Enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type IV (Morquio syndrome)

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effectiveness, safety and appropriate dose regimen of ERT in people with MPS IV A. To determine whether evidence from NRSIs (which potentially offers longer follow-ups) can contribute to the ERT efficacy evidence-base, and to determine the potential need for additional RCT evidence. To consolidate recommendations for the design of future clinical trials

A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of automated tests for cognitive impairment

Objective The aim of this review is to determine whether automated computerised tests accurately identify patients with progressive cognitive impairment and, if so, to investigate their role in monitoring disease progression and/or response to treatment. Methods Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Institute for Scientific Information, PsycINFO, and ProQuest) were searched from January 2005 to August 2015 to identify papers for inclusion. Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of automated computerised tests for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia against a reference standard were included. Where possible, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios were calculated. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to assess risk of bias. Results Sixteen studies assessing 11 diagnostic tools for MCI and early dementia were included. No studies were eligible for inclusion in the review of tools for monitoring progressive disease and response to treatment. The overall quality of the studies was good. However, the wide range of tests assessed and the non-standardised reporting of diagnostic accuracy outcomes meant that statistical analysis was not possible. Conclusion Some tests have shown promising results for identifying MCI and early dementia. However, concerns over small sample sizes, lack of replicability of studies, and lack of evidence available make it difficult to make recommendations on the clinical use of the computerised tests for diagnosing, monitoring progression, and treatment response for MCI and early dementia. Research is required to establish stable cut-off points for automated computerised tests used to diagnose patients with MCI or early dementia

Telemonitoring-based service redesign for the management of uncontrolled hypertension (HITS): cost and cost-effectiveness analysis of a randomised controlled trial

Objectives To compare the costs and cost-effectiveness of managing patients with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) using telemonitoring versus usual care from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS). Design Within trial post hoc economic evaluation of data from a pragmatic randomised controlled trial using an intention-to-treat approach. Setting 20 socioeconomically diverse general practices in Lothian, Scotland. Participants 401 primary care patients aged 29–95 with uncontrolled daytime ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) (≥135/85, bu

Enzyme replacement therapy for late-onset Pompe disease

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of ERT in people with LOPD