Aim: Criteria weighting is a key element of multicriteria decision analysis that is becoming extensively used in healthcare decision-making. In our narrative review we describe the advantages and disadvantages of various weighting methods. Methods: An assessment of the eight identified primary criteria weighting methods was compiled on domains including their resource requirements, and potential for bias. Results: In general, we found more complex methods to have less potential for bias; however, resource intensity and general participant burden is greater for these methods. Conclusion: The selection of the most appropriate method depends on the decision-making context. The simple multiattribute rating technique (SMART) method combined with swing-weighting technique and the analytic hierarchy process methods may be the most feasible approaches for low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction Although previously regarded as a children’s disease, it is clear that atopic dermatitis (AD) is also highly prevalent in adults. Because AD is not associated with mortality, it is usually neglected compared with other, fatal diseases. However, several studies have highlighted that AD burden is significant due to its substantial humanistic burden and psychosocial effects. This study aims to summarize and quantify the clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of AD in adults and adolescents. Methods A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), EconPapers, The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Studies were included if they reported clinical, economic, or humanistic effects of AD on adults or adolescents, from January 2011 to December 2020. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment tool was used to assess risk of bias for the included studies. Regression models were used to explain the correlation between factors such as disease severity and quality of life (QoL). Results Among 3400 identified records, 233 studies were included. Itch, depression, sleep disturbance, and anxiety were the most frequently reported parameters related to the clinical and humanistic burden of AD. The average utility value in studies not stratifying patients by severity was 0.779. The average direct cost of AD was 4411 USD, while the average indirect cost was 9068 USD annually. Conclusions The burden of AD is significant. The hidden disease burden is reflected in its high indirect costs and the psychological effect on QoL. The magnitude of the burden is affected by the severity level. The main limitation of this study is the heterogeneity of different studies in terms of data reporting, which led to the exclusion of potentially relevant data points from the summary statistics.

Understanding the additional life-years given to patients by deceased organ donors is necessary as substantial investments are being proposed to increase organ donation. Data were drawn from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. All patients placed on the wait-list as eligible to receive or receiving a deceased donor solid organ transplant between 1995 and 2002 were studied. The benefit of transplant was determined by the difference in the expected survival experiences of transplant recipients and candidates expecting transplant soon. An average organ donor provides 30.8 additional life-years distributed over an average 2.9 different solid organ transplant recipients, whereas utilization of all solid organs from a single donor provides 55.8 additional life-years spread over six organ transplant recipients. The relative contribution of the different organs to the overall life-year benefit is higher for liver, heart and kidney, and lowest for lung and pancreas. The life-year losses from unprocured and unused organs are comparable to suicide, congenital anomalies, homicide or perinatal conditions and half that of HIV. Approximately 250 000 additional life-years could be saved annually if consent for potential deceased donors could be increased to 100%. Therefore, increasing organ donation should be considered among our most important public health concerns.