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AHRQ Research Studies
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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 DisplayedSleath B, Beznos B, Carpenter DM
African American patient-provider communication about glaucoma vision quality-of-life.
A study was conducted to examine African American patient-provider communication about glaucoma-related quality-of-life. Patients completed a vision quality-of-life assessment to examine patient-provider characteristics, patient demographics, and socio-demographics. The study determined that patients with worse literacy, more severe glaucoma, or depression are likely to have a lower vision quality-of-life.
AHRQ-funded; HS025370.
Citation: Sleath B, Beznos B, Carpenter DM .
African American patient-provider communication about glaucoma vision quality-of-life.
Eye 2024 Feb; 38(2):343-48. doi: 10.1038/s41433-023-02693-8..
Keywords: Eye Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Quality of Life
Anchan RM, Spies JB, Zhang S
Long-term health-related quality of life and symptom severity following hysterectomy, myomectomy, or uterine artery embolization for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.
This study compared the different surgical procedures used for uterine fibroids with respect to long-term health-related quality of life outcomes and symptom improvement. The authors examined differences in change from baseline to 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up in health-related quality of life and symptom severity among patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy, laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy, abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy, or uterine artery embolization. A subset of the COMPARE-UF registry, a multiinstitutional prospective observational cohort study of women undergoing treatment for uterine fibroids was used. A subset of 1384 women aged 31 to 45 years who underwent either abdominal myomectomy (n=237), laparoscopic myomectomy (n=272), abdominal hysterectomy (n=177), laparoscopic hysterectomy (n=522), or uterine artery embolization (n=176) were included. They obtained demographics, fibroid history, and symptoms using questionnaires at enrollment and at 1, 2, and 3 years posttreatment. The Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QoL) questionnaire was used to ascertain symptom severity and health-related quality of life scores among participants. Those undergoing hysterectomy and uterine artery embolization reported the longest duration of fibroid symptoms with a mean of 6.3 years. The most common fibroid symptoms were heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) (75.3%), bulk symptoms (74.2%), and bloating (73.2%), with more than half (54.9%) of participants reported anemia, and 9.4% women reported a history of blood transfusion. Across all modalities, total health-related quality of life and symptom severity score markedly improved from baseline to 1-year with the largest improvement in the laparoscopic hysterectomy group. Those undergoing abdominal myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, and uterine artery embolization also demonstrated significant improvement in health-related quality of life and symptom severity at 1 year, and the improvement persisted from baseline for uterine-sparing procedures during second and third year, posttreatment intervals, however with a trend toward decline in degree of improvement from years 1 and 2.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Anchan RM, Spies JB, Zhang S .
Long-term health-related quality of life and symptom severity following hysterectomy, myomectomy, or uterine artery embolization for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023 Sep; 229(3):275.e1-75.e17. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.05.020..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Women, Surgery
Weekes AJ, Davison J, Lupez K
Quality of life 1 month after acute pulmonary embolism in emergency department patients.
The objective of this prospective multicenter registry study was to determine whether any clinical or pathophysiologic features of pulmonary embolism were associated with worse Pulmonary Embolism Quality-of-Life (PEmb-QoL) scores after one month. Pulmonary embolism patients participated in QoL assessments and received PEmb-QoL questionnaires conducted by the researchers. Results indicated that acute clinical deterioration, right ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary embolism PE severity were not predictors of QoL at 1 month post-embolism. Independent predictors of worsened QoL were COPD, rehospitalization, and hospital length of stay.
AHRQ-funded; HS025979.
Citation: Weekes AJ, Davison J, Lupez K .
Quality of life 1 month after acute pulmonary embolism in emergency department patients.
Acad Emerg Med 2023 Aug; 30(8):819-31. doi: 10.1111/acem.14692..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Respiratory Conditions, Emergency Department
Alford CM, Wahlquist AE, Sterba KR
A quality improvement study on the feasibility and potential benefits of a yogic breathing program for cancer survivors and caregivers during treatment in a lodging facility.
This study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of a yogic breathing program in cancer patients and caregivers during the treatment period, and then investigated whether it provided any benefits. The authors designed a 20-minute yogic breathing regimen and introduced them to all-site cancer patients and their caregivers during the cancer treatment period at a lodging facility, Hope Lodge in Charleston, SC. The classes were advertised via intercom, displays, and word of mouth. Participants were taught five different breathing exercises. After completion of the exercises in a single session, a self-reported quality improvement questionnaire was administered assessing sociodemographic/clinical factors, expectations about the session, and ratings of satisfaction with the session. There were 52 participants who provided feedback during the nine months of the collection period, with patients and caregivers in almost equal numbers. The findings indicated that yogic breathing is acceptable to patients and caregivers and may alleviate key symptoms from cancer treatment, in particular stress. The lodging facility continues to offer weekly yogic breathing sessions to their patients conducted by Hope Lodge volunteers trained by the study team.
AHRQ-funded; HS024533.
Citation: Alford CM, Wahlquist AE, Sterba KR .
A quality improvement study on the feasibility and potential benefits of a yogic breathing program for cancer survivors and caregivers during treatment in a lodging facility.
Brain Behav Immun Integr 2023 Jul; 3. doi: 10.1016/j.bbii.2023.100019..
Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Cancer, Quality of Life
Ayers DC, Yousef M, Yang W
Age-related differences in pain, function, and quality of life following primary total knee arthroplasty: results from a FORCE-TJR (Function and Outcomes Research for Comparative Effectiveness in Total Joint Replacement) cohort.
The purpose of this prospective, multicenter cohort study was to evaluate the differences in pain, function, and quality of life (QoL) reported 1 year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) across varying age groups. The researchers preoperatively assessed 11,602 unilateral primary TKA patients, and collected demographic data, comorbid conditions, and patient-reported outcome measures including the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), KOOS-12, KOOS Joint Replacement, and Short-Form health survey (12-item) and then collected again at 1-year postoperatively. The study found that prior to surgery, patients less than 55 years reported worse KOOS pain (39), function (50), and QoL (18) scores with poor mental health score (47) than other older patient groups. At 1 year after TKA, patients less than 55 years reported lower KOOS pain, function, and QoL scores when compared to patients 75 years or older. The differences in score changes among the age groups were statistically significant but clinically irrelevant. Further statistical analyses revealed that age was a significant predictor for pain, but not for function at 1 year where KOOS pain score was predicted to be higher in patients 75 years or older when compared to patients less than 55 years of age.
AHRQ-funded; HS018910.
Citation: Ayers DC, Yousef M, Yang W .
Age-related differences in pain, function, and quality of life following primary total knee arthroplasty: results from a FORCE-TJR (Function and Outcomes Research for Comparative Effectiveness in Total Joint Replacement) cohort.
J Arthroplasty 2023 Jul; 38(7 Suppl 2):S169-S76. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.04.005..
Keywords: Orthopedics, Surgery, Quality of Life, Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Pain
Leininger LJ, Tomaino M, Meara E
Health-related quality of life in high-cost, high-need populations.
This retrospective longitudinal study examined health care utilization, expenditures, and patient-reported health for high-cost, high-need (HCHN) populations comparing a baseline (year 1) and follow-up year (year 2). The sample included adults (n = 46,934) participating in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey between 2011 and 2016. The authors estimated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for each sample member using the physical and mental health scales from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12. They compared HRQOL stratified by HCHN, defined as patients whose baseline (year 1) demographics, utilization, and clinical characteristics predicted top decile health spending in year 2. The physical health scale exhibited robust measure validity, reliability, and responsiveness, but the mental health scale did not. Mean physical health was 1.25 SDs lower in HCHN vs other patients (37.9 vs 51.0 on a 0-100 scale increasing in self-perceived health). Patient-reported health outcomes continued to remain poor in HCHN populations, even after health care utilization recedes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024075.
Citation: Leininger LJ, Tomaino M, Meara E .
Health-related quality of life in high-cost, high-need populations.
Am J Manag Care 2023 Jul; 29(7):362-68. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89396..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Quality of Life, Healthcare Costs
Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC
"I wish there had been resources": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship care needs.
Prior research reveals that healthcare providers are not skilled at identifying the most relevant rectal cancer survivorship issues. As a result, survivorship care is inadequate with most rectal cancer survivors reporting at least one unmet posttherapy need. The purpose of this photo-elicitation study was to explore rectal cancer survivors’ lived experiences using participant-submitted photographs and minimally structured qualitative interviews. Twenty rectal cancer survivors from a single center submitted photographs illustrative of their life after rectal cancer therapy. The study found that rectal cancer survivors’ recommendations to improve their survivorship care fell into three primary themes: 1) informational needs; 2) continued multidisciplinary follow up care; and 3) suggestions for support services. The study concluded that rectal cancer survivors want information that is more detailed and individualized, access to multidisciplinary follow-up care over time, and resources to alleviate the challenges of daily life.
AHRQ-funded; HS026772; HS000053.
Citation: Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC .
"I wish there had been resources": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship care needs.
Ann Surg Oncol 2023 Jun; 30(6):3530-37. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-13042-6..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Quality of Life, Patient Experience
Salwei ME, Anders S, Slagle JM
Understanding patient and clinician reported nonroutine events in ambulatory surgery.
This prospective observational study’s objective was to understand the incidence and nature of patient- and clinician-reported nonroutine events (NREs) in ambulatory surgery. The authors interviewed patients about NREs that occurred during their perioperative care using a structured interview tool before discharge and in a 7-day follow-up call and concurrently interviewed the clinicians caring for these patients immediately postoperatively to collect NREs. The authors trained 2 clinicians and 2 patients to assess and code each reported NRE for type, theme, severity, and likelihood of reoccurrence (i.e., likelihood that the same event would occur for another patient). Out of 145 ambulatory surgery cases 101 (70%) contained at least one NRE. Overall, 214 NREs were reported, of those 88 were by patients and 126 by clinicians. Cases containing clinician-reported NREs were associated with increased patient body mass index and lower postcase patient ratings of being treated with respect. Cases containing patient-reported NREs were associated with longer case duration, higher postcase clinician frustration ratings, higher ratings of patient stress, and lower patient ratings of their quality of life, the quality of clinician teamwork, being treated with respect, and being listened to carefully. Trained patient raters evaluated NRE severity significantly higher than did clinician raters, while clinicians rated recurrence likelihood significantly higher than patients for both clinician and patient-reported NREs. Combining patient- and clinician-reported NREs seems to be a promising patient-centered method of identifying healthcare system deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Salwei ME, Anders S, Slagle JM .
Understanding patient and clinician reported nonroutine events in ambulatory surgery.
J Patient Saf 2023 Mar 1; 19(2):e38-e45. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001089..
Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Quality of Life
Canvasser J, Patel RM, Pryor E
Long-term outcomes and life-impacts of necrotizing enterocolitis: a survey of survivors and parents.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal condition predominantly afflicting preterm infants. Despite its association with unfavorable outcomes within the first two years of life, there is a scarcity of research examining the long-term consequences and life quality in children beyond this age. The purpose of the study was to carry out a survey to assess the enduring repercussions of NEC on physical and psychological well-being, social interactions, and overall life satisfaction as reported by adult survivors and parents of children who overcame NEC. The study found that both survivors and parents of children who have endured NEC encounter persistent challenges affecting their physical and emotional health, social encounters, and overall life contentment.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383
Citation: Canvasser J, Patel RM, Pryor E .
Long-term outcomes and life-impacts of necrotizing enterocolitis: a survey of survivors and parents.
Semin Perinatol 2023 Feb;47(1):151696. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2022.151696.
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Children/Adolescents, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes, Quality of Life
Greenlee MC, Bolen S, Chong W
The National Clinical Care Commission report to Congress: leveraging federal policies and programs to improve diabetes treatment and reduce complications.
This paper is the fourth in a series of five articles describing the recommendations of the National Clinician Care Commission (NCCC) on diabetes care. This paper focused on the recommendations of the Treatment and Complications subcommittee of the National Clinical Care Commission. The Commission made recommendations at all levels: patient, practice, health system, and health policy. They also identified several areas that need additional research, such as studying the barriers to uptake of diabetes self-management education and support, exploring methods to implement team-based care, and evaluating the importance of digital connectivity as a social determinant of health.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Greenlee MC, Bolen S, Chong W .
The National Clinical Care Commission report to Congress: leveraging federal policies and programs to improve diabetes treatment and reduce complications.
Diabetes Care 2023 Feb; 46(2):e51-e59. doi: 10.2337/dc22-0621..
Keywords: Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Policy, Prevention, Quality of Life