News

Predictores sociodemográficos y clínicos de la adherencia a los antidepresivos en los trastornos depresivos: una revisión sistemática con un metanálisis
 Featured, News

SESCS PUBLICATION: Prognostic Factors for Survival in Adults With Burkitt Lymphoma: A Systematic Review

Aythami de Armas-Castellano, Diego Infante Ventura, Tasmania del Pino-Sedeño, Yadira González Hernández, Raúl Quirós, Beatriz León-Salas, Vicente Ribrag, María M. Trujillo Martín, Grupo de trabajo de EuroBlood de la ERN

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a rare and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Several studies have identified prognostic factors (PFs) for disease progression and mortality among adults with BL. However, there is no consensus on risk stratification based on PFs. This study aims to identify, critically assess, and synthesize the available evidence on PFs for survival in adults with BL.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted. Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to February 22, 2022. Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials and longitudinal observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Reference screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were conducted independently and in duplicate. Publication bias was examined by visual inspection of funnel plots. Meta-analyses were conducted when appropriate using Review Manager 5. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

Results

The search identified 1119 references. Of these, 76 papers were selected for full-text assessment and 36 studies (N = 10,882) reported in 39 articles were eligible for inclusion. Older age, higher performance status, and central nervous system involvement were associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Black patients exhibited significantly lower OS and relative survival. Bone marrow involvement and higher albumin levels were associated with poorer OS. Treatment with rituximab, and with methotrexate were associated with better OS and PFS.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive and methodologically rigorous evidence review on PFs in adults with BL. Several significant associations of PFs and survival estimates were observed, therefore, providing data to inform treatment decisions and to improve patient care.

 

You can read the full article here.

 News

Heads of HTA Agencies Group (HAG) Meeting: Working Towards a More Efficient and Equitable HTA

Our SESCS Director and President of RedETS, Lilisbeth Perestelo, participated in the Heads of HTA Agencies Group (HAG) meeting, which took place in Copenhagen on November 4, 2025. This European gathering brings together heads of health technology assessment (HTA) agencies to address common challenges and promote collaboration.

During the event, strategic topics discussed included:

The upcoming evaluation of the HTA Regulation (2028).
Legislative reforms in medical devices.
The need to strengthen European collaboration in response to the growing volume and complexity of new health technologies.

The participation of SESCS and RedETS reinforces their commitment to a more efficient, collaborative, and patient-centered HTA, contributing to the development of sustainable and equitable healthcare systems.

 News

Lilisbeth Perestelo, President of RedETS, at the UE-CELAC Summit 2025 in Cartagena de Indias

On November 6 and 7, Lilisbeth Perestelo Pérez, Head of the Evaluation Service of the Canary Islands Health Service (SESCS) and President of the Spanish Network of Health Technology Assessment and SNS Benefits (RedETS), participated in Cartagena de Indias in a high-level event held within the framework of the EU–CELAC Summit 🌎, focused on collaboration for the harmonization and health self-sufficiency of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Health and AECID.

Dr. Perestelo took part in the panel on High-Cost Technologies, sharing strategies to ensure equitable access to innovative health technologies 💉.

Key points highlighted:

Incorporating equity as a cross-cutting criterion in health technology assessment.

Using RedETS’ experience in participation and transparency as a foundation for fairer decision-making in the allocation of public resources.

Equity + Evidence + Shared Governance → the formula to ensure that high-cost innovation truly reaches those who need it most.

 News

Lilisbeth Perestelo (Head of SESCS/President of RedETS) in Diariofarma: Reflections on the XII RedETS Conference

📰 Today, Diariofarma published an interview with Lilisbeth Perestelo, President of the Spanish Network for Health Technology Assessment and Services (RedETS) and Head of the Evaluation Service of the Canary Islands Health Service (SESCS), about the XII RedETS Conference. A look at the collaborative work between agencies and the advances that are transforming health technology assessment.
🔗 You can read the full interview here

 Featured, News

NOW AVAILABLE: Recording of the RedETS 2025 Open Day

If you missed the RedETS 2025 Open Day, held on November 19 at the TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, you can now watch the full recording (in spanish) on our YouTube channel:

PART 1

PART 2

All information about the event, including contents and materials, is also available on the website: https://sescs.es/redets2025/

We invite you to visit the site and continue checking for new content and information that we will be adding in the coming weeks.

 News

ITB–SESCS Collaboration: Outreach Video on Our Areas of Work

The Institute of Biomedical Technologies (ITB), of which SESCS is a part, has produced an outreach video about our work.

In it, our head, Lilisbeth Perestelo, presents the main areas of activity of SESCS, including health technology assessment, applied research, and support for decision-making in healthcare.

We thank ITB for this collaboration and for helping to share our work.

You can watch it below:

 News

The 12th RedETS Conference 2025 featured on the Canary Islands Department of Health news portal

The Department of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands highlights on its news portal the celebration of the 12th RedETS Conference 2025, which will take place on November 19 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

🔗 Read the full press release on the Department of Health’s news portal.

The open conference, under the theme “Moving forward together towards the evaluation of future health technologies”, will bring together professionals and experts in the field of health technology assessment.

📌 Registration is still open through the official microsite 👉 https://sescs.es/redets2025/

Predictores sociodemográficos y clínicos de la adherencia a los antidepresivos en los trastornos depresivos: una revisión sistemática con un metanálisis
 Featured, News

SESCS PUBLICATION: Conduction system pacing using electro-anatomical mapping-guided system vs. fluoroscopy: a systematic review, meta-analysis and economic evaluation

Beatriz León-Salas, Diego Infante-Ventura, Aránzazu Hernández-Yumar, Renata Linertová, Estefanía Herrera-Ramos, Alezandra Torres-Castaño, Himar González-Pacheco, Analía Abt-Sacks, Javier García-García, Raúl Quirós-López, María M. Trujillo-Martín

Introduction:

Electro-anatomical mapping (EAM) system has been shown as an alternative procedure to fluoroscopy for conduction system pacing (CSP) in patients with severe bradyarrhythmia, however its beneficial and harmful effects has not been assessed in a systematic review (SR). We sought to assess their safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Methods:

A SR of the available scientific literature was conducted on the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of CSP using EAM system versus fluoroscopy in patients with severe bradyarrhythmia. A partial economic evaluation was carried out to compare the costs of both strategies from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. A budget impact analysis was also conducted with a five-year horizon.

Results:

Seven comparative observational studies (N = 231), analyzing the use of EAM versus fluoroscopy were selected. Statistically significant differences were observed in total fluoroscopy time: −9.87 minutes (95%CI:−14.20, −5.53, p < 0.01; I2 = 95%; k = 7; n = 231); His-lead fluoroscopic time: −8.08 minutes (95%CI:−10.36, −5.81, p < 0.01; I2 = 0%; k = 2; n = 50); and His-lead radiation dose: −17.21 mGy (95%CI:−24.08, −10.34, p < 0.01; k = 1; n = 20). No differences in total fluoroscopy dose, successful procedure or safety were found. The use of EAM represents an increase of EUR 1397.81 per patient and a net budget impact of EUR 1.63 million.

Discussion:

EAM is a valuable alternative for patients who should not be exposed to ionizing radiation with similar effectiveness and safety than fluoroscopy. However, the inclusion of EAM systems, for the indication under study, in routine clinical practice would mean an increase in costs for the Spanish National Health System.

You can read the full article here.

 News

New Version of the Clinical Practice Guideline on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Primary Care

The Andalusian Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AETSA) has updated the Clinical Practice Guideline for the care of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in childhood in Primary Care.

The update includes 25 new recommendations, the M-CHAT-R/F screening tool, and a table of warning signs.

The guideline has been developed within the framework of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Program in the Spanish National Health System, coordinated by GuíaSalud, and is part of the Spanish Network of Health Technology Assessment Agencies and Services (RedETS).

🔗 Access the full guideline

 Other reports

Scientific visit of researcher Áron Hölgyesi (HECON, Budapest)

On October 8, SESCS/FIISC welcomed researcher Áron Hölgyesi, member of the Health Economics Research Center (HECON) at Óbuda University (Budapest, Hungary).

During his visit, Dr. Hölgyesi gave a scientific talk presenting the main research lines of his center, focused on health economic evaluation and the measurement of disease impact on quality of life.

He also shared the results of the cost study on Epidermolysis Bullosa (#EB) conducted within the framework of the European BUR-EB project, coordinated by researcher Renata Linertová (SESCS/FIISC). His presentation sparked discussion on the applied methodologies and the implications of the findings for health policies and rare disease management in Europe.

The visit helped strengthen collaboration between SESCS and HECON, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience in health economics and European research on rare diseases.