The NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR) manages the NIH Consensus Development Program, the focal point for evidence-based assessments of medical practice and state-of-the-science on behalf of the medical community and the public.

Contents

• 21. Management of the Clinically Inapparent Adrenal Mass (Incidentaloma): State-of-the-Science Statement, February 4-6, 2002
  • Introduction
  • 1. What are the causes, prevalence, and natural history of clinically inapparent adrenal masses?
  • 2. Based on available scientific evidence, what is the appropriate evaluation of a clinically inapparent adrenal mass?
  • 3. What criteria should guide the decision on surgical versus nonsurgical management of these masses?
  • 4. If surgery is needed, what is the appropriate procedure?
  • 5. What is the appropriate followup for patients for each management approach?
  • 6. What additional research is needed to guide practice?
  • Conclusions
  • State-of-the-Science Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • Conference Cosponsors
• 20. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for Diagnosis and Therapy: State-of-the-Science Statement, January 16, 2002 4:15 PM [Draft Statement]
  • Introduction
  • 1. What is the role of ERCP in gallstone disease?
  • 2. What is the role of ERCP in pancreatic and biliary malignancy?
  • 3. What is the role of ERCP in pancreatitis?
  • 4. What is the role of ERCP in abdominal pain of possible pancreatic or biliary origin?
  • 5. What are the factors determining adverse events or success?
  • 6. What are promising new research directions for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental caries?
  • State-of-the-Science Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • Conference Cosponsors
• 19. Improving Medical Implant Performance Through Retrieval Information: Challenges and Opportunities: NIH Technology Assessment Conference Summary, January 10-12, 2000
  • Introduction
  • 1. What are the patient, health care provider, and societal expectations of the lifetime costs, risks, and benefits of medical implants?
  • 2. What are the legal, ethical, religious, cultural, public policy, and economic barriers to implant retrieval and reporting, and how can they be overcome?
  • 3. What information is necessary to evaluate and improve implant and material performance and device design?
  • 4. What can the role of information data systems be in educating the public, medical community, and policymakers about medical implants and retrieval?
  • 5. What future research and institutional support is necessary to ensure continuing advances in implantable devices?
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • Conference Co-sponsors
• 18. Management of Temporomandibular Disorders: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, April 29-May 1, 1996
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • 1. What Clinical Conditions Are Classified as Temporomandibular Disorders, and What Occurs if These Conditions Are Left Untreated?
  • 2. What Types of Symptoms, Signs, and Other Assessments Provide a Basis for Initiating Therapeutic Interventions?
  • 3. What Are Effective Approaches to the Initial Management and Treatment of Patients With Various TMD Subtypes?
  • 4. What Are Effective Approaches to Management and Treatment of Patients With Persistent TMD Pain and Dysfunction?
  • 5. What Are the Most Productive Directions for Future Research, and What Types of New Collaborations and Partnerships Should Be Developed for Pursuing These Directions?
  • Conclusions
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • Conference Cosponsors
  • Statement Availability
  • Bibliography
• 17. Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, October 16-18, 1995
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • What Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches Are Used for Conditions Such as Chronic Pain and Insomnia?
  • How Successful Are These Approaches?
  • How Do These Approaches Work?
  • Are There Barriers to the Appropriate Integration of These Approaches Into Health Care?
  • What Are the Significant Issues for Future Research and Applications?
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • Conference Cosponsors
  • About the NIH Consensus Development Program
  • Statement Availability
  • Bibliography
• 16. Gaucher Disease: Current Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment [Draft]: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, February 27-March 1, 1995
  • Introduction
  • What Is the Natural History of Gaucher Disease, and What Is the Appropriate Technology to Assess the Severity and to Predict the Progression of This Disorder?
  • What Are the Roles of Current Molecular and Enzymatic Assays for Ascertaining Affected Individuals and Carriers in Various Populations?
  • What Are the Indications for Treatment of Patients With Gaucher Disease, and What Are the Appropriate Modes of Therapy?
  • What Are the Goals for and Consequences of Treatment, and How Can the Therapeutic Interventions Be Assessed?
  • Under What Circumstances Could Genotype/Phenotype Correlations Be Used for Patient Care and Counseling?
  • What Are Appropriate Directions for Future Research and Other Relevant Issues That Should Be Pursued?
  • Conclusions
  • Consensus Development Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • Conference Cosponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 15. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Body Composition Measurement: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, December 12-14, 1994
  • Introduction
  • Question 1: What does BIA measure in terms of electrical and biological parameters, and how safe is it?
  • Question 2: How should BIA be performed, and how can BIA measurements be standardized?
  • Question 3: How valid is the BIA technology in the estimation of total body water, fat-free mass, and adiposity?
  • Question 4: What are the appropriate clinical uses of BIA technology and what are the limitations?
  • Question 5: What are the future directions for basic science, clinical research, and epidemiological evaluation of body composition measurements?
  • Conclusions
  • Contributors
• 14. The Persian Gulf Experience and Health: Technology Assessment Workshop Statement, April 27-29, 1994
  • Introduction
  • What Is The Evidence for an Increased Incidence of Unexpected Illnesses Attributable to Service in the Persian Gulf War?
  • If Unexpected Illnesses Have Occurred, What Are The Components of The Most Practical Working Case Definition(s) Based on Existing Data?
  • If Unexpected Illnesses Have Occurred, What Are the Plausible Etiologies and Biological Explanations for These Unexpected Illnesses?
  • What Future Research Is Necessary?
  • Conclusions
  • Workshop Panel
  • Speakers
  • Veterans Organizations
  • Planning Committee
  • Workshop Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 13. An Evidence Based Health Care System: The Case for Clinical Trials Registries
  • Creating an NIH Clinical Trials Registry: A User Friendly Approach to Health Care
  • The Case for Clinical Trials Registries
  • Ongoing Trials a Greater Challenge Than Those Already Published
• 12. Ultrasound Screening: Implications of the RADIUS Study [Draft Summary]: NIH Technology Assessment Workshop, Rockville, MD,December 3, 1993
  • Draft Report
  • Speakers
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 11. The Head and Heart of Chaos: Nonlinear Dynamics in Biological Systems: Office of Medical Applications of Research Workshop, June 15-16, 1992
  • Preface
  • Introduction to the Head and Heart of Chaos Nonlinear Dynamics in Biological Systems
  • Report on the Workshop
  • Principal Issues Arising from the Workshop
  • Conclusion
  • Critical Panel
  • Speakers and Discussants
  • Planning Committee
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 10. Methods for Voluntary Weight Loss and Control: Technology,Assessment Conference Statement, March 30 - April 1, 1992
  • Introduction
  • How Often and in What Ways Do Americans Try to Lose Weight?
  • How Successful Are Various Methods for Weight Loss and Control? What Are the Attributes of and Barriers to Successful Weight Loss Methods/Approaches?
  • What Are the Short- and Long-Term Benefits and Adverse Effects of Weight Loss?
  • What Are the Fundamental Principles That Should Be Used to Select a Personal Weight Loss and Control Strategy?
  • What Should Be the Future Directions for Research on Weight Loss and Control?
  • Conclusions
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Liaison Committee Members
  • Conference Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 9. Effects and Side Effects of Dental Restorative Materials: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, August 26-28, 1991
  • Introduction
  • What Are the Needs and Benefits of Tooth Restorations?
  • What Are the Incidence and Severity of Side Effects Associated with Tooth Restorative Materials?
  • Do Materials for Tooth Restorations Contribute to Systemic Disease and Reactions?
  • What Are the Benefit/Risk Ratios of Different Tooth Restorative Materials?
  • What Should Be the Future Directions for Research on Materials for Tooth Restorations?
  • Conclusions and Recommendations
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 8. Clinical Trials Results: Exploring the Dissemination Process: Technology Assessment Workshop, January 15,1991
  • Issuing Clinical Alerts
  • When to Do a Clinical Alert
  • Ensuring Journal Publication
  • Notifying Physicians and Press
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 7. Bovine Somatotropin: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, December 5-7, 1990
  • Introduction
  • What Is the Role of Milk in Human Nutrition, and How Is Its Safety for Human Consumption Monitored?
  • What Is the Comparative Biology of Human and Bovine Lactation and Milk Composition?
  • What is the Effect of Administration Of rBST on Milk Production of Cows and on the Nutritional Quality and Hormonal Content of Their Meat and Milk?
  • What are the Health Effects on Cows Resulting from Administration of rBST?
  • What are the Health Effects on Humans Resulting from Consumption of Meat or Milk from Cows Given rBST?
  • What Further Animal and Human Research is Needed on the Effects and Use of rBST?
  • Conclusions and Recommendations
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 6. Report on the Workshop on Diffusion of ECMO Technology: Technology Assessment Conference Statement, December 5-7, 1990
  • Introduction
  • Current State of Knowledge Concerning Populations to Benefit and Indications for Use
  • Prevention and Therapeutic Alternatives
  • Research
  • Policy Considerations Influencing the Diffusion of ECMO
  • Diffusion of Medical Technology: The Case of ECMO
  • Extracorporeal Life Support: State-of-the-Art 1990
  • Neurological Outcome after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy in the Newborn
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Versus Conventional Medical Therapy for Management of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Neonate: A Decision Analysis
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Cost, Organization, and Policy Considerations
  • Planning Committee
  • Invited Participants
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 5. Health Care Delivery Research Using Hospital Firms: Workshop Summary, April 30 - May 1, 1990
  • Executive Summary
  • The Basic Concept
  • What Are Firms?
  • Examples of Firm Systems
  • Examples of Research
  • Methodological Issues
  • Ethics of Firms Research
  • Efficiency in Research
  • Management Information Systems
  • Clinical Guidelines Trials
  • The Future: Multicenter Trials
  • Conclusion
  • Speakers
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
  • Bibliography
• 4. Modeling in Biomedical Research: An Assessment of Current and Potential Approaches: Applications to Studies in Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Function and Diabetes: Technology Assessment May 1-3, 1989
  • Introduction
  • Summary of Conclusions
  • Specific Cases
  • Summary and Recommendations
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 3. The Health Benefits of Pets: Workshop, September 10-11, 1987
  • Overview
  • The Role of Pets in Cardiovascular Health
  • The Role of Pets in Child Development
  • Health Correlates of Pets in Older Persons
  • The Role of Pets in Social and Therapeutic Effects
  • Safety and Risks in People-Pet Relationships
  • Future Research Directions
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 2. Donor Registries for Bone Marrow Transplantation: Technology Assessment, May 13-15, 1985
  • Introduction
  • What Is the Experience with the Possible Alternatives to HLA-Identical Siblings as Bone Marrow Donors for Transplantation? Are These Alternatives Comparable?
  • Should a National Bone Marrow Donor Registry Be Established?
  • To What Extent Could the Existing Registries/Blood Donor Programs Be Utilized as a Source of Potential Unrelated Bone Marrow Donors? What Would Be the Impact on These Programs?
  • What Are the Logistical, Legal, and Ethical Issues Involved in Establishing Registries of Unrelated Donors? to What Risks Are Donors Exposed?
  • Recommendations Involving Donors
  • Other Issues
  • Recommendations Involving Recipients
  • Research and Evaluation
  • Conclusion
  • Technology Assessment Panel
  • Speakers
  • Planning Committee
  • Conference Sponsors
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program
• 1. Evaluating the Elderly Patient: The Case for Assessment Technology: NIH Technology Assessment Conference Summary, June 29-30, 1983
  • Foreword
  • Assessment as a Useful Tool
  • The Experience with Employment of Assessment Instruments
  • The Science Base of Assessment Technology
  • Afterword (Dr. Isadore Rossman)
  • About the NIH Technology Assessment Program