Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization of qualitative evidence synthesis in National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation (Conitec) in Brazilian Public Health System (SUS).
METHODS: A review of published contents available on the CONITEC website until January 2025 was conducted to identify qualitative evidence syntheses and evaluate their role in SUS.
RESULTS: Seven qualitative evidence syntheses were identified on the CONITEC website, with the first published in November 2022 and the most recent in November 2024. All publications had the objective to understand the perspective and experiences of patients, families, and caregivers about the treatment of one of the following conditions: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) types I and II, diabetic retinopathy (RD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and fracture of the neck of femur (FNF). The first publication was demanded for the incorporation of a medication to SLE, which was ultimately not approved for inclusion in the SUS. Four syntheses were conducted to update the clinical and therapeutic national protocol (PTC for Portuguese) for the disease (MPS types I and II, FAP and FNF). Two syntheses supported PTC updates following the incorporation of medications by CONITEC that introduced advancements in treatment options available in the public system in Brazil.
CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of qualitative evidence synthesis in Brazil is new and is gaining space in the public health system. Now, the only fields that utilizes this type of evidence is mostly to update the available protocols for treatments with only one publication prior the incorporation of a medication. Qualitative evidence synthesis is a field yet to be explored in the health technology assessments in Brazil.