Clinical studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) provide valuable information on the course and outcome of the disease whereas clinical trials provide information on optimal treatment for patients. This paper discusses measurement concepts and most frequently used measures in RA. To...

Objective: To estimate the economic value of pharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in overweight and obese patients using orlistat in addition to standard diabetes therapy (i.e., a sulphonlyurea, metformin or insulin) and weight management strategies as compared with standard...

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of a continuous combined oral preparation of norethisterone (norethindrone) acetate and ethinylestradiol (NA/EE) [FemHRT(R)] as both a first-line and second-line therapy for menopausal women. Perspective: Third-party...

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of nasal calcitonin (Miacalcin(R)) compared with no therapy, alendronate or etidronate in the treatment of postmenopausal women with previous osteoporotic fracture. Design and setting: Meta-analysis followed by economic analysis. Perspective: A...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, disabling, inflammatory polyarthritis that affects patient well-being and QOL. Many disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are available for treating RA but patients are often refractory to treatment. The goal of treatment is to improve both...

Knowledge translation represents an opportunity to redress global health inequalities. This paper first assesses models for how health inequalities are produced and sustained, including effects of catastrophic illness and globalisation. Secondly, this paper illustrates how methods for knowledge...

The health care system is routinely confronted with promising new technologies. In the past, most new technologies have been integrated into clinical practice without a rigorous demonstration of their effectiveness or efficiency. In order to provide a more rational approach to the adoption and...

We provide a ‘how to’ guide to undertake systematic reviews of effects in international development, by which we mean, synthesis of literature relating to the effectiveness of particular development interventions. Our remit includes determining the review's questions and scope, literature...

Systematic reviews of health systems research commonly limit studies for evidence synthesis to randomized controlled trials. However, well-conducted quasi-experimental studies can provide strong evidence for causal inference. With this article, we aim to stimulate and inform discussions on...