Lamping DL, Banerjee S, Harwood R, Foley B, Smith P, et al.

11. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alfa (activated) (Xigris^®) for the treatment of severe sepsis in adults: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Green C, Dinnes J, Takeda A, Shepherd J, Hartwell D, Cave C, et al.

12. A methodological review of how heterogeneity has been examined in systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy.

    By Dinnes J, Deeks J, Kirby J, Roderick P.

13. Cervical screening programmes: can automation help? Evidence from systematic reviews, an economic analysis and a simulation modelling exercise applied to the UK.

    By Willis BH, Barton P, Pearmain P, Bryan S, Hyde C.

14. Laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia repair: systematic review of effectiveness and economic evaluation.

    By McCormack K, Wake B, Perez J, Fraser C, Cook J, McIntosh E, et al.

15. Clinical effectiveness, tolerability and cost-effectiveness of newer drugs for epilepsy in adults: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Wilby J, Kainth A, Hawkins N, Epstein D, McIntosh H, McDaid C, et al.

16. A randomised controlled trial to compare the cost-effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and lofepramine.

    By Peveler R, Kendrick T, Buxton M, Longworth L, Baldwin D, Moore M, et al.

17. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of immediate angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Hartwell D, Colquitt J, Loveman E, Clegg AJ, Brodin H, Waugh N, et al.

18. A randomised controlled comparison of alternative strategies in stroke care.

    By Kalra L, Evans A, Perez I, Knapp M, Swift C, Donaldson N.

19. The investigation and analysis of critical incidents and adverse events in healthcare.

    By Woloshynowych M, Rogers S, Taylor-Adams S, Vincent C.

20. Potential use of routine databases in health technology assessment.

    By Raftery J, Roderick P, Stevens A.

21. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of newer immunosuppressive regimens in renal transplantation: a systematic review and modelling study.

    By Woodroffe R, Yao GL, Meads C, Bayliss S, Ready A, Raftery J, et al.

22. A systematic review and economic evaluation of alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, raloxifene and teriparatide for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

    By Stevenson M, Lloyd Jones M, De Nigris E, Brewer N, Davis S, Oakley J.

23. A systematic review to examine the impact of psycho-educational interventions on health outcomes and costs in adults and children with difficult asthma.

    By Smith JR, Mugford M, Holland R, Candy B, Noble MJ, Harrison BDW, et al.

24. An evaluation of the costs, effectiveness and quality of renal replacement therapy provision in renal satellite units in England and Wales.

    By Roderick P, Nicholson T, Armitage A, Mehta R, Mullee M, Gerard K, et al.

25. Imatinib for the treatment of patients with unresectable and/or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumours: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Wilson J, Connock M, Song F, Yao G, Fry-Smith A, Raftery J, et al.

26. Indirect comparisons of competing interventions.

    By Glenny AM, Altman DG, Song F, Sakarovitch C, Deeks JJ, D’Amico R, et al.

27. Cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies for the initial medical management of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: systematic review and decision-analytical modelling.

    By Robinson M, Palmer S, Sculpher M, Philips Z, Ginnelly L, Bowens A, et al.

28. Outcomes of electrically stimulated gracilis neosphincter surgery.

    By Tillin T, Chambers M, Feldman R.

29. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pimecrolimus and tacrolimus for atopic eczema: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Garside R, Stein K, Castelnuovo E, Pitt M, Ashcroft D, Dimmock P, et al.

30. Systematic review on urine albumin testing for early detection of diabetic complications.

    By Newman DJ, Mattock MB, Dawnay ABS, Kerry S, McGuire A, Yaqoob M, et al.

31. Randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of water-based therapy for lower limb osteoarthritis.

    By Cochrane T, Davey RC, Matthes Edwards SM.

32. Longer term clinical and economic benefits of offering acupuncture care to patients with chronic low back pain.

    By Thomas KJ, MacPherson H, Ratcliffe J, Thorpe L, Brazier J, Campbell M, et al.

33. Cost-effectiveness and safety of epidural steroids in the management of sciatica.

    By Price C, Arden N, Coglan L, Rogers P.

34. The British Rheumatoid Outcome Study Group (BROSG) randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of aggressive versus symptomatic therapy in established rheumatoid arthritis.

    By Symmons D, Tricker K, Roberts C, Davies L, Dawes P, Scott DL.

35. Conceptual framework and systematic review of the effects of participants’ and professionals’ preferences in randomised controlled trials.

    By King M, Nazareth I, Lampe F, Bower P, Chandler M, Morou M, et al.

36. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillators: a systematic review.

    By Bryant J, Brodin H, Loveman E, Payne E, Clegg A.

37. A trial of problem-solving by community mental health nurses for anxiety, depression and life difficulties among general practice patients. The CPN-GP study.

    By Kendrick T, Simons L, Mynors-Wallis L, Gray A, Lathlean J, Pickering R, et al.

38. The causes and effects of socio-demographic exclusions from clinical trials.

    By Bartlett C, Doyal L, Ebrahim S, Davey P, Bachmann M, Egger M, et al.

39. Is hydrotherapy cost-effective? A randomised controlled trial of combined hydrotherapy programmes compared with physiotherapy land techniques in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

    By Epps H, Ginnelly L, Utley M, Southwood T, Gallivan S, Sculpher M, et al.

40. A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness study of systematic screening (targeted and total population screening) versus routine practice for the detection of atrial fibrillation in people aged 65 and over. The SAFE study.

    By Hobbs FDR, Fitzmaurice DA, Mant J, Murray E, Jowett S, Bryan S, et al.

41. Displaced intracapsular hip fractures in fit, older people: a randomised comparison of reduction and fixation, bipolar hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty.

    By Keating JF, Grant A, Masson M, Scott NW, Forbes JF.

42. Long-term outcome of cognitive behaviour therapy clinical trials in central Scotland.

    By Durham RC, Chambers JA, Power KG, Sharp DM, Macdonald RR, Major KA, et al.

43. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of dual-chamber pacemakers compared with single-chamber pacemakers for bradycardia due to atrioventricular block or sick sinus syndrome: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Castelnuovo E, Stein K, Pitt M, Garside R, Payne E.

44. Newborn screening for congenital heart defects: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis.

    By Knowles R, Griebsch I, Dezateux C, Brown J, Bull C, Wren C.

45. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices for end-stage heart failure: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Clegg AJ, Scott DA, Loveman E, Colquitt J, Hutchinson J, Royle P, et al.

46. The effectiveness of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and laser diagnostic glaucoma scanning system (GDx) in detecting and monitoring glaucoma.

    By Kwartz AJ, Henson DB, Harper RA, Spencer AF, McLeod D.

47. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte implantation for cartilage defects in knee joints: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Clar C, Cummins E, McIntyre L, Thomas S, Lamb J, Bain L, et al.

48. Systematic review of effectiveness of different treatments for childhood retinoblastoma.

    By McDaid C, Hartley S, Bagnall A-M, Ritchie G, Light K, Riemsma R.

49. Towards evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism: systematic reviews of mechanical methods, oral anticoagulation, dextran and regional anaesthesia as thromboprophylaxis.

    By Roderick P, Ferris G, Wilson K, Halls H, Jackson D, Collins R, et al.

50. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of parent training/education programmes for the treatment of conduct disorder, including oppositional defiant disorder, in children.

    By Dretzke J, Frew E, Davenport C, Barlow J, Stewart-Brown S, Sandercock J, et al.

1. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine for Alzheimer’s disease.

   By Loveman E, Green C, Kirby J, Takeda A, Picot J, Payne E, et al.

2. FOOD: a multicentre randomised trial evaluating feeding policies in patients admitted to hospital with a recent stroke.

   By Dennis M, Lewis S, Cranswick G, Forbes J.

3. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of computed tomography screening for lung cancer: systematic reviews.

   By Black C, Bagust A, Boland A, Walker S, McLeod C, De Verteuil R, et al.

4. A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of neuroimaging assessments used to visualise the seizure focus in people with refractory epilepsy being considered for surgery.

   By Whiting P, Gupta R, Burch J, Mujica Mota RE, Wright K, Marson A, et al.

5. Comparison of conference abstracts and presentations with full-text articles in the health technology assessments of rapidly evolving technologies.

   By Dundar Y, Dodd S, Dickson R, Walley T, Haycox A, Williamson PR.

6. Systematic review and evaluation of methods of assessing urinary incontinence.

   By Martin JL, Williams KS, Abrams KR, Turner DA, Sutton AJ, Chapple C, et al.

7. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of newer drugs for children with epilepsy. A systematic review.

   By Connock M, Frew E, Evans B-W, Bryan S, Cummins C, Fry-Smith A, et al.

8. Surveillance of Barrett’s oesophagus: exploring the uncertainty through systematic review, expert workshop and economic modelling.

   By Garside R, Pitt M, Somerville M, Stein K, Price A, Gilbert N.

9. Topotecan, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride and paclitaxel for second-line or subsequent treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Main C, Bojke L, Griffin S, Norman G, Barbieri M, Mather L, et al.

10. Evaluation of molecular techniques in prediction and diagnosis of cytomegalovirus disease in immunocompromised patients.

    By Szczepura A, Westmoreland D, Vinogradova Y, Fox J, Clark M.

11. Screening for thrombophilia in high-risk situations: systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis. The Thrombosis: Risk and Economic Assessment of Thrombophilia Screening (TREATS) study.

    By Wu O, Robertson L, Twaddle S, Lowe GDO, Clark P, Greaves M, et al.

12. A series of systematic reviews to inform a decision analysis for sampling and treating infected diabetic foot ulcers.

    By Nelson EA, O’Meara S, Craig D, Iglesias C, Golder S, Dalton J, et al.

13. Randomised clinical trial, observational study and assessment of cost-effectiveness of the treatment of varicose veins (REACTIV trial).

    By Michaels JA, Campbell WB, Brazier JE, MacIntyre JB, Palfreyman SJ, Ratcliffe J, et al.

14. The cost-effectiveness of screening for oral cancer in primary care.

    By Speight PM, Palmer S, Moles DR, Downer MC, Smith DH, Henriksson M, et al.

15. Measurement of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of non-invasive diagnostic testing strategies for deep vein thrombosis.

    By Goodacre S, Sampson F, Stevenson M, Wailoo A, Sutton A, Thomas S, et al.

16. Systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HealOzone^® for the treatment of occlusal pit/fissure caries and root caries.

    By Brazzelli M, McKenzie L, Fielding S, Fraser C, Clarkson J, Kilonzo M, et al.

17. Randomised controlled trials of conventional antipsychotic versus new atypical drugs, and new atypical drugs versus clozapine, in people with schizophrenia responding poorly to, or intolerant of, current drug treatment.

    By Lewis SW, Davies L, Jones PB, Barnes TRE, Murray RM, Kerwin R, et al.

18. Diagnostic tests and algorithms used in the investigation of haematuria: systematic reviews and economic evaluation.

    By Rodgers M, Nixon J, Hempel S, Aho T, Kelly J, Neal D, et al.

19. Cognitive behavioural therapy in addition to antispasmodic therapy for irritable bowel syndrome in primary care: randomised controlled trial.

    By Kennedy TM, Chalder T, McCrone P, Darnley S, Knapp M, Jones RH, et al.

20. A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapies for Fabry’s disease and mucopolysaccharidosis type 1.

    By Connock M, Juarez-Garcia A, Frew E, Mans A, Dretzke J, Fry-Smith A, et al.

21. Health benefits of antiviral therapy for mild chronic hepatitis C: randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation.

    By Wright M, Grieve R, Roberts J, Main J, Thomas HC, on behalf of the UK Mild Hepatitis C Trial Investigators.

22. Pressure relieving support surfaces: a randomised evaluation.

    By Nixon J, Nelson EA, Cranny G, Iglesias CP, Hawkins K, Cullum NA, et al.

23. A systematic review and economic model of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and atomoxetine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.

    By King S, Griffin S, Hodges Z, Weatherly H, Asseburg C, Richardson G, et al.

24. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher’s disease: a systematic review.

    By Connock M, Burls A, Frew E, Fry-Smith A, Juarez-Garcia A, McCabe C, et al.

25. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of salicylic acid and cryotherapy for cutaneous warts. An economic decision model.

    By Thomas KS, Keogh-Brown MR, Chalmers JR, Fordham RJ, Holland RC, Armstrong SJ, et al.

26. A systematic literature review of the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to prevent wandering in dementia and evaluation of the ethical implications and acceptability of their use.

    By Robinson L, Hutchings D, Corner L, Beyer F, Dickinson H, Vanoli A, et al.

27. A review of the evidence on the effects and costs of implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in different patient groups, and modelling of cost-effectiveness and cost–utility for these groups in a UK context.

    By Buxton M, Caine N, Chase D, Connelly D, Grace A, Jackson C, et al.

28. Adefovir dipivoxil and pegylated interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Shepherd J, Jones J, Takeda A, Davidson P, Price A.

29. An evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pulmonary artery catheters in patient management in intensive care: a systematic review and a randomised controlled trial.

    By Harvey S, Stevens K, Harrison D, Young D, Brampton W, McCabe C, et al.

30. Accurate, practical and cost-effective assessment of carotid stenosis in the UK.

    By Wardlaw JM, Chappell FM, Stevenson M, De Nigris E, Thomas S, Gillard J, et al.

31. Etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Woolacott N, Bravo Vergel Y, Hawkins N, Kainth A, Khadjesari Z, Misso K, et al.

32. The cost-effectiveness of testing for hepatitis C in former injecting drug users.

    By Castelnuovo E, Thompson-Coon J, Pitt M, Cramp M, Siebert U, Price A, et al.

33. Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety update: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Kaltenthaler E, Brazier J, De Nigris E, Tumur I, Ferriter M, Beverley C, et al.

34. Cost-effectiveness of using prognostic information to select women with breast cancer for adjuvant systemic therapy.

    By Williams C, Brunskill S, Altman D, Briggs A, Campbell H, Clarke M, et al.

35. Psychological therapies including dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder: a systematic review and preliminary economic evaluation.

    By Brazier J, Tumur I, Holmes M, Ferriter M, Parry G, Dent-Brown K, et al.

36. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tests for the diagnosis and investigation of urinary tract infection in children: a systematic review and economic model.

    By Whiting P, Westwood M, Bojke L, Palmer S, Richardson G, Cooper J, et al.

37. Cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomised controlled trial of an outpatient group programme.

    By O’Dowd H, Gladwell P, Rogers CA, Hollinghurst S, Gregory A.

38. A comparison of the cost-effectiveness of five strategies for the prevention of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastrointestinal toxicity: a systematic review with economic modelling.

    By Brown TJ, Hooper L, Elliott RA, Payne K, Webb R, Roberts C, et al.

39. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of computed tomography screening for coronary artery disease: systematic review.

    By Waugh N, Black C, Walker S, McIntyre L, Cummins E, Hillis G.

40. What are the clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of endoscopy undertaken by nurses when compared with doctors? A Multi-Institution Nurse Endoscopy Trial (MINuET).

    By Williams J, Russell I, Durai D, Cheung W-Y, Farrin A, Bloor K, et al.

41. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of oxaliplatin and capecitabine for the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Pandor A, Eggington S, Paisley S, Tappenden P, Sutcliffe P.

42. A systematic review of the effectiveness of adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults and an economic evaluation of their cost-effectiveness.

    By Chen Y-F, Jobanputra P, Barton P, Jowett S, Bryan S, Clark W, et al.

43. Telemedicine in dermatology: a randomised controlled trial.

    By Bowns IR, Collins K, Walters SJ, McDonagh AJG.

44. Cost-effectiveness of cell salvage and alternative methods of minimising perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion: a systematic review and economic model.

    By Davies L, Brown TJ, Haynes S, Payne K, Elliott RA, McCollum C.

45. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: systematic reviews and economic evaluation.

    By Murray A, Lourenco T, de Verteuil R, Hernandez R, Fraser C, McKinley A, et al.

46. Etanercept and efalizumab for the treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review.

    By Woolacott N, Hawkins N, Mason A, Kainth A, Khadjesari Z, Bravo Vergel Y, et al.

47. Systematic reviews of clinical decision tools for acute abdominal pain.

    By Liu JLY, Wyatt JC, Deeks JJ, Clamp S, Keen J, Verde P, et al.

48. Evaluation of the ventricular assist device programme in the UK.

    By Sharples L, Buxton M, Caine N, Cafferty F, Demiris N, Dyer M, et al.

49. A systematic review and economic model of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplantation in children.

    By Yao G, Albon E, Adi Y, Milford D, Bayliss S, Ready A, et al.

50. Amniocentesis results: investigation of anxiety. The ARIA trial.

    By Hewison J, Nixon J, Fountain J, Cocks K, Jones C, Mason G, et al.

1. Pemetrexed disodium for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Dundar Y, Bagust A, Dickson R, Dodd S, Green J, Haycox A, et al.

2. A systematic review and economic model of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of docetaxel in combination with prednisone or prednisolone for the treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.

   By Collins R, Fenwick E, Trowman R, Perard R, Norman G, Light K, et al.

3. A systematic review of rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of tuberculosis infection.

   By Dinnes J, Deeks J, Kunst H, Gibson A, Cummins E, Waugh N, et al.

4. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate for the prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women.

   By Stevenson M, Davis S, Lloyd-Jones M, Beverley C.

5. A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative research on the role and effectiveness of written information available to patients about individual medicines.

   By Raynor DK, Blenkinsopp A, Knapp P, Grime J, Nicolson DJ, Pollock K, et al.

6. Oral naltrexone as a treatment for relapse prevention in formerly opioid-dependent drug users: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Adi Y, Juarez-Garcia A, Wang D, Jowett S, Frew E, Day E, et al.

7. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: a systematic review and cost–utility analysis.

   By Kanis JA, Stevenson M, McCloskey EV, Davis S, Lloyd-Jones M.

8. Epidemiological, social, diagnostic and economic evaluation of population screening for genital chlamydial infection.

   By Low N, McCarthy A, Macleod J, Salisbury C, Campbell R, Roberts TE, et al.

9. Methadone and buprenorphine for the management of opioid dependence: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Connock M, Juarez-Garcia A, Jowett S, Frew E, Liu Z, Taylor RJ, et al.

10. Exercise Evaluation Randomised Trial (EXERT): a randomised trial comparing GP referral for leisure centre-based exercise, community-based walking and advice only.

    By Isaacs AJ, Critchley JA, See Tai S, Buckingham K, Westley D, Harridge SDR, et al.

11. Interferon alfa (pegylated and non-pegylated) and ribavirin for the treatment of mild chronic hepatitis C: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Shepherd J, Jones J, Hartwell D, Davidson P, Price A, Waugh N.

12. Systematic review and economic evaluation of bevacizumab and cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

    By Tappenden P, Jones R, Paisley S, Carroll C.

13. A systematic review and economic evaluation of epoetin alfa, epoetin beta and darbepoetin alfa in anaemia associated with cancer, especially that attributable to cancer treatment.

    By Wilson J, Yao GL, Raftery J, Bohlius J, Brunskill S, Sandercock J, et al.

14. A systematic review and economic evaluation of statins for the prevention of coronary events.

    By Ward S, Lloyd Jones M, Pandor A, Holmes M, Ara R, Ryan A, et al.

15. A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of community-based respite care for frail older people and their carers.

    By Mason A, Weatherly H, Spilsbury K, Arksey H, Golder S, Adamson J, et al.

16. Additional therapy for young children with spastic cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.

    By Weindling AM, Cunningham CC, Glenn SM, Edwards RT, Reeves DJ.

17. Screening for type 2 diabetes: literature review and economic modelling.

    By Waugh N, Scotland G, McNamee P, Gillett M, Brennan A, Goyder E, et al.

18. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cinacalcet for secondary hyperparathyroidism in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Garside R, Pitt M, Anderson R, Mealing S, Roome C, Snaith A, et al.

19. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of gemcitabine for metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Takeda AL, Jones J, Loveman E, Tan SC, Clegg AJ.

20. A systematic review of duplex ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography for the diagnosis and assessment of symptomatic, lower limb peripheral arterial disease.

    By Collins R, Cranny G, Burch J, Aguiar-Ibáñez R, Craig D, Wright K, et al.

21. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatments for children with idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a systematic review.

    By Colquitt JL, Kirby J, Green C, Cooper K, Trompeter RS.

22. A systematic review of the routine monitoring of growth in children of primary school age to identify growth-related conditions.

    By Fayter D, Nixon J, Hartley S, Rithalia A, Butler G, Rudolf M, et al.

23. Systematic review of the effectiveness of preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus carriage in reducing peritoneal catheter-related infections.

    By McCormack K, Rabindranath K, Kilonzo M, Vale L, Fraser C, McIntyre L, et al.

24. The clinical effectiveness and cost of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation versus electroconvulsive therapy in severe depression: a multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled trial and economic analysis.

    By McLoughlin DM, Mogg A, Eranti S, Pluck G, Purvis R, Edwards D, et al.

25. A randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation of direct versus indirect and individual versus group modes of speech and language therapy for children with primary language impairment.

    By Boyle J, McCartney E, Forbes J, O’Hare A.

26. Hormonal therapies for early breast cancer: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Hind D, Ward S, De Nigris E, Simpson E, Carroll C, Wyld L.

27. Cardioprotection against the toxic effects of anthracyclines given to children with cancer: a systematic review.

    By Bryant J, Picot J, Levitt G, Sullivan I, Baxter L, Clegg A.

28. Adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By McLeod C, Bagust A, Boland A, Dagenais P, Dickson R, Dundar Y, et al.

29. Prenatal screening and treatment strategies to prevent group B streptococcal and other bacterial infections in early infancy: cost-effectiveness and expected value of information analyses.

    By Colbourn T, Asseburg C, Bojke L, Philips Z, Claxton K, Ades AE, et al.

30. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of bone morphogenetic proteins in the non-healing of fractures and spinal fusion: a systematic review.

    By Garrison KR, Donell S, Ryder J, Shemilt I, Mugford M, Harvey I, et al.

31. A randomised controlled trial of postoperative radiotherapy following breast-conserving surgery in a minimum-risk older population. The PRIME trial.

    By Prescott RJ, Kunkler IH, Williams LJ, King CC, Jack W, van der Pol M, et al.

32. Current practice, accuracy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the school entry hearing screen.

    By Bamford J, Fortnum H, Bristow K, Smith J, Vamvakas G, Davies L, et al.

33. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of inhaled insulin in diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Black C, Cummins E, Royle P, Philip S, Waugh N.

34. Surveillance of cirrhosis for hepatocellular carcinoma: systematic review and economic analysis.

    By Thompson Coon J, Rogers G, Hewson P, Wright D, Anderson R, Cramp M, et al.

35. The Birmingham Rehabilitation Uptake Maximisation Study (BRUM). Homebased compared with hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation in a multi-ethnic population: cost-effectiveness and patient adherence.

    By Jolly K, Taylor R, Lip GYH, Greenfield S, Raftery J, Mant J, et al.

36. A systematic review of the clinical, public health and cost-effectiveness of rapid diagnostic tests for the detection and identification of bacterial intestinal pathogens in faeces and food.

    By Abubakar I, Irvine L, Aldus CF, Wyatt GM, Fordham R, Schelenz S, et al.

37. A randomised controlled trial examining the longer-term outcomes of standard versus new antiepileptic drugs. The SANAD trial.

    By Marson AG, Appleton R, Baker GA, Chadwick DW, Doughty J, Eaton B, et al.

38. Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of managing long-term oral anti-coagulation therapy: a systematic review and economic modelling.

    By Connock M, Stevens C, Fry-Smith A, Jowett S, Fitzmaurice D, Moore D, et al.

39. A systematic review and economic model of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions for preventing relapse in people with bipolar disorder.

    By Soares-Weiser K, Bravo Vergel Y, Beynon S, Dunn G, Barbieri M, Duffy S, et al.

40. Taxanes for the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Ward S, Simpson E, Davis S, Hind D, Rees A, Wilkinson A.

41. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for open angle glaucoma: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Burr JM, Mowatt G, Hernández R, Siddiqui MAR, Cook J, Lourenco T, et al.

42. Acceptability, benefit and costs of early screening for hearing disability: a study of potential screening tests and models.

    By Davis A, Smith P, Ferguson M, Stephens D, Gianopoulos I.

43. Contamination in trials of educational interventions.

    By Keogh-Brown MR, Bachmann MO, Shepstone L, Hewitt C, Howe A, Ramsay CR, et al.

44. Overview of the clinical effectiveness of positron emission tomography imaging in selected cancers.

    By Facey K, Bradbury I, Laking G, Payne E.

45. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of carmustine implants and temozolomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Garside R, Pitt M, Anderson R, Rogers G, Dyer M, Mealing S, et al.

46. Drug-eluting stents: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Hill RA, Boland A, Dickson R, Dündar Y, Haycox A, McLeod C, et al.

47. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronisation (biventricular pacing) for heart failure: systematic review and economic model.

    By Fox M, Mealing S, Anderson R, Dean J, Stein K, Price A, et al.

48. Recruitment to randomised trials: strategies for trial enrolment and participation study. The STEPS study.

    By Campbell MK, Snowdon C, Francis D, Elbourne D, McDonald AM, Knight R, et al.

49. Cost-effectiveness of functional cardiac testing in the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease: a randomised controlled trial. The CECaT trial.

    By Sharples L, Hughes V, Crean A, Dyer M, Buxton M, Goldsmith K, et al.

50. Evaluation of diagnostic tests when there is no gold standard. A review of methods.

    By Rutjes AWS, Reitsma JB, Coomarasamy A, Khan KS, Bossuyt PMM.

51. Systematic reviews of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

    By Leontiadis GI, Sreedharan A, Dorward S, Barton P, Delaney B, Howden CW, et al.

52. A review and critique of modelling in prioritising and designing screening programmes.

    By Karnon J, Goyder E, Tappenden P, McPhie S, Towers I, Brazier J, et al.

53. An assessment of the impact of the NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme.

    By Hanney S, Buxton M, Green C, Coulson D, Raftery J.

1. A systematic review and economic model of switching from nonglycopeptide to glycopeptide antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery.

   By Cranny G, Elliott R, Weatherly H, Chambers D, Hawkins N, Myers L, et al.

2. ‘Cut down to quit’ with nicotine replacement therapies in smoking cessation: a systematic review of effectiveness and economic analysis.

   By Wang D, Connock M, Barton P, Fry-Smith A, Aveyard P, Moore D.

3. A systematic review of the effectiveness of strategies for reducing fracture risk in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis with additional data on long-term risk of fracture and cost of disease management.

   By Thornton J, Ashcroft D, O’Neill T, Elliott R, Adams J, Roberts C, et al.

4. Does befriending by trained lay workers improve psychological well-being and quality of life for carers of people with dementia, and at what cost? A randomised controlled trial.

   By Charlesworth G, Shepstone L, Wilson E, Thalanany M, Mugford M, Poland F.

5. A multi-centre retrospective cohort study comparing the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of hysterectomy and uterine artery embolisation for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. The HOPEFUL study.

   By Hirst A, Dutton S, Wu O, Briggs A, Edwards C, Waldenmaier L, et al.

6. Methods of prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia: systematic reviews of accuracy and effectiveness literature with economic modelling.

   By Meads CA, Cnossen JS, Meher S, Juarez-Garcia A, ter Riet G, Duley L, et al.

7. The use of economic evaluations in NHS decision-making: a review and empirical investigation.

   By Williams I, McIver S, Moore D, Bryan S.

8. Stapled haemorrhoidectomy (haemorrhoidopexy) for the treatment of haemorrhoids: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

   By Burch J, Epstein D, Baba-Akbari A, Weatherly H, Fox D, Golder S, et al.

9. The clinical effectiveness of diabetes education models for Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.

   By Loveman E, Frampton GK, Clegg AJ.

10. Payment to healthcare professionals for patient recruitment to trials: systematic review and qualitative study.

    By Raftery J, Bryant J, Powell J, Kerr C, Hawker S.

11. Cyclooxygenase-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (etodolac, meloxicam, celecoxib, rofecoxib, etoricoxib, valdecoxib and lumiracoxib) for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Chen Y-F, Jobanputra P, Barton P, Bryan S, Fry-Smith A, Harris G, et al.

12. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of central venous catheters treated with anti-infective agents in preventing bloodstream infections: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Hockenhull JC, Dwan K, Boland A, Smith G, Bagust A, Dundar Y, et al.

13. Stepped treatment of older adults on laxatives. The STOOL trial.

    By Mihaylov S, Stark C, McColl E, Steen N, Vanoli A, Rubin G, et al.

14. A randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy in adolescents with major depression treated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The ADAPT trial.

    By Goodyer IM, Dubicka B, Wilkinson P, Kelvin R, Roberts C, Byford S, et al.

15. The use of irinotecan, oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Hind D, Tappenden P, Tumur I, Eggington E, Sutcliffe P, Ryan A.

16. Ranibizumab and pegaptanib for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Colquitt JL, Jones J, Tan SC, Takeda A, Clegg AJ, Price A.

17. Systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of 64-slice or higher computed tomography angiography as an alternative to invasive coronary angiography in the investigation of coronary artery disease.

    By Mowatt G, Cummins E, Waugh N, Walker S, Cook J, Jia X, et al.

18. Structural neuroimaging in psychosis: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Albon E, Tsourapas A, Frew E, Davenport C, Oyebode F, Bayliss S, et al.

19. Systematic review and economic analysis of the comparative effectiveness of different inhaled corticosteroids and their usage with long-acting beta₂ agonists for the treatment of chronic asthma in adults and children aged 12 years and over.

    By Shepherd J, Rogers G, Anderson R, Main C, Thompson-Coon J, Hartwell D, et al.

20. Systematic review and economic analysis of the comparative effectiveness of different inhaled corticosteroids and their usage with long-acting beta₂ agonists for the treatment of chronic asthma in children under the age of 12 years.

    By Main C, Shepherd J, Anderson R, Rogers G, Thompson-Coon J, Liu Z, et al.

21. Ezetimibe for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Ara R, Tumur I, Pandor A, Duenas A, Williams R, Wilkinson A, et al.

22. Topical or oral ibuprofen for chronic knee pain in older people. The TOIB study.

    By Underwood M, Ashby D, Carnes D, Castelnuovo E, Cross P, Harding G, et al.

23. A prospective randomised comparison of minor surgery in primary and secondary care. The MiSTIC trial.

    By George S, Pockney P, Primrose J, Smith H, Little P, Kinley H, et al.

24. A review and critical appraisal of measures of therapist–patient interactions in mental health settings.

    By Cahill J, Barkham M, Hardy G, Gilbody S, Richards D, Bower P, et al.

25. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening programmes for amblyopia and strabismus in children up to the age of 4–5 years: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Carlton J, Karnon J, Czoski-Murray C, Smith KJ, Marr J.

26. A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and economic modelling of minimal incision total hip replacement approaches in the management of arthritic disease of the hip.

    By de Verteuil R, Imamura M, Zhu S, Glazener C, Fraser C, Munro N, et al.

27. A preliminary model-based assessment of the cost–utility of a screening programme for early age-related macular degeneration.

    By Karnon J, Czoski-Murray C, Smith K, Brand C, Chakravarthy U, Davis S, et al.

28. Intravenous magnesium sulphate and sotalol for prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

    By Shepherd J, Jones J, Frampton GK, Tanajewski L, Turner D, Price A.

29. Absorbent products for urinary/faecal incontinence: a comparative evaluation of key product categories.

    By Fader M, Cottenden A, Getliffe K, Gage H, Clarke-O’Neill S, Jamieson K, et al.

30. A systematic review of repetitive functional task practice with modelling of resource use, costs and effectiveness.

    By French B, Leathley M, Sutton C, McAdam J, Thomas L, Forster A, et al.

31. The effectiveness and cost-effectivness of minimal access surgery amongst people with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease – a UK collaborative study. The reflux trial.

    By Grant A, Wileman S, Ramsay C, Bojke L, Epstein D, Sculpher M, et al.

Health Technology Assessment Programme

1. Director, NIHR HTA Programme, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool

2. Director, Medical Care Research Unit, University of Sheffield.