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Razvi Y, Horwitz SL, Cressman C, Wang DE, Shaul RZ, Denburg A. Priority-setting for hospital funding of high-cost innovative drugs and therapeutics: A qualitative institutional case study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300519. [PMID: 38498497 PMCID: PMC10947676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rising costs of innovative drugs and therapeutics (D&Ts) have led to resource allocation challenges for healthcare institutions. There is limited evidence to guide priority-setting for institutional funding of high-cost D&Ts. This study sought to identify and elaborate on the substantive principles and procedures that should inform institutional funding decisions for high-cost off-formulary D&Ts through a case study of a quaternary care paediatric hospital. METHODS Semi-structured, qualitative interviews, both virtual and in-person, were conducted with institutional stakeholders (i.e. staff clinicians, senior leadership, and pharmacists) (n = 23) and two focus groups at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. Participants involved in, and impacted by, high-cost off-formulary drug funding decisions were recruited through stratified, purposive sampling. Participants were approached for study involvement between July 27, 2020 and June 7, 2022. Data was analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Institutional resource allocation for high-cost D&Ts was identified as ethically challenging but critical to sustainable access to novel therapies. Important substantive principles included: 1) clinical evidence of safety and efficacy, 2) economic considerations (direct costs, opportunity costs, value for money), 3) ethical principles (social justice, professional/organizational responsibility), and 4) disease-specific considerations. Multidisciplinary deliberation was identified as an essential procedural component of decision-making. Participants identified tension between innovation and the need for evidence-based decision-making; clinician and institutional responsibilities; and value for money and social justice. Participants emphasized the role of health system-level funding allocation in alleviating the financial and moral burden of decision-making by institutions. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies values and processes to aid in the development and implementation of institutional resource allocation frameworks for high-cost innovative D&Ts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmeen Razvi
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- SickKids Research Institute, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simonne L. Horwitz
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Celine Cressman
- SickKids Research Institute, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel E. Wang
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Randi Zlotnik Shaul
- SickKids Research Institute, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Bioethics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Avram Denburg
- SickKids Research Institute, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Wang DE, Hassanein M, Razvi Y, Shaul RZ, Denburg A. Institutional Priority-Setting for Novel Drugs and Therapeutics: A Qualitative Systematic Review. Int J Health Policy Manag 2024; 13:7494. [PMID: 38618836 PMCID: PMC11016276 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2024.7494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of guidance on approaches to formulary management and funding for high-cost drugs and therapeutics by individual healthcare institutions. The objective of this review was to assess institutional approaches to resource allocation for such therapeutics, with a particular focus on paediatric and rare disease populations. METHODS A search of Embase and MEDLINE was conducted for studies relevant to decision-making for off-formulary, high-cost drugs and therapeutics. Abstracts were evaluated for inclusion based on the Simple Multiple-Attribute Rating Techniques (SMART) criteria. A framework of 30 topics across 4 categories was used to guide data extraction and was based on findings from the initial abstract review and previous health technology assessment (HTA) publications. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted using QSR NVivo 12 software. RESULTS A total of 168 studies were included for analysis. Only 4 (2%) focused on paediatrics, while 21 (12%) centred on adults and the remainder (85%) did not specify. Thirty-two (19%) studies discussed the importance of high-cost therapeutics and 34 (23%) focused on rare/orphan drugs. Five themes were identified as being relevant to institutional decision-making for high-cost therapeutics: institutional strategy, substantive criteria, procedural considerations, guiding principles and frameworks, and operational activities. Each of these themes encompassed several sub-themes and was complemented by a sixth category specific to paediatrics and rare diseases. CONCLUSION The rising cost of novel drugs and therapeutics underscores the need for robust, evidence-based, and ethically defensible decision-making processes for health technology funding, particularly at the hospital level. Our study highlights practices and themes to aid decision-makers in thinking critically about institutional, substantive, procedural, and operational considerations in support of legitimate decisions about institutional funding of high-cost drugs and therapeutics, as well as opportunities and challenges that exist for paediatric and rare disease populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E. Wang
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maram Hassanein
- Department of Bioethics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yasmeen Razvi
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Randi Zlotnik Shaul
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Bioethics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Avram Denburg
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Müller AR, van Silfhout NY, den Hollander B, Kampman DHC, Bakkum L, Brands MMMG, Haverman L, Terwee CB, Schuengel C, Daams J, Hessl D, Wijburg FA, Boot E, van Eeghen AM. Navigating the outcome maze: a scoping review of outcomes and instruments in clinical trials in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disability. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RARE DISEASE 2024; 5:26330040241245721. [PMID: 38681798 PMCID: PMC11047260 DOI: 10.1177/26330040241245721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background Individuals with genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (GNDs) or intellectual disability (ID) are often affected by complex neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Targeted treatments are increasingly available, but due to the heterogeneity of these patient populations, choosing a key outcome and corresponding outcome measurement instrument remains challenging. Objectives The aim of this scoping review was to describe the research on outcomes and instruments used in clinical trials in GNDs and ID. Eligibility criteria Clinical trials in individuals with GNDs and ID for any intervention over the past 10 years were included in the review. Sources of evidence MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Titles and abstracts were independently screened for eligibility with a subsample of 10% double-screening for interrater reliability. Data from full texts were independently reviewed. Discrepancies were discussed until consensus was reached. Charting methods Information was recorded on patient populations, interventions, designs, outcomes, measurement instruments, and type of reporter when applicable. Qualitative and descriptive analyses were performed. Results We included 312 studies reporting 91 different outcomes, with cognitive function most frequently measured (28%). Various outcome measurement instruments (n = 457) were used, with 288 in only a single clinical trial. There were 18 genetic condition-specific instruments and 16 measures were designed ad-hoc for one particular trial. Types of report included proxy-report (39%), self-report (22%), clinician-report (16%), observer-report (6%), self-assisted report (1%), or unknown (16%). Conclusion This scoping review of current practice reveals a myriad of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments for clinical trials in GNDs and ID. This complicates generalization, evidence synthesis, and evaluation. It underlines the need for consensus on suitability, validity, and relevancy of instruments, ultimately resulting in a core outcome set. A series of steps is proposed to move from the myriad of measures to a more unified approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelieke R. Müller
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Advisium, ’s Heeren Loo, Amersfoort, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia Y. van Silfhout
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Child Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bibiche den Hollander
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick H. C. Kampman
- Faculty of Science, Operational Management, ICT Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Bakkum
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marion M. M. G. Brands
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Child Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte Haverman
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Child Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Emma Children’s Hospital, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline B. Terwee
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlo Schuengel
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Daams
- Medical Library, Research Support, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Frits A. Wijburg
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Boot
- Advisium, ’s Heeren Loo, Amersfoort, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Dalglish Family 22q Clinic, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Agnies M. van Eeghen
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
- Advisium, ’s Heeren Loo, Berkenweg 11, 3818 LA, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction & Development, Child Development, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Schneider NB, Roos EC, Staub ALP, Bevilacqua IP, de Almeida AC, de Camargo Martins T, Ramos NB, Loze P, Saute JAM, Etges APBDS, Polanczyk CA. Estimated costs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy care in Brazil. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:159. [PMID: 37349725 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02767-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The economic burden of rare diseases on health systems is still not widely measured, with the generation of accurate information about the costs with medical care for subjects with rare diseases being crucial when defining health policies. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy, with new technologies recently being studied for its management. Information about the costs related to the disease in Latin America is scarce, and the objective of this study is to evaluate the annual hospital, home care and transportation costs per patient with DMD treatment in Brazil. RESULTS Data from 27 patients were included, the median annual cost per patient was R$ 17,121 (IQR R$ 6,786; 25,621). Home care expenditures accounted for 92% of the total costs, followed by hospital costs (6%) and transportation costs (2%). Medications and loss of family, and patient's productivity are among the most representative consumption items. When disease worsening due to loss of the ability to walk was incorporated to the analysis, it was shown that wheelchair users account for an incremental cost of 23% compared with non-wheelchair users. CONCLUSIONS This is an original study in Latin America to measure DMD costs using the micro-costing technique. Generating accurate information about costs is crucial to provide health managers with information that could help establish more sustainable policies when deciding upon rare diseases in emerging countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayê Balzan Schneider
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment (IATS)- CNPq/Brazil (project: 465518/2014-1), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Erica Caetano Roos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Portella Staub
- Centro de Pesquisa Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Neurogenética, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Priscilla Loze
- Produtos Roche Químicos e Farmacêuticos S/A, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Centro de Pesquisa Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Neurogenética, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Serviço de Genética Médica, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Beck da Silva Etges
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment (IATS)- CNPq/Brazil (project: 465518/2014-1), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- School of Technology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Carisi Anne Polanczyk
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment (IATS)- CNPq/Brazil (project: 465518/2014-1), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Adachi T, El-Hattab AW, Jain R, Nogales Crespo KA, Quirland Lazo CI, Scarpa M, Summar M, Wattanasirichaigoon D. Enhancing Equitable Access to Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment around the World: A Review of Evidence, Policies, and Challenges. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4732. [PMID: 36981643 PMCID: PMC10049067 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This document provides a comprehensive summary of evidence on the current situation of rare diseases (RDs) globally and regionally, including conditions, practices, policies, and regulations, as well as the challenges and barriers faced by RD patients, their families, and caregivers. The document builds on a review of academic literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from across the globe. Panelists were selected based on their academic merit, expertise, and knowledge regarding the RD environment. The document is divided into five main sections: (1) methodology and objective; (2) background and context; (3) overview of the current situation and key challenges related to RDs covering six dimensions: burden of disease, patient journey, social impact, disease management, RD-related policies, and research and development; (4) recommendations; and (5) conclusions. The recommendations are derived from the discussion undertaken by the experts on the findings of this review and provide a set of actionable solutions to the challenges and barriers to improving access to RD diagnosis and treatment around the world. The recommendations can support critical decision-making, guiding efforts by a broad range of RDs stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, manufacturers, researchers, and patient advocacy groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeya Adachi
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Department of Medical Regulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- United Japanese-Researchers Around-the-World (UJA), Isehara 259-1143, Japan
| | - Ayman W. El-Hattab
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Organization for Rare Diseases, Dubai 500767, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah 72772, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ritu Jain
- Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association (DEBRA), Singapore 059811, Singapore
- Asia Pacific Alliance of Rare Disease Organizations (APARDO), Singapore 188976, Singapore
- Language and Communication Centre, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | | | - Camila I. Quirland Lazo
- Health Technology Assessment Unit, Cancer Research Department, Arturo López Perez Foundation, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 080193 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile
| | - Maurizio Scarpa
- European Reference Network for Hereditary Metabolic Diseases (MetabERN), 33100 Udine, Italy
- Regional Coordinating Center for Rare Diseases Friuli Venezia Giulia, Udine University Hospital, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Brains for Brain Foundation, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Marshall Summar
- The Translational Science Training Program, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Maryland, MD 20814, USA
- Children’s National Medical Centre, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Quincy, MA 02169, USA
- Children’s National Rare Disease Institute, Washington, DC 20012, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Duangrurdee Wattanasirichaigoon
- Thai Rare Disease Foundation (ThaiRDF), Bangkok 10230, Thailand
- Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (PWSA) of Thailand, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Rare Disease Working Committee, Thai National Health Security Office (NHSO), Bangkok 10210, Thailand
- Sub-Working Committee for Rare Disease Medicine, Thailand National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), National Drug Policy Division, Food and Drug Administration, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
- Medical Genetics Network, Genetics Society of Thailand, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Thailand Medical Genetics and Genomics Association (TMGGA), Bangkok 10510, Thailand
- Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics (APSHG), Singapore 229899, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Skweres-Kuchta M, Czerska I, Szaruga E. Literature Review on Health Emigration in Rare Diseases-A Machine Learning Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2483. [PMID: 36767849 PMCID: PMC9915846 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The article deals with one of the effects of health inequalities and gaps in access to treatments for rare diseases, namely health-driven emigration. The purpose of the paper is to systematize knowledge about the phenomenon of health emigration observed among families affected by rare diseases, for which reimbursed treatment is available, but only in selected countries. The topic proved to be niche; the issue of "health emigration in rare diseases" is an area for exploration. Therefore, the further analysis used text mining and machine learning methods based on a database selected based on keywords related to this issue. The results made it possible to systematize the guesses made by researchers in management and economic fields, to identify the most common keywords and thematic clusters around the perspective of the patient, drug manufacturer and treatment reimbursement decision-maker, and the perspective integrating all the others. Since the topic of health emigration was not directly addressed in the selected sources, the authors attempted to define the related concepts and discussed the importance of this phenomenon in managing the support system in rare diseases. Thus, they indicated directions for further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Skweres-Kuchta
- Department of Organization and Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Cukrowa 8 Street, 71-004 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Iwona Czerska
- Department of Marketing Research, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 118/120 Komandorska Str, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Szaruga
- Department of Transport Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Cukrowa 8 Street, 71-004 Szczecin, Poland
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Gutić M, Milosavljević MN, Janković SM. Cost-effectiveness of miglustat versus symptomatic therapy of Niemann-Pick disease type C. Int J Clin Pharm 2022; 44:1442-1453. [PMID: 36243834 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-022-01491-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with early infantile (< 2 years), late infantile (2-6 years), juvenile (7-15 years) and adolescent (> 15 years) onset. The mainstay of therapy for NP-C patients with neurological symptoms is miglustat, a drug that may modify the course of the disease. AIM Our aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of miglustat in comparison to symptomatic therapy in patients with NP-C in the socio-economic settings of the Republic of Serbia, an upper-middle-income European economy. METHOD The perspective of the Serbian Republic Health Insurance Fund was chosen for this study, and the time horizon was eighty years. The main outcomes of the study were quality-adjusted life years gained with miglustat and comparator, and direct costs of treatment. The study was conducted through the generation and simulation of the Discrete-Event Simulation model. The model results were obtained after Monte Carlo microsimulation of a sample with 1000 virtual patients. RESULTS Treatment with miglustat was not cost-effective when compared with symptomatic therapy and was associated with negative values of net monetary benefit regardless of the onset of neurological manifestations (- 110,447,627.00 ± 701,614.00 RSD, - 343,871,695.00 ± 2,577,441.00 RSD, - 1,397,908,502.00 ± 23,084,235.00 RSD and - 2,953,680,879.00 ± 33,297,412.00 RSD) for early infantile, late infantile, juvenile and adolescent cohorts, respectively). CONCLUSION When traditional pharmacoeconomic evaluation is employed, miglustat is not a cost-effective option in comparison to symptomatic therapy for the treatment of NP-C. However, given the proven efficacy of miglustat, there is a need to find ways to make this drug available to all patients with NP-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medo Gutić
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Miloš N Milosavljević
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia.
| | - Slobodan M Janković
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovića 69, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia
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Trieste L, Cannizzo S, Palla I, Triulzi I, Turchetti G. State of the art and future directions in assessing the quality of life in rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:986218. [PMID: 36213631 PMCID: PMC9537631 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.986218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAs chronic conditions, rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases (rCTDs) significantly affect the quality of life generating an impact on the physical, psychological, social, and economic dimensions of the patients’ lives, having implications on the family, changing the lifestyle and interpersonal relationships. Traditionally, generic and disease-specific measures for Quality of Life (QoL) provide valuable information to clinicians since QoL affects healthcare services utilization, predicts morbidities and mortalities, workability, etc. Moreover, the assessment of unmet clinical needs, satisfaction, the experience with the treatment and the care, the psychological dimensions, and the effects of the diseases, such as fatigue, could represent valuable dimensions to be considered in the QoL impact assessment. It is also necessary to measure the impact of rCTDs by considering the perspectives of family members/informal caregivers, for instance considering values, beliefs, experiences, life circumstances, psychological aspects, family relationships, economic issues, changes in social activities, etc.ObjectiveThe aim of this scoping review is to better understand the status of QoL metrics used in clinical and economic research for the assessment of the individual’s perspective on living with rCTDs.Research questionWhat are the main challenges in QoL measures (and/or) measurement/assessment in rCTDs?Materials and methodsScoping review of the literature referring to QoL measures in rCTDs. Database: PUBMED, ISI-Web of Science; last date: 21/09/2021.ResultsAnxiety and depression, body image satisfaction, daily activity, fatigue, illness perception, pain, personality, QoL, resilience, satisfaction with the relationship, self-management, sexual QoL, sleep quality, social support, stress, uncertainty, and work productivity are the observed dimensions covered by the included studies. However, “more shadows than lights” can summarize the review’s outcome in terms of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) domains covered for each of the rCTDs. Also, for those diseases characterized by a relatively high prevalence and incidence, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren’s Syndrome, and Systemic Sclerosis, the analysis of patients’ resilience, satisfaction with the quality of the relationship, personality, and stress are still missing dimensions. It has been observed how reducing items, increasing the number of domains, and disease-specific questionnaires characterize the “technological trajectory,” such as the evolution of questionnaires’ characteristics for assessing QoL and QoL-related dimensions and the burden of rCTDs.ConclusionThe scoping review presents an overview of studies focused on questionnaires used to evaluate the different dimensions of quality of life in terms of general instruments and disease-specific questionnaires. Future research should include the co-design with patients, caregivers, and patient representatives to create questionnaires focused on the unmet needs of people living with rCTDs.
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Mahoney AF, Handberg C. New medicine for neuromuscular diseases: An evolving paradox for patient and family hopes and expectations. Nurs Inq 2022; 30:e12527. [PMID: 36115015 DOI: 10.1111/nin.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent developments in novel therapies for neuromuscular diseases offer parents new perspectives on their affected children's future. This article examines how the emergence of new therapies impacts the lives of parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy type 2, two genetic neuromuscular disorders characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Aiming for a first-person perspective, fieldwork was conducted utilizing participant observation, semistructured interviews, and several internet sources. Six families with a total of 12 persons, all living in Denmark, were included in the interviews. Two types of parents were identified who were at opposite ends in dealing with the new therapies-the cure optimists and the cure pragmatists. Different hopes resulted in different narratives for their children's futures. The article raises questions about how and when children with chronic diseases should be involved in their parent's hopes for a cure and highlights the dilemmas facing health professionals working in the field of children with chronic diseases for which the prospects of a cure are improving. We conclude that health professionals must find a way to carefully balance guidance and information about experimental medicines, including the fact that experimental medicine sometimes fails, does not work as well as hoped for, or does not become available, with sustaining parental hopes for their children's future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette F. Mahoney
- National Rehabilitation Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases Aarhus Denmark
| | - Charlotte Handberg
- National Rehabilitation Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases Aarhus Denmark
- Department of Public Health Aarhus University Aarhus Denmark
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10
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Zanello G, Chan CH, Pearce DA. Recommendations from the IRDiRC Working Group on methodologies to assess the impact of diagnoses and therapies on rare disease patients. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:181. [PMID: 35526001 PMCID: PMC9078009 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02337-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare disease patients face many challenges including diagnostic delay, misdiagnosis and lack of therapies. However, early access to diagnosis and therapies can modify the management and the progression of diseases, which in return positively impacts patients, families and health care systems. The International Rare Diseases Research Consortium set up the multi-stakeholder Working Group on developing methodologies to assess the impact of diagnoses and therapies on rare disease patients. Using the patients' journey on the diagnostic paradigm, the Working Group characterized a set of metrics, tools and needs required for appropriate data collection and establishment of a framework of methodologies to analyze the socio-economic burden of rare diseases on patients, families and health care systems. These recommendations are intended to facilitate the development of methodologies and to better assess the societal impact of rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David A Pearce
- Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104, USA. .,Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD, 57117, USA. .,Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA.
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11
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Meng Y, Clarke PM, Goranitis I. The Value of Genomic Testing: A Contingent Valuation Across Six Child- and Adult-Onset Genetic Conditions. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2022; 40:215-223. [PMID: 34671943 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-021-01103-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to elicit the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for genomic testing, using contingent valuation, among people with lived experience of genetic conditions in Australia. METHODS Parents of children with suspected mitochondrial disorders, epileptic encephalopathy, leukodystrophy, or malformations of cortical development completed a dynamic triple-bounded dichotomous choice (DC) contingent valuation. Adult patients or parents of children with suspected genetic kidney disease or complex neurological and neurodegenerative conditions completed a payment card (PC) contingent valuation. DC data were analyzed using a multilevel interval regression and a multilevel probit model. PC data were analyzed using a Heckman selection model. RESULTS In total, 360 individuals participated in the contingent valuation (CV), with 141 (39%) and 219 (61%) completing the DC and PC questions, respectively. The mean WTP for genomic testing was estimated at AU$2830 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2236-3424) based on the DC data and AU$1914 (95% CI 1532-2296) based on the PC data. The mean WTP across the six cohorts ranged from AU$1879 (genetic kidney disease) to AU$4554 (leukodystrophy). CONCLUSIONS Genomic testing is highly valued by people experiencing rare genetic conditions. Our findings can inform cost-benefit analyses and the prioritization of genomics into mainstream clinical care. While our WTP estimates for adult-onset genetic conditions aligned with estimates derived from discrete choice experiments (DCEs), for childhood-onset conditions our estimates were significantly lower. Research is urgently required to directly compare, and critically evaluate, the performance of CV and DCE methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Meng
- Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207-221 Bouverie St., Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Philip M Clarke
- Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207-221 Bouverie St., Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Health Economics Research Centre, University of Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Ilias Goranitis
- Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207-221 Bouverie St., Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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12
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Rare Neurological Diseases: an Overreview of Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Pharmacoeconomic Considerations in the Treating. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/sjecr-2021-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Rare diseases (RD) are serious chronic diseases affecting small number of people compared to the general population. There are between 6000 and 8000 RDs, which affect about 400 million people worldwide. Drugs used for causal treatment of RDs are called orphan drugs. RDs bear great clinical and economic burden for patients, their families, healthcare systems and society overall. There are at least two reasons for the high cost of treatment of RDs. First, there is no causal therapy for majority of RDs, so exacerbations, complications, and hospitalizations in those patients are common. The second reason is high price of available orphan drugs, which are not cost-effective when traditional pharmacoeconomic evaluation is employed. The pharmacoeconomic aspect of the treatment of RDs is especially important in the field of neurology, since at least one fifth of all RDs is composed of neurological conditions. The aim of this paper was to provide a concise overview of the pathophysiological, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of some of the most important and common rare neurological diseases, with special reference to their impact on society and economy.
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Mezzi N, Messaoud O, Mkaouar R, Zitouna N, Romdhane S, Abdessalem G, Charfeddine C, Maazoul F, Ouerteni I, Hamdi Y, Zaouak A, Mrad R, Abdelhak S, Romdhane L. Spectrum of Genetic Diseases in Tunisia: Current Situation and Main Milestones Achieved. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1820. [PMID: 34828426 PMCID: PMC8617973 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diseases in Tunisia are a real public health problem given their chronicity and the lack of knowledge concerning their prevalence and etiology, and the high rates of consanguinity. Hence, we performed systematic reviews of the literature in order to provide a more recent spectrum of these disorders and to expose the challenges that still exist to tackle these kinds of diseases. A manual textual data mining was conducted using MeSH and PubMed databases. Collected data were classified according to the CIM-10 classification and the transmission mode. The spectrum of these diseases is estimated to be 589 entities. This suggests remarkable progress through the development of biomedical health research activities and building capacities. Sixty percent of the reported disorders are autosomal recessive, which could be explained by the high prevalence of endogamous mating. Congenital malformations (29.54%) are the major disease group, followed by metabolic diseases (22%). Sixty percent of the genetic diseases have a known molecular etiology. We also reported additional cases of comorbidity that seem to be a common phenomenon in our population. We also noticed that epidemiological data are scarce. Newborn and carrier screening was only limited to pilot projects for a few genetic diseases. Collected data are being integrated into a database under construction that will be a valuable decision-making tool. This study provides the current situation of genetic diseases in Tunisia and highlights their particularities. Early detection of the disease is important to initiate critical intervention and to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nessrine Mezzi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Université Tunis Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Messaoud
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Rahma Mkaouar
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Nadia Zitouna
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Safa Romdhane
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Ghaith Abdessalem
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Cherine Charfeddine
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- High Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Biotechpole of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Ariana 2080, Tunisia
| | - Faouzi Maazoul
- Department of Congenital and Hereditary Diseases, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Ines Ouerteni
- Department of Congenital and Hereditary Diseases, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Yosr Hamdi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Human and Experimental Pathology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Zaouak
- Department of Dermatology, Research Unit Genodermatosis and Cancer LR12SP03, Habib Thameur Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Ridha Mrad
- Department of Congenital and Hereditary Diseases, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Abdelhak
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Lilia Romdhane
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Université Tunis Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Tunisia
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14
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The Financial Burden of Surgery for Congenital Malformations-The Austrian Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111166. [PMID: 34769683 PMCID: PMC8582705 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal “surgical” malformations are associated with higher costs than major “non-surgical” birth defects. We aimed to analyze the financial burden on the Austrian health system of five congenital malformations requiring timely postnatal surgery. The database of the Austrian National Public Health Institute for the period from 2002 to 2014 was reviewed. Diagnosis-related group (DRG) points assigned to hospital admissions containing five congenital malformations coded as principal diagnosis (esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, and omphalocele) were collected and compared to all hospitalizations for other reasons. Out of 3,518,625 total hospitalizations, there were 1664 admissions of patients with the selected malformations. The annual mean number was 128 (SD 17, range 110–175). The mean cost of the congenital malformations per hospital admission expressed in DRG points was 26,588 (range 0–465,772, SD 40,702) and was significantly higher compared to the other hospitalizations (n = 3,516,961; mean DRG 2194, range 0–834,997; SD 6161; p < 0.05). Surgical conditions requiring timely postnatal surgery place a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. The creation of a dedicated national register could allow for better planning of resource allocation, for improving the outcome of affected children, and for optimizing costs.
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Talarico R, Marinello D, Manzo A, Cannizzo S, Palla I, Ticciati S, Gaglioti A, Trieste L, Pisa L, Badalamenti L, Randisi G, Del Bianco A, Lorenzoni V, Turchetti G, Mosca M. Being a caregiver of a Behçet's syndrome patient: challenges and perspectives during a complex journey. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:436. [PMID: 34663419 PMCID: PMC8524918 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02070-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As often seen in many chronic diseases, the disease impact on patients also induces a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers. Caregivers are the ones who are really willing to offer care in the general approach of many aspects of the disease, including the awareness of the diseases itself, the daily management of therapy, and all the potential challenges that living with a chronic disease can include. The main objectives of the study were to explore the perspectives and views of caregivers of Behçet’s syndrome (BS) patients, to study their level of awareness on the disease and the impact that BS may have on their lives by means of a survey co-designed with caregivers and patients with this purpose. A survey was entirely co-designed with a panel of caregivers of patients living with BS patients. Results Results show that BS caregivers organise their life according to the needs of the patient, that they (79%) considered themselves as helpful for the patient and 53% of them replied that they can freely express their emotions. Notably, 70% and 68% of the respondents reported they renounced with a variable frequency to sexual relationships due to concerns regarding the health of the partner or to the partner’s illness, respectively. The majority (79%) of respondents indicated that they are familiar with the treatment taken by the patients and that 68% deal with the administration of some medicines. In terms of awareness, a good percentage (64%) of respondents reported to understand the illness and, in terms of education, 68% of participants are willing to take part in training programmes dedicated to BS. Conclusions The results of this survey contribute to provide new information on BS caregivers and on their important role, and to identify areas in which new initiatives could provide BS caregivers (and therefore patients) with tools and knowledge that can empower them in reducing the burden of the disease on their lives, on families, and on the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Talarico
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Diana Marinello
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Sara Cannizzo
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Palla
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Ticciati
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Gaglioti
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Trieste
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pisa
- Associazione S.I.M.B.A (Associazione Italiana Sindrome E Malattia Di Behçet), Pontedera, Italy
| | - Luciano Badalamenti
- Associazione S.I.M.B.A (Associazione Italiana Sindrome E Malattia Di Behçet), Pontedera, Italy
| | - Girolamo Randisi
- Associazione S.I.M.B.A (Associazione Italiana Sindrome E Malattia Di Behçet), Pontedera, Italy
| | - Alessandra Del Bianco
- Associazione S.I.M.B.A (Associazione Italiana Sindrome E Malattia Di Behçet), Pontedera, Italy
| | | | | | - Marta Mosca
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy
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Sieberg CB, Lebel A, Silliman E, Holmes S, Borsook D, Elman I. Left to themselves: Time to target chronic pain in childhood rare diseases. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:276-288. [PMID: 33774086 PMCID: PMC8738995 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain is prevalent among patients with rare diseases (RDs). However, little is understood about how biopsychosocial mechanisms may be integrated in the unique set of clinical features and therapeutic challenges inherent in their pain conditions. METHODS This review presents examples of major categories of RDs with particular pain conditions. In addition, we provide translational evidence on clinical and scientific rationale for psychosocially- and neurodevelopmentally-informed treatment of pain in RD patients. RESULTS Neurobiological and functional overlap between various RD syndromes and pain states suggests amalgamation and mutual modulation of the respective conditions. Emotional sequelae could be construed as an emotional homologue of physical pain mediated via overlapping brain circuitry. Given their clearly defined genetic and molecular etiologies, RDs may serve as heuristic models for unraveling pathophysiological processes inherent in chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS Systematic evaluation of chronic pain in patients with RD contributes to sophisticated insight into both pain and their psychosocial correlates, which could transform treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine B Sieberg
- Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alyssa Lebel
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Erin Silliman
- Biobehavioral Pediatric Pain Lab, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Scott Holmes
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Igor Elman
- Center for Pain and the Brain (P.A.I.N Group), Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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17
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Zimmermann BM, Eichinger J, Baumgartner MR. A systematic review of moral reasons on orphan drug reimbursement. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:292. [PMID: 34193232 PMCID: PMC8247078 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01925-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of market approvals of orphan medicinal products (OMPs) has been increasing steadily in the last 3 decades. While OMPs can offer a unique chance for patients suffering from rare diseases, they are usually very expensive. The growing number of approved OMPs increases their budget impact despite their low prevalence, making it pressing to find solutions to ethical challenges on how to fairly allocate scarce healthcare resources under this context. One potential solution could be to grant OMPs special status when considering them for reimbursement, meaning that they are subject to different, and less stringent criteria than other drugs. This study aims to provide a systematic analysis of moral reasons for and against such a special status for the reimbursement of OMPs in publicly funded healthcare systems from a multidisciplinary perspective. RESULTS With a systematic review of reasons, we identified 39 reasons represented in 243 articles (scientific and grey literature) for and against special status for the reimbursement of OMPs, then categorized them into nine topics. Taking a multidisciplinary perspective, we found that most articles came from health policy (n = 103) and health economics (n = 49). More articles took the position for a special status of OMPs (n = 97) than those against it (n = 31) and there was a larger number of reasons identified in favour (29 reasons) than against (10 reasons) this special status. CONCLUSION Results suggest that OMP reimbursement issues should be assessed and analysed from a multidisciplinary perspective. Despite the higher occurrence of reasons and articles in favour of a special status, there is no clear-cut solution for this ethical challenge. The binary perspective of whether or not OMPs should be granted special status oversimplifies the issue: both OMPs and rare diseases are too heterogeneous in their characteristics for such a binary perspective. Thus, the scientific debate should focus less on the question of disease prevalence but rather on how the important variability of different OMPs concerning e.g. target population, cost-effectiveness, level of evidence or mechanism of action could be meaningfully addressed and implemented in Health Technology Assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina M Zimmermann
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
- Institute for History and Ethics in Medicine, Technical University of Munich School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Johanna Eichinger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute for History and Ethics in Medicine, Technical University of Munich School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias R Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Yamoah L, Dragojlovic N, Smith A, Lynd LD, Marra CA. Evaluating New Zealanders' Values for Drug Coverage Decision Making: Trade-Offs between Treatments for Rare and Common Conditions. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2021; 39:109-119. [PMID: 33150565 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-020-00974-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New Zealand's near static healthcare budget limits access to expensive medications including those for rare conditions. As such, it is necessary to know the public's priority for values in the drug funding decision-making process. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to measure the relative societal importance of values of New Zealanders in informing drug funding decisions and to determine how New Zealanders trade off funding in various scenarios between common and rare diseases. METHODS An online survey was conducted between 17 April and 17 May, 2019 on a sample of 500 New Zealanders aged ≥ 18 years. Participants ranked 13 values using an analytical hierarchy process. Participants were then presented with different trade-off scenarios to measure their attitudes towards funding drugs for common and rare diseases. RESULTS The values ranked in the top five by most were potential effect on quality of life (71.8%), ability of the drug to work (57.6%), severity (57.6%), safety (57%), and potential to extend life (56%). Adherence and rarity held the lowest and second lowest ranking. Most believe that resources should be allocated towards drugs that have been proven to work and have the greatest health benefits. In trade-offs between access to an expensive drug therapy for a rare disease with uncertain benefits or receive a fixed cash payment, the overwhelming consensus was to receive the cash payment. CONCLUSIONS New Zealanders ultimately value drug-related factors (e.g. quality of life and efficacy) and disease-related factors (e.g. severity of disease and equity) the most but did not value disease rarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Yamoah
- Pharmacy Intern, Wellington, New Zealand
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Nick Dragojlovic
- Collaboration for Research and Evaluation (CORE), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alesha Smith
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Larry D Lynd
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carlo A Marra
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
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Talarico R, Cannizzo S, Lorenzoni V, Marinello D, Palla I, Pirri S, Ticciati S, Trieste L, Triulzi I, Terol E, Bucher A, Turchetti G. RarERN Path: a methodology towards the optimisation of patients' care pathways in rare and complex diseases developed within the European Reference Networks. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:347. [PMID: 33317578 PMCID: PMC7734838 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01631-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2017, the European Commission has launched the European Reference Networks (ERNs), virtual networks involving healthcare providers across Europe. The aim of the ERNs is to tackle complex and rare diseases and conditions that require highly specialized treatment and a concentration of knowledge and resources. The ERN on rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases (ERN ReCONNET) is one of the 24 ERNs approved that aims to improve the management of Rare and Complex Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases. OBJECTIVE The RarERN Path methodology aims to create a single reference organisational model for patients' care pathways which, if applied in different contexts, helps to ensure an improved, cost-effective and patient-centred equal care to rare and complex diseases. METHODS Starting from existing standard methods for the creation and elaboration of patients' care pathways, a specific methodology was created in order to take advantage of the distinctive and peculiar characteristics of the ERNs. Specifically, the development of the RarERN Path methodology involved different stakeholders: health economists, clinicians and researchers expert in rare and complex diseases, communication experts, experts in patients' involvement and narrative medicine and policy-makers. RESULTS The RarERN Path methodology foresees six consecutive phases, each with different and specific aims. Specifically, the six phases are represented by: Phase 1-mapping of existing patients' care pathways and patients' stories; Phase 2-design of an optimised common patients' care pathway; Phase 3-consensus on an optimised common patients' care pathway; Phase 4-key performance indicators definition; Phase 5-refinement; Phase 6-pilot phase (optional). CONCLUSION The application of RarERN Path to the different disease-specific and geographical contexts would help to ensure an improved, cost-effective and patient-centred equal care to rare and complex diseases across Europe as well as a possible tangible action towards the integration of ERNs into the different European healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Talarico
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Cannizzo
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Lorenzoni
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Diana Marinello
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Palla
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pirri
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Ticciati
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Trieste
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Isotta Triulzi
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Anna Bucher
- DG Health and Food Safety, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Turchetti
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
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20
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The Burden of Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Informal Caregivers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238989. [PMID: 33276656 PMCID: PMC7730048 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common severe hereditary diseases of infancy and early childhood. The progression of this illness causes a high degree of disability; hence, a significant burden is experienced by individuals with this disease and their families. We analyzed the time taken to care for patients suffering from SMA in European countries and the burden on their informal caregivers. We designed a cross-sectional study recording data from France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. The primary caregivers completed a self-administered questionnaire that included questions about the time of care, The Zarit Burden Interview, type of SMA and socio-demographic characteristics. Multivariate analyses were used to study the associations between the type of SMA, time of care and burden supported by informal caregivers. The caregivers provided 10.0 h (SD = 6.7) per day of care (the principal caregivers provided 6.9 h, SD = 4.6). The informal caregivers of patients with type I SMA had a 36.3 point higher likelihood (p < 0.05) of providing more than 10 h of care per day in comparison with caregivers of patients with type III SMA. The severity of the disease was associated with more time of care and a higher burden on the caregivers.
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Schaaf J, Prokosch HU, Boeker M, Schaefer J, Vasseur J, Storf H, Sedlmayr M. Interviews with experts in rare diseases for the development of clinical decision support system software - a qualitative study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020; 20:230. [PMID: 32938448 PMCID: PMC7493382 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-020-01254-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with rare diseases (RDs) are often diagnosed too late or not at all. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) could support the diagnosis in RDs. The MIRACUM (Medical Informatics in Research and Medicine) consortium, which is one of four funded consortia in the German Medical Informatics Initiative, will develop a CDSS for RDs based on distributed clinical data from ten university hospitals. This qualitative study aims to investigate (1) the relevant organizational conditions for the operation of a CDSS for RDs when diagnose patients (e.g. the diagnosis workflow), (2) which data is necessary for decision support, and (3) the appropriate user group for such a CDSS. METHODS Interviews were carried out with RDs experts. Participants were recruited from staff physicians at the Rare Disease Centers (RDCs) at the MIRACUM locations, which offer diagnosis and treatment of RDs. An interview guide was developed with a category-guided deductive approach. The interviews were recorded on an audio device and then transcribed into written form. We continued data collection until all interviews were completed. Afterwards, data analysis was performed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis approach. RESULTS A total of seven experts were included in the study. The results show that medical center guides and physicians from RDC B-centers (with a focus on different RDs) are involved in the diagnostic process. Furthermore, interdisciplinary case discussions between physicians are conducted. The experts explained that RDs exist which cannot be fully differentiated, but rather described only by their overall symptoms or findings: diagnosis is dependent on the disease or disease group. At the end of the diagnostic process, most centers prepare a summary of the patient case. Furthermore, the experts considered both physicians and experts from the B-centers to be potential users of a CDSS. The experts also have different experiences with CDSS for RDs. CONCLUSIONS This qualitative study is a first step towards establishing the requirements for the development of a CDSS for RDs. Further research is necessary to create solutions by also including the experts on RDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Schaaf
- Medical Informatics Group (MIG), University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
- Chair of Medical Informatics, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometrics and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Boeker
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Medical Faculty and Medical Centre - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Schaefer
- Medical Informatics Group (MIG), University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jessica Vasseur
- Medical Informatics Group (MIG), University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Holger Storf
- Medical Informatics Group (MIG), University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martin Sedlmayr
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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22
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Mancuso M, Filosto M, Lamperti C, Musumeci O, Santorelli FM, Servidei S, Valente EM, Zeviani M, Mancardi G, Tedeschi G, Federico A. Awareness of rare and genetic neurological diseases among italian neurologist. A national survey. Neurol Sci 2020; 41:1567-1570. [PMID: 31989346 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Rare neurological diseases (RNDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders mainly affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems, representing almost 50% of all rare diseases; this explains why neurologists are very often involved in their diagnosis, treatment and research. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the awareness of RNDs among the neurological community of the Italian Society of Neurology (SIN). A survey of the Italian Neurogenetics and Rare diseases group of the SIN, similar to what was submitted to the members of the EAN Task Force on Rare Neurologic Diseases and to EAN Panels Scientific Committee Management Groups, was launched in January 2019 in order to verify the specific Italian situations and possibly the regional differences. Answers were collected online. We observed that Italian Members of the SIN Neurogenetics and Rare Neurologic Diseases Scientific Group are well aware of the burden posed by RNDs but at the national and regional level, the relative awareness is sketchy and disparate. Although many national initiatives have been undertaken to facilitate the diagnosis and management in Italy, our survey reveals that much works has to be done in supporting RNDs patients, including a deeper collaboration between politics, universities and all stakeholders in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelangelo Mancuso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Unit of Neurology, ASST "Spedali Civili" and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Costanza Lamperti
- UO Medical Genetics and Neurogentics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Olimpia Musumeci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Unit of Neurological and Neuromuscular Disorders, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serenella Servidei
- UOC Neurofisiopatologia Fondazione Policlinico Universitario, A. Gemelli IRCCS, Istituto di Neurologia Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Enza M Valente
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Massimo Zeviani
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Mancardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health and Neuromotor Department, University of Genova and IRCCS ICS Maugeri, Genoa and Pavia, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Federico
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Abstract
Extremely rare diseases are increasingly recognized due to wide-spread, inexpensive genomic sequencing. Understanding the incidence of rare disease is important for appreciating its health impact and allocating recourses for research. However, estimating incidence of rare disease is challenging because the individual contributory alleles are, themselves, extremely rare. We propose a new method to determine incidence of rare, severe, recessive disease in non-consanguineous populations that use known allele frequencies, estimate the combined allele frequency of observed alleles and estimate the number of causative alleles that are thus far unobserved in a disease cohort. Experiments on simulated and real data show that this approach is a feasible method to estimate the incidence of rare disease in European populations but due to several limitations in our ability to assess the full spectrum of pathogenic mutations serves as a useful tool to provide a lower threshold on disease incidence.
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24
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Analysis of economic burden and its associated factors of twenty-three rare diseases in Shanghai. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019; 14:233. [PMID: 31640704 PMCID: PMC6806581 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1168-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is estimated that at present there are over 10 million rare disease patients in China. Recently an increased focus from policy perspective has been placed on rare diseases management. Improved disease definitions and the releases of local and national rare disease lists are some of the steps taken already. Despite these developments, few Chinese rare disease-related epidemiology and economic studies exist, thus hindering assessment of the true burden of rare diseases. For a rare disease with an effective treatment, this is a particularly important aspect due to the often-high cost associated. Objective The goal of this study is to address the data scarcity on the subject of rare diseases economic impact in China. We aim to address an existing knowledge gap and to provide a timely analysis of the economic burden of 23 rare diseases in Shanghai, China. Methods We utilized the data from the Health Information Exchange system of Shanghai and employed statistical modeling to analyze the economic burden of rare diseases with an effective treatment in Shanghai. Results First, we described the actual direct medical expenditure and analyzed its associated factors. Second, we found age, disease type, number of complications, and payment type were significantly associated with rare disease medical direct costs. Third, a generalized linear model was employed to estimate the annual direct cost. The mean direct medical cost was estimated as ¥9588 (US$1521) for inpatients and ¥1060 (US$168) for outpatients, and was over ¥15 million (~US$2.4 million) per year overall. Conclusion Our study is one of the first quantifying the economic burden of an extensive set of rare diseases in Shanghai and China. Our results can serve to inform healthcare-focused policy making, contribute to the increase of public awareness, and incentivize development of rare-disease strategies and treatments specific to the Chinese context. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-1168-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Hartman AL, Hechtelt Jonker A, Parisi MA, Julkowska D, Lockhart N, Isasi R. Ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) in rare diseases: a landscape analysis from funders. Eur J Hum Genet 2019; 28:174-181. [PMID: 31537898 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0513-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent interest in personalized medicine has highlighted the importance of research in ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI). Issues in ELSI research may be magnified in the rare diseases population (i.e., small numbers of affected individuals, challenges in maintaining confidentiality, and paucity of treatments for diseases where natural history information may be limited). More than other areas of research, potential barriers include the lack of funding opportunities and appropriate review processes for applications to funding agencies. The ELSI Working Group of the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) performed an informal survey on ELSI funding initiatives to learn more about different funding mechanisms and to identify potential gaps in funding opportunities. The Working Group discusses these challenges and highlights the role of funding agencies and partners such as patient advocacy groups, specialists in social sciences and humanities, and clinicians to advance ELSI research in rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Hartman
- Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | | | - Melissa A Parisi
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Daria Julkowska
- European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases, Institut Thématique Génétique, Génomique et Bioinformatique, INSERM, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Nicole Lockhart
- Division of Genomics and Society, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rosario Isasi
- Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, Department of Human Genetics, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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