As one of the most sophisticated research methods of evidence-based medicine, systematic review is an activity of collecting, arranging and analyzing medical information. The methodological characteristics of systematic review reflect the value orientation of this activity. By analyzing and summarizing these characteristics, this paper points that the process of systematic review reflects the value orientation of attaching importance to obtaining universal information sources, treating individual information in an add-weight way, discretion in interpreting results and updating of time-limited information in medical information activities.
ObjectiveTo analyze the application status and existing problems of value stream mapping (VSM) in improving medical services at home and abroad, so as to provide decision evidence for hospitals to apply VSM to improve medical services.MethodsUsing “value stream mapping” and “value stream” as search terms, we searched PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CQVIP Journal Database and Wanfang Database (2009-2019), and collected relevant literature on the application of VSM to improve medical services at home and abroad. We conducted bibliometric analysis after confirming the literature according to the inclusion criteria. The standardization of application of VSM was also evaluated.ResultsOf the 299 articles retrieved, 13 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The publication time of the literature was distributed between 2013 and 2019. Of the 8 foreign articles included, the regions to which the first author belonged were 4 in the United States, 1 in Ireland, Norway, Lebanon and Indonesia respectively. Of the 5 included domestic articles, the regions to which the first author belonged were 2 in Zhejiang and Shanghai respectively, and 1 in Guangdong. Of the foreign literature, 5 articles did not clearly state the sample size observed when drawing VSM, 5 articles incomplete drawing elements of VSM, and 3 articles did not show VSM. Of the domestic literature, 2 articles did not clearly state the sample size observed when drawing VSM, 3 articles had incomplete drawing elements of VSM, and 1 article did not show VSM.ConclusionsVSM is relatively more used in high-income and upper-middle income countries. The medical service improvement issues for which VSM is applied are relatively single. The standardization of the application of VSM in domestic and foreign literature needs to be improved overall.
The comprehensive clinical evaluation of drugs is fundamental work that promotes drugs return to clinical value and it has become one of the most important areas of clinical pharmacy in recent years. The existing literature focuses on the construction of comprehensive clinical evaluation index system or the quantification of index values. However, relatively few studies concerning the value integration method, which may lead to the suboptimal scheme being selected as the optimal scheme. Therefore, this study summarizes various comprehensive value integration methods from the aspects of background, principles and applicable situations, to provide methodological references for comprehensive clinical evaluation in China.
Objective To evaluate the value of magnetic resonanace imaging (MRI) on the diagnosis of complex anal fistula. Methods The preoperative digital examination and MRI with the phased-array coil were implemented for 22 patients who were clinically suspected with complex anal fistula. The final diagnosis were based on surgical findings. Outcomes of MRI and digital examination were compared with surgical results. Results Eighteen patients were diagnosed as complex anal fistula, 1 case of presacral cyst and 3 cases of chronic anorectal fistula combined with perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma. All the patients were correctly diagnosed by MRI, while the patients with presacral cyst and perinaal mucinous adenocarcinoma could not be diagnosed correctly by digital examination. According to the Parks classification, 3 patients suffered from transsphincteric fistula, 11 cases of supra-sphincteric and 5 cases of extra-sphincteric fistula. The diagnosis rates of the internal opening with digital examination and MRI were 33.3% and 72.2%, the rates of the primary tract were 83.3% and 100%, and the rates of the secondary extensions were 16.7% and 88.9%, respectively. The differences in detection of internal opening and secondary extensions between MRI and digital examination were significant (P=0.019, P=0.000), the difference in detection of primary tract was no significant (P=0.072). Conclusion MRI with the phased-array coil can develope the high accuracy in the diagnosis of complex anal fistulas, and reveal the relationship between anorectal sphincters and the complex fistula.
Value-based healthcare (VBHC) is an important guideline for current and future healthcare services. In practice, VBHC should be the best goal of public welfare of healthcare service. Meanwhile, VBHC and cost-effectiveness analysis together provide scientific evidence for healthcare decision-making. Pay by value is inevitable in the next stage of the reform of the payment system of medical insurance, and the health service system should be reconstructed based on VBHC. Finally, the challenges of VBHC implementation are discussed.
ObjectiveTo investigate clinical value of MRI examination in diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC), and to analyze pathologic correlation of various imaging findings. MethodsMRI imaging data of 7 patients with XGC proved by surgery and pathology who underwent entire MRI sequences examination in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2015, were analyzed retrospectively. The thickness and contrast enhancement of gallbladder wall, gallbladder wall nodules, completeness of gallbladder mucosa lines, gallbladder stones, and the changes around the gallbladder were focused in every patient. ResultsIn 7 patients with XGC: gallbladder wall thickening occurred in all patients, in which 2 patients were local thickening, 5 patients were diffuse thickening; ‘hypodense band sign' was found by enhance scan in 4 patients; the multiple intramural nodules were presented in 5 patients, which were low signal intensity on T1WI image and high signal intensity on T2WI image; the mucosal lines were continuous in 6 patients and discontinuous in 1 patient; 6 patients combined with cholecystolithiasis. The fat layer around the gallbladder was found fuzz in 7 patients, liver and gallbladder boundaries were not clear in 7 patients; temporal enhancement of arterial phase in liver parenchyma was observed in all patients, and 1 patient combined with liver abscess. Hilar bile duct narrowed and intra-hepatic bile duct dilated in 2 patients, intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic bile duct slightly dilated in 2 patients (lower part of the choledochus stone was found in 1 patient), liver cyst was observed in 3 patients, single or double kidney cyst was observed in 4 patients; all patients were not found intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal swelling lymph nodes. ConclusionMRI examination can accurately describe various imaging features of XGC, so MRI has important value in diagnosis of XGC.
ObjectiveTo systematically map the research landscape, hotspots, and evolutionary trends of Chinese-language literature on value-based healthcare (VBHC) in China, and to provide evidence for advancing localized VBHC research and practice. Methods VBHC-related publications published between January 1, 2006 and August 30, 2024 were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP database. CiteSpace was used for visualized bibliometric analyses, including co-authorship, institutional collaboration, keyword co-occurrence, clustering, burst detection, and timeline mapping. Results A total of 237 articles were included. Since 2017, VBHC-related publications in China have increased markedly. Collaboration networks among institutions and authors showed low density, indicating relatively weak and fragmented cooperation. High-frequency keywords included “value co-creation” “public hospitals” and “value orientation”. Burst analysis identified “healthcare costs” “value co-creation” and “medical insurance payment” as major recent research focuses. The timeline map suggested three stages in the evolution of VBHC research: initial exploration, emerging development, and rapid growth of research hotspots. ConclusionsInterest in VBHC research in China continues to grow, yet collaborative research and interdisciplinary integration remain limited. Future efforts should strengthen cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary collaboration, promote the development of shared data platforms, and build VBHC evaluation frameworks tailored to China’s institutional context.
ObjectiveTo analyze the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of normal appendices and appendices of acute appendicitis in old patients, and to explore the clinical value of MDCT in assessing acute appendicitis in old patients. MethodsSixty-six cases of acute appendicitis confirmed by surgery in 24 hours after MDCT scan from Jun. to Oct. 2016 (acute appendicitis group), and 40 cases underwent MDCT scan for non-abdominal pain causes without appendiceal lesions from Sep. to Oct. 2016 (normal appendices group), were included, and the MDCT images of both 2 groups were retrospectively analyzed. Observation items included:location, diameter, mural thickness, intra-luminal contents, and changes of surrounding structures. Results① Rate of appendices visualization. In total of 95.5% (63/66) appendices were visualized on MDCT in acute appendicitis group, while 95.0% (38/40) appendices were visualized on MDCT in normal appendices group (P > 0.05). ② Locations of appendices. Acute appendicitis group:appendices were found to be located at pelvic cavity in 22 cases, in front of ileum in 2 cases, behind ileum in 10 cases, below cecum in 25 cases, and behind cecum in 4 cases. Normal appendices group:appendices were found to be located at pelvic cavity in 15 cases, in front of ileum in 3 cases, behind ileum in 7 cases, below cecum in 5 cases, and behind cecum in 8 cases. There was significant difference between 2 groups in terms of location of appendices (P < 0.05). The appendices in acute appendicitis group located mainly at pelvic cavity and below cecum, while the appendices in normal appendices group located mainly at pelvic cavity. ③ The diameter and thickness of appendices. The appendiceal diameter and thickness in acute appendicitis group were (11.4±4.2) mm (6.2-21.9) mm and (4.3±2.2) mm (1.1-8.6) mm, respectively, while those in normal appendices group were (6.1±1.4) mm (3.7-8.6) mm and (1.7±0.8) mm (0.5-3.2) mm, respectively. The diameter and thickness of appendices in acute appendicitis group were significantly greater than those in normal appendices group, respectively (P < 0.05). ④ Contents of appendices. Acute appendices group:there was effusion with air in 14 cases in appendiceal cavity, full of effusion in 36 cases, and appendicolith combined with effusion in 13 cases. Normal appendices group:there was full of air in 15 cases in appendiceal cavity, air with a little faeces of higher density in 13 cases, and nothing in 10 cases. Effusion was more common in appendiceal cavity in acute appendicitis group, while air was more common in normal appendices group. ⑤ Around appendices. Fat stranding was seen in 57 cases, adjacent parietal peritoneum thickening was seen in 56 cases, focal effusion was seen in 18 cases, abscess was seen in 2 cases, free air in peritoneal cavity was seen in 8 cases, and lymphadenopathy was seen in 35 cases. None of these imaging features were seen in normal appendices group. ConclusionsMDCT can demonstrate features of normal appendices and acute appendicitis in old patients. MDCT yield high diagnostic accuracy in acute appendicitis in old patients, and can provide useful information before surgery.
Objective To systematically review the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on postoperative clinical outcomes among esophageal cancer patients. Methods The PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched from inception to January 16th, 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies on the clinical application of IMT among postoperative esophageal cancer patients. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results Eight studies were included, including 7 RCTs and 1 cohort study, involving 728 participants. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that IMT significantly enhanced postoperative respiratory muscle function [maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP): MD=5.75, 95%CI 0.81 to 10.70, P=0.02; maximum expiratory pressure (MEP): MD=8.19, 95%CI 4.14 to 12.24, P<0.001] and pulmonary function (FEV1%: MD=6.94, 95%CI 5.43 to 8.45, P<0.001; FVC%: MD=4.65, 95%CI 2.70 to 6.60, P<0.001; MVV: MD=8.66, 95%CI 7.17 50 10.14, P<0.001; FEV1/FVC%: MD=8.04, 95%CI 4.68 to 11.40, P<0.001). Additionally, the results indicated that IMT could substantially improve postoperative functional performance [six-minute walk test (6MWT): MD=66.99, 95%CI 10.13 to 123.85, P=0.02; Borg index: MD=?1.03, 95%CI ?1.26 to ?0.81, P<0.001]. However, no significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative complications was observed. Conclusion IMT can improve the postoperative clinical outcomes of esophageal cancer patients and facilitate patient recovery after surgery, which has high clinical value. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the characteristics, main contents, key elements and techniques of global drug value assessment tools, especially for those developed for antineoplastic agents, and to provide reference for the establishment of the first value assessment tool for antineoplastic agents in China.MethodsDatabases including MEDLINE, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data and 19 relevant websites of institutions and societies were searched from inception to October 31st, 2018 to identify all the drug value assessment tools worldwide. Two independent reviewers screened the literatures, extracted the data and cross-checked them according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A qualitative analysis was conducted to describe the characteristics of these drug value assessment tools, including the publishing organization, year of publication, country, applicable type of disease and drug category, result display, and etc. Key elements and techniques in terms of evaluation dimensions, sources and levels of evidence, methods and procedures to form the tool were compared.ResultsA total of 12 English drug value assessment tools were included, which were published in 2010 to 2018 exclusively from Europe and North America. The applicable types of diseases and drug categories are not identical. The target users and stakeholders of each tool were slightly different. Evaluation dimensions, sources and levels of evidence, methods and procedures to form the tool were vital issues in value evaluation for drugs.ConclusionsThe structures of existing drug value assessment tools were almost the identical. However, there is no consensus on value definitions, evaluation dimensions, sources of evidence and result display. Methods and procedures to form the tool are not well described. It is urgent to explore and develop a value-oriented, focused and feasible drug assessment tool for antineoplastic agents in order to satisfy the strategic requirements of value-based post-marketing drug reevaluation.