National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Behavioral Health (1)
- Cancer (2)
- Care Management (1)
- (-) Comparative Effectiveness (10)
- Depression (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Domestic Violence (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (5)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Low-Income (1)
- Maternal Care (2)
- Medicare (1)
- Medication (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Outcomes (7)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (1)
- (-) Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (10)
- Prevention (1)
- Quality of Life (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Registries (1)
- Sexual Health (1)
- Surgery (4)
- Telehealth (1)
- Training (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
- (-) Women (10)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 10 of 10 Research Studies DisplayedBalk EM, Danilack VA, Bhuma MR
Reduced compared with traditional schedules for routine antenatal visits: a systematic review.
This systematic review’s objective was to assess differences in maternal and child outcomes in studies comparing reduced routine antenatal visit schedules with traditional schedules. The search was conducted in multiple databases searching for antenatal (prenatal) care, pregnancy, obstetrics, telemedicine, remote care, smartphones, telemonitoring, and related terms. Abstrackr was used for double independent screening for studies comparing televisits and in person routine antenatal care visits for maternal, child, health care utilization, and harm outcomes. The authors found five randomized controlled trials and five nonrandomized comparative studies that compared reduced routine antenatal visit schedules with traditional schedules. The studies did not find differences between schedules in gestational age at birth, likelihood of being small for gestational age, likelihood of a low Apgar score, likelihood of neonatal intensive care unit admission, maternal anxiety, likelihood of preterm birth, and likelihood of low birth weight. There was also insufficient evidence for numerous prioritized outcomes of interest, including completion of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists-recommended services and patient experience measures.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00001.
Citation: Balk EM, Danilack VA, Bhuma MR .
Reduced compared with traditional schedules for routine antenatal visits: a systematic review.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Jul 1; 142(1):8-18. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005193..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Newborns/Infants, Women, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Cantor AG, Nelson HD, Pappas M
Telehealth for women's preventive services for reproductive health and intimate partner violence: a comparative effectiveness review.
This comparative effectiveness review was conducted on the effectiveness and harms of telehealth interventions for women's reproductive health and intimate partner violence (IPV) services. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of telehealth strategies for women's reproductive health and IPV versus usual care for the period July 2016 to May 2022. Eight RCTs, 1 nonrandomized trial, and 7 observational studies were included (7 studies of contraceptive care and 9 of IPV services). Telehealth services demonstrated similar care as usual care for contraceptive use, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy (low strength of evidence [SOE]). Evidence on abortion was insufficient. Outcomes were also similar between telehealth and usual care interventions to replace or supplement IPV services and comparators for repeat IPV, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, fear of partner, coercive control, self-efficacy, and safety behaviors (low SOE). Telehealth barriers identified included limited internet access, digital literacy, technical challenges, and confidentiality concerns. Safety strategies increased telehealth use for IPV services. Evidence lacked on access, health equity, or harms.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006.
Citation: Cantor AG, Nelson HD, Pappas M .
Telehealth for women's preventive services for reproductive health and intimate partner violence: a comparative effectiveness review.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 May; 38(7):1735-43. doi: 10.1007/s11606-023-08033-6..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Women, Prevention, Domestic Violence, Evidence-Based Practice, Maternal Care, Sexual Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Comparative Effectiveness
Wallace K, Zhang S, Thomas L
Comparative effectiveness of hysterectomy versus myomectomy on one-year health-related quality of life in women with uterine fibroids.
The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to compare long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 1 year after hysterectomy or myomectomy for treatment of uterine fibroids (UFs) and to determine whether route of procedure, race, or age affected improvements in HRQOL. The investigators concluded that HRQOL improved in all women 1 year after hysterectomy or myomectomy.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Wallace K, Zhang S, Thomas L .
Comparative effectiveness of hysterectomy versus myomectomy on one-year health-related quality of life in women with uterine fibroids.
Fertil Steril 2020 Mar;113(3):618-26. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.10.028..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Women, Quality of Life, Surgery, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Nicholson WK, Wegienka G, Zhang S
Short-term health-related quality of life after hysterectomy compared with myomectomy for symptomatic leiomyomas.
The objective of this study was to compare short-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 6-12 weeks after hysterectomy or myomectomy for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomas. The investigators conducted a prospective comparative effectiveness analysis of data. They concluded that both hysterectomy and myomectomy were associated with substantial improvement in HRQOL at short-term follow-up, with small but statistically significant differences in symptom severity and certain subscales.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Nicholson WK, Wegienka G, Zhang S .
Short-term health-related quality of life after hysterectomy compared with myomectomy for symptomatic leiomyomas.
Obstet Gynecol 2019 Aug;134(2):261-69. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000003354..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Surgery, Women, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Burnett-Zeigler I, Hong S, Waldron EM
A mindfulness-based intervention for low-income African American women with depressive symptoms delivered by an experienced instructor versus a novice instructor.
The authors piloted a streamlined mindfulness teacher training protocol for Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) staff. They also examined the distribution and variability of psychologic outcomes for participants in groups led by an experienced instructor compared to a FQHC staff instructor who received the streamlined training. They concluded that preliminary data indicate that health care staff who receive streamlined training to deliver mindfulness-based interventions have comparable outcomes as experienced instructors.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Burnett-Zeigler I, Hong S, Waldron EM .
A mindfulness-based intervention for low-income African American women with depressive symptoms delivered by an experienced instructor versus a novice instructor.
J Altern Complement Med 2019 Jul;25(7):699-708. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0393..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Comparative Effectiveness, Depression, Low-Income, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations, Training, Women
Balk EM, Rofeberg VN, Adam GP
Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of clinical outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to improve or cure stress, urgency, or mixed UI in nonpregnant women. The investigators concluded that most nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions were more likely than no treatment to improve UI outcomes. They also concluded that behavioral therapy, alone or in combination with other interventions, was generally more effective than pharmacologic therapies alone in treating both stress and urgency UI.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500002I.
Citation: Balk EM, Rofeberg VN, Adam GP .
Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of clinical outcomes.
Ann Intern Med 2019 Apr 2;170(7):465-79. doi: 10.7326/m18-3227..
Keywords: Care Management, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Medication, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Women
Stewart EA, Lytle BL, Thomas L
The comparing options for management: patient-centered results for uterine fibroids (COMPARE-UF) registry: Rationale and design.
The purpose of the study was to design and establish a uterine fibroid (UF) registry based in the United States to provide comparative effectiveness data regarding UF treatment. This registry, called Comparing Options for Management: Patient-centered Results for Uterine Fibroids (COMPARE-UF), will generate evidence on the comparative effectiveness of different procedural options for UF, in order to help patients and their caregivers make informed decisions that best meet an individual patient's short- and long-term preferences.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Stewart EA, Lytle BL, Thomas L .
The comparing options for management: patient-centered results for uterine fibroids (COMPARE-UF) registry: Rationale and design.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018 May 8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.05.004..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Registries, Women
Borah BJ, Yao X, Laughlin-Tommaso SK
Comparative effectiveness of uterine leiomyoma procedures using a large insurance claims database.
The objective of this retrospective analysis of administrative claims from a large U.S. commercial insurance database, was to compare risk of reintervention, long-term clinical outcomes, and health care utilization among women who have bulk symptoms from leiomyoma and who underwent the following procedures: hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization, and magnetic resonance-guided, focused ultrasound surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Borah BJ, Yao X, Laughlin-Tommaso SK .
Comparative effectiveness of uterine leiomyoma procedures using a large insurance claims database.
Obstet Gynecol 2017 Nov;130(5):1047-56. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002331..
Keywords: Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Health Insurance, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Women
Dood RL, Gracia CR, Sammel MD
Endometrial cancer after endometrial ablation vs medical management of abnormal uterine bleeding.
The authors investigated whether endometrial ablation is associated with increased risk or delayed diagnosis of endometrial cancer compared with medical management of abnormal uterine bleeding. They observed no difference in endometrial cancer rates, nor was there a delay in diagnosis when comparing endometrial ablation vs medical management.
AHRQ-funded; HS021336.
Citation: Dood RL, Gracia CR, Sammel MD .
Endometrial cancer after endometrial ablation vs medical management of abnormal uterine bleeding.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2014 Sep-Oct;21(5):744-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2014.02.012.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Women
Suskind AM, Clemens JQ, Dunn RL
Effectiveness of mesh compared with nonmesh sling surgery in Medicare beneficiaries.
This study assessed the effectiveness of mesh compared to nonmesh slings in the surgical treatment of female incontinence. It found that overall rates of complications were similar for patients undergoing either mesh or nonmesh sling procedures. However, patients undergoing the nonmesh procedure were more likely to require a subsequent intervention for bladder outlet obstruction.
AHRQ-funded; HS018726.
Citation: Suskind AM, Clemens JQ, Dunn RL .
Effectiveness of mesh compared with nonmesh sling surgery in Medicare beneficiaries.
Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Sep;122(3):546-52. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31829e8543..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Women, Outcomes, Medicare, Evidence-Based Practice