Announcements

Exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel, Casgevy^®) received conditional marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on February 9, 2024, as the first CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-based gene therapy. It is classified as an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) and has orphan drug status for two indications. Exa-cel is approved for treating transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia (TDT) and severe sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients aged twelve years or older who are eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation but lack a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donor.

The studies to date (two single-arm studies) show a significant improvement in symptoms in the majority of patients treated. In beta-thalassemia, 32 out of 35 people no longer needed blood transfusions after the therapy. In sickle cell disease, 29 out of 30 patients no longer had severe pain crises. These improvements lasted for at least one to two years in both diseases. The patients' quality of life was noticeably improved as a result. Long-term experience is not yet available.

The number of people living with diabetes is increasing globally, with approximately 90% having Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The fundamental management of T2DM relies on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular medical visits for monitoring, balanced diet management, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Telehealth has gained attention as a means of supporting the continuous self-management and treatment of people living with diabetes.

Healthcare systems worldwide face the challenge of optimising resource allocation and maximising health benefits through their funding decisions.

This report examines how healthcare systems approach resource allocation through incremental cost-effectiveness ration (ICER) thresholds. Through analysis of literature, policy documents, and health economic guidelines from various countries, the research explores theoretical foundations and practical applications of these thresholds. The findings reveal significant variations in threshold implementation across countries and show important relationships between thresholds and health system outcomes. The research also identifies key factors for implementation. This report offers insights into how threshold implementation can enhance healthcare system transparency and efficiency when adapted to national contexts.

Every second person who is overweight or obese is generally affected by stigmatisation due to their body weight. The healthcare sector is cited as one of the most common causes. As a result, the affected patients may receive incorrect or no diagnoses and therapies, avoid examinations and suffer health consequences such as further weight gain. Through a systematic literature search, various guideline-based recommendations for reducing weight stigma towards overweight and obese people in healthcare settings were identified. Further, available evidence for investigated interventions was analysed.

The increasing incidence and prevalence of cancer, particularly breast cancer, presents substantial challenges for the Austrian healthcare system. The current hospital-centred care delivery model contributes to escalating costs and suboptimal resource utilisation.

A comprehensive analysis of cancer care models across six European countries (Austria [AT], Germany [DE], Denmark [DK], Sweden [SE], Netherlands [NL], Belgium [BE]) was conducted through structured literature review, expert consultations (n=17), and data synthesis, focusing specifically on breast cancer care. Analysis of healthcare infrastructures and cross-sectoral care approaches throughout the patient journey identified three distinct models: centralised specialist models (AT, BE, DK) characterised by highly specialised centres with strict volume requirements; decentralised care (DE) featuring distributed hospital structures in the in- and outpatient setting; and network-based integrated care (NL, SE) combining specialist centres with regional care delivery. These models demonstrate considerable variations in their utilisation of inpatient, outpatient, and home-based care services. While these models reflect varying degrees of centralisation and specialisation, they all aim to ensure high-quality care through regulation, accreditation and collaboration, with countries combining elements of different models based on their national cancer strategy and healthcare infrastructure.

For Austria, implementing a gradual transition towards a more decentralised or network-based model could potentially alleviate pressure on hospital resources while enhancing quality of care. However, successful implementation necessitates appropriate infrastructure, qualified healthcare professionals, and effective cross-sectoral coordination. Key challenges include addressing workforce shortages and overcoming fragmented data integration across healthcare sectors.

With approximately one in five Austrian adults affected by mental illness annually, primarily depression (10%), anxiety disorders (7%), and substance use disorders (12%), screening in primary care settings could help identify and treat affected individuals early. Based on systematic reviews and evidence-based guidelines, this report analyses the evidence for mental health screening in primary care, identifies available screening tools, and discusses the requirements for implementing screening.

On average, one in five women suffer from a mental illness during the perinatal period (pregnancy up to 1 year after birth. So far, it has been unknown how many women claim mental health services during this period. The analysis of pseudonymised insurance data revealed that around 20% of women in Austria who gave birth in 2017 and 2018 used at least one of five examined mental health services during the perinatal period. However, very few specialised perinatal mental health services are available in Austria, with regional disparities. The quality of existing services should be evaluated, and gaps in care need to be closed.