Search

Background: Several studies have estimated the impact of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure on mortality in the population of different countries. This study aimed to identify and describe studies that have estimated the attributable mortality (AM) associated with SHS exposure in the adult population., Methods: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases up to January 2023. Studies that estimated the AM associated with SHS exposure in the adult population and used a prevalence-dependent method were included. The main characteristics of the studies and their results were described., Results: Fifty-three studies were included. Most of them were conducted in North America (n = 13), Europe (n = 14) and China (n = 6) and included lung cancer (n = 46) or ischaemic heart disease (n = 22) as causes of death. There was considerable variety in the population under study regarding the relationship with tobacco: non-smokers (n = 30); never-smokers (n = 9); both non and never-smokers (n = 2); the whole population (n = 1) and not known (n = 11). The age at which AM was estimated also varied between studies, ranging from 15  to 40 years and older., Conclusions: Studies estimating AM associated with SHS exposure are heterogeneous in terms of the causes of death studied, the age at which mortality is attributed, or the population to which mortality referred: consensus should be reached. Despite their importance, studies assessing AM to SHS are infrequent in low- and middle-income countries., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association.)

Internet use has rapidly spread around the world becoming an indispensable part of daily life. Despite its advantages, the dysfunctional use or abuse of the Internet can lead to addiction problems. The main objectives established in this study were to assess the prevalence of Internet use in the general Galician population and the prevalence of problematic internet use (PIU) and at-risk of PIU in 2017. The Surveillance Information System on Risk Behavior is based on annual cross-sectional surveys among the population aged at least 16 years residing in Galicia, Spain. A total of 7,841 participants were recruited in 2017 using a stratified random sampling. Internet users were classified into three categories: normal use, maladaptive/at-risk of PIU and PIU, based on their score in the Internet-related experiences questionnaire. A total of 74.8%, 95% CI [73.8-75.8], of the Galician population aged 16 to 74 used the Internet in the month before the survey was performed, exceeding 95% in the population aged below 45 years. Most users use chat applications and social networks. The prevalence of PIU or at-risk of PIU in the population aged 16 to 74 was 1.0% [0.8-1.3], reaching 5.2% [4.2-6.2] in the population aged between 16 and 24. The prevalence of Internet use in Galicia is slightly lower than those obtained in Spain and Europe. Moreover, PIU is an emerging problem in the population with the youngest population being the most affected.

Objectives: Health technology assessment (HTA) bodies are increasingly making use of real-world evidence and data. High-quality registries could be an asset for this; nevertheless, there is a lack of specified standards to assess the quality of data in the registry, or the registry itself. The European Network for Health Technology Assessment Joint Action 3 led the work to develop a tool for the evaluation of clinical registries: the "Registry Evaluation and Quality Standards Tool" (REQueST)., Methods: REQueST was developed in 4 steps: (1) A partnership between HTA bodies across Europe drafted the assessment criteria. (2) Multiple rounds of consultation across HTA bodies and the public domain developed an Excel version of REQueST. (3) This version was transformed into a web-based application. (4) An external pilot tested this REQueST tool with SMArtCARE and NeuroTransData registries., Results: Haute Autorité de Santé, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the Croatian Institute of Public Health led the development of REQueST. Another 4 HTA bodies contributed regularly to development meetings, and all European Network for Health Technology Assessment partners were invited to contribute. Eight methodological, 12 essential, and 3 supplementary criteria were identified. Both pilot registries scored well, fulfilling the requirements for >70% of criteria, with none failed. Feedback by registry holders led to streamlining of the process and clarification of the criteria., Conclusions: The REQueST tool uses an iterative and collaborative methodology with registry holders. It has the potential to maximize the utility of registry data for decision making by regulatory and HTA bodies and provides a foundation for future research., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: The term Postlaunch Evidence Generation (PLEG) refers to evidence generated after the launch or licensing of a health technology. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the implementation of these practices in the European Union in order to explore cross-border cooperation opportunities., Methods: In December 2019, a survey composed of nine closed-ended questions with multiple choice answers about the PLEG practices in each country was sent to all twenty-five dedicated work package (WP5B) partners of the European Network of Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) Joint Action 3. In addition to the survey, the national practices were discussed during a face-to-face meeting with WP5B partners., Results: Twelve Health TechnologyAssessment (HTA) bodies completed the survey. Of these, eleven reported procedures in place for official requests for PLEGs in their remit. In the large majority of cases, the requests are made at the time of the assessment/appraisal. Several agencies participate in the definition of the scope of the PLEG or review of its protocol. Data collection and analysis mainly lie with companies for pharmaceuticals, whereas it is more the responsibility of the HTA bodies for medical devices. Only one agency owns the data and is able to exchange them without asking permission., Conclusions: Most agencies recommend European collaboration on PLEG commence once the evidence gaps have been defined or during the production of the HTA report in the case of European joint assessment.