New Review Highlights Evidence Gaps in Adult Down Syndrome Care

Today’s Headlines:

• New Review Highlights Evidence Gaps in Adult Down Syndrome Care.
• April 28 Webinar: Using Data and AI in Pediatric Care.
• Statistical Brief Explores Trends in Hospitalizations With a Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

New Review Highlights Evidence Gaps in Adult Down Syndrome Care

This past weekend, AHRQ observed World Down Syndrome Day. A new systematic review funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and conducted through AHRQ found that recent increases in lifespan among individuals with Down syndrome have contributed to knowledge gaps and a lack of appropriate care for adults with the condition. Investigators reviewed 36 studies on treatment interventions for adults with Down syndrome. Nearly half of the studies focused on dementia, primarily Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies examined obesity, behavioral conditions, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and vision problems. Research shows that adults with Down syndrome experience higher rates of certain health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, sleep apnea, obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes, cataracts, leukemia, osteoporosis, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They also have lower rates of many solid tumor cancers, including breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer, and some cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the importance of tailored screening and treatment. Access the report. 

April 28 Webinar: Using Data and AI in Pediatric Care 

Join AHRQ’s April 28 webinar to explore how health systems are advancing pediatric care through data, artificial intelligence (AI), and family engagement. Moderated by AHRQ’s Edwin Lomotan, M.D., CPMAI, FAMIA, speakers will share how machine learning tools, clinical decision support, and inpatient portals can reduce variability, support transparency, and improve outcomes. The webinar will bring together experts from Seattle Children’s, Cedars-Sinai, and the University of Wisconsin, who will share real-world examples of using clinical decision support, AI-enabled analytics, and inpatient portals to deliver more efficient, high-value, family-centered care. Eligible providers can earn up to 1.5 CE/CME contact hours for participating in the live webinar. Learn how integrating these approaches into workflows can improve the care experience and strengthen family engagement. Register now. 

Statistical Brief Explores Trends in Hospitalizations With a Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 

Data collected through AHRQ’s Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) has found an 88.1 percent increase in the number of inpatient stays with a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosis from 2016 to 2022. A new statistical brief, Inpatient Stays Related to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, 2016-2022 (PDF, 548 KB), identifies how NAFLD co-occurred among other diagnoses, and the subpopulations most impacted. NAFLD was most frequently a secondary diagnosis and NAFLD-diagnosed patients were more likely to have comorbidities than other patients. The brief also highlights the most common principal diagnoses associated with these stays and provides additional details on affected patients.