Evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of vertebroplasty: A review of policy makers' responses.
This review paper tracks the growth in the evidence supporting the use of percutaneous vertebroplasty for painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The rapidly increasing numbers of publications in the literature between 1994 and 2004 are documented. Despite the relatively large volume of research on this topic, several technology appraisals undertaken by international health policy makers reported inadequate high-quality evidence. Policy makers' reimbursement decisions for vertebroplasty and their options when faced with imperfect evidence are discussed.
Hollingworth
William
W
Department of Radiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Box 359960, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA. willh@u.washington.edu
Jarvik
Jeffrey G
JG
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001416:Back Pain / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D001843:Bone Cements