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Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type:  Clinical innovations

In a nutshell: Identifies brain amyloid imaging as likely to be more widely adopted in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Describes the pathology of Alzheimer’s, explains the use of the technique, emphasising the need for users to be trained to the highest standards to give the consistency and accuracy necessary for the full acceptance of this approach.

Length of publication: 8 page pdf

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens.  For more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: Medline

Follow this link for explanatory page offering links to the full report, a summary version and a press release.

Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Faster, cheaper whole genome sequencing offers the NHS great opportunities for personalisation in the diagnosis, management and treatment of inherited diseases and cancer. To realise those opportunities the NHS needs to develop a new biomedical informatics expertise;  build databases that will drive better understanding of which genomic variants affect health; use targeted forms of genome analysis that minimise unexpected (incidental) findings;  and promote better understanding and application of genomic data interpretation among health professionals.

Length of publication: 192 pages

Acknowledgement: HMIC

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Examines whether a service using rCBG tests with the “at risk” population attending high street optometry practices can increase participation and be cost-effective. The cost of a screening test was £5.53–£11.20, depending oncircumstances. Targeting those ≥40 years with BMI of ≥25 kg/m² and/or family history of diabetes gave a cost per case referred to the GP of £14.38–£26.36. Implementing this strategy in half of optometric practices in England would have the potential to identify up to 150,000 new cases of diabetes and prediabetes a year.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: HMIC

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Date of publication: Spetember 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Observational study offering an economic evaluation of a Find and Treat service that both screens and manages tuberculosis cases. The service costs £1.4million per year and gains 220 QALYs. This gives an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of £6400-£10000/QALY gained.  Concludes that the two elements of the service are each cost-effective in their own right, as well as in combination.

Length of publication: 11 page pdf

Some important notes: This is an open access article, no Athens password is required.

Acknowledgement: HMIC

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Date of publication: December 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: A 2009 Cochrane Review suggested that breast cancer screening may do more harm than good, due to false positives and over diagnosis. This article develops the original research from the Forrest Report (1986) on which breast screening recommendations were based. Like Forrest it uses quality adjusted life years (QALYs) to measure benefits. This new analysis supports the findings of the Cochrane Review that breast cancer screening might have caused net harm for up to 10 years after the start of screening.

Length of publication: 8 page pdf

Some important notes: This is an online, open access article – no password required.

Source: Journal of Medical Screening, 2011, 18(3), p 128-34

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Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Less sensitive but more acceptable screening tests may produce better results as people are more prepared to undergo them.  Compared adverse effects produced by flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS), total colonoscopy (TC) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT).  Participants reported that TC was was more painful and required greater time commitment than FS.  Authors recommed CO2 insufflation as air insufflation is associated with post test distress.

Length of publication: Web page (with link to 7 page pdf)

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens.  For more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Source: Journal of Medical Screening , 2011, 18(3), p 121-7

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Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Examines whether sending faecal occult blood tests by post can increase participation and reduce costs. Found that with previous responders it did reduce costs. However, it was a more expensive method when used as a reminder to non-participants.

Length of publication: 7 page pdf

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens. For more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: British Medical Journal 2011;343:d6479

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Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The US Preventive Services Task Force believes that the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test should not be used to screen men for prostate cancer. Following reviews conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality the Task Force concludes that screening men aged 50 and over produces relatively small benefits and is associated with some harmful effects. The recommendation has caused some controversy. It was originally made in 2009 and again in 2010, but these reports were unpublished.

Length of publication: 2 page pdf

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS staff using Athens. For more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

The link at the end of the BMJ’s article is not currently working. The Task Force website includes an evidence review here originally published in Annals of Internal Medicine on 7 October 2011

Source: British Journal of Cancer, 2011, 105.(4), p.475-480.

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Date of publication: August, 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A randomised controlled 2 × 2 factorial trial to determine whether a GP endorsed letter accompanied with a more explicit leaflet explaining how to complete faecal occult blood test (FOBT) included with the England Bowel Cancer Screening Programme invitation materials would improve uptake in Bowel Cancer Screening. The GP’s letter increased uptake of screening by 5.8% (95% CI: 4.1–7.8%) and the leaflet by 6.0% (95% CI: 4.3–8.1%).  The author’s conclude that including both a GP letter of endorsement and a more explicit leaflet could increase participation in the English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme by  around 10%.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: Health Policy, 2011, Aug 9; [E-pub ahead of print]

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Date of publication: August, 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  The resource implications and cost of a screening service using random capillary blood glucose (rCBG) tests to detect raised blood glucose levels was examined in the “at risk” population  attending high street optometry practices. The cost of the screening test was between £5.53-£11.20. targeting those over 40years with a BMI ≥25kg/m(2) and/or family history of diabetes increased the cost per case referred to the GP of between £14.38-£26.36. Authors conclude that optometry practices offer an effective way of identifying people at risk of developing diabetes.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: British Journal of Cancer, 2011, 105 (4), p475–480

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Date of publication: August 2011

Publication type: Clinical trial

In a nutshell: An RCT investigating whether a GP’s letter and a more explicit leaflet would increase participation in the bowel cancer screening programme. Concludes that this would be a cost-effective means of improving uptake. However, there was a lack of GP engagement with the programme and the study suggests including increasing bowel cancer screening uptake as a QOF indicator.

Length of publication: 6 page pdf

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Acknowledgement: Nursing Times

Source: British Medical Journal 2011;343:d441

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Date of publication: 28 July 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Compares breast cancer mortality rates amongst three paired sets of countries from 1989 to 2006. All of the countries have screening programmes and all have seen reductions in breast cancer mortality. However, the different dates at which the screening programmes were introduced and the the similar reductions in mortality rates lead the authors to conclude that screening is not a factor in the reduction.

Length of publication: 10 page pdf

Some important notes: This is an open access article. A summary version appeared in BMJ 2011, 343(7818), p300 available here. The summary is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: Br J Gen Pract 2011 Jul;61(588) p. 436-42

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Date of publication: July, 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study investigates the use of Opticians in the screening of diabetes for at-risk individuals who do not present to conventional medical services. 1303/1909 adults attending sight tests reported risk factors for diabetes. 318/1002 had rCBG level ≥6.1 mmol/l indicating further investigation. The study found that 1.6% of previously undiagnosed individuals were diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes as a result of the service. The authors conclude that screening for diabetes in Opticians provides an efficient opportunity to screen at-risk individuals who do not attend at conventional medical services.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: Ann Clin Biochem 2011 Jul;48(Pt 4)p. 295-9

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Date of publication: July, 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: NICE guidelines state that GPs measure serum CA125 in women presenting with persistent and continuous symptoms that suggest ovarian cancer. Close liaison between GPs and clinical laboratories is required to ensure that CA125 is requested only for those women who meet guideline criteria. Other diagnostic criteria must also be met and practitioners need to be aware of other possible causes of increased CA125  and that not all women who have ovarian cancer will have raised CA125.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

The original NICE guideline can be accessed here

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: Health Service Journal, 2011, 121(6254), p22-4

Date of publication: 28 April

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Reports on a pilot project in Hastings & Rother – an area of high social deprivation and health inequalities – to develop an NHS Health Check outreach programme screening adults aged 40-74 to assess their risk of vascular disease. The health development team worked with Pfizer to set up a mobile screening unit which attracted 3,011 visitors, 311 of whom received a health check. The article details the advice offered, reports on results from a four-month follow-up and also includes tips for working with industry and figures on the economics of NHS health checks.

Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Acknowledgement: HMIC

Source: BMC Health Services Research

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Date of publication: Published online January 17 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Compares the cost-effectiveness of a single reading with CAD against a double reading for mammography screening. Finds that the introduction of CAD leads to higher costs that exceed the savings in reading costs. Concludes that there needs to be an improvement in effectiveness, such as a decrease in the recall rate to make CAD a cost effective alternative.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: This is an open access article available without a password but if you have any problems accessing the full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Acknowledgement: HMIC

Source: Journal of Medical Screening, 2011, vol./is. 18/1, pages 24-9

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Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The Scottish national colorectal cancer screening programme sent out pre-notification letters two weeks ahead of the screening test kit. They found this to be an effective method of increasing uptake in colorectal cancer screening for both genders and all age and deprivation groups.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Source: Journal of Medical Screening, 2011, vol./is. 18/1, pages 12-17

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Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Examines current procedures for cancer screening invitation list (SIL) checking in primary care. Concludes SIL checking in primary care for cervical cancer should continue, but its use in breast and bowel cancer screening is not supported by results. Recommends examining new ways of undertaking the SIL checking process to make it more accurate and less burdensome.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details Follow this link to find your local NHS Library http://www.hlisd.org

Source: Journal of Medical Screening, 2011, vol./is. 18/1, pages 8-11

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Date of publication: March 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Examines the possibility of developing a cost-effective, easy to use audiometer for schoolchildren. In testing the device measured threshold dB values comparable to those registered by a clinical audiometer in a soundproof room and could be used effectively by operators who weren’t familiar with the device.

Length of publication:  4 pages

Some important notes: Original article may be available with an NHS Athens username; contact your local NHS library service for details.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Source: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2011, 38 (2), p74-8

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Researchers in Baltimore found that offering  home testing kits for chlamydia through a website produced a higher number of positive tests and attracted requests from younger age groups.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: Original news item in the British Medical Journal (BMJ 2011; 342:d1177) here.

Source:  British Journal of Cancer 

British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, 2011, 22 February; doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.48 . 

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Date of publication: February, 2011. 

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell:  A randomised trial to determine whether women who fail to attend cervical screening are more likely to return a self-sample for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, or to respond to additional invites for cervical screening. Response rate in the self-sample group (1500 women) was 10.2%. vs response rate in the control group (1500 women) sent a further invitation to attend cervical screening was 4.5% ; (P<0.0001). Authors conclude that self-sampling could increase participation among non-responders for cervical screening in England.

 Length of publication:  webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.   

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care. 2011,37(1) p. 17-21. 

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Date of publication: January, 2011 

Publication type: Journal article 

In a nutshell:  Qualitative research article highlighting the challenges facing facing pharmacists in opportunistically offering chlamydia screening to young people. Ten semistructured interviews were undertaken with a sample of pharmacists offering chlamydia screening in Greenwich, London, UK . Issues raised included approaching younger individuals, raising the issue of screening with those attending  for non-sexual related services. Authors highlight the potential of community pharmacies to contribute to this important sexual health service and indicate the need for training and service innovation.

Length of publication: 5 pages 

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy 2011, 33(1), 88-91. 

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Date of publication: 2011, January 

Publication type: Journal article 

In a nutshell: A cross-sectional study analysing data from a 2 year period of a new private initiative offering chlamydia screening and treatment across 338 community pharmacies in England and Wales. People pay for a screening kit, send off urine sample and are informed of their results directly. 14,378 private chlamydia screening tests were performed. Positivity rates was 9.8% in males vs 6.8% in females and was significantly higher in the 16-24 age group than in the >25  age group. Authors conclude the feasibility and acceptability of pharmacies in screening and treating for chlamydia.

Length of publication: 4 pages 

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.  

Acknowledgement: PubMed 

Source: British Medical Journal, 2011;342:c7401

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Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Examines the possibility of a maternal DNA blood test for Downs Syndrome as an alternative to invasive tests. Concludes that a blood test could be used to rule out the possibility in high risk pregnancies and that if referrals for amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling were based on the sequencing test results, about 98% of the invasive diagnostic procedures could be avoided.

Length of publication: 9 page pdf

Source: BMJ 

British Medical Journal, 2011; 342:c7250. 

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Date of publication: January, 2011 

Publication type: Journal article 

In a nutshell:  An economic and mathematical modelling study incorporating a cost-effectiveness analysis of different intervention strategies within the English National Chlamydia Screening Programme. Results show that  increasing male screening coverage to match female screening coverage would cost an extra £22.9m and increase the cost per infection treated to £528. In contrast, increasing partner notification efficacy from 0.4 to 0.8 partners per index case would cost an extra £3.3m and reduce cost per infection diagnosed to £449. The spreadsheet tool developed in this study can be modified for use in other settings to evaluate chlamydia control programmes.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Source: Genetics in Medicine, 2010, 12(12), p839-43

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Date of publication: December 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Examines the use of genomic testing for risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population. Finds insufficient evidence to recommend this approach

Length of publication: 5 page pdf

Acknowledgement: Medline

Source: Journal of Intellectual Disability Research

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 Date of publication: 2010 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print] 

 Publication type: Journal article 

 In a nutshell: Examines how community nurses and residential staff support women with intellectual disabilities (ID) to access breast screening services. Reports on positive and negative experiences of women with ID accessing such services. Highlights need to develop a health promotion programme for women with ID focusing on breast awareness and screening. Outlines resources for implementing such a programme. 

 Length of publication:  12 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library  

Acknowledgement: PubMed

Source: British Medical Journal

BMJ 2010; 341:c5869

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Date of publication: November, 2010

Publication type: Research article

In a nutshell: Canadian study that considers the cost-effectiveness of screening for chronic kidney disease based on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Concludes it is not cost-effective in the general population, or in people with hypertension or older people. For people with diabetes there is a cost per QALY that is similar to other publicly funded interventions.

Length of publication: webpage

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library