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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 25 Research Studies DisplayedKrouse RS, You YN
Prospective comparative effectiveness trial for malignant bowel obstruction: SWOG S1316.
This paper is an update on the status of the Prospective Comparative Effectiveness Trial for Malignant Bowel Obstruction trial (S1316), the aim of which is to assess the quality of life outcome of “good days” for patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) who receive surgical intervention in comparison with patients who undergo nonsurgical intervention.
AHRQ-funded; HS021491.
Citation: Krouse RS, You YN .
Prospective comparative effectiveness trial for malignant bowel obstruction: SWOG S1316.
Bull Am Coll Surg 2015 Dec;100(12):49-50.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Digestive Disease and Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life
McCarthy IM
Putting the patient in patient reported outcomes: a robust methodology for health outcomes assessment.
Through a series of Monte Carlo simulations, this paper illustrates that reliance solely on the summary score may lead to biased estimates of incremental effects, and proposes a novel two-stage approach that allows for unbiased estimation of incremental effects. The proposed methodology essentially reverses the order of the analysis, from one of 'aggregate, then estimate' to one of 'estimate, then aggregate'.
AHRQ-funded; HS022431.
Citation: McCarthy IM .
Putting the patient in patient reported outcomes: a robust methodology for health outcomes assessment.
Health Econ 2015 Dec;24(12):1588-603. doi: 10.1002/hec.3113.
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Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Quality of Life, Research Methodologies
Morgans AK, van Bommel AC, Stowell C
Development of a standardized set of patient-centered outcomes for advanced prostate cancer: an international effort for a unified approach.
The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement assembled a multidisciplinary working group to develop a standard set of outcomes relevant to men with advanced prostate cancer to follow during routine clinical care. The international multidisciplinary group identified clinical data and patient-reported outcome measures that serve as a basis for international health outcome comparisons and quality-of-care assessments. The set will be revised annually.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Morgans AK, van Bommel AC, Stowell C .
Development of a standardized set of patient-centered outcomes for advanced prostate cancer: an international effort for a unified approach.
Eur Urol 2015 Nov;68(5):891-8. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2015.06.007.
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Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life, Adverse Events, Quality Indicators (QIs)
Buscher AL, Kallen MA, Suarez-Almazor ME
Development of an "Impact of HIV" instrument for HIV survivors.
A newly created Impact of HIV Survey, modified from Zebrack's Impact of Cancer Scale, was developed and completed by 356 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Factor analyses confirmed seven scales within 38 items: Health Awareness, Positive Self-Evaluation, Positive Outlook, Value of Relationships, Negative Self-Evaluation-Outlook, Health Anxiety, and Body Change.
AHRQ-funded; HS016093.
Citation: Buscher AL, Kallen MA, Suarez-Almazor ME .
Development of an "Impact of HIV" instrument for HIV survivors.
J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2015 Nov-Dec;26(6):720-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2015.08.002.
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Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Quality of Life, Health Status
Waljee JF, Ghaferi A, Finks JF
Variation in patient-reported outcomes across hospitals following surgery.
The researchers examined variation in patient-reported outcomes (PROs), specifically health-related quality of life (HRQOL), across hospitals performing bariatric surgery. They found that patient factors explain a large proportion of hospital-level variation in PROs following bariatric surgery, underscoring the importance of risk adjustment.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Waljee JF, Ghaferi A, Finks JF .
Variation in patient-reported outcomes across hospitals following surgery.
Med Care 2015 Nov;53(11):960-6. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000425..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Surgery, Obesity, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Patient Experience
Cantor SB, Deshmukh AA, Krahn MD
Use of forecasted assessment of quality of life to validate time-trade-off utilities and a prostate cancer screening decision-analytic model.
The researchers sought to determine whether the forecasted assessment of how someone would feel in a future health state can be predictive of utilities (e.g. as elicited by the time-trade-off method) and also predictive of optimal decisions as determined by a decision-analytic model. They concluded that anticipated difficulty adjusting to adverse health effects were highly related to preferences and could be used as a proxy measure of utility.
AHRQ-funded; HS08992.
Citation: Cantor SB, Deshmukh AA, Krahn MD .
Use of forecasted assessment of quality of life to validate time-trade-off utilities and a prostate cancer screening decision-analytic model.
Health Expect 2015 Oct;18(5):1610-20. doi: 10.1111/hex.12150.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Elderly, Quality of Life, Screening
Fernandes-Taylor S, Adesoye T, Bloom JR
Managing psychosocial issues faced by young women with breast cancer at the time of diagnosis and during active treatment.
This review examines recent literature on the psychosocial needs of and interventions for young women. It focuses on the active treatment period given the toxicity of treatment, the incidence of anxiety, and depressive symptoms in these women during treatment. It concluded that shared decision-making, balancing body image, fear of recurrence, and recommended treatment, and palliative care for metastasis are essential research priorities for the clinical setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS023395.
Citation: Fernandes-Taylor S, Adesoye T, Bloom JR .
Managing psychosocial issues faced by young women with breast cancer at the time of diagnosis and during active treatment.
Curr Opin Support Palliat Care 2015 Sep;9(3):279-84. doi: 10.1097/spc.0000000000000161..
Keywords: Anxiety, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Shared Decision Making, Depression, Quality of Life
Ware JE, Gandek B, Kulasekaran A
Evaluation of smoking-specific and generic quality of life measures in current and former smokers in Germany and the United States.
The researchers evaluated the psychometric properties of German- and English-language versions of survey scales representing both types of measures in samples of current and former smokers. They concluded that German- and English-language Tobacco Quality of Life Impact Tool (TQOLIT) surveys have comparable and satisfactory psychometric properties. Cross-sectional tests, including correlations with four biomarkers, support the validity of the new smoking-specific measures for use in studies of otherwise healthy smokers.
AHRQ-funded; HS023117.
Citation: Ware JE, Gandek B, Kulasekaran A .
Evaluation of smoking-specific and generic quality of life measures in current and former smokers in Germany and the United States.
Health Qual Life Outcomes 2015 Aug 16;13:128. doi: 10.1186/s12955-015-0316-3..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Tobacco Use
Kenzik KM, Ganz PA, Martin MY
How much do cancer-related symptoms contribute to health-related quality of life in lung and colorectal cancer patients? A report from the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance (CanCORS) Consortium.
The objective of this study was to examine associations of symptoms with physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and in patients with lung cancer. It found that physical component summary scores for patients with CRC and lung cancer were below the general population norm of 50 (43 and 37, respectively), and mental component summary scores were at the population norm.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Kenzik KM, Ganz PA, Martin MY .
How much do cancer-related symptoms contribute to health-related quality of life in lung and colorectal cancer patients? A report from the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance (CanCORS) Consortium.
Cancer 2015 Aug 15;121(16):2831-9. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29415..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Outcomes
Thomas HN, Hess R, Thurston RC
Correlates of sexual activity and satisfaction in midlife and older women.
The authors gave updated prevalence estimates of sexual activity among women and elucidated factors associated with sexual activity and sexual satisfaction. Using the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, they found that a considerable proportion of midlife and older women remain sexually active if they have a partner available. Additionally, psychosocial factors matter more to sexual satisfaction than aging among midlife and older women.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Thomas HN, Hess R, Thurston RC .
Correlates of sexual activity and satisfaction in midlife and older women.
Ann Fam Med 2015 Jul-Aug;13(4):336-42. doi: 10.1370/afm.1820.
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Keywords: Elderly, Women, Sexual Health, Quality of Life
Hinami K, Smith J, Deamant CD
Health perceptions and symptom burden in primary care: measuring health using audio computer-assisted self-interviews.
The purpose of the study was to assess the relationships among somatic symptoms and health perception measures in data collected from the implementation of audio computer-assisted self-interviews. It found physical symptoms, notably lack of energy and pain, to be prevalent and severe in an urban safety-net general medical population. Poor health perception in the patient population was attributable largely to lack of energy and pain.
AHRQ-funded; HS019481.
Citation: Hinami K, Smith J, Deamant CD .
Health perceptions and symptom burden in primary care: measuring health using audio computer-assisted self-interviews.
Qual Life Res 2015 Jul;24(7):1575-83. doi: 10.1007/s11136-014-0884-4..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Primary Care, Health Status, Pain
Kenzik K, Pisu M, Johns SA
Unresolved pain interference among colorectal cancer survivors: Implications for patient care and outcomes.
This study describes pain interference (PI) prevalence across the cancer continuum; 2) identifies demographic and clinical factors associated with PI and changes in PI; and 3) examines PI’s relationship with survivors’ job changes. It concluded that almost half of survivors with PI during the initial phase of care had continued PI into posttreatment. Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, contributed to continued PI.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Kenzik K, Pisu M, Johns SA .
Unresolved pain interference among colorectal cancer survivors: Implications for patient care and outcomes.
Pain Med 2015 Jul;16(7):1410-25. doi: 10.1111/pme.12727..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Quality of Life, Pain, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Macapagal K, Greene GJ, Rivera Z
"The best is always yet to come": relationship stages and processes among young LGBT couples.
This study sought to determine the stages and processes during young LGBT couples’ relationship development. Its qualitative analyses showed that relationship stages and processes were similar to past research on heterosexuals, but participants’ subjective experiences reflected their LGBT identities and emerging adulthood, which exerted additional stress on the relationship.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Macapagal K, Greene GJ, Rivera Z .
"The best is always yet to come": relationship stages and processes among young LGBT couples.
J Fam Psychol 2015 Jun;29(3):309-20. doi: 10.1037/fam0000094..
Keywords: Lifestyle Changes, Quality of Life, Stress
Kamal AH, Nipp RD, Bull J
Symptom burden and performance status among community-dwelling patients with serious illness.
The researchers explored the relationship between prevalence and severity of symptoms and underlying performance status. They found distinct groupings of symptoms with high burden associated with different levels of performance status. This includes high prevalence of fatigue, anorexia, and dyspnea in patients with high performance. Patients with low performance status, however, reported more pain, depression, and constipation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022763.
Citation: Kamal AH, Nipp RD, Bull J .
Symptom burden and performance status among community-dwelling patients with serious illness.
J Palliat Med 2015 Jun;18(6):542-4. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2014.0381..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Quality of Life, Palliative Care, Health Status
Ghant MS, Sengoba KS, Recht H
Beyond the physical: a qualitative assessment of the burden of symptomatic uterine fibroids on women's emotional and psychosocial health.
This study qualitatively assessed the burden of uterine fibroids on women's emotional health. It found that most participants exhibited a significant emotional response to their fibroids, including fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. Half of the women felt helpless and believed that they had no control over their fibroids.
AHRQ-funded; HS021141.
Citation: Ghant MS, Sengoba KS, Recht H .
Beyond the physical: a qualitative assessment of the burden of symptomatic uterine fibroids on women's emotional and psychosocial health.
J Psychosom Res 2015 May;78(5):499-503. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.12.016..
Keywords: Women, Behavioral Health, Quality of Life
Kenzik KM, Martin MY, Fouad MN
Health-related quality of life in lung cancer survivors: Latent class and latent transition analysis.
The authors determined the HRQOL classes that exist among lung cancer survivors, examined transitions among those classes over time, and compared survival outcomes of patients according to the classes present in the initial phase of care. Lung cancer survivors were characterized into 4 different classes based on HRQOL responses, and few survivors transitioned to better HRQOL classes.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Kenzik KM, Martin MY, Fouad MN .
Health-related quality of life in lung cancer survivors: Latent class and latent transition analysis.
Cancer 2015 May 1;121(9):1520-8. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29232..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Outcomes, Quality of Life, Health Status
Gilbert SM, Dunn RL, Wittmann D
Quality of life and satisfaction among prostate cancer patients followed in a dedicated survivorship clinic.
The researchers integrated quality of lifer (QOL) assessments into a prostate cancer survivorship clinic and compared recovery and satisfaction among men managed in the survivorship clinic with those followed with more routine care. They concluded that patient QOL and satisfaction were higher among men managed in a survivorship program.
AHRQ-funded; HS020927.
Citation: Gilbert SM, Dunn RL, Wittmann D .
Quality of life and satisfaction among prostate cancer patients followed in a dedicated survivorship clinic.
Cancer 2015 May 1;121(9):1484-91. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29215..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Quality of Life, Outcomes, Cancer
Gustafson DH Sr, McTavish F, Gustafson DH Jr
The effect of an information and communication technology (ICT) on older adults' quality of life: study protocol for a randomized control trial.
The goal of this study is to test the effects of a technology called Elder Tree designed for and used by older adults and their family caregivers. The primary purpose of Elder Tree, a web-based information and communication technology (ICT), is to improve older adult quality of life. Recruitment for the trial began in November 2013 and the intervention period will end in November 2016.
AHRQ-funded; HS019917.
Citation: Gustafson DH Sr, McTavish F, Gustafson DH Jr .
The effect of an information and communication technology (ICT) on older adults' quality of life: study protocol for a randomized control trial.
Trials 2015 Apr 25;16:191. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0713-2..
Keywords: Communication, Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT), Quality of Life
LeBlanc TW, Nipp RD, Rushing CN
Correlation between the international consensus definition of the Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (CACS) and patient-centered outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The researchers applied the recently posed weight-based international consensus CACS definition to a population of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explored its impact on patient-reported outcomes. They concluded that it is useful in identifying patients with advanced NSCLC who are likely to have significantly inferior survival and who will develop more precipitous declines in physical function and QOL.
AHRQ-funded; HS022763.
Citation: LeBlanc TW, Nipp RD, Rushing CN .
Correlation between the international consensus definition of the Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (CACS) and patient-centered outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2015 Apr;49(4):680-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.09.008..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Patient Safety, Quality of Life, Mortality, Outcomes
Pergolotti M, Cutchin MP
The Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS): Development, validity, and reliability.
This study aimed to develop and validate a measure of perceived occupational possibilities: the Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS). The PActS demonstrated promising internal consistency reliability and construct-related structural and known-groups validity. The PActS appears to be a useful measure of internalized occupational possibilities for participation in activity for older adults with cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Pergolotti M, Cutchin MP .
The Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS): Development, validity, and reliability.
Can J Occup Ther 2015 Apr;82(2):85-92..
Keywords: Cancer, Quality of Life, Elderly
Chao MT, Abercrombie PD, Nakagawa S
Prevalence and use of complementary health approaches among women with chronic pelvic pain in a prospective cohort study.
The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with use of complementary health approaches among women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It found that just over 51 percent of the women with CPP who used complementary health approaches had more optimal health-related quality of life, as measured by the Pelvic Problem Impact Questionnaire.
AHRQ-funded; HS011657; HS07373; HS09478.
Citation: Chao MT, Abercrombie PD, Nakagawa S .
Prevalence and use of complementary health approaches among women with chronic pelvic pain in a prospective cohort study.
Pain Med 2015 Feb;16(2):328-40. doi: 10.1111/pme.12585..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Women, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Quality of Life
Kaplan RM, Sun Q, Ries AL
AHRQ Author: Kaplan RM
Quality of well-being outcomes in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial.
The purpose of this article is to report outcomes from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) using an index that combines quality and quantity of life. Results showed that, compared with maximal medical therapy alone, patients undergoing maximal medical therapy plus lung volume reduction surgery experienced improved health-related quality of life and gained more quality-adjusted life years.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kaplan RM, Sun Q, Ries AL .
Quality of well-being outcomes in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial.
Chest 2015 Feb;147(2):377-87. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-0528.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life, Respiratory Conditions, Surgery
Halverson JL, Martinez-Donate AP, Palta M
Health literacy and health-related quality of life among a population-based sample of cancer patients.
The authors examined the relation between health literacy and health-related quality of life among cancer patients. Their cross-sectional survey found that health literacy is positively and independently associated with health-related quality of life among cancer patients. Their findings support adoption of health literacy best practices by cancer care systems.
AHRQ-funded; HS000083.
Citation: Halverson JL, Martinez-Donate AP, Palta M .
Health literacy and health-related quality of life among a population-based sample of cancer patients.
J Health Commun 2015;20(11):1320-9. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2015.1018638..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Quality of Life, Cancer
Prosser LA, Lamarand K, Gebremariam A
Measuring family HRQoL spillover effects using direct health utility assessment.
The researchers evaluated the loss in health-related quality of life of having a family member with a chronic illness by condition and relationship type. They found that the effects of illness extend beyond the individual patient to include effects on caregivers of patients, parents of ill children, spouses, and other close family and household members. They recommended that cost-effectiveness analyses consider the inclusion of health-related quality of life spillover effects in addition to caregiving time costs incurred by family members of ill individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS014010.
Citation: Prosser LA, Lamarand K, Gebremariam A .
Measuring family HRQoL spillover effects using direct health utility assessment.
Med Decis Making 2015 Jan;35(1):81-93. doi: 10.1177/0272989x14541328.
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Keywords: Caregiving, Chronic Conditions, Family Health and History, Healthcare Costs, Quality of Life
Feemster LC, Cooke CR, Rubenfeld GD
The influence of hospitalization or intensive care unit admission on declines in health-related quality of life.
The researchers sought to determine the association of an ICU stay with declines in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). prehospital. They found that hospitalization is associated with increased risk of impairment in HRQoL after discharge, yet the overall magnitude of this reduction is small and similar between non-ICU hospitalized and critically ill patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS020672.
Citation: Feemster LC, Cooke CR, Rubenfeld GD .
The influence of hospitalization or intensive care unit admission on declines in health-related quality of life.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2015 Jan;12(1):35-45. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201404-172OC..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Hospitalization, Quality of Life, Health Status