Staff Profile

@article{pmid36959868,

title = {Effective contact tracing for COVID-19: A systematic review},

author = {Carl-Etienne Juneau and Anne-Sara Briand and Pablo Collazzo and Uwe Siebert and Tomas Pueyo},

doi = {10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100103},

issn = {2590-1133},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-12-01},

journal = {Glob Epidemiol},

volume = {5},

pages = {100103},

abstract = {Contact tracing is commonly recommended to control outbreaks of COVID-19, but its effectiveness is unclear. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases using a range of terms related to contact tracing effectiveness for COVID-19. We found 343 papers; 32 were included. All were observational or modelling studies. Observational studies ( = 14) provided consistent, very-low certainty evidence that contact tracing (alone or in combination with other interventions) was associated with better control of COVID-19 (e.g. in Hong Kong, only 1084 cases and four deaths were recorded in the first 4.5 months of the pandemic). Modelling studies ( = 18) provided consistent, high-certainty evidence that under assumptions of prompt and thorough tracing with effective quarantines, contact tracing could stop the spread of COVID-19 (e.g. by reducing the reproduction number from 2.2 to 0.57). A cautious interpretation indicates that to stop the spread of COVID-19, public health practitioners have 2-3 days from the time a new case develops symptoms to isolate the case and quarantine at least 80% of its contacts.},

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pubstate = {published},

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}

@article{pmid37256423,

title = {Screening for colorectal cancer : A recommendation statement of the Austrian National Committee for Cancer Screening},

author = {Gerald Gartlehner and Eva Schernhammer and Sigurd F Lax and Matthias Preusser and Herbert Bachler and Harald Tietzer and Maria Kletecka-Pulker and Helga Turnher and Uwe Siebert},

doi = {10.1007/s00508-023-02209-0},

issn = {1613-7671},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-09-01},

urldate = {2023-05-01},

journal = {Wien Klin Wochenschr},

volume = {135},

issue = {17-18},

pages = {447-445},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Austria. To date, colorectal cancer screening in Austria remains opportunistic and includes colonoscopy or stool-based blood tests. The Austrian National Committee for Cancer Screening developed evidence-based recommendations for a nationwide organized colorectal cancer screening program.nnMETHODS: The methodological framework followed the approach of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The evidence base underlying the newly developed recommendations comprised a review of the existing published evidence and a decision analytic model tailored to the Austrian context. Using a structured process, committee members considered 1) the magnitude of the net benefit of each screening strategy, 2) the certainty of evidence, and 3) the level of acceptance of the interventions among the target population.nnRECOMMENDATIONS: The Austrian National Committee for Cancer Screening recommends the implementation of a nationwide organized colorectal cancer screening program for all adults aged 45-75 years. For persons 65 years or older, screening decisions should occur on an individual basis in accordance with a person's overall health, prior screening history, and preferences. Specifically, the committee recommends either a 10-year screening colonoscopy or biennial fecal immunochemical tests with colonoscopy following a positive result, with both screening strategies considered equivalent. Each citizen should be able to make an informed decision about their preferred screening method. Switching between the two screening strategies should be possible. Following an unremarkable colonoscopy, screening by fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is only required after 10 years. Screening recommendations apply only to asymptomatic persons at average risk for colorectal cancer. The screening program must be pilot tested, and accompanied by a public information campaign, formative evaluation, quality assurance, and data collection.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid37060168,

title = {Optimizing outcomes in heart failure: 2022 and beyond},

author = {Ewa A Jankowska and Tomas Andersson and Claudia Kaiser-Albers and Biykem Bozkurt and Ovidiu Chioncel and Andrew J S Coats and Loreena Hill and Friedrich Koehler and Lars H Lund and Theresa McDonagh and Marco Metra and Clemens Mittmann and Wilfried Mullens and Uwe Siebert and Scott D Solomon and Maurizio Volterrani and John J V McMurray},

doi = {10.1002/ehf2.14363},

issn = {2055-5822},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-08-01},

journal = {ESC Heart Fail},

volume = {10},

number = {4},

pages = {2159--2169},

abstract = {Although the development of therapies and tools for the improved management of heart failure (HF) continues apace, day-to-day management in clinical practice is often far from ideal. A Cardiovascular Round Table workshop was convened by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to identify barriers to the optimal implementation of therapies and guidelines and to consider mitigation strategies to improve patient outcomes in the future. Key challenges identified included the complexity of HF itself and its treatment, financial constraints and the perception of HF treatments as costly, failure to meet the needs of patients, suboptimal outpatient management, and the fragmented nature of healthcare systems. It was discussed that ongoing initiatives may help to address some of these barriers, such as changes incorporated into the 2021 ESC HF guideline, ESC Heart Failure Association quality indicators, quality improvement registries (e.g. EuroHeart), new ESC guidelines for patients, and the universal definition of HF. Additional priority action points discussed to promote further improvements included revised definitions of HF 'phenotypes' based on trial data, the development of implementation strategies, improved affordability, greater regulator/payer involvement, increased patient education, further development of patient-reported outcomes, better incorporation of guidelines into primary care systems, and targeted education for primary care practitioners. Finally, it was concluded that overarching changes are needed to improve current HF care models, such as the development of a standardized pathway, with a common adaptable digital backbone, decision-making support, and data integration, to ensure that the model 'learns' as the management of HF continues to evolve.},

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pubstate = {published},

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}

@article{pmid37081811,

title = {Guidance on the use of complex systems models for economic evaluations of public health interventions},

author = {Penny R Breeze and Hazel Squires and Kate Ennis and Petra Meier and Kate Hayes and Nik Lomax and Alan Shiell and Frank Kee and Frank de Vocht and Martin O'Flaherty and Nigel Gilbert and Robin Purshouse and Stewart Robinson and Peter J Dodd and Mark Strong and Suzy Paisley and Richard Smith and Andrew Briggs and Lion Shahab and Jo-An Occhipinti and Kenny Lawson and Thomas Bayley and Robert Smith and Jennifer Boyd and Visakan Kadirkamanathan and Richard Cookson and Monica Hernandez-Alava and Christopher H Jackson and Amanda Karapici and Franco Sassi and Peter Scarborough and Uwe Siebert and Eric Silverman and Luke Vale and Cathal Walsh and Alan Brennan},

doi = {10.1002/hec.4681},

issn = {1099-1050},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-07-01},

journal = {Health Econ},

volume = {32},

number = {7},

pages = {1603--1625},

abstract = {To help health economic modelers respond to demands for greater use of complex systems models in public health. To propose identifiable features of such models and support researchers to plan public health modeling projects using these models. A working group of experts in complex systems modeling and economic evaluation was brought together to develop and jointly write guidance for the use of complex systems models for health economic analysis. The content of workshops was informed by a scoping review. A public health complex systems model for economic evaluation is defined as a quantitative, dynamic, non-linear model that incorporates feedback and interactions among model elements, in order to capture emergent outcomes and estimate health, economic and potentially other consequences to inform public policies. The guidance covers: when complex systems modeling is needed; principles for designing a complex systems model; and how to choose an appropriate modeling technique. This paper provides a definition to identify and characterize complex systems models for economic evaluations and proposes guidance on key aspects of the process for health economics analysis. This document will support the development of complex systems models, with impact on public health systems policy and decision making.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid36607832,

title = {Determinants of low health-related quality of life in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: EUMDS Registry study},

author = {Igor Stojkov and Annette Conrads-Frank and Ursula Rochau and Marjan Arvandi and Karin A Koinig and Michael Schomaker and Moshe Mittelman and Pierre Fenaux and David Bowen and Guillermo F Sanz and Luca Malcovati and Saskia Langemeijer and Ulrich Germing and Krzysztof Madry and Agn\`{e}s Guerci-Bresler and Dominic J Culligan and Ioannis Kotsianidis and Laurence Sanhes and Juliet Mills and Sibylle Puntscher and Daniela Schmid and Corine van Marrewijk and Alexandra Smith and Fabio Efficace and Theo de Witte and Reinhard Stauder and Uwe Siebert},

doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008360},

issn = {2473-9537},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-06-01},

journal = {Blood Adv},

volume = {7},

number = {12},

pages = {2772--2783},

abstract = {Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) frequently experience a significant symptom burden, which reduces health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to identify determinants of low HRQoL in patients recently diagnosed with MDS, for guiding early intervention strategies. We evaluated longitudinal data in 2205 patients with MDS during their first year after diagnosis. Median values of EQ-5D 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) index (0.78) and visual analog scale (VAS) score (0.70) were used as thresholds for low HRQoL. In addition, the 5 dimensions of EQ-5D-3L were analyzed for impairments (any level vs "no problem" category). After multiple imputation of missing values, we used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to estimate odds ratios (OR) for univariable determinant screening (P < .15), and to subsequently derive multivariable models for low HRQoL with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multivariable GEE analysis showed the following independent determinants (OR, 95% CI) for low EQ-5D index: increased age (60-75 years: 1.33, 1.01-1.75; >75: 1.84, 1.39-2.45), female sex (1.70, 1.43-2.03), high serum ferritin level (≥1000 vs ≤300 μg/L: 1.41, 1.06-1.87), comorbidity burden (per unit: 1.11, 1.02-1.20), and reduced Karnofsky performance status (KPS, per 10 units: 0.62, 0.58-0.67). For low VAS score, additional determinants were transfusion dependence (1.53, 1.03-2.29), low hemoglobin <10 g/dL (1.34, 1.12-1.61), and high body mass index (≥30 vs 23-29.9 kg/m2: 1.26, 1.02-1.57). Sex, KPS, comorbidity burden, hemoglobin count, and transfusion burden were determinants for all EQ-5D dimensions. Low HRQoL is determined by multiple factors, which should be considered in the management and shared decision making of patients with MDS. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00600860.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid37365514,

title = {Decision-analytic evaluation of the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of strategies to prevent breast and ovarian cancer in German women with BRCA-1/2 mutations},

author = {L\'{a}ra R Hallsson and Gaby Sroczynski and Jutta Engel and Uwe Siebert},

doi = {10.1186/s12885-023-10956-6},

issn = {1471-2407},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-06-01},

journal = {BMC Cancer},

volume = {23},

number = {1},

pages = {590},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Women with inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have increased lifetime risks for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer and may develop these cancers around the age of 30 years. Therefore, prevention of breast and ovarian cancer in these women may need to start relatively early in life. In this study we systematically evaluate the long-term effectiveness and cost effectiveness of different prevention strategies for breast and ovarian cancer in women with BRCA-1/2 mutation in Germany.nnMETHODS: A decision-analytic Markov model simulating lifetime breast and ovarian cancer development in BRCA-1/2 carriers was developed. Different strategies including intensified surveillance (IS), prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (PBM), and prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (PBSO) alone or in combination at different ages were evaluated. German clinical, epidemiological, and economic (in 2022 Euro) data were used. Outcomes included cancer incidences, mortality, life years (LYs), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and discounted incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). We adopted the German health-care system perspective and discounted costs and health effects with 3% annually.nnRESULTS: All intervention strategies are more effective and less costly than IS alone. Prevention with PBM plus PBSO at age 30 maximizes life expectancy with 6.3 LYs gained, whereas PBM at age 30 with delayed PBSO at age 35 improves quality of life with 11.1 QALYs gained, when compared to IS alone. A further delay of PBSO was associated with lower effectiveness. Both strategies are cost effective with ICERs significantly below 10,000 EUR/LYG or QALY.nnCONCLUSION: Based on our results, PBM at age 30 plus PBSO between age 30 and 40 prolongs life and is cost effective in women with BRCA-1/2 mutations in Germany. Serial preventive surgeries with delayed PBSO potentially improve quality of life for women. However, delaying PBM and/or PBSO further may lead to increased mortality and reduced QALYs.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid37321128,

title = {Patient' and social aspects related to complementary mistletoe therapy in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review commissioned by the German agency for Health Technology Assessment},

author = {Caroline Steigenberger and Petra Schnell-Inderst and Magdalena Flatscher-Th\"{o}ni and Lisa-Maria Plank and Uwe Siebert},

doi = {10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102338},

issn = {1532-2122},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-07},

urldate = {2023-05-01},

journal = {Eur J Oncol Nurs},

volume = {65},

pages = {102338},

abstract = {PURPOSE: To mitigate side effects of conventional cancer care and improve quality of life, many patients with breast cancer in German-speaking countries opt for mistletoe therapy in addition to standard treatment. To understand the value for users, we evaluated the domain "Patient and Social aspects" in a health technology assessment on complementary mistletoe therapy in patients with breast cancer.nnMETHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Fifteen electronic databases and the internet were searched. Qualitative studies were analyzed using qualitative content analysis; quantitative studies were systematically summarized in evidence tables.nnRESULTS: Seventeen studies out of 1203 screened publications with 4765 patients and 869 healthcare professionals were included in the review. The median proportion of patients using mistletoe therapy was 26.7% (range: 7.3-46.3%). Predictors for use were younger age and higher educational level. Main reasons for patients' use of mistletoe therapy were to leave nothing untried and to be actively involved in the treatment process. Reasons against use were related to a lack of knowledge or uncertainty regarding effectiveness and safety. Physicians mainly aimed to support the patient's physical condition as main reason for use and a lack of resources and knowledge as main reason against use.nnCONCLUSION: Mistletoe therapy was commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer despite a lack of scientific knowledge among patients and physicians. Transparent communication on motivation for use and its potential effect enables realistic expectations. Relatively small samples of mistletoe therapy users limit the representativeness and validity of our results.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid37128666,

title = {Umbrella review and meta-analysis of reconstructed individual patient data of mortality following conventional endovascular and open surgical repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm},

author = {Vladica M Veli\v{c}kovi\'{c} and Daniel Carradice and Jonathan R Boyle and Mohamad Hamady and Trevor Cleveland and Simon Neequaye and Aleksandra Ignjatovi\'{c} and Dragana Bogdanovi\'{c} and Jelena Savovic and Uwe Siebert},

doi = {10.1080/14779072.2023.2207009},

issn = {1744-8344},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-01},

urldate = {2023-05-01},

journal = {Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther},

volume = {21},

number = {5},

pages = {347-356},

abstract = {OBJECTIVES: This umbrella review aims to quality assess published meta-analyses, conduct a de-novo meta-analysis of the available randomized control trials (RCTs), and test the hypothesis that there is a long-term difference in mortality between OSR and EVAR.nnMETHODS: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE's bibliographic databases (June 2022). Data were extracted using standardized extraction forms. The methodological quality of publications was assessed using the ROBIS tool. Data were analyzed with 'one-stage' and 'two-stage' approaches.nnRESULTS: According to two-stage analysis, EVAR has significantly favorable mortality for up to four years (increasing evidence). Subsequently, until the longest available time period, there is no difference between EVAR and OSR; all the results are statistically non-significant.In one stage analysis, the Cox model demonstrated a non-significant (weak evidence) hazard ratio of 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-1.12) in favor of OSR. The best-fitting parametric model (generalized gamma), leads to an hazard ratio of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93-1.01) in favor of EVAR, with the results approaching significance (weak evidence).nnCONCLUSION: The results of this umbrella systematic review and meta-analysis failed to demonstrate any difference in long-term mortality following planned EVAR, compared with OSR of infrarenal AAA.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{SchnellInderst2021,

title = {[Testicular Cancer Screening in Men Aged 16 Years and Older: IQWiG ThemenCheck Health Technology Assessment Report on Medical, Economic, Social, Ethical, Legal and Organisational Aspects].},

author = {Petra Schnell-Inderst and Anja Laschkolnig and Georg Marckmann and Daniela Antony and Uwe Siebert and Nikolai M\"{u}hlberger},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34872119/},

doi = {10.1055/a-1658-0057},

issn = {1439-4421},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-04-01},

urldate = {2021-12-01},

journal = {Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))},

volume = {85},

issue = {4},

pages = {234-241},

abstract = {Testicular cancer occurs mainly in young men between 25 and 45 years and is the most common cancer at this age. Possible testicular cancer early detection measures, clinical palpation and scrotal ultrasound (CUS) or testicular self-examination (TSE) in asymptomatic men aged 16 years and older, could perhaps avoid deaths and aggressive late therapies. Therefore, we investigated whether these measures have an additional benefit compared to the current situation. Ethical, legal, social and organisational aspects were considered as well. The methodology of this review follows IQWiG's "Allgemeine[n] Methoden Version 5.0". In addition, to estimate the theoretically possible benefits and potential harms of screening, a supplementary presentation was used for the benefit assessment based on published data from tumour registries and data on predictive values from diagnostic studies. No intervention studies were identified, therefore evidence-based statements on additional benefit or harm of the studied interventions could not be made. The epidemiological data showed that per 100,000 men participating in screening annually, a maximum of 1.2 advanced tumours and 0.4 deaths would have been preventable. Harm calculations suggest that with CUS of 100,000 men, 1 to 22 unnecessary testicular exposures or removals might be expected, with TSE it would be 2 cases. However, these data on the possible harm of screening are subject to great uncertainty. There are no intervention studies demonstrating that the benefit of testicular cancer screening in men aged 16 years and older outweighs the harm. The maximum possible additional benefit is low and chances of detection and cure are good even without screening. At present, testicular cancer screening cannot be recommended.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}