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Introduction: Given the increasing clinical and economic burden of obesity, it is of major importance to identify cost-effective approaches for obesity management.Areas covered: This study aims to systematically review and compile an overview of published decision models for health economic assessments (HEA) in obesity, in order to summarize and compare their key characteristics as well as to identify, inform and guide future research. Of the 4,293 abstracts identified, 87 papers met our inclusion criteria. A wide range of different methodological approaches have been identified. Of the 87 papers, 69 (79%) applied unique /distinctive modelling approaches.Expert commentary: This wide range of approaches suggests the need to develop recommendations /minimal requirements for model-based HEA of obesity. In order to reach this long-term goal, further research is required. Valuable future research steps would be to investigate the predictiveness, validity and quality of the identified modelling approaches.

The National Institute of Health and the US FDA have regulations on the inclusion of minorities in research, and guidelines on how to conduct and report subgroup analyses among each racial and ethnic group. Although health-related quality of life (HRQL) has enjoyed increased popularity as an important end point in clinical research, the literature lacks a comprehensive review on whether or not racial and ethnic groups report HRQL differently, particularly among patients with specific disease states. HRQL is different from most other end points in clinical research in that it is reported by patients and thus is affected by patients' racial and ethnic background in a special way. This paper summarizes the existing literature on patterns of reporting HRQL across racial and ethnic groups. It begins with a summary of general HRQL patterns and subsequently covers HRQL related to renal disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer. This paper is not intended to be exhaustive, but to inform researchers of good practice in clinical research utilizing HRQL as study end points.

Introduction: We used published literature from 2013–2016, to review data regarding the new all oral interferon and ribavirin free direct acting antiviral (DAA’s) treatment regimens.Areas covered: Specifically, this paper will address DAA’s clinical efficacy, their associated patient reported outcomes, their adherence to treatment, and their cost-effectiveness of treatment using studies from the United States.Expert commentary: The current data suggest that cure and elimination of HCV appears to be on the horizon; however, more research is needed to verify similar results from real world practices. Further, research is also needed to overcome the barriers to treatment (lack of education and awareness of HCV, inadequate diagnosis technology, and lack of access and link to care) in order for the elimination of HCV to be obtained.