Objective To sort out the policies related to rare diseases in China, analyze and summarize the focus and potential problems of relevant policy texts, and provide decision-making references for the subsequent formulation and improvement of policies in the field of rare diseases in China. Methods We searched for relevant policy documents in the field of rare diseases at the national level from 2018 to 2023, constructed a three-dimensional analysis framework based on content analysis of “policy tool-stakeholder-policy strength” in the field of rare diseases in China, and conducted cross-analysis between policy tools, stakeholders, and policy strength. Results Finally, 39 policy texts were included. There were 112 policy tool dimension codes, with environment-based, supply-based, and demand-based tools accounting for 62.5%, 30.36%, and 7.14%, respectively. There were 229 stakeholder dimension codes, including 42.79% for government departments, 19.65% for medical institutions, 19.65% for corporate units, and 17.90% for patients and their families. The average score for policy strength was 2.2 points. Cross-analysis showed that government departments had the highest proportion in the dimensions of supply-based, environment-based and demand-based tools (45.76%, 43.45%, 32.00%, respectively). The policy strength of environmental tools was the strongest (124 points). The policy strength of government departments was the strongest (78 points). Conclusions There is a certain imbalance in the design and configuration of rare disease policy tools in China, and there is uneven distribution of rare disease policies among stakeholders. Although the overall effectiveness of policies in the field of rare diseases is showing a positive growth trend, there may be a mismatch between policy tools, stakeholders, and policy strength.
Rare diseases are characterized by low incidence rates, complex etiologies, and multi-system involvement. In China, the patient population exceeds 20 million, who face challenges such as difficulty accessing medical care, obtaining accurate diagnoses, and managing their conditions. To address these challenges, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has developed a comprehensive “pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, and post-diagnosis” management model for rare diseases, with a focus on “internet plus digital intelligence empowerment”. This approach enhances accessibility in the pre-diagnosis phase, improves diagnostic efficiency during diagnosis, and achieves full-cycle management post-diagnosis, establishing a continuous care system that ensures “medical support beyond the hospital”. This article introduces the innovative exploration and practical experience of West China Hospital of Sichuan University in the holistic management of rare diseases, and provide a reference for its subsequent promotion.
ObjectiveTo summarize the diagnosis and clinicopathological features of primary intestinal extranodal nasal type NK/T-cell lymphoma (PI-ENKTCL), and to enhance the diagnostic and differential diagnosis of this rare disease.MethodsThe clinicopathologic data of a patient with PI-ENKTCL admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital in January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsWe diagnosed PI-ENKTCL doubtfully by PET-CT , and after the discussion of MDT, we finished radical operation which achieved R0 resection. The pathological type was consistent with PI-ENKTCL diagnosis. The operation lasted 280 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was about 50 mL. Postoperative pathology confirmed that the tumor margin was negative and no postoperative complication occurred, and the patient was discharged successfully on the 13th day after the operation. The patient, followed for five months after operation, was treated with L-GMOEX [gemcitabine+oxaliplatin combined with L-asparaginase (L-ASP)] chemotherapy for four periods at time, and the treatment effect continued to be followed up.ConclusionsIt is necessary to discuss by MDT for doubtfully diagnosing PI-ENKTCL because of the disease being rare. The imaging diagnosis is mainly PET-CT. Surgical resection is the main treatment, we should formulate the best chemotherapy according to post-operation pathological results, for improving the patient’s prognosis and prolonging patient’s life with PI-ENKTCL.
ObjectiveTo learn the development and implementation of orphan drug policies, in order to provide decision-making references for the establishment of orphan drug policy according with China's national conditions. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including CBM, CNKI, VIP, EMbase, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, National Library of Medicine, CRD database, The Campbell Library, The Cochrane Library and the drug administration websites of USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Korea, Japan, and South Africa to collect studies about orphan drug policy. The search date was up to February 2014. Two reviewers independently screened literature, and extracted data. Then, all included orphan drug policies were summarized and a comparative analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 110 studies were included. USA, Singapore, Japan, Australia, European Union, Chinese Taiwan and South Korea had introduced orphan drugs incentive policies. South Africa, India, Canada, New Zealand and Chinese Hongkong were producing orphan drugs policy frameworks. The main items of orphan drug policy included marketing exclusivity, tax incentives, technical assistance, grant funding, expedite approval process and prolong re-evaluated time. ConclusionIn mainland China, there is no orphan disease management policy. China should establish specific organization and working procedures, promote orphan drug policy related legislative work, clarify the definition and prevalence of orphan diseases, provide incentive mechanism to promote the research and development of orphan drugs, provide enterprises to develop compensation mechanism to safeguard the rights and interests of patients, as well as establish patients register network platform to track the processes of the diseases.
ObjectivesTo provide a useful framework for improved understanding of international value drivers in the decision-making process of medical insurance access, and to explore the value assessment criteria of orphan drugs from stakeholders’ perspective.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, CINAHL Plus, ProQuest, Web of Science, CNKI and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect studies from January 1st, 1983 to December 31st, 2018. Research questions were constructed based on SPIDER model. We established the inclusion and exclusion criteria to filter studies. Study quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. A thematic synthesis was undertaken to develop descriptive themes, analytical constructs and third-level themes of value drivers by NVivo 11 software, and confidence in the findings was assessed using the CERQual method.ResultsA total of 10 studies including 20 research countries were included. Fifty descriptive themes were interpreted and embedded within 14 analytical constructs and 3 third-level themes after induction. Specifically, 3 broad themes were disease-related influence factors, which included severity, unmet requirements, disease burden, affected individuals, and moral and ethical considerations; drug-related influence factors, which included safety, efficacy, economics, innovation, quality of evidence; and some external and non-pharmaceutical intrinsic properties factors, which included reimbursement status in other countries or regions, government goals and priorities, confirmed drug supply and impact on environment.ConclusionsIn addition to conventional considerations such as efficacy and pharmacoeconomics, stakeholders are willing to take a broader perspective when in the case of the value assessment of orphan drugs. Comprehensive understanding of these value drivers is important to shape policy and enhance decision-making.
ObjectiveTo conduct a scoping review of studies on the application of knowledge mapping in the field of rare diseases at home and abroad, in order to clarify the content and status of application and provide references for future research in this field. MethodsRelevant studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, and CBM databases were searched, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review Guidelines in Australia as the methodological framework, and the search time frame was from the establishment of the database to June 1, 2023. ResultsTwenty-five papers were included, and the main applications of knowledge graphs in the field of rare diseases were knowledge management, assisted diagnosis, drug repositioning and decision support, involving techniques such as knowledge representation, knowledge extraction, knowledge reasoning, knowledge fusion and knowledge storage.ConclusionKnowledge graphs have shown positive results in fusing and exploiting multi-source information, aiding disease prediction and diagnosis and drug development, but further technical improvements are needed.
Rare diseases are a kind of diseases with very low incidence and prevalence. They are difficult to diagnose, treat and use drugs. Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) has become the main mode of modern medical diagnosis and treatment. Many hospitals at home and abroad have begun to apply MDT in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. This paper introduces the MDT mode of rare diseases at home and abroad, focusing on the mode, work flow and content of the MDT service system for rare diseases in West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and discusses the problems and optimization suggestions of the current construction of the MDT service system for rare diseases. The purpose is to provide some reference for the establishment of MDT model of rare diseases in China.
Rare diseases have problems with low number of cases, low social awareness, and long time of diagnosis. “Targeted doctor” is the first step to help rare disease patients start the correct path of diagnosis and treatment. This article introduces the design of a decision-making engine for patients with rare diseases by constructing a knowledge graph of rare diseases and experts, using an intelligent question-and-answer system, and combining big data and artificial intelligence methods. This engine can perform rare disease pre-screening based on patient portraits and other information, and recommend the best visiting route to patients, thereby improving the efficiency of rare disease patients’ medical service system and enhancing the decision-making ability of rare diseases.