2020 annual call topic proposals
Published 20 May 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-previous-annual-call-submissions/2020-annual-call-topic-proposals
The UK NSC received 4 proposals in 2020:
1. Biliary atresia
UK NSC decision: include proposed methodology in next review of topic
The UK NSC received a proposal to introduce screening for biliary atresia using stool colour cards. These are cards that explain the colour of stools, ranging from those that are healthy to those that may require further investigation. Biliary atresia was already on the UK NSC list, so was not a new topic.
However, as work was being commissioned to look at biliary atresia in the regular UK NSC review cycle, it was agreed that additional questions on the use of stool coloured cards could be added to the commissioning document.
2. Klinefelter syndrome
UK NSC decision: submission declined
The 2020 submission on screening for Klinefelter syndrome sought the UK NSC’s input as to whether more work should be commissioned following the previous annual call proposal in 2018.
The UK NSC decided a further review was not justified.
3. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2)
UK NSC decision: evidence map commissioned, no further work
This was a new topic which the UK NSC had not reviewed before.
An evidence map was commissioned to look at 3 important questions covering:
- test accuracy
- treatment
- whether there are any national or international guidelines on population screening
The evidence map concluded that the volume and type of evidence relating to screening for CLN2 did not justify an evidence summary at this stage and no further work on screening for CLN2 should be commissioned. This was because:
- there were no international recommendations on population screening to detect CLN2 in newborns
- there was no direct evidence on how good screening tests were in a setting comparable to a population screening
- there were no studies on the benefits of treatment in screen-detected patients, and very limited evidence on the effectiveness of treatment in pre-symptomatic patients
4. Pressure reducing carotid stenosis in adults over 50
UK NSC decision: submission declined
It was noted that the UK NSC had looked at this topic following a 2019 annual call for topic submission and an evidence map had been commissioned. The recommendation of the 2019 evidence map was that further work should not be commissioned. Given the recent work undertaken on this topic and that no new evidence was submitted with the new proposal, it was agreed that no further work should be commissioned at this time.