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Vásquez P, Hall L, Merlo G. Societal Preferences in Health Technology Assessments for Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs: A Systematic Literature Review of New Analytic Approaches. Value Health Reg Issues 2024; 44:101026. [PMID: 39059264 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2024.101026] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This systematic literature review aimed to explore experiences worldwide of societal preferences integration into health technology assessments (HTAs) for rare diseases (RDs) and orphan drugs (ODs) through the implementation of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), discrete choice experiments (DCEs), and person trade-off (PTO) methods, among others. METHODS A systematic search of the literature was conducted in April 2021 using PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach was used for the review phases. Finally, the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework was used to discuss the implementation of these instruments in the RD context. RESULTS A total of 33 articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies measured societal preferences for RD and OD as part of HTA using MCDA (n = 17), DCE (n = 8), and PTO (n = 4), among other methods (n = 4). These found that patients and clinicians do not prioritize funding based on rarity. The public is willing to allocate funds only if the OD demonstrates effectiveness and improves the quality of life, considering as relevant factors disease severity, unmet health needs, and quality of life. Conversely, HTA agency experts preferred their current approach, placing more weight on cost-effectiveness and evidence quality, even though they expressed concern about the fairness of the drug review process. CONCLUSIONS MCDA, PTO, and DCE are helpful and transparent methods for assessing societal preferences in HTA for RD and OD. However, their methodological limitations, such as arbitrary criteria selection, subjective scoring methods, framing effects, weighting adaptation, and value measurement models, could make implementation challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Vásquez
- Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Lisa Hall
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gregory Merlo
- Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Martin FJ, Saffie IM, Hurtado MA, Avila-Jaque D, Lagos RA, Selman CA, Huserman JZ, Castillo VA, Chahuán BJ. Variants in BRCA1/2 in a hospital-based cohort in Chile and national literature review. Ecancermedicalscience 2024; 18:1683. [PMID: 38566764 PMCID: PMC10984842 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2024.1683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim was to assess the diagnostic yield of next generation sequencing (NGS) multi-gene panels for breast and ovarian cancer in a high-complexity cancer centre in Chile. Additionally, our goal was to broaden the genotypic spectrum of BRCA variants already identified in Chilean families. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on the genetic test results of 722 individuals from Fundación Arturo López Pérez's genetic counselling unit between 2016 and 2021. A comprehensive literature review encompassing articles analysing the frequency of germinal pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 within the Chilean population was undertaken. Results 23.5% of the panels had positive results, with 60% due to pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes. Seven previously unreported variants in BRCA1 from Chilean studies were identified.One or more variants of uncertain significance were detected in 31% of the results, and 11.5% of the families in this cohort presented copy number variants (CNVs) in BRCA1/2.8 studies analysed the frequency of pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2 in the Chilean population between 2006 and 2023, with a frequency between 7.1% and 17.1%.51 BRCA1 variants in 149 families have been reported in Chile and 38 BRCA2 variants in 132 families. Nine founder pathogenic variants identified by one study were present in 51.9% of the total Chilean families reported. Conclusion Our findings advocate for the integration of NGS multi-gene panel testing as a primary strategy within our population. This approach allows for the comprehensive assessment of single nucleotide variants and CNVs in BRCA1/2, alongside other high and moderately penetrant genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda J Martin
- Unidad Asesoramiento Genético Oncológico, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7167-8850
| | - Isabel M Saffie
- Cirugía de mama, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4723-5750
| | - Mabel A Hurtado
- Unidad Asesoramiento Genético Oncológico, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- Cirugía de mama, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
| | - Diana Avila-Jaque
- Sección de Genética, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Santiago 8350488, Chile
- https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7787-6847
| | - Rodrigo A Lagos
- Unidad estadística, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5806-6227
| | - Carolina A Selman
- Subdirección Unidades Diagnósticas, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
| | - Jonathan Z Huserman
- Departamento Genética, Hospital Base San José Osorno, Osorno 5311523, Chile
- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9355-3282
| | - Valentina A Castillo
- Departamento Genética, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
- Departamento Genética, Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río, Santiago 8150000, Chile
| | - Badir J Chahuán
- Unidad Asesoramiento Genético Oncológico, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- Cirugía de mama, Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago 7500921, Chile
- https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3133-6706
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Brito F, Lagos C, Cubillos J, Orellana J, Gajardo M, Böhme D, Encina G, Repetto GM. Genomic analysis in Chilean patients with suspected Rett syndrome: keep a broad differential diagnosis. Front Genet 2024; 15:1278198. [PMID: 38566815 PMCID: PMC10986174 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1278198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Rett syndrome (RTT, MIM #312750) is a rare genetic disorder that leads to developmental regression and severe disability and is caused by pathogenic variants in the MECP2 gene. The diagnosis of RTT is based on clinical features and, depending on resources and access, on molecular confirmation. There is scarce information on molecular diagnosis from patients in Latin America, mostly due to limited availability and coverage of genomic testing. This pilot study aimed to implement genomic testing and characterize clinical and molecular findings in a group of Chilean patients with a clinical diagnosis of RTT. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with suspected RTT underwent characterization of phenotypic manifestations and molecular testing using Clinical Exome SolutionTM CES_V2 by SOPHiA Genetics. Data was analyzed using the commercial bioinformatics platform, SOPHiA DDMTM. A virtual panel of 34 genes, including MECP2 and other genes that are in the differential diagnosis of RTT, was used to prioritize initial analyses, followed by evaluation of the complete exome sequence data. Results: Twelve patients (42.8% of participants) had variants in MECP2, of which 11 (39.2%) were interpreted as pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP), thus confirming the diagnosis of RTT in them. Eight additional patients (28.5%) harbored ten variants in nine other genes. Four of these variants were interpreted as P/LP (14.2%) (GRIN2B, MADD, TRPM3 and ZEB2) resulting in alternative neurodevelopmental diagnoses, and six were considered of uncertain significance. No evident candidate variant was found for eight patients. Discussion: This study allowed to reach a diagnosis in half of the participants. The diagnosis of RTT was confirmed in over a third of them, while others were found to have alternative neurodevelopmental disorders. Further evaluation is needed to identify the cause in those with negative or uncertain results. This information is useful for the patients, families, and clinicians to guide clinical management, even more so since the development of novel therapies for RTT. We also show the feasibility of implementing a step-wide approach to genomic testing in a setting with limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Brito
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Sciences and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catalina Lagos
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Sciences and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Joan Orellana
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Sciences and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mallen Gajardo
- Escuela de Ingeniería, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Böhme
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Sciences and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Biosoluciones-UDD, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Gabriela M. Repetto
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Sciences and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
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Faundes V, Repetto GM, Valdivia LE. Discovery of novel genetic syndromes in Latin America: Opportunities and challenges. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 47Suppl 1:e20230318. [PMID: 38466870 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Latin America (LatAm) has a rich and historically significant role in delineating both novel and well-documented genetic disorders. However, the ongoing advancements in the field of human genetics pose challenges to the relatively slow adaption of LatAm in the field. Here, we describe past and present contributions of LatAm to the discovery of novel genetic disorders, often referred as novel gene-disease associations (NGDA). We also describe the current methodologies for discovery of NGDA, taking into account the latest developments in genomics. We provide an overview of opportunities and challenges for NGDA research in LatAm considering the steps currently performed to identify and validate such associations. Given the multiple and diverse needs of populations and countries in LatAm, it is imperative to foster collaborations amongst patients, indigenous people, clinicians and scientists. Such collaborative effort is essential for sustaining and enhancing the LatAm´s contributions to the field of NGDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Faundes
- Universidad de Chile, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela M Repetto
- Universidad del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina, Centro de Genética y Genómica, Programa de Enfermedades Raras, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonardo E Valdivia
- Universidad Mayor, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Integrativa, Santiago, Chile
- Universidad Mayor, Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela de Biotecnología, Santiago, Chile
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Poli MC, Rebolledo-Jaramillo B, Lagos C, Orellana J, Moreno G, Martín LM, Encina G, Böhme D, Faundes V, Zavala MJ, Hasbún T, Fischer S, Brito F, Araya D, Lira M, de la Cruz J, Astudillo C, Lay-Son G, Cares C, Aracena M, Martin ES, Coban-Akdemir Z, Posey JE, Lupski JR, Repetto GM. Decoding complex inherited phenotypes in rare disorders: the DECIPHERD initiative for rare undiagnosed diseases in Chile. Eur J Hum Genet 2024:10.1038/s41431-023-01523-5. [PMID: 38177409 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01523-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases affect millions of people worldwide, and most have a genetic etiology. The incorporation of next-generation sequencing into clinical settings, particularly exome and genome sequencing, has resulted in an unprecedented improvement in diagnosis and discovery in the past decade. Nevertheless, these tools are unavailable in many countries, increasing health care gaps between high- and low-and-middle-income countries and prolonging the "diagnostic odyssey" for patients. To advance genomic diagnoses in a setting of limited genomic resources, we developed DECIPHERD, an undiagnosed diseases program in Chile. DECIPHERD was implemented in two phases: training and local development. The training phase relied on international collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, and the local development was structured as a hybrid model, where clinical and bioinformatics analysis were performed in-house and sequencing outsourced abroad, due to lack of high-throughput equipment in Chile. We describe the implementation process and findings of the first 103 patients. They had heterogeneous phenotypes, including congenital anomalies, intellectual disabilities and/or immune system dysfunction. Patients underwent clinical exome or research exome sequencing, as solo cases or with parents using a trio design. We identified pathogenic, likely pathogenic or variants of unknown significance in genes related to the patients´ phenotypes in 47 (45.6%) of them. Half were de novo informative variants, and half of the identified variants have not been previously reported in public databases. DECIPHERD ended the diagnostic odyssey for many participants. This hybrid strategy may be useful for settings of similarly limited genomic resources and lead to discoveries in understudied populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cecilia Poli
- Program for Immunogenetics and Translational Immunology, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clinica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Hospital Dr. Roberto del Río, Santiago, Chile
| | - Boris Rebolledo-Jaramillo
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catalina Lagos
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joan Orellana
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela Moreno
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luz M Martín
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica del Niño, Hospital Padre Hurtado, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Daniela Böhme
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Biosoluciones UDD, Santiago, Chile
| | - Víctor Faundes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Trinidad Hasbún
- Department of Dermatology, Facultad de Medicina Universidad del Desarrollo, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Vitacura, Chile
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Exequiel González Cortés, Vitacura, Chile
| | - Sara Fischer
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Florencia Brito
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Araya
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Lira
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javiera de la Cruz
- Program for Immunogenetics and Translational Immunology, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clinica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Guillermo Lay-Son
- Division of Pediatrics, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Cares
- Genetics Unit, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mariana Aracena
- Genetics Unit, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Zeynep Coban-Akdemir
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer E Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gabriela M Repetto
- Rare Diseases Program, Center for Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica del Niño, Hospital Padre Hurtado, Santiago, Chile.
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Saffie Awad P, Teixeira-Dos-Santos D, Santos-Lobato BL, Camargos S, Cornejo-Olivas M, de Mello Rieder CR, Mata IF, Chaná-Cuevas P, Klein C, Schumacher Schuh AF. Frequency of Hereditary and GBA1-Related Parkinsonism in Latin America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mov Disord 2024; 39:6-16. [PMID: 37921246 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29614] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying hereditary parkinsonism is valuable for diagnosis, genetic counseling, patient prioritization in trials, and studying the disease for personalized therapies. However, most studies were conducted in Europeans, and limited data exist on admixed populations like those from Latin America. OBJECTIVES This study aims to assess the frequency and distribution of genetic parkinsonism in Latin America. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the frequency of parkinsonian syndromes associated with genetic pathogenic variants in Latin America. We defined hereditary parkinsonism as those caused by the genes outlined by the MDS Nomenclature of Genetic Movement Disorders and heterozygous carriers of GBA1 pathogenic variants. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and LILACS in August 2022. Researchers reviewed titles and abstracts, and disagreements were resolved by a third researcher. After this screening, five researchers reanalyzed the selection criteria and extracted information based on the full paper. The frequency for each parkinsonism-related gene was determined by the presence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants among screened patients. Cochran's Q and I2 tests were used to quantify heterogeneity. Meta-regression, publication bias tests, and sensitivity analysis regarding study quality were also used for LRRK2-, PRKN-, and GBA1-related papers. RESULTS We included 73 studies involving 3014 screened studies from 16 countries. Among 7668 Latin American patients, pathogenic variants were found in 19 different genes. The frequency of the pathogenic variants in LRRK2 was 1.38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52-2.57), PRKN was 1.16% (95% CI: 0.08-3.05), and GBA1 was 4.17% (95% CI: 2.57-6.08). For all meta-analysis, heterogeneity was high and publication bias tests were negative, except for PRKN, which was contradictory. Information on the number of pathogenic variants in the other genes is further presented in the text. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into hereditary and GBA1-related parkinsonism in Latin America. Lower GBA1 frequencies compared to European/North American cohorts may result from limited access to gene sequencing. Further research is vital for regional prevalence understanding, enabling personalized care and therapies. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Saffie Awad
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Centro de Trastornos del Movimiento (CETRAM), Santiago, Chile
- Clínica Santa María, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Bruno Lopes Santos-Lobato
- Hospital Ophir Loyola, Belém, Brazil
- Laboratório de Neuropatologia Experimental, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Sarah Camargos
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mario Cornejo-Olivas
- Neurogenetics Working Group, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
- Neurogenetics Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurologicas, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Ignacio F Mata
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Pedro Chaná-Cuevas
- Centro de Trastornos del Movimiento (CETRAM), Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Artur F Schumacher Schuh
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Vargas C, Addo R, Lewandowska M, Haywood P, De Abreu Lourenco R, Goodall S. Use of Health Technology Assessment for the Continued Funding of Health Technologies: The Case of Immunoglobulins for the Management of Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2024; 22:73-84. [PMID: 37950824 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-023-00853-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Funding decisions for many health technologies occur without undergoing health technology assessment (HTA), in particular, without assessment of cost effectiveness (CE). Immunoglobulins in Australia are an interesting case study because they have been used for a long time for various rare disorders and their price is publicly available. Undertaking an HTA enables us to assess CE for an intervention for which there is limited clinical and economic evidence. This study presents a post-market review to assess the CE of immunoglobulins for the treatment of multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) compared with best supportive care. METHODS A Markov model was used to estimate costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Input sources included randomised controlled trials, single-arm studies, the Australian clinical criteria for MMN, clinical guidelines, previous Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) reports and inputs from clinical experts. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the uncertainty and robustness of the CE results. RESULTS The cost per patient of treating MMN with immunoglobulin was AU$275,853 versus AU$26,191when no treatment was provided, with accrued QALYs of 6.83 versus 6.04, respectively. The latter translated into a high incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of AU$317,552/QALY. The ICER was most sensitive to the utility weights and the price of immunoglobulins. MSAC advised to continue funding of immunoglobulins on the grounds of efficacy, despite the high and uncertain ICER. CONCLUSIONS Beyond the ICER framework, other factors were acknowledged, including the high clinical need in a patient population for which there are no other active treatments available. This case study highlights the challenges of conducting HTA for already funded interventions, and the efficiency trade-offs required to fund effective high-cost therapies in rare conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Vargas
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Addo
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Milena Lewandowska
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Philip Haywood
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Richard De Abreu Lourenco
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Stephen Goodall
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Level 5, Building 20, 100 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
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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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9
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Costa C, Lemos MS, Azevedo LF, Paneque M. Service provision of genetics health care in Portugal. J Community Genet 2023; 14:101-113. [PMID: 36414927 PMCID: PMC9947200 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-022-00617-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, genetics has undergone important technological advances. The rapid shift to genomics has made a strong impact on health systems around the world. In Portugal, this huge increase in consultations and typologies of genetic tests has joined the serious limitations of the few existing genetics services. The following study aims to characterize the current state of the network of genetics services in Portugal regarding its functioning, main challenges, and opportunities. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted, corresponding to 83.33% of the directors of the public genetics services of the National Health Service. Four thematic categories emerged from the analysis: (1) specialty and technical developments, (2) structural difficulties, (3) potentialities, and (4) future directions. The developments are due to the emergence of more comprehensive genetic applications, specific protocols and patient referral standards, and accreditation of services. The main difficulties encountered in the functioning of the services were difficulty in obtaining funding, lack of human resources, service overload, and lack of exclusive time for training and research. The potentialities mentioned were the establishment of multidisciplinary teams and the best articulation with specialists from other areas. Among the various future directions pointed out, better management of patients' waiting lists, the importance of research, the simplification of test request procedures, and the creation of specialized units inside the genetic services, were reported. The results showed several gaps in the practice of medical genetics that should be addressed with the development of public policies for the recognition and restructuring of medical genetics in health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Costa
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226IBMC - Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226CGPP - Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226FMUP - Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M. S. Lemos
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226FPCEUP - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226CPUP - Center of Psychology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L. F. Azevedo
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226MEDCIDS - Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226CINTESIS@RISE - Center for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M. Paneque
- grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226IBMC - Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226CGPP - Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal ,grid.5808.50000 0001 1503 7226Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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10
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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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11
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Giugliani R, Castillo Taucher S, Hafez S, Oliveira JB, Rico-Restrepo M, Rozenfeld P, Zarante I, Gonzaga-Jauregui C. Opportunities and challenges for newborn screening and early diagnosis of rare diseases in Latin America. Front Genet 2022; 13:1053559. [PMID: 36568372 PMCID: PMC9773081 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1053559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases (RDs) cause considerable death and disability in Latin America. Still, there is no consensus on their definition across the region. Patients with RDs face a diagnostic odyssey to find a correct diagnosis, which may last many years and creates a burden for caregivers, healthcare systems, and society. These diagnostic delays have repercussions on the health and economic burden created by RDs and continue to represent an unmet medical need. This review analyzes barriers to the widespread adoption of newborn screening (NBS) programs and early diagnostic methods for RDs in Latin America and provides recommendations to achieve this critical objective. Increasing the adoption of NBS programs and promoting early diagnosis of RDs are the first steps to improving health outcomes for patients living with RDs. A coordinated, multistakeholder effort from leaders of patient organizations, government, industry, medical societies, academia, and healthcare services is required to increase the adoption of NBS programs. Patients' best interests should remain the guiding principle for decisions regarding NBS implementation and early diagnosis for RDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Giugliani
- Department of Genetics UFRGS, Medical Genetics Service HCPA, DASA and Casa dos Raros, Porto Alegre, Brazil,*Correspondence: Roberto Giugliani, ; Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui,
| | - Silvia Castillo Taucher
- Clinical Geneticist, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Joao Bosco Oliveira
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Paula Rozenfeld
- Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológicos (IIFP), UNLP, CONICET, asociado CIC PBA, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Zarante
- Instituto de Genética Humana, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación sobre el Genoma Humano, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, México,*Correspondence: Roberto Giugliani, ; Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui,
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12
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Ghiasvand H, Barnish MS, Moradi T, Nikram E, Naghdi S. Making orphan drugs and services available and accessible for people who live with rare diseases: what has been done? a systematic scoping review. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2022.2153671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hesam Ghiasvand
- Divisional Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Maxwell S. Barnish
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, UK
| | - Tayebeh Moradi
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Nikram
- Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter, UK
| | - Seyran Naghdi
- Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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13
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Caracterización y factores asociados a la mortalidad debida a enfermedades huérfanas en Chile, 2002-2017. BIOMÉDICA 2022; 42:508-521. [PMID: 36122290 PMCID: PMC9550350 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.6281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Las enfermedades huérfanas se caracterizan por su baja prevalencia, comúnmente son de evolución crónica, debilitantes y potencialmente mortales. Objetivo. Determinar las características y los factores asociados a la mortalidad por enfermedades huérfanas en Chile, entre 2002 y 2017. Materiales y métodos. Es un estudio transversal y analítico a partir de datos secundarios oficiales del Departamento de Estadística e Información en Salud (DEIS) del Ministerio de Salud de Chile. Se calcularon las tasas de mortalidad específica, y las ajustadas por sexo y edad. Se efectuó un análisis de normalidad mediante la prueba de Kolmogórov-Smirnov. Se aplicaron la prueba de ji al cuadrado de independencia para las asociaciones y el análisis de regresión logística multivariada para determinar la probabilidad de muerte. Resultados. Durante el periodo de estudio, 10.718 defunciones se atribuyeron a enfermedades huérfanas; 53,2 % ocurrieron en mujeres. La tasa media anual de mortalidad fue de 3,9 por 100.000 habitantes: 4,1 en mujeres y 3,8 en hombres. Las principales causas de muerte, en mujeres, fueron enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, anencefalia, hepatitis autoinmunitaria y, en hombres, enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, distrofia muscular y anencefalia. Las mujeres tienen 1,75 más veces la posibilidad de fallecer por este grupo de enfermedades en comparación con los hombres (OR ajustado=1,75; IC95% 1,69-1,82). La mayor probabilidad de morir se presentó en los menores de 0 a 4 años (OR ajustado=15,30; IC95% 14,10-19,20). Conclusión. En Chile, las mujeres constituyeron el grupo de población de mayor riesgo de morir por enfermedades huérfanas durante los años 2002 y 2017.
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de Macena Sobreira NL, Repetto GM, Temtamy SA, Alvarez Perez AB. Using Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man in low- and middle-income countries. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:3284-3286. [PMID: 34492150 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM®), an online catalog of human genes and genetic disorders, has been used in the low- and middle-income countries largely as a tool for improving clinical care, teaching genetics and genomics, and for clinical and research analysis of next-generation sequencing. By facilitating free access to curated, updated, and comprehensive information in genetics and genomics, OMIM has led to better clinical care and research advancement in countries where clinicians and researchers in private or public hospitals and universities cannot afford to pay for other resources including journal subscriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Lygia de Macena Sobreira
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gabriela M Repetto
- Rare Diseases Program, Institute of Science and Innovation in Medicine, Facultad de Medicina Clinica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Samia A Temtamy
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Division of Human Genetics and Genome Research, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
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15
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Vial F, Delgado I, Idiaquez JF, Canals F, Chana-Cuevas P. Epidemiology of Parkinson's Disease in Chile. Neuroepidemiology 2021; 55:393-397. [PMID: 34407534 DOI: 10.1159/000517750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. There is no epidemiological description of PD in Chile and not many descriptions in Latin America. This study aims to describe the incidence and prevalence of PD in Chile. METHODS The study group was the population on the public health system in Chile between 2010 and 2018 that were registered in the GES system as having PD. Crude and standardized prevalence and incidence were calculated with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS 33,345 patients were found in the register as confirmed cases with PD. The crude incidence in 2018 was 23.7/100,000; the crude prevalence in 2018 was 160.7/100,000. The male-to-female ratio was 1.03. CONCLUSION The prevalence and incidence observed in the Chilean population are consistent with studies from other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Vial
- Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Trastornos del Movimiento, Santiago, Chile
| | - Iris Delgado
- Centro de Epidemiología y Políticas de Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Francisco Idiaquez
- Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Trastornos del Movimiento, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Canals
- Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Trastornos del Movimiento, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro Chana-Cuevas
- Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Trastornos del Movimiento, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ciencias Medicas Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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16
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Medina MF, Castro G, Falcon F, Cabello JF, Faundes V, Ruffato D, Salazar MF, Arias C, Peñaloza F, De La Parra A, Cornejo V. Maple syrup urine disease: Characteristics of diagnosis and treatment in 45 patients in Chile. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2021; 187:373-380. [PMID: 34288399 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Maple urine syrup disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by deficient activity of the branched-chain alpha ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) enzymatic complex due to biallelic variants in the alpha (BCKDHA) or beta (BCKDHB) subunits or the acyltransferase component (DBT). Treatment consists in leucine (LEU), isoleucine (ILE), and valine (VAL) (branched-chain amino acids) dietary restriction and strict metabolic control. to determine the characteristics of the Chilean cohort with MSUD currently in follow-up at Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, during the 1990-2017 period Retrospective analytical study in 45 MSUD cases. Measured: biochemical parameters (LEU, ILE, and VAL), anthropometric evaluation, and neurocognitive development. In 18 cases undergoing genetic study were analyzed according to the gene and protein location, number of affected alleles, and type of posttranslational modification affected. Then, 45 patients with MSUD diagnosis were identified during the period: 37 were alive at the time of the study. Average diagnosis age was 71 ± 231 days. Average serum diagnosis LEU concentrations: 1.463 ± 854.1 μmol/L, VAL 550 ± 598 μmol/L and ILE 454 ± 458 μmol/L. BCKDHB variants explain 89% cases, while BCKDHA and DBT variants explain 5.5% of cases each. Variants p.Thr338Ile in BCKDHA, p.Pro240Thr and p.Ser342Asn in BCKDHB have not been previously reported in literature. Average serum follow-up LEU concentrations were 252.7 ± 16.9 μmol/L in the <5 years group and 299 ± 123.2 μmol/L in ≥5 years. Most cases presented some degree of developmental delay. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to improve the long-term prognosis. Frequent blood LEU measurements are required to optimize metabolic control and to establish relationships between different aspects analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Castro
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Juan Francisco Cabello
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Víctor Faundes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diana Ruffato
- Department of Paediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - María Florencia Salazar
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Arias
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Peñaloza
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alicia De La Parra
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Cornejo
- Laboratorio de Genética y Enfermedades Metabólicas, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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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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Kacetl J, Marešová P, Maskuriy R, Selamat A. Ethical Questions Linked to Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs - A Systematic Review. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2020; 13:2125-2148. [PMID: 33116992 PMCID: PMC7568613 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s260641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rare or orphan diseases have become an important target of healthcare activities all over the world. The study aims to identify ethical questions linked to rare diseases and orphan drugs and ethical principles or approaches applied to solve them. Methods Relevant peer-reviewed articles were identified by means of a systematic review. The literature was searched from 20 May 2020 to 20 June 2020. The search included the databases PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (2010 – April 2020). A total of 4,139 papers related to rare diseases were identified; with 1,205 papers obtained from Scopus; 2,476 papers from PubMed; and 458 from Web of Science with keyword search “ethics” AND “rare” AND “disease”, “ethical” AND “orphan”, “ethical” AND “orphan” AND “drug”, and “ethical” AND “rare“ AND “disease”. Finally, XX studies were chosen for further analysis. Results The main findings reveal five main ethical issues. The most essential one shows that funding research and development in the field of orphan drugs poses an almost impossible dilemma. Other issues include the significance of non-economic values like compassion and beneficence in decision-making related to orphan drugs and rare diseases; the identification of limits to labelling diseases as rare; barriers to global, supranational and international cooperation; and last but not least, determining and establishing panels of decision-makers. Conclusions A strictly global approach would be the most appropriate way to deal with rare diseases. Nonetheless, international, let alone global, cooperation seems to be completely beyond the reach of the current international community, although the EU, for instance, has a centralized procedure for labelling orphan drugs. This deficit in international cooperation can be partly explained by the fact that the current technologically globalized world still lacks globally accepted ethical values and rules. This is further aggravated by unresolved international and intercultural conflicts. In addition, the sub-interests of various parties as well as the lack of desire to deal with other people’s problems need to be taken into account. The aforementioned problems are difficult to avoid. Nevertheless, let us be cautiously optimistic. At least, there are people who raise ethical questions about rare diseases and orphan drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Kacetl
- Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Marešová
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Raihan Maskuriy
- Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Architecture, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Ali Selamat
- Media and Games Center of Excellence (MagicX), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.,School of Computing, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Malaysia
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19
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Daich Varela M, Moya R, Schlottmann PG, Hufnagel RB, Arberas C, Fernández FM, Inga ME, Lores J, Pachajoa H, Prada CE, Sallum JMF. Ophthalmic genetics in South America. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:753-761. [PMID: 32856789 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
South America comprises of heterogeneous topographies, populations, and health care systems. Therefore, it is not surprising to see differences among the countries regarding expertise, education, and practices of ophthalmic genetics for patients with rare eye diseases. Nevertheless, common challenges such as limited genetics training in medical schools and among ophthalmologists, scarcity of diagnostic tools for phenotyping, and expensive genetic testing not covered by the public healthcare systems, are seen in all of them. Here, we provide a detailed report of the current status of ophthalmic genetics, described by the personal views of local ophthalmologists from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile. By reporting our strengths and weaknesses as a region, we intend to highlight the need for guidelines on how to manage these patients aligned with public health policies. Our region contributes to research worldwide, with thousands of well diagnosed patients from a number of unique and genetically diverse populations. The constant expansion of ophthalmic genetics and molecular diagnostics requires us to join forces to collaborate across South America and with other countries to improve access to next-generation diagnostics and ultimately improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Daich Varela
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rene Moya
- Departamento de Retina y Departamento de Genética Ocular, Hospital del Salvador, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Robert B Hufnagel
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Claudia Arberas
- Sección Genética Médica, Hospital de Niños "R. Gutiérrez", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Juliana Lores
- Centro de Investigaciones en Anomalías Congénitas y Enfermedades Raras Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Harry Pachajoa
- Centro de Investigaciones en Anomalías Congénitas y Enfermedades Raras Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia.,Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Carlos E Prada
- Hospital Internacional de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Colombia.,Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Juliana M Ferraz Sallum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto de Genética Ocular, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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