Isca Evidence
We are one of nine research groups in the UK commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Evidence Synthesis Programme to address knowledge gaps or to answer a specific need for health, public health and social care audiences.
The other research groups are based at:
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Warwick
- University of York
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Bristol
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Glasgow
- University of Sheffield
Visit our Twitter page: https://twitter.com/IscaEvidence
**We are currently seeking people who would like to join the Patient, Carer and Public Advisory Group. Please e-mail Lauren from the PERSPEX team for more information l.asare@exeter.ac.uk**
The work
The programme of work involves appraising and synthesising research and other evidence relating to effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and patient experience across health and social care. We work closely with policy makers to make sure that our evidence syntheses address important policy and practice needs. Our outputs may include systematic reviews, qualitative evidence syntheses, rapid reviews and evidence and gap maps depending on the policy requirement and the evidence available. Where possible, we also capitalise on our substantive work to drive methods innovation.
See our current and past products below.
The Isca Evidence team
The Isca Evidence team is led by:
- Jo Thompson Coon (Co-Lead and project director)
- G.J. Melendez-Torres (Co-Lead and project director)
A core team of reviewers:
- Michael Nunns (Systematic Reviewer)
- Sam Febrey (Systematic Reviewer)
- Kieran Becker (Systematic Reviewer)
- Morgan Weiland (Systematic Reviewer)
- Jill Buckland (Information Specialist)
Dedicated patient and public involvement expertise:
- Kate Boddy (Patient and public involvement lead)
- Tanya Hynd (Patient and public involvement administration)
- PERSPEX
And an extended team of researchers who provide additional specialist expertise:
- Alison Bethel (Lead information specialist)
- Liz Shaw (Qualitative evidence synthesis expertise)
- Ruth Garside (Qualitative evidence synthesis expertise)
- Rebecca Abbott (Quantitative and mixed methods evidence synthesis expertise)
- Rebecca Whear (Quantitative and mixed methods evidence synthesis expertise)
- Rob Anderson (Realist review expertise)
- Clare Hulme (Health economics expertise)
- Sue Ball (Health statistics expertise)
- Sallie Lamb (Clinical trials expertise)
- Siobhan O’Dwyer (Adult Social Care, University of Birmingham)
The Isca Evidence administrator is Sue Whiffin
Isca Evidence works alongside an Expert Advisory Group who provide additional methodological and strategic guidance to support the delivery of our work. The group includes individuals from health, social care and public health backgrounds and provides valuable context and background information within the fast paced and changeable policy environment.
University press release: https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/prestigious-2-5-million-award-to-fund-new-evidence-synthesis-facility-at-exeter/
PPI Community of Practice for the 9 Evidence Synthesis Groups
Isca Evidence co-leads the PPI Community of Practice for the 9 Evidence Synthesis Groups, in collaboration with Bristol ESG.
Patient and public involvement in evidence synthesis is less common and less well researched than other research methods. Many of the contributors to this emergent field of knowledge are members of the nine Evidence Synthesis Groups (ESGs). Therefore the ESGs are in a strong position to foster collaboration and expertise sharing to boost knowledge and practice of PPI in Evidence Synthesis.
To find out more about this ESG community of practice please contact Kate Boddy: k.boddy@exeter.ac.uk
Current Projects
People living with overweight or obesity are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and a number of life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Approximately one in four adults in the UK is obese, with 67% of men and 60% of women in England living with overweight or obesity. Hospital admissions related to obesity continue to place significant demands on the NHS.
Recent evidence has emerged about the effectiveness of a number of ‘anti-obesity’ drugs, particularly Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) such as semaglutide (aka Ozempic, Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Initially emerging as treatments for type-2 diabetes mellitus, evidence for weight loss is beginning to be well-established.
However, there is a need to clarify evidence about the effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss, including aspects such as longer-term effectiveness, safety outcomes and how best to support delivery in the community. The Exeter Evidence Synthesis Group (Isca Evidence) is undertaking a programme of work to address these issues.
First, we are conducting a systematic review of recent network meta-analyses of the effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs, including safety outcomes. We may update the latest analysis with new trials if appropriate. The protocol for this work is accessible via the following link: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=493254.
Our second work package will focus on digital interventions to support the delivery of GLP-1 RA in the community. We will use a component network meta-analysis approach, allowing us to identify which aspects of existing digital interventions are associated with successful outcomes, and therefore might be important components of future approaches.
After completion of these pieces of work, we will conduct a systematic review of qualitative evidence about people’s experiences of taking GLP-1 RAs.
This work will be ongoing throughout 2023 and 2024.
Past Projects
