NICE guideline on osteoarthritis: is it fair to acupuncture? Yes.
The NICE Osteoarthritis Guideline Development Group (GDG) has been challenged for not using the available acupuncture evidence in the most appropriate manner in three crucial areas. This response explains the methods used by the GDG with particular reference to the economic analysis, and illustrates that the methods used were those most appropriate for developing a NICE clinical guideline. The cost-effectiveness conclusions made by the GDG are supported by the currently available evidence.
Latimer
Nicholas
N
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. N.Latimer@sheffield.ac.uk
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom