Statin Use and Infections in Veterans with Cirrhosis

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

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Motzkus-Feagans C, Pakyz AL, Ratliff SM, et al. Statin use and infections in Veterans with cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2013 Sep; 38(6):611-18. [Supported by grant K08 HS18578 (to second author).] Select to access the abstract.

Clinical Infectious Diseases
Fritz SA, Tiemann KM, Hogan PG, et al. A serologic correlate of protective immunity against community-onset Staphylococcus aureus infection. Clin Infect Dis 2013 Jun; 56(11):1554-61. [Supported by grant R01 HS21736 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Environmental Health Perspectives
Fleisch AF, Burns JS, Williams PL, et al. Blood lead levels and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations in peripubertal boys. Environ Health Perspect 2013 Jul; 121(7):854-8. [Supported by grant T32 HS00063.] Select to access the abstract.

Head & Neck
Howren MB, Christensen AJ, Hynds Karnell L, et al. Influence of pretreatment social support on health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: results from a prospective study. Head Neck 2013 Jun; 35(6):779-87. [Supported by Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) grant 5 U18 HS16094.] Select to access the abstract.

Health Economics
Meyerhoefer CD, Zuvekas SH, Manski R. The demand for preventive and restorative dental services. Health Econ 2014 Jan; 23(1):14-32. [Second and third authors are researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends; uses 2001-2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, citing AHRQ publications, Dental Services: Use, Expenses, and Sources of Payment, 1996-2000, 2004, and Dental Use, Expenses, Private Dental Coverage, and Changes, 1996 and 2004, 2007; cites U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 1996.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Owens PL, Barrett ML, Raetzman S, Maggard-Gibbons M, Steiner CA. Surgical site infections following ambulatory surgery procedures. JAMA 2014 Feb 19; 311(7):709-16. [Supported by contract HHSA 290-2013-00002-C to Truven Health Analytics; last author is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets; uses 2010 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Ambulatory Surgery Department (SASD) and State Inpatient Databases (SID) data for eight state, citing Overview of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) and Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Databases, both published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA Surgery
Gonzalez AA, Dimick JB, Birkmeyer JD, et al. Understanding the volume-outcome effect in cardiovascular surgery: the role of failure to rescue. JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):119-23. [Supported by grant K08 HS17765 (to second author); uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Glance LG, Osler TM, Mukamel DB, et al. Effectiveness of nonpublic report cards for reducing trauma mortality. JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):137-43.  [Supported by grant R01 HS16737.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Callegari LS, Darney BG, Godfrey EM, et al. Evidence-based selection of candidates for the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD). J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):26-33. [Supported by postdoctoral training grant T32 HS17582 (to second author).] Select to access the abstract.

Pediatrics
Chien AT, Song Z, Chernew ME, et al. Two-year impact of the alternative quality contract on pediatric health care quality and spending. Pediatrics 2014 Jan; 133(1):96-104. [Supported by Career Development Award grant K08 HS17146 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

PLOS Medicine
Kesselheim AS. Rising health care costs and life-cycle management in the pharmaceutical market. PLoS Med 2013 Jun 4; 10(6):e1001461. [Supported by Career Development Award grant K08 HS18465-01.]

Kramer DB, Tan YT, Sato C, Kesselheim AS. Postmarket surveillance of medical devices: a comparison of strategies in the US, EU, Japan, and China. PLoS Med 2013 Sep 24; 10(9):e1001519. [Supported by Career Development Award grant K08 HS18465-01 (to last author).]

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Wisk LE, Allchin A, Witt WP. Disparities in human papillomavirus vaccine awareness among U.S. parents of preadolescents and adolescents. Sex Transm Dis 2014 Feb; 41(2):117-22. [Supported by Predoctoral National Research Service Award grant T32 HS00083 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Creswell PD, Wisk LE, Litzelman K, et al. Parental depressive symptoms and childhood cancer: the importance of financial difficulties. Support Care Cancer 2014 Feb; 22(2):503-11. [Supported by grant T32 HS00083 (Smith M, principal investigator).] Select to access the abstract.

Also refer to articles by Fan and Smallman (Am Fam Physician, 2014) and Nelson et al. and Moyer et al. (both in Ann Intern Med, 2014) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-Related Articles, and articles by Cai et al. (Circulation, 2014), Haut et al. (JAMA Surg, 2014), and Wallace et al. (Pediatrics, 2014) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC)-Related Articles.

AHRQ-Related Articles

BioMed Research International
Williams AA, Cohn JR, Fung SM, et al. The efficacy of allergen immunotherapy with cat dander in reducing symptoms in clinical practice. Biomed Res Int 2013; 2013:324207. [Acknowledges guidance on statistical analysis from Nrupen Bhavsar, Johns Hopkins University (supported by grant T32 HS19488).] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA Internal Medicine
Schuur JD, Carney DP, Lyn ET, et al. A top-five list for emergency medicine: a pilot project to improve the value of emergency care. JAMA Intern Med 2014 Feb 17. [Epub ahead of print. Cites MEPS Household Component data on emergency department visits from Emergency Room Services: Mean and Median Expenses per Person with Expense and Distribution of Expenses by Source of Payment: United States, 2011, as generated on AHRQ's MEPS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Tinetti ME, Han L, Lee DS, et al. Antihypertensive medications and serious fall injuries in a nationally representative sample of older adults. JAMA Intern Med 2014 Feb 17. [Epub ahead of print. Cites HCUP methods series report, Addendum to Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) E Code Evaluation Report (Updated for 2009), 2011, as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA Surgery
Kao LS. Rescuing failures: can large data sets provide the answer? JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):124. [Comments on article by Gonzalez et al. (JAMA Surg, 2014) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles; cites AHRQ-funded article by Ghaferi, Birkmeyer, and Dimick (N Engl J Med, 2009).]

Dimick JB, Hendren SK. Hospital report cards: necessary but not sufficient? JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):143-4. [Comments on article by Glance et al. (JAMA Surg, 2014) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-Related Articles

American Family Physician
CME quiz questions. Am Fam Physician 2014 Feb 15; 89(4):251. [Includes questions based on USPSTF recommendations on screening for kidney disease, referencing article by Fan and Smallman cited below in this section.]

Sherin K, Klekamp BG, Beal J, et al. What is new in HIV infection? Am Fam Physician 2014 Feb 15; 89(4):265-72. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for HIV (Ann Intern Med, 2013); uses USPSTF recommendations as a data source.]

Fan T, Smallman DP. Screening for chronic kidney disease. Am Fam Physician 2014 Feb 15; 89(4):293-4. [First author is a medical officer in AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships; presents case study and questions based on USPSTF recommendations on screening for chronic kidney disease and associated systematic evidence review (both in Ann Intern Med, 2012).]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Nelson HD, Pappas M, Zakher B, et al. Risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women: a systematic review to update the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation. Ann Intern Med 2014 Feb 18; 160(4):255-66. [Supported by contract HHS 290-2007-10057-I-EPC3 to the Pacific Northwest EPC; updates USPSTF recommendations on genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility and associated evidence review (Ann Intern Med, 2005) and AHRQ evidence synthesis, Genetic Risk Assessment and BRCA Mutation Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility, 2005; based on AHRQ evidence synthesis, Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA Related Cancer: Systematic Review to Update the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation, 2013, performed by the same EPC under the same contract; uses methodologies from the USPSTF Procedure Manual, 2008, USPSTF-sponsored article by Harris et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2001) on USPSTF methodologies, and AHRQ-funded/authored article by Atkins et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2010).] Select to access the abstract.

Moyer VA, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women: U. S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med 2014 Feb 18; 160(4):271-81. [Updates 2005 USPSTF recommendations on genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility, citing associated evidence review (Ann Intern Med, 2005); based on AHRQ evidence synthesis, Risk Assessment, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Testing for BRCA Related Cancer: Systematic Review to Update the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation, 2013, performed by the Pacific Northwest EPC, and article by Nelson et al. cited above in this section.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Journal of Family Medicine
Bowman MA, Neale AV. Family physicians are complex care physicians and quality of care advancement experts. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):1-3. [Mentions USPSTF recommendations on aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.] Select to access the abstract.

Wells BJ, Kattan MW, Cooper GS, et al. ColoRectal Cancer Predicted Risk Online (CRC-PRO) calculator using data from the Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):42-55. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored decision analysis by Zauber et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2008) on evaluating test strategies for colorectal cancer screening.] Select to access the abstract.

Mitchell NS, Manning BK, Staton EW, et al. Outcomes of biomarker feedback on physical activity, eating habits, and emotional health: from the Americans in Motion-Healthy Intervention (AIM-HI) study. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):61-9. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for obesity in adults (Ann Intern Med, 2003) and cites Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 1996.] Select to access the abstract.

Bodner ME, Dolor RJ, Ostbye T, et al. Accuracy and congruence of patient and physician weight-related discussions: from Project CHAT (Communicating Health: Analyzing Talk). J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):70-7. [Cites USPSTF recommendation statement, Screening for and Management of Obesity in Adults, 2012, as published on the USPSTF Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Hissett J, Folks B, Coombs L, et al. Effects of changing guidelines, on prescribing aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):78-86. [Discusses USPSTF recommendations on aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and earlier associated evidence review summary (Ann Intern Med, 2009 and 2002, respectively.] Select to access the abstract.

Modern Healthcare
Rice S. Canadian study casts more doubt on mammograms. Mod Healthc 2013 Feb 17; 44(7):11. [Mentions USPSTF recommendations on screening for breast cancer.]

Goozner M. When an ounce of prevention is work an ounce of cure. Mod Healthc 2013 Feb 17; 44(7):23. [Discusses USPSTF recommendations on screening for breast cancer.]

Also refer to article by Meyerhoefer, Zuvekas, and Manski (Health Econ, 2014) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.

Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC)-Related Articles

American Family Physician
Narla R, Peck SB, Qui K. Fish oil for treatment of dyslipidemia. Am Fam Physician 2014 Feb 15; 89(4):288-90. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment,  Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Intermediate Markers of Cardiovascular Disease, 2004.]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Wong JB. Evidence-based medicine, pharmacogenetics, and antiplatelet therapy decision making for acute coronary syndrome. Ann Intern Med 2014 Feb 18; 160(4):284-5. [Cites AHRQ comparative effectiveness review executive summary, Testing of CYP2C19 Variants and Platelet Reactivity for Guiding Antiplatelet Treatment, 2013, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site.]

Circulation
Cai L, Wu Y, Wilson RF, et al. Effect of childhood obesity prevention programs on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Circulation 2014 Feb 19. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by contract 290-2007-10061-I to the Johns Hopkins EPC, based on AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs: Comparative Effectiveness Review and Meta-Analysis, 2013, prepared by the same EPC under the same contract and published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA Surgery
Haut ER, Garcia LJ, Shihab HM, et al. The effectiveness of prophylactic inferior vena cava filters in trauma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):194-202. [Supported by contract HHSA 290-2007-100611 to the Johns Hopkins EPC, based on AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacologic and Mechanical Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism among Special Populations, 2012; uses methodologies from AHRQ publication, Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 2011.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Halladay JR, DeWalt DA, Wise A, et al. More extensive implementation of the Chronic Care Model is associated with better lipid control in diabetes. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):34-41. [Cites AHRQ technical review, Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies, 2005, and AHRQ-sponsored Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, 2001.] Select to access the abstract.

Yawn BP, Dietrich A, Graham D, et al. Preventing the voltage drop: keeping practice-based research network (PBRN) practices engaged in studies. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):123-35. [Cites AHRQ technical review, Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies: Volume 1—Series Overview and Methodology, 2005, and AHRQ publication, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement: An Evidence-based Handbook for Nurses, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Lin SY, Stevens MB. The symptom cluster approach to individualize patient-centered treatment for major depression. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):151-9. [Cites AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Comparative Effectiveness of Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression, 2007, and 2011 update as published by AHRQ and in summary form in article by Gartlehner et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2011); also cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treatment of Major Depression, 1993.]

Pediatrics
Wallace IF, Berkman ND, Lohr KN, et al. Surgical treatments for otitis media with effusion: a systematic review. Pediatrics 2014 Feb; 133(2):296-311. [Supported by contact HHSA 290-2007-10056-I to the RTI International-University of North Carolina EPC and based on AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Otitis Media with Effusion: Comparative Effectiveness of Treatments, 2013, prepared by the same EPC under the same contract; uses evidence-grading methodologies from AHRQ-funded article by Owens et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2010); cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Otitis Media with Effusion in Young Children, 1994, and AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment,  Diagnosis, History, and Late Effects of Otitis Media with Effusion, 2003, prepared by the Southern California EPC.] Select to access the abstract.

Also refer to articles by Nelson et al. and Moyer et al. (both in Ann Intern Med, 2014) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-Related Articles.

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

Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
Dreyfus D, Lauer E, Wilkinson J. Characteristics associated with bone mineral density screening in adults with intellectual disabilities. J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jan-Feb; 27(1):104-14. [Cites AHRQ's NHQR, 2011, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

American Family Physician
Denay KL, Johansen M. Common questions about pacemakers. Am Fam Physician 2014 Feb 15; 89(4):279-82. [Uses AHRQ's National Guideline, Clearinghouse^TM (NGC) as a data source.]

Annals of Surgery
Halabi WJ, Jafari MD, Kang CY, et al. Colonic volvulus in the United States: trends, outcomes, and predictors of mortality. Ann Surg 2014 Feb; 259(2):293-301. [Uses 2002-2010 HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2007-2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site; also uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Halabi WJ, Kang CY, Ketana N, et al. Surgery for gallstone ileus: a nationwide comparison of trends and outcomes. Ann Surg 2014 Feb; 259(2):329-35. [Uses 2004-2009 HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, as accessed on AHRQ's HCUP Web User Support site; also uses an adaptation of AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998) by van Walraven et al. (Med Care, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

European Spine Journal
Yoshihara H, Yoneoka D. Incidental dural tear in spine surgery: analysis of a nationwide database. Eur Spine J 2014 Feb; 23(2):389-94. [Uses 2009 HCUP NIS data, AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software, and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA Surgery
Halabi WJ, Kang CY, Nguyen VQ, et al. Epidural analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a nationwide analysis of use and outcomes. JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):130-6. [Uses 2002-2010 HCUP NIS data, citing Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2002-2010, 2012.] Select to access the abstract.

Juo YY, Hyder O, Haider AH, et al. Is minimally invasive colon resection better than traditional approaches? First comprehensive national examination with propensity score matching. JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):177-84. [Uses 2008-2010 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Delgado MK, Yokell MA, Staudenmayer KL, et al. Factors associated with the disposition of severely injured patients initially seen at non-trauma center emergency departments: disparities by insurance status. JAMA Surg 2014 Feb; 149(2):177-84. [Uses 2009 HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) data, citing Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS): Database Documentation—Description of Data Elements, as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine
Sharma M, Sonig A, Ambekar S, et al. Discharge dispositions, complications, and costs of hospitalization in spinal cord tumor surgery: analysis of data from the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2003-2010. J Neurosurg Spine 2014 Feb; 20(2):125-41. [Uses 2003-2010 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Perinatal Medicine
Gilbert A, Patenaude V, Abenhaim HA. Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: a comparison of associated conditions, treatments and complications. J Perinat Med 2014 Feb 12. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2003-2010 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Yoshihara H, Yoneoka D. Demographic epidemiology of unstable pelvic fracture in the United States from 2000 to 2009: trends and in-hospital mortality. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2014 Feb; 76(2):380-5. [Uses 2000-2009 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Pediatrics
Leventhal JM, Gaither JR, Sege R. Hospitalizations due to firearm injuries in children and adolescents. Pediatrics 2014 Feb; 133(2):219-25. [Uses 2009 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data, citing Overview of the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and HCUP Cost-to-Charge Ratio Files: 2006 KIDS' User Guide, both published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Britto MT, Vockell AL, Munafo JK, et al. Improving outcomes for underserved adolescents with asthma. Pediatrics 2014 Feb; 133(2):e418-e427. [Uses a modified question from AHRQ's Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®), as accessed on AHRQ's CAHPS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health
Lallukka T, Ferrie JE, Rahkonen O, et al. Change in economic difficulties and physical and mental functioning: evidence from British and Finnish employee cohorts. Scand J Work Environ Health 2013 Sep 1; 39(5):521-30. [Uses study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.

Spinal Cord
Mahabaleshwarkar R, Khanna R. National hospitalization burden associated with spinal cord injuries in the United States. Spinal Cord 2014 Feb; 52(2):139-44. [Uses 2009 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Spine
Lu Y, McAnany SJ, Hecht AC, Cho SK, Qureshi SA. Utilization trends of cervical artificial disc replacement after FDA approval compared with anterior cervical fusion: adoption of new technology. Spine 2014 Feb 1; 39(3):249-55. [Uses 2008-2010 HCUP NIS data, citing Introduction to the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Yoshihara H, Yoneoka D. Trends in the utilization of blood transfusions in spinal fusion in the United States from 2000 to 2009. Spine 2014 Feb 15; 39(4):297-303. [Uses 2000-2009 HCUP NIS data and Clinical Classifications Software, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site; also uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Yoshihara H, Yoneoka D. Predictors of allogeneic blood transfusion in spinal fusion in the United States, 2004-2009. Spine 2014 Feb 15; 39(4):304-10. [Uses 2004-2009 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2004, as published on AHRQ's HCUP User Support Web site; also uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Also refer to articles by Meyerhoefer, Zuvekas, and Manski (Health Econ, 2014) and Owens et al. (JAMA, 2014), cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.