Library of Resources for Women’s Health

Effective Health Care Program

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This Library of Resources offers important research updates and educational information to enhance our understanding and response to women’s unique health needs and empower women to be more informed and engaged in health care decisions. In addition to cancer and heart disease, health concerns unique to women, such as pregnancy and gynecologic care are also included:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Genitourinary Conditions
• Gynecology
• Heart and Blood Vessel Conditions
• Mental Health
• Muscle, Bone, and Joint Conditions
• Pregnancy and Childbirth

Women’s Health

Cancer

Cancer is a term for a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. Cancers are described based on the origin of the tumor, including:

• Carcinoma: cancers derived from epithelial cells, such as the breast
• Sarcoma: cancers arising from connective tissue
• Lymphoma and leukemia: cancers arising from hematopoietic cells that leave the marrow and tend to mature in the lymph nodes and blood, respectively
• Germ cell tumor: cancers derived from pluripotent cells, most often presenting in the ovary
• Blastoma: cancers derived from immature precursor cells or embryonic tissue

Resources for Clinicians

Research Reports:

• A Primary Care-Focused, Computer-based Clinical Decision Support Tool to Assess Patients' Risk for Deleterious BRCA Mutations
• Comparative Effectiveness of Core-Needle and Open Surgical Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions: Executive Summary
• Comparative Effectiveness of Medications To Reduce Risk of Primary Breast Cancer in Women
• Prognostic factor testing among older women with ductal carcinoma in situ and early invasive breast cancer
• Use of endocrine therapy following diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ or early invasive breast cancer
• Use of preoperative MRI among older women with ductal carcinoma in situ and locally invasive breast cancer

Research Reviews:

• Comparative Effectiveness of Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests for Breast Abnormalities—An Update of a 2006 Report
• Comparative Effectiveness of Core-Needle and Open Surgical Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions: Executive Summary
• Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests for Breast Abnormalities–An Update of a 2006 Review
• Comparative Effectiveness of Medications To Reduce Risk of Primary Breast Cancer in Women

Clinician Summaries:

• Medications To Reduce the Risk of Primary Breast Cancer in Women
• Core-Needle Biopsy for Breast Abnormalities

CME/CE Activities:

• Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies for Reducing the Risk of Primary Breast Cancer: Guidance for Shared Decision Making

Resources for Consumers

Consumer Summaries

• Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer With Medicine: A Guide for Women (En Español)
• Having a Breast Biopsy: A Guide for Women and Their Families (En Español)

Podcasts:

• Using Core Needle Biopsy to Diagnose Breast Cancer
• Medications to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
• Spanish - Tipos de biopsia del seno
• Spanish - Reduzca el riesgo de padecer de cáncer del seno con medicamentos

Webcasts:

• Applying Existing Evidence to Breast Cancer Prevention and Diagnosis

Spanish Health Column (Columna de salud)

• Reduzca el riesgo de padecer de cáncer del seno

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Genitourinary Conditions

Genitourinary conditions affect the parts of the body that play a role in reproduction, as well as those that produce and eliminate waste products in the form of urine.

Resources for Clinicians

Clinician Summaries:

• Non-surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women: Diagnosis and Comparative Effectiveness

CME/CE Activities:

• Non-surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women: Diagnosis and Comparative Effectiveness
• Nonsurgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women: Improving Informed Decision-Making through Patient Education

Slide Library:

• Non-surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women: Diagnosis and Comparative Effectiveness

Resources for Consumers

Consumer Summaries:

• Non-surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence: A Review of the Research for Women

Podcasts:

• Urinary Incontinence: Comparing Medicines, Medical Devices and Exercises for Women

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Heart and Blood Vessel Conditions

A variety of diseases can affect the heart and vasculature, including:

• Coronary heart disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Cardiovascular disease
• Ischemic heart disease
• Heart failure
• Hypertensive heart disease
• Inflammatory heart disease

Resources for Clinicians

Research Reports:

• Comparative Effectiveness of Treatment of Women with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Noninvasive Technologies for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease in Women
• Dietary Supplements in Adults Taking Cardiovascular Drugs
• Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring: Comparative Effectiveness
• Comparative Effectiveness of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs), Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (ARBs), and Direct Renin Inhibitors for Treating Essential Hypertension – An Update of the 2007 Report
• Comparative Effectiveness of Lipid-Modifying Agents

Research Reviews:

• Treatment Strategies for Women With Coronary Artery Disease
• Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Orthopedic Surgery

Clinician Summaries:

• Effectiveness of Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring in Adults With Hypertension
• ACEIs, ARBs, or DRI for Adults With Hypertension
• Adding ACEIs and/or ARBs to Standard Therapy for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Benefits and Harms
• Treating Cholesterol With Combination Therapy
• Noninvasive Technologies for Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease in Women: Comparative Effectiveness
• Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Orthopedic Surgery

CME/CE Activities:

• Comparative Effectiveness Research: Noninvasive Technologies for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease in Women
• Dietary Supplements in Adults taking Cardiovascular Drugs: A Comparative Effectiveness Review
• Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring
• ACEIs, ARBs, or DRI for Adults With Hypertension
• Updates on the Treatment of Essential Hypertension: A Summary of AHRQ's Comparative Effectiveness Review of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers, and Direct Renin Inhibitors
• Evidence-Based Simulations in Practice: Treatment Strategies for Women with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Noninvasive Technologies for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in Women
• Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Orthopedic Surgery

Webcasts:

• Applying Existing Evidence to Cardiac Care

Slide Library:

• Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring
• ACEIs, ARBs, or DRI for Adults With Hypertension
• Comparative Effectiveness of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Angiotensin II-Receptor Blockers Added to Standard Medical Therapy for Treating Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease and Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function
• Noninvasive Technologies for Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease in Women
• Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Orthopedic Surgery

Resources for Consumers

Consumer Summaries:

• Measuring Your Blood Pressure at Home: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)
• Choosing Medicines for High Blood Pressure: A Review of the Research on ACEs, ARBs, and DRIs (En Español)
• “ACE Inhibitors” and “ARBs” To Protect Your Heart? (En Español)
• Treating High Cholesterol: A Guide for Adults (En Español)
• Preventing Blood Clots After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery or Surgery for a Broken Hip: A Review of the Research for Adults

Podcasts:

• Lowering Risk of Heart Failure or Heart Attack
• Treating High Cholesterol
• Self Blood Pressure Monitoring – Consumer Guide
• Choosing Medicines for High Blood Pressure
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Health
• Treating Stable Coronary Heart Disease
• Comparación de medicamentos para la presión
• Pastillas que diluyen la sangre - AHRQ lanza nuevo video para consumidores
• Cómo prevenir y tratar la formación de coágulos
• Salud del corazón
• Salud cardiovascular
• Tratamientos para el colesterol alto
• Los anticoagulantes pueden salvarle la vida, pero tenga cuidado

Videos:

• Los coágulos
• Manténgase activo y saludable con los diluyentes de la sangre
• Tomar un medicamento diluyente de la sangre: SANA

Advice Columns:

• Focus on Heart Health
• Treating High Cholesterol
• Comparing Blood Pressure Medicines
• What You Need to Know about Blood Thinner Pills
• ¿Tiene la presión alta?
• Comience el 2011 con un buen colesterol 

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Mental Health

Chronic mental health issues, such as depression and schizophrenia, are debilitating for those who experience them and extremely distressing for family members and caregivers. While the exact cause of these diseases remains unclear, it is thought that a combination of neurotransmitter imbalances plus genetic predisposition may contribute.

Resources for Clinicians

Research Reviews:

• Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Adults
• First-Generation Versus Second-Generation Antipsychotics in Adults: Comparative Effectiveness
• Practice-Based Interventions Addressing Concomitant Depression and Chronic Medical Conditions in the Primary Care Setting
• Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update
• Screening, Behavioral Counseling, and Referral in Primary Care To Reduce Alcohol Misuse

Research Protocol:

• Depression after Unsatisfactory Response to SSRIs as First-line Therapy

Clinician Summaries:

• Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Adults
• Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update
• Second-Generation Antidepressants for Treating Adult Depression: An Update

CME/CE Activities:

• Second-Generation Antidepressants for Treating Adult Depression—An Update
• Summary of the Comparative Effectiveness Review on Off-label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics
• Comparative Effectiveness Review of Screening, Behavioral Counseling, and Referral in Primary Care to Reduce Alcohol Misuse
• Summary of Screening, Behavioral Counseling, and Referral in Primary Care to Reduce Alcohol Misuse
• Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update
• Updates on the Comparative Effectiveness of Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression: A Feedback-Based Learning Activity
• Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Adults

Slide Library:

• Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Adults
• Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update

Resources for Consumers

Consumer Summaries:

• Medicines for Treating Mental Health Conditions: A Review of the Research for Adults and Caregivers (En Español)
• Medicines for Treating Depression: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)

Podcasts:

• Comparing Antidepressant Medicines
• Treatment-Resistant Depression
• Comparación de medicamentos antidepresivos
• El tratamiento de la depresión sin medicamentos

Advice Columns:

• Comparing Medical Treatments for Antidepressants

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Muscle, Bone, and Joint Conditions

Rheumatic or musculoskeletal conditions comprise more than 150 diseases and syndromes. Those conditions with the greatest impact on society include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis.

Resources for Clinicians

Research Reviews:

• Pain Management Interventions for Hip Fracture
• Drug Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis in Adults: Update of a 2007 Report
• Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults: An Update

Technical Brief:

• Whole-Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis

Clinician Summaries:

• Analgesics for Osteoarthritis
• Treatment To Prevent Osteoporotic Fractures: An Update
• Pain Management Interventions for Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture
• Three Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Evidence Shows Lack of Benefit

CME/CE Activities:

• Summary of AHRQ's Comparative Effectiveness Review of Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults
• Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults
• Analgesics for Osteoarthritis–An Update
• Summary of AHRQ's Update to the Comparative Effectiveness Review of Treatment to Prevent Fractures in Men and Women with Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis
• Treatment To Prevent Fractures in Men and Women With Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis: An Update
• Preventing Fractures in Patients with Osteoporosis or Low Bone Density: A Review of the Evidence
• Pain Management Interventions for Hip Fracture

Slides:

• Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults
• Analgesics for Osteoarthritis–An Update
• Treatment To Prevent Fractures in Men and Women With Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis: An Update
• Pain Interventions for Hip Fracture

Resources for Consumers

Consumer Summaries:

• Medicines for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults
• Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults
• Managing Osteoarthritis Pain With Medicines: A Review of the Research for Adults  (En Español)
• Reducing the Risk of Bone Fracture: A Review of the Research for Adults With Low Bone Density  (En Español)
• Managing Pain From a Broken Hip: A Guide for Adults and Their Caregivers
• Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Guide for Adults

Patient Decision Aids:

• Healthy Bones: A Decision Aid for Women After Menopause

Podcasts:

• Avoid Broken Bones by Learning about Low Bone Density
• Reduzca el riesgo de fractura de huesos
• Treating Osteoporosis
• Comparing Osteoarthritis of the Knee Treatments

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Pregnancy and Childbirth

Throughout a healthy pregnancy and childbirth, a woman faces many health care decisions that impact both her health and the health of her baby. Additionally, some women have health problems before they become pregnant that could lead to complications. Other problems arise during the pregnancy.

Resources for Clinicians

Research Reviews:

• Progestogens for Prevention of Preterm Birth
• Terbutaline Pump for the Prevention of Preterm Birth
• Nitrous Oxide for the Management of Labor Pain
• Therapeutic Management, Delivery, and Postpartum Risk Assessment and Screening in Gestational Diabetes

Other Research Reports:

• Technical Brief: Maternal-Fetal Surgical Procedures
• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: Developing and Prioritizing a Future Research Agenda

Clinician Summaries:

• Progestogens for Prevention of Preterm Birth
• Elective Induction of Labor: Safety and Harms
• Gestational Diabetes: Caring for Women During and After Pregnancy

CME/CE Activities:

• Progestogens for Prevention of Preterm Birth

Slide Library:

• Progestogens for Prevention of Preterm Birth

Resources for Consumers

Consumer Summaries:

• Progestogens To Prevent Preterm Birth: A Review of the Research About Progestogens for Women at Risk
• Thinking About Inducing Your Labor: A Guide for Pregnant Women (En Español)
• Gestational Diabetes: A Guide for Pregnant Women (En Español)

Webcasts:

• Applying Existing Evidence to Obstetric Care

Podcasts:

• Gestational Diabetes: A Guide for Pregnant Women
• Spanish - Diabetes gestacional

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AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program is a leading resource for evidence-based, patient-centered outcomes research on chronic diseases. AHRQ is providing this library of resources for health professionals and consumers to help them compare and discuss treatment options in order to make more informed decisions and improve the quality of their health care. These resources are the latest in a series of AHRQ's growing library of free English and Spanish-language publications that review the scientific evidence on various health conditions so consumers and clinicians can work together to learn more about the benefits and risks of different treatment options.

These free AHRQ resources can be downloaded from this site or they can be ordered by contacting the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov. When ordering, use the publication number and the code AHRQ C-01, which will expedite the ordering process.

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Continue to other resources on:

• Cancer
• Chronic Diseases
• Diabetes
• Men's Health
• Mental Health
• Spanish
• Heart Disease

Read the latest blog post from @NIHDirector on prescription drug abuse among teens, featuring a NIDA #infographic: http://1.usa.gov/Vaubz4