BISTRO, an NIHR funded randomised controlled trial, is in its analysis stage. This novel project is assessing whether using Bioimpedance (BI) devices is effective (particularly in preserving the residual kidney function) and cost-effective. As part of this, Dr Lazaros Andronis and Dr Mandana Zanganeh are conducting an economic evaluation to determine the costs, benefits and overall cost-effectiveness of BI-led haemodialysis compared to standard practice. We have received Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are working on them. You can find out more here: BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output: The BISTRO Trial - NIHR Funding and Awards
A research abstract with the title “The BioImpedance Spectroscopy To preserve Renal Output (BISTRO) multicentre RCT: quality of life and blood pressure outcomes” has been accepted to be presented as a poster in American Society of Nephrology (ASN).
PAD optimization
PAD Optimisation, an NIHR HS&DR funded programme of work, is approaching completion. This novel project is working out the best places to install public access defibrillators (PADs) to ensure good coverage of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. As part of this, Dr Lazaros Andronis and Dr Asmaa El-Banna have been an economic model to assessing which of various ‘optimised’ placement of PADs represents ‘value for money’. Find out more about PAD Optimisation here.
Development of a UK evidence based pathway for the management of chronic constipation in adults. CapaCiTY includes a programme of multicentre randomised controlled trials trial evaluating types of investigation, specialist nurse-led bowel retraining, anal irrigation and surgery, in patients with chronic constipation. Findings will help to develop national guidance for appropriate care.
This study describes a new methodological framework for assessing agreement between cost-effectiveness endpoints generated using alternative sources of data on treatment costs and effects for trial-based economic evaluations. Please find the package that is described in the paper hereLink opens in a new window.
Jason Madan, and a team of researchers from the Universities of Ibadan (Nigeria) and Birmingham, have published their findings from a Discrete Choice Experiment on what influences of slum residents’ choices of healthcare providers for common illnesses.
Rebecca Kandiyali (as Chief investigator) has recently completed FLASH, a multi-method study evaluating the implementation of flash glucose monitoring sensors within the NHS for children and adolescents with paediatric type 1 diabetes. This study provides evidence to support the continued reimbursement of flash monitors on the NHS for children and young people.
Working with colleagues at the MRI (Manchester), James Mason recently completed the PROCAP trial which evaluated: a procalcitonin-based algorithm to guide antibiotic use in patients with acute pancreatitis. Motivated by the need to reduce increased antibiotic resistance, the trial found that procalcitonin-guided care can reduce antibiotic use without increasing infection or harm in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Peter Auguste and Jason Madan, together with colleagues from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and LVCT Health (Nairobi), developed a decision model to show that investing in community quality improvement was a cost-effective way to improve maternal and child health in Kenya.