National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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 25 of 63 Research Studies DisplayedDeardorff WJ, Jing B, Growdon ME
Medication misuse and overuse in community-dwelling persons with dementia.
This study sought to characterize a broad spectrum of medication misuse and overuse among community-dwelling persons with dementia (PWD). The authors included community-dwelling adults aged ≥66 in the Health and Retirement Study from 2008 to 2018 linked to Medicare and classified as having dementia using a validated algorithm. Potentially problematic medications were identified as: (1) medication overuse including over-aggressive treatment of diabetes/hypertension (e.g., insulin/sulfonylurea with hemoglobin A1c < 7.5%) and medications inappropriate near end of life based on STOPPFrail and (2) medication misuse including medications that negatively affect cognition and medications from 2019 Beers and STOPP Version 2 criteria. To contextualize, they compared medication use to people without dementia through a propensity-matched cohort by age, sex, comorbidities, and interview year. Among 1441 PWD, median age was 84, 67% female, and 14% Black. Overall, 73% of PWD were prescribed ≥1 potentially problematic medication with a mean of 2.09 per individual in the prior year. This was notable across several domains, as 41% were prescribed ≥1 medications that negatively affects cognition. Frequently prescribed problematic medications identified included proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic agents. Problematic medication use was higher among PWD compared to those without dementia with 73% versus 67% prescribed ≥1 problematic medication and a mean of 2.09 versus 1.62, respectively.
AHRQ-funded; HS02638.
Citation: Deardorff WJ, Jing B, Growdon ME .
Medication misuse and overuse in community-dwelling persons with dementia.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Oct; 71(10):3086-98. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18463..
Keywords: Medication, Dementia, Elderly
Hua Y, Temkin-Greener H, Cai S
Primary care telemedicine use among assisted living residents with dementia during COVID-19: race and dual enrollment status.
The purpose of this study was to explore primary care telemedicine use among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) who resided in Assisted Living Facilities (Als) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on possible racial and socioeconomic differences. The study found that at the start of the pandemic in quarter 2 of 2020, Black residents were less likely to have telemedicine visits than their White counterparts. In the following two quarters, Black residents were more likely to receive primary care via telemedicine than White residents; a similar difference was observed between Hispanic and White residents, but with smaller effect sizes. Compared with nondual residents, dual residents were more likely to receive primary care via telemedicine in Q3. In addition, residents in AL communities with a higher proportion of dual residents, compared with those in low-dual ALs, were less likely to receive primary care via telemedicine throughout the study period. However, the difference in telemedicine use between higher vs lower dual ALs narrowed over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS026893.
Citation: Hua Y, Temkin-Greener H, Cai S .
Primary care telemedicine use among assisted living residents with dementia during COVID-19: race and dual enrollment status.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023 Aug; 24(8):1157-58.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.05.005..
Keywords: COVID-19, Primary Care, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Elderly
Growdon ME, Gan S, Yaffe K
New psychotropic medication use among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia after hospital discharge.
Hospital stays often trigger behavioral shifts in people with dementia (PWD), potentially leading to the prescription of psychotropic drugs despite their limited effectiveness and potential for harmful side-effects. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of new psychotropic drug prescriptions in PWD living in the community after their discharge from the hospital, and within these new users, the percentage who continued their use for an extended duration. The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study, utilizing a random selection of Medicare claims from 2017. The study included PWD hospital patients who were 68 years or older and covered by traditional and Part D Medicare. The primary outcome was the event of prescribing at the time of discharge psychotropic drugs including antipsychotics, sedative-hypnotics, antiepileptics, and antidepressants. The initiation was characterized as new prescriptions (from classes not utilized in the 180 days preceding admission) filled within a week of discharge from the hospital or skilled nursing facility. Extended use was defined as the percentage of new users who continued to refill the newly prescribed medications for more than 90 days post-discharge. The study population consisted of 117,022 hospitalized PWD with an average age of 81 years, with 63% being female. The study found that prior to admission, 63% were already using at least one psychotropic drug; 10% were using drugs from three or more psychotropic classes. These classes included antidepressants (44% pre-admission), antiepileptics (29%), sedative-hypnotics (21%), and antipsychotics (11%). The percentage of PWD discharged with new psychotropic prescriptions ranged from 1.9% (antipsychotics) to 2.9% (antiepileptics); 6.6% had at least one new class initiated. Among these new users, prolonged use varied from 36% (sedative-hypnotics) to 63% (antidepressants); across drug classes, prolonged use was observed in 51%. Factors associated with the initiation of new psychotropics included duration of hospital stay and delirium.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Growdon ME, Gan S, Yaffe K .
New psychotropic medication use among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia after hospital discharge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Apr; 71(4):1134-44. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18161..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Medicare, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Hospitalization
Goodhope NR, Anderson TS, Jung Y
Initiation of psychotropic and opioid medications after hospital discharge in older adults with dementia.
Despite the high number of people suffering from opioid addiction in the USA, access to treatment remains limited, with only a fraction of those in need receiving life-saving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The current healthcare system and policies create unnecessary barriers to care, exacerbating treatment and illness burdens. This study proposes the use of a minimally disruptive medicine (MDM) framework to reduce disruptions in patients' lives, improve healthcare quality and delivery, and save lives. To achieve this, the authors suggest policy changes that expand MOUD to all healthcare settings, promote flexible and patient-centered medication choices, reduce treatment requirements, and address systemic disparities and inequities. By adopting an MDM approach, clinicians, health systems, and policymakers can create a more patient-centered and accessible care system for those battling opioid addiction.
AHRQ-funded; HS026216.
Citation: Goodhope NR, Anderson TS, Jung Y .
Initiation of psychotropic and opioid medications after hospital discharge in older adults with dementia.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Feb; 38(3):824-27. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07874-x..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Dementia, Hospital Discharge
Anderson TS, Marcantonio ER, McCarthy EP
Association of diagnosed dementia with post-discharge mortality and readmission among hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries.
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to examine whether patients with dementia have a higher risk of adverse outcomes post-discharge. The researchers included Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized in 2016 and evaluated the co-primary outcomes of mortality and readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge. The final cohort included 1,089,109 hospitalizations of which 19.3% were of patients with diagnosed dementia and 886,411 were of patients without dementia. The study found that at 30 days following discharge, 5.7% of patients with dementia had died compared to 3.1% of patients without dementia. At 30 days following discharge, 17.7% of patients with dementia had been readmitted compared to 13.1% of patients without dementia. Patients with dementia who were discharged to the community had an increased likelihood of being readmitted than those who were discharged to nursing facilities, and, when readmitted, had an increased likelihood of dying during the readmission. The study concluded that diagnosed dementia was related with a substantially increased risk of mortality and a modestly increased risk of readmission within 30 days of discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Anderson TS, Marcantonio ER, McCarthy EP .
Association of diagnosed dementia with post-discharge mortality and readmission among hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries.
J Gen Intern Med 2022 Dec;37(16):4062-70. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07549-7..
Keywords: Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Medicare, Elderly, Hospital Readmissions, Mortality
Gaugler JE, Rosebush CA, Zmora R
Outcomes of remote activity monitoring for persons living with dementia over an 18-month period.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Remote Activity Monitoring (RAM) technology was associated with reductions in negative health transitions and service utilization for persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia over an 18-month period. The researchers enrolled 88 recipients and their caregivers in a clinical trial, with 88 care recipients and their caregivers in the RAM intervention arm and 91 care recipients and their caregivers in the control arm. The treatment group had the RAM system installed in their home. The attention control group did not receive RAM technology. Baseline and follow-up surveys assessed whether the care recipient had fallen or wandered in the past 6 months (yes/no). Caregivers were also asked whether the care recipient had used any of the following healthcare services in the past 6 months: nursing home stays, assisted living stays other residential care stays, hospital stays, or emergency room visits. The study found that in adjusted models, emergency department visits were almost 50% lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. In addition, the odds of experiencing a higher frequency of falls versus a lower frequency of falls was 0.36 for those in the intervention group compared with controls. The RAM technology did not have a statistically significant effect on any other outcome. The researchers concluded that although RAM did not provide direct support for the management of behaviors for persons with AD/ADRD, the findings imply that this technology may prevent some adverse health events for people living with dementia in the community. The ongoing, unobtrusive monitoring and system alerts of RAM may have resulted in caregivers identifying activity or the lack thereof that may
have prevented falls and wandering events. In turn, emergency room use among persons with dementia may have been avoided.
have prevented falls and wandering events. In turn, emergency room use among persons with dementia may have been avoided.
AHRQ-funded; HS022836.
Citation: Gaugler JE, Rosebush CA, Zmora R .
Outcomes of remote activity monitoring for persons living with dementia over an 18-month period.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Aug;70(8):2439-42. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17839..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Outcomes, Caregiving
Rosenthal M, Poling J, Wec A
"Medication is just one piece of the whole puzzle": how nursing homes change their use of antipsychotic medications.
This article investigated health professionals’ experiences with decision-making during changes under the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes and its companion coalitions. These programs were introduced in 2012 for the purpose of encouraging reductions in antipsychotic use and increasing use of nonpharmacological treatments for dementia. Interviews were conducted with 40 nursing home physicians and staff in seven states. The authors found that reducing antipsychotics is more time and resource-intensive than relying on medication. However, respondents supported reductions in antipsychotic use. They indicated that with supported staffing, effective communications, and training, they could create or implement individualized treatments.
AHRQ-funded; HS023464.
Citation: Rosenthal M, Poling J, Wec A .
"Medication is just one piece of the whole puzzle": how nursing homes change their use of antipsychotic medications.
J Appl Gerontol 2022 Jan;41(1):62-72. doi: 10.1177/0733464820958919..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Nursing Homes, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Long-Term Care, Shared Decision Making
Fashaw-Walters SA, McCreedy E, Bynum JPW
Disproportionate increases in schizophrenia diagnoses among Black nursing home residents with ADRD.
Investigators examined how race and Alzheimer's and related dementia (ADRD) status influenced the rate of schizophrenia diagnoses among nursing home (NH) residents following the CMS National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care. Using 2011-2015 Minimum Data Set 3.0 assessments, they found that, following the partnership, black NH residents with ADRD were more likely to have a schizophrenia diagnosis documented on their minimum data set assessments, and schizophrenia rates increased for black NH residents with ADRD only.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Fashaw-Walters SA, McCreedy E, Bynum JPW .
Disproportionate increases in schizophrenia diagnoses among Black nursing home residents with ADRD.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Dec;69(12):3623-30. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17464..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Nursing Homes, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Long-Term Care
Orth J, Li Y, Simning A
Nursing home residents with dementia: association between place of death and patient safety culture.
This study examined the association of place of death and patient safety culture among nursing home (NH) residents with dementia. The authors examined the estimated effects of patient safety culture (PSC) among 11,957 long-stay NH residents with dementia, aged 65+ who died in NHs or hospitals shortly following discharge from one of 800 US NHs in 2017. Residents with dementia in NHs with higher PSC scores in communication openness had lower odds of in-hospital death, with the strongest effect in NHs located in states with higher minimum NH nurse staffing requirements.
AHRQ-funded; HS024923.
Citation: Orth J, Li Y, Simning A .
Nursing home residents with dementia: association between place of death and patient safety culture.
Gerontologist 2021 Nov 15;61(8):1296-306. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnaa188..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Nursing Homes, Mortality, Patient Safety
Ma C, McDonald MV, Feldman PH
Continuity of nursing care in home health: impact on rehospitalization among older adults with dementia.
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the association between continuity of nursing care in home health care (HHC) and rehospitalization among persons with dementia (PWD). Multiple years of HHC assessment, administrative, and human resources data from a large urban not-for-profit home health agency was used. Findings showed that wide variations exist in continuity of nursing care to PWD. Consistency in nurse staff when providing HHC visits to PWD is critical for preventing rehospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS023593.
Citation: Ma C, McDonald MV, Feldman PH .
Continuity of nursing care in home health: impact on rehospitalization among older adults with dementia.
Med Care 2021 Oct;59(10):913-20. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001599..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Hospital Readmissions
Abrahamson K, Davila H, Kirk L
Can a nursing home psychotropic reduction project be successfully implemented in assisted living?
This study’s objective was to compare implementation of a psychotropic medication reduction project across nursing homes (NH) and assisted living (AL) facilities. Fifteen NHs and 14 AL facilities within a single corporate chain participated. In-person and telephone interviews with 62 staff members from participating NH and AL facilities were conducted to investigate project implementation experience. Implementation at nursing homes made more dramatic changes in residents’ lives and medication use than at assisted living facilities. AL staff identified numerous barriers to implementation.
AHRQ-funded; HS018464.
Citation: Abrahamson K, Davila H, Kirk L .
Can a nursing home psychotropic reduction project be successfully implemented in assisted living?
J Appl Gerontol 2021 Sep;40(9):1071-79. doi: 10.1177/0733464820948328..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Medication, Dementia
Hua CL, Thomas KS, Bunker J
Changes in the agreement between the Minimum Data Set and hospital Medicare claims measures of dementia.
The objective of this study was to examine the agreement between a clinical Minimum Data Set measure of dementia and a diagnosis of dementia documented on a hospital claim across three points in time. A second objective was to examine the extent to which the agreement varied by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Findings showed that hospital claims for patients aged 66–75 were less likely to be accurate than those for other age groups and suggests that physicians do not always look for signs of dementia in younger adults. Additionally, Asian patients were less likely to have a diagnosis of dementia documented during hospitalization, which could be related to language barriers between patients and clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Hua CL, Thomas KS, Bunker J .
Changes in the agreement between the Minimum Data Set and hospital Medicare claims measures of dementia.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Sep;69(9):2672-75. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17201..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Medicare
Hoffman GJ, U U, Bynum J
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and episode spending under Medicare's Bundled Payment for Care Improvements Advanced (BPCI-A).
Investigators evaluated the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) across the episodes included in Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A) program and the association between ADRD and 90-day spending among hospitals participating in the BPCI-A program. They found that ADRD is associated with higher episode spending, highlighting the importance of closely monitoring the experience of these patients under BPCI-A to ensure that they are receiving appropriate care. This is particularly important for episodes like sepsis and pneumonia that are common among patients with ADRD and also highly prevalent under BPCI-A.
AHRQ-funded; HS025838.
Citation: Hoffman GJ, U U, Bynum J .
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and episode spending under Medicare's Bundled Payment for Care Improvements Advanced (BPCI-A).
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Aug;36(8):2499-502. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06348-2..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Medicare, Payment
Shepard V, Chou LN, Kuo YF, et al.
Characteristics associated with feeding tube placement: retrospective cohort study of Texas nursing home residents with advanced dementia.
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate resident-level, provider-type, nursing home (NH), and regional factors associated with feeding tube (FT) placement in advanced dementia. The investigators concluded that regional, race, and ethnic variations in prevalence of FT use among NH residents suggested opportunities for clinicians and policy makers to improve the quality of end-of-life care by especially considering other palliative care measures for minorities living in border towns.
AHRQ-funded; HS020642.
Citation: Shepard V, Chou LN, Kuo YF, et al..
Characteristics associated with feeding tube placement: retrospective cohort study of Texas nursing home residents with advanced dementia.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Jul;22(7):1471-76.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.10.033..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Orth J, Li Y, Simning A
End-of-life care among nursing home residents with dementia varies by nursing home and market characteristics.
This study’s objectives were to examine variations in end-of-life (EOL) care/outcomes among decedents with Alzheimer's disease/related dementias (ADRD) and to identify associations with nursing home (NH)/market characteristics. Findings showed that decedents with ADRD in NHs that were nonprofit, had Alzheimer's units, higher licensed nurse staffing, and in more competitive markets, had better EOL care/outcomes. Recommendations included modifications to state Medicaid NH payments to promote better EOL care/outcomes and future research to understand NH care practices associated with presence of Alzheimer's units in order to identify mechanisms possibly promoting higher-quality EOL care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024923.
Citation: Orth J, Li Y, Simning A .
End-of-life care among nursing home residents with dementia varies by nursing home and market characteristics.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Feb;22(2):320-28.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.06.021..
Keywords: Elderly, Palliative Care, Dementia, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care
Zmora R, Zmora LL, Bustamante G
Dementia caregivers' experiences and reactions to remote activity monitoring system alerts.
Technology-based tools, including remote activity monitoring (RAM) systems, have been proposed as valuable aids for family caregivers of people with dementia. Previous analyses have shown limited effects of these systems and highlighted a number of barriers, including false alarms. In this study, the investigators used data from an ongoing embedded mixed method randomized controlled intervention to describe patterns of alerts and their association with receipt of the RAM system and caregiver outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022836.
Citation: Zmora R, Zmora LL, Bustamante G .
Dementia caregivers' experiences and reactions to remote activity monitoring system alerts.
J Gerontol Nurs 2021 Jan;47(1):13-20. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20201208-03.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Caregiving, Telehealth
Zmora R, Statz TL, Birkeland RW
Transitioning to long-term care: family caregiver experiences of dementia, communities, and counseling.
Previous analyses of interventions targeting relationships between family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and residential long-term care (RLTC) staff showed modest associations with caregiver outcomes. This analysis aimed to better understand interpersonal and contextual factors that influence caregiver-staff relationships and identify targets for future interventions to improve these relationships.
AHRQ-funded; HS022836.
Citation: Zmora R, Statz TL, Birkeland RW .
Transitioning to long-term care: family caregiver experiences of dementia, communities, and counseling.
J Aging Health 2021 Jan;33(1-2):133-46. doi: 10.1177/0898264320963588..
Keywords: Elderly, Caregiving, Dementia, Transitions of Care, Long-Term Care, Chronic Conditions
Bajaj JS, Duarte-Rojo A, Xie JJ
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy and mild cognitive impairment worsen quality of life in elderly patients with cirrhosis.
Researchers investigated the performance of elderly patients with cirrhosis on tests for minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and predementia mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their effects on quality of life (QOL). They found that, in a multicenter study of elderly patients with cirrhosis and controls, the presence of MHE, regardless of MCI, was associated with poor cognition and QOL. They created adjusted norms that defined the high sensitivity of EncephalApp for the detection of MHE in older individuals and validated it in a separate cohort.
AHRQ-funded; HS025412.
Citation: Bajaj JS, Duarte-Rojo A, Xie JJ .
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy and mild cognitive impairment worsen quality of life in elderly patients with cirrhosis.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020 Dec;18(13):3008-16.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.033..
Keywords: Elderly, Chronic Conditions, Quality of Life, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Roberts ET, McGarry BE, Glynn A
Cognition and take-up of the Medicare Savings Programs.
In this study, the investigators examined the association between cognition and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) enrollment among elderly Medicare beneficiaries who qualified for these programs. They also examined enrollment in the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), a separate program that provides premium and cost-sharing assistance in Medicare Part D that Medicare beneficiaries automatically received if they are enrolled in an MSP.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Roberts ET, McGarry BE, Glynn A .
Cognition and take-up of the Medicare Savings Programs.
JAMA Intern Med 2020 Nov;180(11):1529-31. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2783..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Low-Income, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Armstrong MJ, Gamez N, Alliance S
Research priorities of caregivers and individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies: an interview study.
The authors investigated the research priorities of individuals and caregivers living with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Through telephone interviews, they found that individuals with DLB and caregivers identified research needs and highlighted DLB symptoms needing additional research. They recommended that funding be informed by the priorities of all relevant stakeholders and support research investigating causes, natural history, biomarkers, and treatment in addition to research targeting themes regarding living with disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS024159.
Citation: Armstrong MJ, Gamez N, Alliance S .
Research priorities of caregivers and individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies: an interview study.
PLoS One 2020 Oct 7;15(10):e0239279. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239279..
Keywords: Caregiving, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Patient and Family Engagement, Elderly, Research Methodologies
Merrilees JJ, Bernstein A, Dulaney S
The Care Ecosystem: promoting self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.
The authors illustrated specific psychosocial interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy among family caregivers enrolled in the Care Ecosystem, a model of navigated care designed to support persons with dementia and their primary caregivers. They identified three categories of Care Team Navigator intervention: emotional, informational, and instrumental support, which are consistent with a psychosocial approach to building self-efficacy. They concluded that their findings demonstrated how a model of navigated care can positively impact self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Merrilees JJ, Bernstein A, Dulaney S .
The Care Ecosystem: promoting self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.
Dementia 2020 Aug;19(6):1955-73. doi: 10.1177/1471301218814121..
Keywords: Elderly, Caregiving, Dementia
H H, Caton Gilstrap L
AHRQ Author: Tracer H
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
This evidence-based approach paper focuses on putting prevention into action. It discusses screening for cognitive impairment in older adults. It provides case study, case study questions and a discussion.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: H H, Caton Gilstrap L .
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Am Fam Physician 2020 Jun 15;101(12):753-54..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Screening, Prevention, Case Study, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Crystal S, Jarrín OF, Rosenthal M
National partnership to improve dementia care in nursing homes campaign: state and facility strategies, impact, and antipsychotic reduction outcomes.
This study examines the success of the national partnership campaign to reduce prescription of antipsychotic medications to elderly nursing home residents with dementia. Antipsychotic medications have been shown to increase mortality. Use of these medications had increased 23.9% in dementia patients by 2011. The campaign reduced use by 40.1% to 14.3% by the second quarter of 2019. The campaign measured progress with public reporting of quality measures, increased regulatory scrutiny, and accompanying state and facility initiatives. Sedative-hypnotic medication use also decreased in tandem with antipsychotic reduction suggesting that the campaign increased attention to the use of other risky psychotropic medications.
AHRQ-funded; HS023464; HS022406; HS023258; HS021112.
Citation: Crystal S, Jarrín OF, Rosenthal M .
National partnership to improve dementia care in nursing homes campaign: state and facility strategies, impact, and antipsychotic reduction outcomes.
Innov Aging 2020 Jun 2;4(3):igaa018. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaa018..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Medication, Mortality
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
This study is a systematic review of biomarker and test accuracy for identification of Alzheimer Disease (AD) in older adults. Studies with low or medium risk of bias were analyzed, and two reviewers rated risk of bias. Fifteen brain imaging studies and 9 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies met analysis criteria and were included. The meta-analysis found that in methodologically heterogeneous studies of uncertain applicability to typical clinical settings, the biomarkers amyloid PET, 18F-FDG proton emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were highly sensitive for neuropathologic AD. Single studies suggested that adding amyloid PET, 18F-FDG PET, and CSF test combinations may add accuracy to clinical evaluation.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC .
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):669-77. doi: 10.7326/m19-3888..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R
Benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia (CATD). Studies with low or medium risk of bias (ROB) were analyzed and rated. The analysis concluded there was a slight reduction in short-term cognitive decline with cholinesterase inhibitors and memantime, and cholinesterase inhibitors slightly reduced reported functional decline. There was mostly insufficient evidence on drug treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and on supplements for all outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R .
Benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):656-68. doi: 10.7326/m19-3887..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Medication, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Outcomes, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Treatments