Sweden

MTRC has summarized the most important DRG changes in Sweden, which came in force in 2020. This includes five new DRGs and other changes in a grouping logic.

In March 2020, Swedish Skåne Region has released a report for the use of hydrogel spacer in radiotherapy of prostate cancer. Treatment with hydrogel spacer provides long-term improved quality of life, but the scientific base is limited. The scientific evidence base on the positive effect of the spacer in erectile function is insufficient.

In Sweden, the Centre for Assessment of Medical Technology (CAMTÖ) leads the development of HTA cooperation in the healthcare region Uppsala-Örebro. In February 2020, CAMTÖ started its work on the assessment of peripherally inserted central venous catheter. After the completion of the evaluation process, the report would be published at the web-site of Örebro County Council.

In November 2019, the Skåne Region released an HTA report for arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) in subacromial pain syndrome that aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence for the procedure. It was concluded that the degree of clinical evidence is limited due to lack of study quality; the certain safety conclusions cannot be drawn due to the data diversity.

In Sweden, the Centre for Assessment of Medical Technology (CAMTÖ) leads the development of HTA cooperation in the healthcare region Uppsala-Örebro. In September 2019, CAMTÖ released an HTA report on PD-L1 positivity tested by McAb SP263 to guide immune checkpoint therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer. No safe conclusions could be drawn, but the wide range of positivity rates implies the difficulties in the standardization of PD-L1 expression and the need for better predictive biomarkers.

The New Therapies (NT) Council provides comments on medical technology products and methods that are evaluated within the framework of the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) medical technology assignment. In October 2019, the NT Council recommended the use of FoundationOne CDx comprehensive genomic profiling test as support for the drug treatment choice in the context of clinical studies as there is a great need for knowledge and validation.

The HTA center of Swedish Västra Götaland region is aimed to work for the continuous development of knowledge-based care in the region and ensure that healthcare is supported by science and evaluation. Currently, Västra Götaland HTA-Centre works on several HTA projects related to medical procedures or devices: alertness therapy, MRI linac, and investigation, and treatment of PANS / PANDAS. After completion of assessments, the final reports would be released on the website of Västra Götaland region.

In Sweden, the Centre for Assessment of Medical Technology (CAMTÖ) leads the development of HTA cooperation in the healthcare region Uppsala-Örebro. In September 2019, CAMTÖ released a systematic review on surgical treatment of abdominal rectus diastasis one year after delivery. The literature search was performed, only one RCT was identified, but as the design of the study was associated with a high risk of bias, no conclusions could be drawn.

In Sweden, the Centre for Assessment of Medical Technology (CAMTÖ) leads the development of HTA cooperation in the healthcare region Uppsala-Örebro. In September 2019, CAMTÖ released a systematic review on SMS alerts to laypersons for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) that aimed to clarify SMS efficacy on survival after OHCA. Currently, the best available evidence does not support the use of SMS alarm to laymen as a means of improving survival after OHCA.

In September 2019, Skåne Region released a report for ultrasound in symptoms of the acute scrotum that aimed to understand whether increased ultrasound use could improve the diagnostic of the studied condition. Although no studies investigating the direct benefit of ultrasound in patients with symptoms of acute scrotum were identified, its high precision, sensitivity, and specificity were outlined.

In September 2019, Regional Methods Council of South East healthcare region released a report where compared the prostate artery embolization (PAE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia with the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). It was outlined that costs and the need for blood transfusions for PAE are lower than for TURP. The use of registries for follow-up of patients and registration of side effects is strongly recommended.

In Sweden, the Centre for Assessment of Medical Technology (CAMTÖ) leads the development of HTA cooperation in the healthcare region Uppsala-Örebro. In August 2019, CAMTÖ started its work on the assessment of sclerotherapy in Achilles tendinopathy. After the completion of the evaluation process, the report would be published at the web-site of Örebro County Council.