title: Cost-effectiveness of interventions to control cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Asia: protocol for a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While a number of strategies are being implemented to control cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the cost-effectiveness of these in the South Asian context has not been systematically evaluated. We aim to systematically review the economic (cost-effectiveness) evidence available on the individual-, group- and population-level interventions for control of CVD and T2DM in South Asia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review will consider all relevant economic evaluations, either conducted alongside randomised controlled trials or based on decision modelling estimates. These studies must include participants at risk of developing CVD/T2DM or with established disease in one or more of the South Asian countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan). We will identify relevant papers by systematically searching all major databases and registries. Selected articles will be screened by two independent researchers. Methodological quality of the studies will be assessed using a modified Drummond and a Phillips checklist. Cochrane guidelines will be followed for bias assessment in the effectiveness studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results will be presented in line with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-analysis) checklist, and overall quality of evidence will be presented as per the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The study has received ethics approval from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. The results of this review will provide policy-relevant recommendations for the uptake of cost-effectiveness evidence in prioritising decisions on essential chronic disease care packages for South Asia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  PROSPERO CRD42013006479.
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Centre for Chronic Disease Control, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Ambalam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chandra Sekaran
authors.affiliation: BioMedical Genomics Centre, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: Soumyadeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhaumik
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development Campus, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Malini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aisola
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chattopadhyay
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Division, Ministry of Health, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Anuji U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Gamage
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, WHO Collaborating Centre on Public Health Workforce Development, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Padmal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Silva
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development Campus, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sakthivel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Selvaraj
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ambuj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Chronic Disease Control, Gurgaon, Haryana, India Public Health Foundation of India, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development Campus, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Dorairaj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prabhakaran
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tandon
mesh_terms: D001211:Asia, Western; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D012042:Registries; D012107:Research Design; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
keywords: Economic evaluations; cardiovascular diseases; south asia; type 2 diabetes mellitus