Derivation and Validation of the Denver Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Risk Score for Targeted HIV Screening

This weekly compilation of articles appearing in recently released journals and newsletters includes:

• Articles funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) or authored by AHRQ researchers.
• Articles mentioning or discussing AHRQ staff, activities, and publications/products.
• Articles related to AHRQ-funded Evidence-based Practice Centers.
• Articles related to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or Put Prevention into Practice program.
• Articles mentioning the National Healthcare Disparities Report and National Healthcare Quality Report.
• Other research using AHRQ data or products.

AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles

American Journal of Epidemiology
Haukoos JS, Lyons MS, Lindsell CJ, et al. Derivation and validation of the Denver Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) risk score for targeted HIV screening. Am J Epidemiol 2012 Apr 15; 175(8):838-46. [Supported in part by Independent Scientist Award grant K02 HS17526 (to first author); cites AHRQ publication, Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Focused Update of a 2005 Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2007.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Managed Care
Chang H, Weiner JP, Richards TM, et al. Predicting costs with diabetes complications severity index in claims data. Am J Manag Care 2012 Apr; 18(4):213-19. [Supported by contract HHSA290-2005-0034-I-TO4-WA1, Project ID # 35-EHC, to the Johns Hopkins University Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness (DEcIDE) Center.]

BMJ Open
Woz S, Mitchell S, Hesko C, Paasche-Orlow M, Greenwald J, Chetty VK, O'Donnell J, Jack B. Gender as risk factor for 30 days post-discharge hospital utilisation: a secondary data analysis. BMJ Open 2012 Apr 18; 2(2):e000428. [Supported in part by grants 1 UC1 HS14289-01 and 1 U18 HS15905-01 (both to last author).] Select the access the abstract.

JAMA
Zhu J, Sharma DB, Gray SW, Chen AB, Weeks JC, Schrag D. Carboplatin and paclitaxel with vs without bevacizumab in older patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1593-1601. [Supported in part by contract HHSA290-2010-00006-I (to last author, as part of the DEcIDE program); uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select to access the abstract.

Galvagno SM Jr, Haut ER, Zafar SN, et al. Association between helicopter vs ground emergency medical services and survival for adults with major trauma. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1602-10. [Supported in part by Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award grant 1 K08 HS17952-01; refer to comments by Concato (JAMA, 2012) cited in AHRQ-Related Articles.] Select to access the abstract.

Sheets NC, Goldin GH, Meyer AM, Wu Y, Chang Y, Stürmer T, et al. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, proton therapy, or conformal radiation therapy and morbidity and disease control in localized prostate cancer. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1611-20. [Supported in part by contract HHSA290-2005-0040-I-TO6 (as part of the DEcIDE program); acknowledges receipt of funding by sixth author as principal investigator of the University of North Carolina DEcIDE Center and support by William Lawrence (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence); mentions calls for comparative effectiveness research of localized prostate cancer treatments by AHRQ and other organizations, citing AHRQ-funded systematic review by Wilt et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2008) on the comparative effectiveness and harms of treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer, prepared by the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under grant 290-02-0009.] Select to access the abstract.

Jackson RS, Chang DC, Freischlag JA. Comparison of long-term survival after open vs endovascular repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysm among Medicare beneficiaries. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1621-8. [Supported in part by SCANNER grant R01 HS19913-01 (to second author); uses Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Clinical Classifications Software (CCS), citing Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) for ICD-9-CM, 2010, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Tan HJ, Norton EC, Ye Z, et al. Long-term survival following partial vs radical nephrectomy among older patients with early-stage kidney cancer. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1629-35. [Supported by grant K08 HS18346-01A1; uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992) and "established claims algorithms" from AHRQ publication, AHRQ Quality Indicators: Guide to Patient Safety Indicators, Version 3.0, 2006, and AHRQ-funded article by Tan et al. (J Urol, 2011).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Surgical Research
Shelton J, Kummerow K, Phillips S, et al. An urban-rural blight? Choledocholithiasis presentation and treatment. J Surg Res 2012 Apr; 173(2):193-7. [Supported by Health Services Training grant T32 HS13833-08; uses 2007 HCUP NIS data and HCUP Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) groupings, citing Introduction to the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2007, 2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site; cites AHRQ publication, Tools for Monitoring the Health Care Safety Net, 2003, as published the AHRQ Archive Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Medical Care
Olfson M, Liu SM, Grant BF, et al. Influence of comorbid mental disorders on time to seeking treatment for major depressive disorder. Med Care 2012 Mar; 50(3):227-32. [Supported in part by grant U18 HS16097 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Medical Care Research and Review
Sarpong EM, Bernard DM, Miller GE. Changes in pharmaceutical treatment of diabetes and family financial burdens. Med Care Res Rev 2012 Apr 17 [Epub ahead of print. Authors are researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends; uses 1997-1998 and 2006-2007 MEPS Prescribed Medicines (PMED) files data, citing AHRQ publications, Trends in the Pharmaceutical Treatment of Diabetes, 1997 to 2007, MEPS Research Findings 30, 2010, and Design and Methods of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component, MEPS Methodology Report 1, 1997, both published on AHRQ's MEPS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

PLoS One
Bukowski R, Davis KE, Wilson PW. Delivery of a small for gestational age infant and greater maternal risk of ischemic heart disease. PLoS One 2012; 7(3):e33047. [Second author is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends. Also refer to AHRQ-funded articles by Fink et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles, and Dahabreh et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles.] Select to access the abstract.

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Journal of Managed Care
Myers JS, Shannon RP. Chasing high performance: best business practices for using health information technology to advance patient safety. Am J Manag Care 2012 Apr; 18(4):e121-e125. [Cites AHRQ publication, Advances in Patient Safety: From Research to Implementation, Volume 3: Implementation Issues, 2005; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Levtzion-Korach et al. (J Patient Saf, 2009), Walsh et al. (Pediatrics, 2006), and Koppel et al. (JAMA, 2005).]

Bishop TF, Federman AD, Ross JS. Association between physician quality improvement incentives and ambulatory quality measures. Am J Manag Care 2012 Apr; 18(4):e126-e134. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Landon et al. (Am J Manag Care, 2008), Rosenthal and Dudley (JAMA, 2007), Rosenthal et al. (JAMA, 2007, and N Engl J Med, 2006), and others.]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Juusola JL, Brandeau ML, Owens DK, et al. The cost-effectiveness of preexposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in the United States in men who have sex with men. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):541-50. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Khazeniet al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009), Nyman et al. (Med Care, 2007), Bozzette et al. (N Engl J Med, 2001), and others.] Select to access the abstract.

Cohen SP, White RL, Kurihara C, et al. Epidural steroids, etanercept, or saline in subacute sciatica: a multicenter, randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):551-9. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Keller et al. (J Bone Joint Surg Am, 1999).] Select to access the abstract.

Olde Rikkert MG, Schers HJ, Melis RJ. Defining patient complexity. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):606. [Comments on article by Grant et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2011), which uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).]

Cerimele JM, Peccoralo LA. Defining patient complexity. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):606-7. [Comments on article by Grant et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2011), which uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992); notes AHRQ's recognition of factors contributing to patient complexity, citing AHRQ-sponsored publication, Integrating Mental Health Treatment Into the Patient Centered Medical Home, 2010, prepared by Mathematica Policy Research under contract HHSA290-2009-00019-I-TO2.]

Grant RW, Hong CS, Atlas SJ. Defining patient complexity. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):607. [Replies to comments by Olde Rikkert, Schers, and Melis and by Cerimele and Peccoralo cited above in this section.]

Archives of Internal Medicine
O'Malley PG. What does off-label prescribing really mean? Arch Intern Med 2012 Apr 16 [Epub ahead of print. Comments on article by Eguale et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2012) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles.]

Healthcare Finance News
Bouchard S. Women in healthcare: Carolyn Clancy. Healthcare Finance News 2012 Mar 20; Online. [Interviews AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, noting her membership on the Board of Governors of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).]

JAMA
Kuehn BM. A push for comparative effectiveness: US initiatives aim to empower patients, physicians. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1570-1. [Interviews AHRQ director Carolyn M. Clancy on AHRQ's involvement in comparative effectiveness research (CER) activities; gives Web site addresses for the AHRQ Web site, AHRQ Request for Application Patient-Centered Outcomes Research -- Dissemination by Health Professionals Associations (PCOR-DHPA) (R18), and AHRQ project abstract Developing a Registry of Patient Registries, 2011.]

Mullins CD, Abdulhalim AM, Lavallee DC. Continuous patient engagement in comparative effectiveness research. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1587-8. [Proposes a framework for enhancing CER through continuous patient engagement, as suggested by the "evaluation of information from AHRQ".]

Kass N, Faden R, Tunis S. Addressing low-risk comparative effectiveness research in proposed changes to US federal regulations governing research. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1589-90. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Tunis, Stryer, and Clancy (second and third authors are former AHRQ center director and current AHRQ director, respectively) (JAMA, 2003); cites AHRQ publication, AHRQ Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs). Fact Sheet, 2001 (revised 2011), as published on the AHRQ Web site.]

Concato J. Is it time for medicine-based evidence? JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1641-3. [Comments on articles by Zhu et al., Galvagno et al., Sheets et al., Jackson et al., and Tan et al. (JAMA, 2012) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

Golub RM, Fontanarosa PB. Comparative effectiveness research: relative successes. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1643-5. [Mentions AHRQ's receipt of comparative effectiveness research (CER) funding and cites What is Comparative Effectiveness Research, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site; comments on articles by Zhu et al., Galvagno et al., Sheets et al., Jackson et al., and Tan et al. (JAMA, 2012) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles, and articles by Selby, Beal, and Frank (JAMA, 2012) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles.]

Methodology Committee of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Methodological standards and patient-centeredness in comparative effectiveness research: the PCORI perspective. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1636-40. [Lists Jean Slutsky, director of AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence, as a member of the Methodology Committee of PCORI; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Wu, Snyder, and Clancy (AHRQ director) (Health Aff, 2010), Atkins (former AHRQ researcher) and Kupersmith (Am J Med, 2010), and Tunis, Stryer (former AHRQ center director), and Clancy (JAMA, 2003); cites AHRQ-funded article by Schneeweiss et al. (Clin Pharmacol Ther, 2011) and McClellan, McNeil, and Newhouse (JAMA, 1994).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Thorpe CT, Thorpe JM, Kind AJ, et al. Receipt of monitoring of diabetes mellitus in older adults with comorbid dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012 Apr; 60(4):644-51. [Cites AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998) and the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992); cites presentation by Katon, "Complex Medical Patients," given at the 2010 AHRQ Annual Conference and available on the AHRQ Web site; cites AHRQ-funded article by Iezzoni, Killeen, and O'Day (Health Serv Res, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

The American Geriatrics Society 2012 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. American Geriatrics Society updated Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012 Apr; 60(4):616-31. [Notes that American Geriatrics Society panel member Joseph Hanlon is supported by grants R01 HS17695 and R01 HS18721 for other research; cites AHRQ-authored article by Atkins (former AHRQ researcher) (BMJ, 2004); cites AHRQ-funded articles by Hanlon et al. (Age Ageing, 2011), Chrischilles et al. (J Am Geriatr Soc, 2009), Gurwitz et al. (Am J Med, 2005), and others.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Urology
Lee JY, Mucksavage P, Canales C, et al. High fidelity simulation based team training in urology: a preliminary interdisciplinary study of technical and nontechnical skills in laparoscopic complications management. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1385-91. [Cites AHRQ publication, Advances in Patient Safety: New Directions and Alternative Approaches, Volume 3. Performance and Tools, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Medical Care
Pham B, Stern A. Improving the quality of pressure ulcer care with prevention: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Med Care. 2012 Feb;50(2):188. [Cites findings from AHRQ publication, Hospitalizations Related to Pressure Ulcers among Adults 18 Years and Older, 2006, HCUP Statistical Brief 64, 2008; comments on article by Padula et al. (Med Care, 2011), which uses HCUP data from AHRQ publication, Trends in Uninsured Hospital Stays, 1997-2006, HCUP Statistical Brief 67, 2009, to validate study results for estimated costs per patient.]

Padula WV, Mishra MK, Makic MB, et al. Improving the quality of pressure ulcer care with prevention: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Med Care 2012 Feb;50(2):188-90. [Replies to comments by Pham and Stern cited above in this section; notes the use of MEPS population data from AHRQ's MEPS Web site in authors' article (Med Care, 2011), which uses HCUP data from AHRQ publication, Trends in Uninsured Hospital Stays, 1997-2006, HCUP Statistical Brief 67, 2009.]

Modern Healthcare
Wilson L. At the top tier: clinical quality-improvement programs among efforts helping organizations place among the annual 100 Top Hospitals roster. Mod Healthc 2012 Apr 16; 42(16):26-30. [Mentions AHRQ's Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey as a source for the Thompson Reuters analysis of the 100 top hospitals.]

Rehabilitation Nursing
Forrest G, Huss S, Patel V, et al. Falls on an inpatient rehabilitation unit: risk assessment and prevention. Rehabil Nurs 2012 Mar-Apr; 37(2):56-61. [States that the studied program included elements of a falls reduction program recommended in guideline summary Health Care Association of New Jersey's (HCANJ) Fall Management Guideline, 2007, as published on AHRQ's National Guideline Clearinghouse™ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Polek C, Hardie T. Warfarin use post hospitalization: pilot comparative effectiveness of telephone follow-up. Rehabil Nurs 2012 Mar-Apr; 37(2):80-7. [Cites "AHRQ Announces Guide to Help Patients on Coumadin®/Warfarin Therapy" in AHRQ publication, Research Activities, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Turkish Pediatrics Archive
Parlakay AÖ, Kara A, Cengiz AB, et al. Perinatal HIV and prophylaxis: three case reports. Turkish Pediatrics Archive 2012 Mar; 47(1):59-62. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Managing Early HIV Infection, 1994.]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles

American Family Physician
Gradison M,. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Am Fam Physician 2012 Apr 15; 85(8):791-6. [Uses AHRQ evidence reports, USPSTF recommendations, and AHRQ's National Guideline Clearinghouse™ as data sources; cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for chlamydial infection and related USPSTF-sponsored evidence update by Meyers et al. (both in Ann Intern Med, 2007); cites USPSTF-sponsored systematic review on behavioral counseling to prevent sexually transmitted infections (Ann Intern Med, 2008).]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Fink HA, Ishani A, Taylor BC, et al. Screening for, monitoring, and treatment of chronic kidney disease stages 1 to 3: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and for an American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):570-581. [Supported by contract HHSA 290-2007-10064-I to the Minnesota EPC and based on AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1-3: Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment, 2012, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site; cites AHRQ-authored article by Owens, Lohr, Atkins (former AHRQ researcher) et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2010) on AHRQ's EPC program.] Select to access the abstract.

Uhlig K, Levey AS. Developing guidelines for chronic kidney disease: we should include all of the outcomes. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):599-601. [Comments on AHRQ-funded article by Fink et al. cited above in this section; cites AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1-3: Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment, 2012, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site, and USPSTF-sponsored article by Sawaya et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2007) on USPSTF methodologies.]

Ronco G, Meijer CJ, Cuzick J, et al. Screening for cervical cancer. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):604-5. [Comments on USPSTF-sponsored systematic review on liquid-based cytology and human papillomavirus testing to screen for cervical cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2011).]

Whitlock EP, Vesco KK, Lin JS, et al. Screening for cervical cancer. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):605-6. [Replies to comments by Ronco et al., cited above in this section; cites AHRQ publication, Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Decision Analysis for the United States Preventive Services Task Force, 2011.]

Dahm P. Review: PSA-based screening does not reduce prostate cancer mortality or all-cause mortality. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):JC4-2. [Summarizes and comments on USPSTF-sponsored evidence review on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2011); cites USPSTF draft recommendation statement Screening for Prostate Cancer, 2011, as published on the USPSTF Web site.]

Brooks RC, Hasley PB, Jasti H, et al. Update in general internal medicine: evidence published in 2011. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 18 [Epub ahead of print. Reviews and abstracts USPSTF-sponsored evidence review on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2011) under the subtitle "Cancer screening and prevention: screening for prostate cancer with prostate-specific antigen measurement carries uncertain benefits: treatment of early-stage prostate cancer reduces mortality but is frequently accompanied by adverse side effects"; cites AHRQ-funded systematic review by Sharma et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009) on the comparative effectiveness and harms of combination therapy and monotherapy for dyslipidemia, prepared by University of Ottawa EPC under contract 290-02-0021.]

Journal of Rural Health
Williams EC, McFarland LV, Nelson KM. Alcohol consumption among urban, suburban, and rural Veterans Affairs outpatients. J Rural Health 2012 Mar; 28(2):202-10. [Discusses and cites USPSTF recommendations on behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce risky/harmful alcohol use by adults and associated evidence summary by Whitlock et al. (both in Ann Intern Med, 2004); cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Maciosek et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2006), which ranks alcohol counseling interventions as the third highest prevention priority for U.S. adults; cites National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR), 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Urology
Li J, Thompson T, Joseph DA, et al. Association between smoking status, and free, total and percent free prostate specific antigen. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1228-33. [Cites updated USPSTF recommendations on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2008 and 2002).] Select to access the abstract.

Walsh PC. Re: Screening for prostate cancer: a review of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1267-8. [Summarizes and comments on USPSTF-sponsored evidence review on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2011).]

Walsh PC. Re: One man at a time-resolving the PSA controversy. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1268-9. [Discusses commentary by McNaughton-Collins and Barry (N Engl J Med, 2011) on USPSTF draft recommendation statement Screening for Prostate Cancer, 2011.]

Penson DF. Re: Difference in willingness-to-pay for prostate cancer screening between ill-informed and well-informed men: a contingent valuation survey. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1273. [Comments on article by Yasunaga, Sugihara, and Imamura (Urology, 2011), mentioning recently released USPSTF recommendations on prostate cancer screening.]

Prabhu V, Lee T, Lepor H, et al. Abstract 416: Using social media to gauge reaction to the United States Preventive Services Task Force's (USPSTF) report: Twitter as an investigative tool. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl):e170-e171. [Analyzes public sentiment and media coverage of the USPSTF recommendations on prostate cancer screening using Twitter.]

Scosyrev E, Wu G, Golijanin D, et al. Abstract 1915: Prostate-specific antigen testing in older men in the United States: data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl):e773. [Examines the frequency of PSA testing in men 75 years old and older in the years before and after release of updated USPSTF recommendations on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2008).]

Medical Care
Karliner LS, Ma L, Hofmann M, et al. Language barriers, location of care, and delays in follow-up of abnormal mammograms. Med Care 2012 Feb; 50(2):171-8. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence update on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

Lapham GT, Achtmeyer CE, Williams EC, et al. Increased documented brief alcohol interventions with a performance measure and electronic decision support. Med Care 2012 Feb; 50(2):179-87. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse and related evidence summary by Whitlock et al. (both in Ann Intern Med, 2004); cites AHRQ-funded systematic review by Maciosek et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2006) on the cost-effectiveness of preventive services considered effective by the USPSTF; cites article by Solberg, Maciosek, and Edwards (Am J Prev Med, 2008) on the clinically preventable burden and cost effectiveness of the above USPSTF recommendations.] Select to access the abstract.

Chambers JD, Morris S, Neumann PJ, et al. Factors predicting Medicare national coverage: an empirical analysis. Med Care 2012 Mar; 50(3):249-56. [Uses a scale adapted from USPSTF recommendations to classify reviewed coverage decision memos according to "quality of evidence", citing Grade Definitions Prior to May 2007, 2008, as published on the USPSTF Web site, and summarized in Table 2, "Grading Evidence According to Net Benefit and Quality of Evidence" (USPSTF Guidelines); cites article by Lesser et al. (Ann Fam Med, 2011), which evaluates the alignment of Medicare preventive services coverage with USPSTF recommendations.] Select to access the abstract.

New England Journal of Medicine
Gourlay ML, Fine JP, Preisser JS, et al. Bone-density testing interval and transition to osteoporosis in older women. N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 19; 366(3):225-33. [Mentions the USPSTF's uncertainties over optimal bone mineral density screening intervals, citing USPSTF recommendations on screening for osteoporosis (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

Cheung AM, Papaioannou A, Osteoporosis Canada Scientific Advisory Council Guidelines Committee. Bone-density testing interval and transition to osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2012 Apr 19; 366(16):1546. [Comments on article by Gourlay et al., cited above in this section.]

Lewiecki EM, Miller PD, Bilezikian JP. Bone-density testing interval and transition to osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2012 Apr 19; 366(16):1546-7. [Comments on article by Gourlay et al., cited above in this section.]

Leslie WD, Morin SN, Lix LM. Bone-density testing interval and transition to osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2012 Apr 19; 366(16):1547. [Comments on article by Gourlay et al., cited above in this section; cites article by Nayak, Roberts, and Greenspan (Ann Intern Med, 2011), which cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for osteoporosis, 2002.]

Gourlay ML, Lui L, Ensrud KE, et al. Bone-density testing interval and transition to osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2012 Apr 19; 366(16):1547-1548. [Replies to comments by Cheung et al., Lewiecki, Miller, and Bilezikian, and Leslie, Morin, and Lix cited above in this section; cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for osteoporosis (Ann Intern Med, 2011). Also refer to AHRQ-funded article by Haukoos et al. (Am J Epidemiol, 2012) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Academic Medicine
Michener L, Cook J, Ahmed SM, et al. Aligning the goals of community-engaged research: why and how academic health centers can successfully engage with communities to improve health. Acad Med 2012 Mar; 87(3):285-91. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Community-Based Participatory Research: Assessing the Evidence, Summary, 2004, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select the access the abstract.

American Journal of Managed Care
Hudson JS, Neff JA, Padilla MA, et al. Predictors of physician use of inpatient electronic health records. Am J Manag Care 2012 Apr; 18(4):201-6. [Cites AHRQ-funded systematic review by Chaudhry et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2006) on the impact of health information technology on quality, efficiency, and costs of medical care, performed by the Southern California-University of California at San Francisco EPC; cites AHRQ publication, Percentage of Orders Entered by Authorized Providers Using CPOE, 2009.]

American Journal of Public Health
Islam NS, Tandon D, Mukherji R, et al. Understanding barriers to and facilitators of diabetes control and prevention in the New York City Bangladeshi community: a mixed-methods approach. Am J Public Health 2012 Mar; 102(3):486-90. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Outcomes of Community Health Worker Interventions, 2009, prepared by the RIT International-University of North Carolina EPC under grant 290-2007-10056-I.]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Dahabreh IJ, Chung M, Balk EM, et al. Active surveillance in men with localized prostate cancer: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):582-90. [Supported by contract HHSA290-2007-10055-I (to the Tufts EPC) and commissioned for the National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science conference Role of Active Surveillance in the Management of Men With Localized Prostate Cancer, 2011, the statement from which is summarized below; based on AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, An Evidence Review of Active Surveillance in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer, 2011, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Web site; uses rating criteria and methodologies given in AHRQ draft publication, Methods Reference Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, Version 1.0, 2010, and AHRQ-authored article by Owens, Lohr, Atkins (former AHRQ researcher) et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2010) on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program; cites AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer, 2008, and AHRQ technology assessment, Comparative Evaluation of Radiation Treatments for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: An Update, 2010; cites AHRQ-funded systematic reviews by Bannuru et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2011) on the comparative evaluation of radiation treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer (prepared by the Tufts EPC under contract 290-2007-10055-I), and by Wilt et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2008) on the comparative effectiveness and harms of treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer (prepared by the Minnesota EPC under contract 290-02-0009); cites AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site.] Select the access the abstract.

Ganz PA, Barry JM, Burke W, et al. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference: Role of Active Surveillance in the Management of Men With Localized Prostate Cancer. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17;156(8):591-5. [Based on AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, An Evidence Review of Active Surveillance in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer, 2011, summarized above in this section; notes membership of William Lawrence in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence on the planning committee and acknowledges AHRQ as a conference partner.] Select the access the abstract.

Ronco G, Meijer CJ, Cuzick J, et al. Screening for cervical cancer. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):604-5. [Comments on USPSTF-sponsored systematic review on liquid-based cytology and human papillomavirus testing to screen for cervical cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2011).]

Whitlock EP, Vesco KK, Lin JS, et al. Screening for cervical cancer. Ann Intern Med 2012 Apr 17; 156(8):606-7. [Replies to comments by Ronco et al. cited above in this section; cites AHRQ publication, Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Decision Analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2011.]

Archives of Internal Medicine
Eguale T, Buckeridge DL, Winslade NE, et al. Drug, patient, and physician characteristics associated with off-label prescribing in primary care. Arch Intern Med 2012 Apr 16 [Epub ahead of print. Cites AHRQ-funded systematic reviews by Maher et al. (JAMA, 2011) on the efficacy and comparative effectiveness of atypical antipsychotic medications for off-label uses in adults (prepared by the Southern California EPC under contract 290-2007-100621) and Abernethy et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009) on the reliability of compendia methods for off-label oncology indications (prepared by the Duke and Tufts-NEMC EPCs under contract 290-02-0025; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Chen et al. (Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 2009), Walton et al. (Pharmacotherapy, 2008), Radley, Finkelstein, and Stafford (Arch Intern Med, 2006).] Select the access the abstract.

JAMA
Selby JV, Beal AC, Frank L. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) national priorities for research and initial research agenda. JAMA 2012 Apr 18; 307(15):1583-4. [Mentions the examination of AHRQ draft publication, Methods Guide for Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 2009, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site), in developing PCORI research priorities and research agenda and notes that the research agenda calls for close coordination between PCORI, AHRQ, and other CER funders.]

Medical Care
Curran GM, Bauer M, Mittman B, et al. Effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs: combining elements of clinical effectiveness and implementation research to enhance public health impact. Med Care 2012 Mar; 50(3):217-26. [Cites AHRQ technical review, Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies, Volume 2: Diabetes Care, 2004, Volume 3, Hypertension Care, 2005, Volume 4: Antibiotic Prescribing Behavior, 2006, and Volume 5: Asthma Care, 2007; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Tunis, Stryer, and Clancy (second and third authors are former AHRQ center director and current AHRQ director, respectively) (JAMA, 2003) and Atkins (former AHRQ researcher) (Implement Sci, 2009).] Select the access the abstract.

Medical Care Research and Review
Powell BJ, McMillen JC, Proctor EK, et al. A compilation of strategies for implementing clinical innovations in health and mental health. Med Care Res Rev 2012 Apr; 69(2):123-57. [Cites AHRQ technical review, Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies, 2004; cites AHRQ-funded meta-regression analysis by Shojania et al. (JAMA, 2006) on the effects of quality improvement strategies for type 2 diabetes on glycemic control, prepared by the Stanford-UCSF EPC under contract 290-02-0017.] Select the access the abstract.

Baier RR, Gardner RL, Buechner JS, et al. Creating a survey to assess physicians' adoption of health information technology. Med Care Res Rev 2012 Apr; 69(2):231-45. [Cites AHRQ-funded systematic review by Chaudhry et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2006) on the impact of health information technology on quality, efficiency, and costs of medical care, performed by the Southern California-University of California at San Francisco EPC. Also refer to article by Sheets et al. (JAMA, 2012) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles above, and articles by Fink et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012) and Brooks et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles] Select the access the abstract.

National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR)/National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR)-Related Articles

Medical Care Research and Review
Sabik LM, Dahman BA. Trends in care for uninsured adults and disparities in care by insurance status. Med Care Res Rev 2012 Apr; 69(2):215-30. [Cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2009; cites AHRQ-authored article by Lê Cook, McGuire, and Zuvekas (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care Res Rev, 2009). Also refer to articles by Williams et al. (J Rural Health, 2012) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles, and Trinh et al. (Cancer, 2012), Uva et al. (J Rural Health, 2012), and Gaskin et al. (Med Care Res Rev, 2012) cited in Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products.] Select the access the abstract.

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Pritchett CV, Thorne MC. Incidence of pediatric acute mastoiditis: 1997-2006. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2012 Apr 16 [Epub ahead of print. Uses 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data as accessed on the HCUPnet Web site, and cites Overview of the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), 1997-2006, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select the access the abstract.

Archives of Surgery
Kang CY, Halabi WJ, Luo R, et al. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a better look into the latest trends. Arch Surg 2012 Apr 16 [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2007 and 2009 HCUP NIS data, citing several articles using various HCUP NIS datasets.] Select the access the abstract.

Arthritis Care and Research
Cheng LI, Rascati KL. Impact of Medicare Part D for Medicare-age adults with arthritis: prescription use, prescription expenditures, and medical spending from 2005 to 2008. Arthritis Care Res 2012 Apr 16 [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2005-2008 MEPS Household Component (MEPS HC) data, citing Survey Background, as published on AHRQ's MEPS Web site; cites AHRQ-authored articles Donohue, Huskamp, and Zuvekas (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Health Aff, 2009).] Select the access the abstract.

Cancer
Trinh QD, Schmitges J, Sun M, et al. Improvement of racial disparities with respect to the utilization of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy in the United States. Cancer 2012 Apr 1; 118(7):1894-1900. [Uses 2001-2007 HCUP NIS data, and the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992); cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2008.] Select the access the abstract.

Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology
Graham P, Hider P, Cumming J, et al. Variation in New Zealand hospital outcomes: Combining hierarchical Bayesian modeling and propensity score methods for hospital performance comparisons. Health Serv Outcomes Res Methodol 2012 Mar; 12(1):1-28. [Uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998), and ICD-9 codes from AHRQ publication, Guide to Inpatient Quality Indicators, 2007, to identify three high-volume acute conditions with relatively high mortality; cites the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).]

Health Services Research
Zaslavsky AM, Ayanian JZ, Zaborski LB. The validity of race and ethnicity in enrollment data for Medicare beneficiaries. Health Serv Res 2012 Apr 19 [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2010 Medicare Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (MCAHPS) survey data, citing 2010 Medicare CAHPS Technical Report and articles using CAHPS® survey data.] Select the access the abstract.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Moore KL, Boscardin WJ, Steinman MA, et al. Age and sex variation in prevalence of chronic medical conditions in older residents of U.S. nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc 2012 Apr; 60(4):756-64. [Cites HCUP Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) as accessed on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select the access the abstract.

Journal of Rural Health
Uva JL, Wagner VL, Gesten FC. Emergency department reliance among rural children in Medicaid in New York State. J Rural Health 2012 Mar; 28(2):152-61. [Uses urban/rural area categories from AHRQ publication, Health Care in Urban and Rural Areas, Combined Years 1998-2000, MEPS Chartbook 13, 2004; cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2009; cites AHRQ-authored article by Cunningham, Clancy, Cohen (second and third authors are AHRQ director and researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, respectively) et al. (Med Care Res Rev, 1995).] Select the access the abstract.

Okrah K, Vaughan-Sarrazin M, Kaboli P, et al. Echocardiogram utilization among rural and urban veterans. J Rural Health 2012 Mar; 28(2):211-20. [Uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998) and updated version in article by Quan et al. (Med Care, 2005); cites AHRQ publication, Health Insurance Status of the Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, 1998, MEPS Research Findings 11, 2000, as published on AHRQ's MEPS Web site; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Larson and Hill (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (J Rural Health, 2005) and Larson and Fleishman (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care, 2003).] Select the access the abstract.

Journal of Urology
Bianchi M, Trinh QD, Sun M, et al. Discharge patterns after radical cystectomy: contemporary trends in the United States. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1206-9. [Uses 1998-2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select the access the abstract.

Strope SA, Yang L, Nepple KG, et al. Population based comparative effectiveness of transurethral resection of the prostate and laser therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1341-5. [Uses 2005-2009 HCUP SID, State Ambulatory Surgery Database (SASD), and State Emergency Department Database (SEDD) data for California, citing Overview of the State Inpatient Databases (SID), SASD Database Documentation, SEDD Database Documentation, and AHRQ publication, Evaluation of the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases, 2008, HCUP Methods Series 2011-02, 2011, all published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site; also uses HCUP revisit files (citing User Guide: HCUP Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analysis, Version 6, 2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site), AHRQ's Patient Safety Indicators (citing QI SAS®, Version 4.4, as published on AHRQ's Quality Indicators Web site), and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select the access the abstract.

Yu HY, Hevelone ND, Lipsitz SR, et al. Use, costs and comparative effectiveness of robotic assisted, laparoscopic and open urological surgery. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4):1392-9. [Uses 2008 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2010, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select the access the abstract.

Vricella G, Finelli A, Alibhai S, et al. Abstract 79: The true risk of blood transfusion of blood after nephrectomy for renal masses. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl):e33-e34. [Uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).]

Le B, Stein D, Kim D, et al. Abstract 415: Nationwide ED visits for testicular torsion evaluation in the US: adults get it too. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl):e170. [Uses 2007-2008 HCUP NEDS data.]

Stein D, Flum A, Cashy J, et al. Abstract 1138: Nationwide Emergency Department visits for priapism in the United States. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl): e461-e462. [Uses 2007-2008 HCUP NEDS data.]

Sandhu GS, Strope SA, Kibel AS, Owens PL, et al. Abstract 1806: Predictors of the contemporary use of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl):e729. [Uses 2009 HCUP SID data from ten states and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).]

Klaassen Z, Patil S, Chamberlain RS. Abstract 2125: De novo urologic malignancies among solid organ transplantation recipients: a 134,349 patient population analysis. J Urol 2012 Apr; 187(4 Suppl):e858. [Uses 2004-2008 HCUP NIS data.]

Liver Transplantation
Ali M, Ananthakrishnan AN, Ahmad S, et al. Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized liver transplant patients: A nationwide analysis. Liver Transpl 2012 Apr 14 [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2004-2008 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2004-2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site, and the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select the access the abstract.

Medical Care
Rodriguez HP, Perry L, Conrad DA, et al. The reliability of medical group performance measurement in a single insurer's pay for performance program. Med Care 2012 Feb; 50(2):117-23. [Uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select the access the abstract.

Merchant RM, Yang L, Becker LB, Berg RA, Nadkarni V, Nichol G, Carr BG, et al. Variability in case-mix adjusted in-hospital cardiac arrest rates. Med Care 2012 Feb; 50(2):124-30. [Uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); fourth and seventh authors report previous AHRQ funding.] Select the access the abstract.

Hynes DM, Stroupe KT, Fischer MJ, et al. Comparing VA and private sector healthcare costs for end-stage renal disease. Med Care 2012 Feb; 50(2):161-70. [Uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded articles by Romano, Roos, and Jollis (J Clin Epidemiol, 1993) and Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select the access the abstract.

Tarraf W, Miranda PY, González HM. Medical expenditures among immigrant and nonimmigrant groups in the United States: findings from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (2000-2008). Med Care 2012 Mar; 50(3):233-42. [Uses 2000-2008 MEPS data; cites AHRQ working paper by Selden and Sing (current and former AHRQ researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, respectively), "Aligning the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to Aggregate U.S. Benchmarks," 2008, as published on AHRQ's MEPS Web site, AHRQ-authored articles by Zuvekas (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) and Olin (Health Serv Res, 2009), Selden and Sing (Health Aff, 2008), Sing, Banthin (former AHRQ researcher), Selden et al. (Health Care Financ Rev, 2006), and Weinick, Zuvekas, and Cohen (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care Res Rev, 2000); cites AHRQ-funded systematic review by Maciosek et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2006) on the cost-effectiveness of preventive services recommended by the USPSTF.] Select the access the abstract.

Elliott MN, Haviland AM, Dembosky JW, et al. Are there differences in the Medicare experiences of beneficiaries in Puerto Rico compared with those in the U.S. mainland? Med Care 2012 Mar; 50(3):243-8. [Uses MCAHPS survey data, citing Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems Overview, 2011, and Guidelines for Translating CAHPS Surveys, 2009, as published on AHRQ's CAHPS Web site, and several AHRQ-funded and other articles using/assessing CAHPS®.] Select the access the abstract.

Medical Care Research and Review
Gaskin DJ, Dinwiddie GY, Chan KS, et al. Residential segregation and disparities in health care services utilization. Med Care Res Rev 2012 Apr; 69(2):158-75. [Uses 2006 MEPS data; cites AHRQ-authored article by Weinick, Zuvekas, and Cohen (second and third authors are researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care Res Rev, 2000); cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2007. Also refer to articles by Zhu et al. (JAMA, 2012), Jackson et at al. (JAMA, 2012), Tan et al. (JAMA, 2012), Shelton et al. (J Surg Res, 2012), and Sarpong, Bernard, and Miller (Med Care Res Rev, 2012) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles above, and article by Chambers et al. (Med Care, 2012) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles] Select the access the abstract.