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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 365 Research Studies DisplayedRamanathan S, Evans CT, Hershow RC
Guideline concordance and antibiotic-associated adverse events between Veterans administration and non-Veterans administration dental settings: a retrospective cohort study.
The study aimed to evaluate antibiotic prophylaxis adherence and associated adverse drug events (ADEs) in dental settings. A retrospective cohort study of adults with cardiac conditions or prosthetic joints from 2015 to 2017 was conducted. Of 61,124 patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis, 62 (0.1%) experienced ADEs. Guideline concordance was not linked to ADEs (adjusted OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.25-2.46), and this was consistent across different dental settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS025177.
Citation: Ramanathan S, Evans CT, Hershow RC .
Guideline concordance and antibiotic-associated adverse events between Veterans administration and non-Veterans administration dental settings: a retrospective cohort study.
Front Pharmacol 2024 Jan 16; 15:1249531. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1249531.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Guidelines, Dental and Oral Health, Practice Patterns
Chou R, Selph SS, Bougatsos C
Screening, referral, behavioral counseling, and preventive interventions for oral health in adults: a systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic evidence review on the effectiveness of primary care screening and prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease in adults to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The main outcomes were dental caries, periodontal disease, morbidity, quality of life, harms; and diagnostic test accuracy. Five randomized clinical trials, 5 nonrandomized trials, and 6 observational studies with a total 3,300 participants were included. There were no trials that evaluated primary care counseling or dental referral. There was very limited evidence on screening accuracy, silver diamine fluoride, xylitol; and harms were very limited, although serious harms were not reported. One small study (n = 86) found oral health examination by 2 primary care clinicians associated with low sensitivity and high specificity for periodontal disease and with variable sensitivity and high specificity for dental caries. Four studies (n = 965) found screening questionnaires associated with a pooled sensitivity of 0.72 and specificity of 0.74 for periodontal disease. For preventive interventions there were no studies that evaluated primary care counseling or dental referral, and evidence from 2 poor-quality trials (n = 178) of sealants, and 1 fair-quality and 4 poor-quality trials (n = 971) of topical fluorides, was found to be insufficient. Three fair-quality trials (n = 590) of persons with mean age 72 to 80 years found silver diamine fluoride solution associated with fewer new root caries lesions or fillings vs placebo (mean reduction, -0.33 to -1.3) and decreased likelihood of new root caries lesion (2 trials). There were no trials that evaluated primary care-administered preventive interventions.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006.
Citation: Chou R, Selph SS, Bougatsos C .
Screening, referral, behavioral counseling, and preventive interventions for oral health in adults: a systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Nov 14; 330(18):1780-90. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.20685..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Dental and Oral Health, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Chou R, Bougatsos C, Griffin J
Screening, referral, behavioral counseling, and preventive interventions for oral health in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years: a systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic evidence review on the effectiveness of primary care screening and prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The main outcomes were dental caries, morbidity, functional status, quality of life, harms; and diagnostic test accuracy. Three systematic reviews with a total of 20,684 participants were included along with 19 randomized clinical trials, 3 nonrandomized trials, and 1 observational study with a total of 15,026 participants. When administered by dental professionals or in school settings, fluoride supplements compared with placebo or no intervention were associated with decreased change from baseline in the number of decayed, missing, or filled permanent teeth (DMFT index) or decayed or filled permanent teeth (DFT index) at 1.5 to 3 years (6 trials; n = 1395). Fluoride gels were associated with a DMFT- or DFT-prevented fraction of 0.18 at outcomes closest to 3 years (4 trials; n = 1525); fluoride varnish was associated with a DMFT- or DFT-prevented fraction of 0.44 at 1 to 4.5 years (5 trials; n = 3902); and resin-based sealants were associated with decreased risk of carious first molars at 48 to 54 months (4 trials; n = 440). There were no trials that evaluated primary care counseling or dental referral. There was very limited evidence on screening accuracy, silver diamine fluoride, xylitol; and harms were very limited, although serious harms were not reported.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006.
Citation: Chou R, Bougatsos C, Griffin J .
Screening, referral, behavioral counseling, and preventive interventions for oral health in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years: a systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Nov 7; 330(17):1674-86. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.20435..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Dental and Oral Health, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Guidelines
Mahenthiran AK, Logan CD, Janczewski LM
Evaluation of nationwide trends in nodal sampling guideline adherence for gastric cancer: 2005-2017.
This study’s purpose was to evaluate trends in program-level disparities in adherence to gastric cancer nodal sampling guidelines. The cohort included 55,421 patients who underwent resection of gastric cancer from 2005 to 2017 identified in the National Cancer Database. Of that total 27,201 (49.1%) of patients met adherence criteria for lymph node sampling. Academic hospitals treated 44.4% of the total cohort. Overall, lymph node sampling criteria were met in 59.2% of patients treated at high-volume academic programs and 37.0% of patients treated at low-volume nonacademic programs. Adherence rates improved overall from 2005 to 2017 for both low-volume nonacademic programs (27.8% in 2005 to 50.1% in 2017) and high-volume academic programs (46.0% in 2005 to 69.8% in 2017).
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Mahenthiran AK, Logan CD, Janczewski LM .
Evaluation of nationwide trends in nodal sampling guideline adherence for gastric cancer: 2005-2017.
J Surg Res 2023 Nov; 291:514-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.07.011..
Keywords: Cancer, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Thom KA, Rock C, Robinson GL
Direct gloving vs hand hygiene before donning gloves in adherence to hospital infection control practices: a cluster randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a direct-gloving policy on adherence to infection prevention control practices in a hospital setting. In this study, hospital units were randomly assigned to either the intervention (hand hygiene not required before putting on gloves) or to usual care (hand hygiene required prior to before putting on nonsterile gloves). The primary study outcome was adherence to the expected practice upon room entry and room exit. Thirteen hospital units participated in the trial, and 3,790 health care personnel (HCP) were observed. The study found that adherence to expected practice was higher in the 6 units with the direct-gloving intervention than in the 7 usual care units even when controlling for baseline hand hygiene rates, unit type, and universal gloving policies. The intervention had no effect on hand hygiene adherence measured at entry to non-contact precautions rooms or at room exit. The intervention was related with increased total bacteria colony counts and increased detection of pathogenic bacteria on gloves in the ED and reduced colony counts in pediatrics units, with no change in either total colony count for adult intensive care unit or presence of pathogenic bacteria for adult intensive care unit.
AHRQ-funded; HS024108.
Citation: Thom KA, Rock C, Robinson GL .
Direct gloving vs hand hygiene before donning gloves in adherence to hospital infection control practices: a cluster randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Oct 2; 6(10):e2336758. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.36758..
Keywords: Hospitals, Patient Safety, Guidelines, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Henderson JT, Webber EM, Thomas RG
Screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to update the evidence on the effectiveness of screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with the purpose of informing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The main outcome was Morbidity or mortality, with measures of health-related quality of life. The review included 6 fair-quality studies comparing changes in prenatal screening practices with routine screening at in-person office visits (usual care). This systematic review did not find evidence that any alternate screening strategies for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had increased effectiveness over routine blood pressure measurement at in-person prenatal visits. No harms of the different screening strategies were identified.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00004.
Citation: Henderson JT, Webber EM, Thomas RG .
Screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Sep 19; 330(11):1083-91. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.4934..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Blood Pressure, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Maternal Care, Women
Viswanathan M, Urrutia RP, Hudson KN
Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The objective of this evidence review was to evaluate new evidence on the benefits and harms of folic acid supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defects to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. New evidence from observational studies provided evidence of the benefit of folic acid supplementation and no evidence of harms related to multiple gestation, autism, or maternal cancer. The new evidence was consistent with previously reviewed evidence on benefits and harms.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00007.
Citation: Viswanathan M, Urrutia RP, Hudson KN .
Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Aug 1; 330(5):460-66. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.9864..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Newborns/Infants, Maternal Care, Women
Guirguis-Blake JM, Evans CV, Coppola EL
Screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to examine benefits and harms of screening and treatment of pediatric dyslipidemia due to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and multifactorial dyslipidemia. Forty-three studies were included (n = 491,516). The study found that No RCTs directly addressed screening effectiveness and harms. Three US studies (n = 395,465) reported prevalence of phenotypically defined FH of 0.2% to 0.4% (1:250 to 1:500). Five studies (n = 142,257) reported multifactorial dyslipidemia prevalence; the prevalence of elevated total cholesterol level was 7.1% to 9.4% and of any lipid abnormality was 19.2%. Ten RCTs in children and adolescents with FH (n = 1,230) demonstrated that statins were related with an 81- to 82-mg/dL higher mean reduction in levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C compared with placebo at up to 2 years. Nonstatin-drug trials showed statistically significant lowering of lipid levels in FH populations, but few studies were available for any single drug. Observational studies indicate that starting statin treatment for FH in childhood or adolescence decreases long-term cardiovascular disease risk. Two multifactorial dyslipidemia behavioral counseling trials (n = 934) showed 3- to 6-mg/dL greater reductions in total cholesterol levels compared with the control group, but findings did not continue at longest follow-up. Harms reported in the short-term drug trials were similar in the intervention and control groups.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00004.
Citation: Guirguis-Blake JM, Evans CV, Coppola EL .
Screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Jul 18; 330(3):261-74. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.8867..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Children/Adolescents
O'Connor EA, Henninger ML, Perdue LA
Anxiety screening: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
This evidence summary was published in conjunction with the final recommendation statement for the US Preventive Services Task Force on benefits and harms of screening and treatment for anxiety disorders in adults. A literature review was conducted with 59 publications included, 40 were original studies and 19 were systematic reviews. Two screening studies found no benefit for screening for anxiety. Only the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) GAD-2 and GAD-7 screening instruments were evaluated by more than 1 study. Both screening instruments had adequate accuracy for detecting generalized anxiety disorder with a pooled sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.89. Evidence was limited for other instruments and other anxiety disorders. Evidence was insufficient on the benefits or harms of anxiety screening programs. However, there is a large body of evidence supporting the benefit of treatment for anxiety.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I; 75Q80120D00004.
Citation: O'Connor EA, Henninger ML, Perdue LA .
Anxiety screening: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Jun 27; 329(24):2171-84. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.6369..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Anxiety, Behavioral Health, Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Prevention
O'Connor EA, Perdue LA, Coppola EL
Depression and suicide risk screening: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The objectives of this article were to review the benefits and harms of depression and suicide risk screening and treatment and the accuracy of instruments to detect these conditions in primary care patients. Evidence gathered from the literature search supported screening for depression in primary care settings, including during pregnancy and postpartum. The authors noted, however, that there were numerous important gaps in the evidence for suicide risk screening.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I; 75Q80120D00004.
Citation: O'Connor EA, Perdue LA, Coppola EL .
Depression and suicide risk screening: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Jun 20; 329(23):2068-85. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.7787..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Depression, Behavioral Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Risk
Cabral SM, Harris AD, Cosgrove SE
Adherence to antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines for elective surgeries across 825 US hospitals, 2019-2020.
This retrospective cohort study assessed adherence to surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines for elective surgeries across 825 US hospitals from 2019 to 2020. The authors looked at adults who underwent elective craniotomy, hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal procedure, or hernia repair in 2019-2020 at hospitals in the PINC AI (Premier) Healthcare Database. They evaluated adherence of prophylaxis regimes, with respect to antimicrobial agents endorsed in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacist guidelines, accounting for patient antibiotic allergy and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization status. They found that across 825 hospitals and 521,091 inpatient elective surgeries, 59% were adherent to prophylaxis guidelines. The most common reason found for nonadherence was unnecessary vancomycin use. Patients receiving cefazolin plus vancomycin had 19% higher odds of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared with patients receiving cefazolin alone.
AHRQ-funded; HS028363.
Citation: Cabral SM, Harris AD, Cosgrove SE .
Adherence to antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines for elective surgeries across 825 US hospitals, 2019-2020.
Clin Infect Dis 2023 Jun 16; 76(12):2106-15. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad077..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Surgery
Weinstein R, Brohinsky J, Meltzer A
AHRQ Author: Weinstein R
Establishing and maintaining trust: how the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force uses strategic communications to build confidence in and disseminate its evidence-based recommendations.
This article examined ways in which strategic communications support for the United States Preventive Services Task Force helped to fulfill its mission to improve the health of people nationwide through evidence-based preventive services recommendations. Communications challenges specific to the USPSTF are described, and two case examples of strategic communications approaches provided.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Weinstein R, Brohinsky J, Meltzer A .
Establishing and maintaining trust: how the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force uses strategic communications to build confidence in and disseminate its evidence-based recommendations.
J Health Commun 2023 Jun 3; 28(6):344-48. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2208532..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Communication, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Prevention
Tracer H, Haselby C
AHRQ Author: Tracer H
Hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal people.
This case study described a 50-year-old woman whose last menstrual cycle was more than a year previous. Case study questions related to the USPSTF recommendation on hormone therapy addressed whether this patient would benefit from hormone therapy to prevent the onset of chronic conditions that become more common after menopause.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Tracer H, Haselby C .
Hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal people.
Am Fam Physician 2023 Jun; 107(6):645-46..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention, Chronic Conditions, Women
Henrikson NB, Ivlev I, Blasi PR
Skin cancer screening: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the advantages and potential risks of skin cancer screening to assist the decision-making of the US Preventive Services Task Force. The researchers utilized the data sources MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, dated between June 1, 2015, and January 7, 2022. Two independent reviewers evaluated the articles and extracted pertinent data from studies of fair or good quality; the findings were summarized narratively. The primary outcomes and indicators were morbidity; mortality; stage, precursor lesions, or lesion thickness of skin cancer at detection; potential harms of screening. Twenty studies from 29 articles were included (N = 6,053,411). Direct evidence on the effectiveness of screening was obtained from 3 nonrandomized analyses of 2 population-based skin cancer screening initiatives in Germany (n = 1,791,615), indicating no significant reduction in melanoma mortality benefit at the population level over a period of 4 to 10 years of follow up activities. Six studies (n = 2,935,513) offered inconclusive evidence on the relationship between physician-conducted skin examination and lesion thickness or stage at diagnosis. Usual care vs. routine physician-conducted skin examination was not associated with increased detection of skin cancer or precursor lesions (5 studies) or stage at melanoma detection (3 studies). The correlation between physician-conducted skin examination and lesion thickness at detection was inconsistent (3 studies). Nine studies (n = 1 326 051) found a consistent positive association between more advanced stage at melanoma detection and increasing risk of melanoma-associated and all-cause mortality. Two studies (n = 232) found negligible enduring cosmetic or psychosocial harms related to screening.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00004.
Citation: Henrikson NB, Ivlev I, Blasi PR .
Skin cancer screening: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Apr 18; 329(15):1296-307. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.3262..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Skin Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Djulbegovic B, Hozo I, Lizarraga D
Decomposing clinical practice guidelines panels' deliberation into decision theoretical constructs.
The creation of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) is hindered by the absence of a clear and transparent structure for integrating key components needed to develop practice recommendations. The purpose of the study was to compare the American Society of Hematology (ASH) CPG panel's deliberations for managing pulmonary embolism (PE) to relevant decision-theoretic constructs to evaluate the concordance between panel recommendations and explicit decision modeling. Five constructs were identified, with three employed to rephrase the panel's recommendations: 1) a standard, expected utility threshold (EUT) decision model; 2) an acceptable regret threshold model (ARg) for determining the acceptable frequency of false negative (FN) or false positive (FP) recommendations, and 3) fast-and-frugal tree (FFT) decision trees for devising a comprehensive strategy for PE management. The researchers compared four management approaches: withholding testing versus D-dimer → computerized pulmonary angiography (CTPA) ('ASH-Low') versus CTPA → D-dimer ('ASH-High') versus treatment without testing. The study found that various models yielded diverse recommendations. For instance, EUT suggested that testing should be withheld for prior PE probability <0.13%, a clinically implausible threshold up to 15 times (2/0.13) lower than the ASH guidelines threshold for excluding PE (at post probability of PE ≤2%). Only three models concurred that the 'ASH low' strategy should be applied to pretest PE probabilities between 0.13% and 13.27% and that the 'ASH high' approach should be utilized in a narrow range of prior PE probabilities between 90.85% and 93.07%. For all other prior PE probabilities, selecting one model did not guarantee consistency with other models
AHRQ-funded; HS024917
Citation: Djulbegovic B, Hozo I, Lizarraga D .
Decomposing clinical practice guidelines panels' deliberation into decision theoretical constructs.
J Eval Clin Pract 2023 Apr;29(3):459-71. doi: 10.1111/jep.13809.
Keywords: Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Shared Decision Making
de Assis V, Shields AD, Johansson A
Resuscitation of traumatic maternal cardiac arrest: a case report and summary of recommendations from Obstetric Life Support.
The authors in this report highlight critical techniques in the resuscitation of reproductive-age women with traumatic cardiac arrest using recommendations from Obstetric Life Support™ (OBLS™). In this report they examined a case of a morbidly obese female presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with ongoing CPR and massive hemorrhage from two gunshot wounds to the chest. The report summarizes critical techniques addressing Maternal Cardiac Arrest recommended in OBLS™ courses. Including 1) expanding the FAST exam to assess for pregnancy status, 2) estimating gestational age by fundal height or point-of-care ultrasound, 3) performing a RCD via midline vertical incision at 4 min if pregnancy is suspected to be ≥20 weeks' gestation (fundal height at or above the umbilicus, femoral length of ≥30 mm or biparietal diameter of ≥45 mm), and 4) execution of ECPR for refractory cardiac arrest.
AHRQ-funded; HS026169.
Citation: de Assis V, Shields AD, Johansson A .
Resuscitation of traumatic maternal cardiac arrest: a case report and summary of recommendations from Obstetric Life Support.
Trauma Case Rep 2023 Apr; 44:100800. doi: 10.1016/j.tcr.2023.100800..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Cardiovascular Conditions, Women, Guidelines
Shero ST, Ammary-Risch NJ, Lomotan EA
AHRQ Author: Lomotan EA
Creating implementable clinical practice guidelines: the 2020 focused updates to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Asthma Management Guidelines.
The authors developed evidence-based clinical practice guideline updates for asthma management focused on six topic areas. Their guideline development processes, and the implementation and dissemination activities undertaken, sought to enhance implementation ability by focusing on intrinsic factors. They concluded that enhanced collaboration during guideline development between authors, informaticists, and scientists may facilitate development of tools to support the application of recommendations to further improve guideline implementation.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Shero ST, Ammary-Risch NJ, Lomotan EA .
Creating implementable clinical practice guidelines: the 2020 focused updates to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Asthma Management Guidelines.
Implement Sci Commun 2023 Mar 31; 4(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s43058-023-00417-3..
Keywords: Asthma, Respiratory Conditions, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Barry MJ, Wolff TA, Pbert L
AHRQ Author: Wolff TA, Fan TM, Mabry-Hernandez IR, Mills J
Putting evidence into practice: an update on the US Preventive Services Task Force methods for developing recommendations for preventive services
The purpose of this study was to outline the current methodologies employed by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) evidence-based recommendations regarding preventive services to improve health for people nationwide, discuss the evolution of these methods to address health equity in preventive care, and identify areas requiring further research. The researchers found that the USPSTF selects subjects based on disease impact, the availability of novel evidence, and the feasibility of implementing the service within primary care settings. In the future, health equity will be increasingly taken into account. Analytical frameworks delineate the crucial questions and associations linking preventive measures to health outcomes. Contextual inquiries offer insights into the natural course of diseases, prevailing practices, health outcomes in vulnerable populations, and health equity considerations. The USPSTF allocates a certainty level to the net benefit estimation of a preventive service (high, moderate, or low) and assesses the net benefit magnitude (considerable, moderate, minimal, or none/negative). Utilizing these evaluations, the USPSTF assigns an alphabetic grade ranging from A (endorse) to D (advise against). When evidence is inadequate, an "I" statement is issued. The USPSTF aims to further refine its simulation modeling techniques and apply evidence to address conditions with limited data in populations disproportionately affected by disease. The authors concluded that exploratory efforts are in progress to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between social constructs such as race, ethnicity, and gender and their impact on health outcomes, ultimately informing the creation of a USPSTF health equity framework.
Citation: Barry MJ, Wolff TA, Pbert L .
Putting evidence into practice: an update on the US Preventive Services Task Force methods for developing recommendations for preventive services
Ann Fam Med 2023 Mar-Apr;21(2):165-71. doi: 10.1370/afm.2946.
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Prevention, Screening
Mills J, Harding MC
AHRQ Author: Mills J
Screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults.
This Putting Prevention into Practice case study was created to increase understanding of the USPSTF final recommendation on screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults. A case study was presented using a 41-year-old man with a history of class 1 obesity but was otherwise feeling well. The patient has an uncle who was recently diagnosed with OSA, and the patient has some questions. Three multiple-choice questions are presented regarding USPSTF recommendations whether to screen for OSA for that patient.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Mills J, Harding MC .
Screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults.
Am Fam Physician 2023 Mar;107(3):297-98.
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Sleep Problems, Guidelines, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Case Study
Asher GN, Feltner C, Harrison WN
Serologic screening for genital herpes: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Genital herpes, a viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) subtypes HSV-1 or HSV-2, is a prevalent STI in the US. Early identification of unrecognized HSV-2 infection could reduce transmission and morbidity. In 2016, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine serologic screening for genital herpes in asymptomatic individuals. This updated evidence report aimed to identify studies published since the previous 2016 evidence review. A literature search was conducted from September 30, 2015, through January 16, 2022, with ongoing surveillance through July 22, 2022. The review identified no new eligible studies, leading to unchanged overall conclusions from the 2016 recommendation against screening. The prior recommendation was based on psychosocial harms from false-positive test results due to poor screening test accuracy and uncertain benefit of preventive viral medications for reducing viral shedding or improving health outcomes. The review focused on the general population of asymptomatic adolescents and adults and may not be applicable to populations at higher risk for infection, such as those with HIV or other immunosuppressive conditions.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00007.
Citation: Asher GN, Feltner C, Harrison WN .
Serologic screening for genital herpes: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Feb 14; 329(6):510-12. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.20356..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Screening, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention
Mills J, Barnhart H
AHRQ Author: Mills J
Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents.
This Putting Prevention into Practice case study is used to increase understanding of the USPSTF final recommendation on screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. A case study was presented using a 12-year-old-patient with no specific concerns but had gained 18 pounds since their last wellness visit and lives a sedentary lifestyle. The patient’s family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus in maternal and paternal grandparents is described. Three multiple-choice questions are presented regarding harms and benefits of screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes for that patient.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Mills J, Barnhart H .
Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents.
Am Fam Physician 2023 Jan; 107(1):79-80..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Children/Adolescents, Diabetes, Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Prevention, Chronic Conditions, Case Study
Schroeder MC, Chapman CG, Chrischilles EA
Generating practice-based evidence in the use of guideline-recommended combination therapy for secondary prevention of acute myocardial infarction.
This study’s goal was to determine if variation in real-world practice of guideline-recommended combination therapy for secondary prevention of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) reflects poor quality-of-care or a balance of outcome tradeoffs among patients. Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries hospitalized 2007-2008 for AMI were included. Treatment within 30-days post-discharge was grouped into one of eight possible combinations for the three drug classes: beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers, and statins. Outcomes looked at included one-year overall survival, one-year cardiovascular-event-free survival, and 90-day adverse events. Results were found that each drug combination was observed in the final sample (N = 124,695), with 35.7% having all three, and 13.5% having none. There were both treatment benefits and harms in patients with AMIs with higher rates of guideline-recommended treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS018381.
Citation: Schroeder MC, Chapman CG, Chrischilles EA .
Generating practice-based evidence in the use of guideline-recommended combination therapy for secondary prevention of acute myocardial infarction.
Pharmacy 2022 Nov 3;10(6). doi: 10.3390/pharmacy10060147..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention
Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Reddy S
Hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
This US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation is an updated evidence report and systematic review on the use of hormone therapy in postmenopausal persons for the primary prevention of chronic conditions. The reviewers included 20 trials (N = 39,145) and 3 cohort studies (N = 1,155,410) from a dual review of abstracts, full-text articles, and study quality. Harms and benefits were compared for participants using estrogen only compared with estrogen plus progestin. Participants using estrogen only compared with placebo had significantly lower risks for diabetes and fractures, but increased for gallbladder disease over 7.1 years, stroke over 7.2 years, venous thromboembolism over 7.2 years and urinary incontinence over 1 year. For participants using estrogen plus progestin some benefits were found, but there was also an increased risk of harms significantly for invasive breast cancer, gallbladder disease, venous thromboembolism, probable dementia, and urinary incontinence.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00007.
Citation: Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Reddy S .
Hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal persons: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2022 Nov 1;328(17):1747-65. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.18324..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Chronic Conditions, Women
Tracer H, Justus M
AHRQ Author: Tracer H
Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplementation to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
This Putting Prevention into Practice case study is used to increase understanding of the USPSTF final recommendation on vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplementation to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. A case study was presented using a 53-year-old-patient with no significant history presenting for a wellness visit. The patient’s 10-year cardiovascular risk and BMI are described. Three multiple-choice questions are presented regarding harms and benefits, and recommendations not to use supplementation to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Tracer H, Justus M .
Vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplementation to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Am Fam Physician 2022 Nov;106(5):565-66..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cardiovascular Conditions, Cancer, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Viswanathan M, Wallace IF, Cook Middleton J
Screening for depression and suicide risk in children and adolescents: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The authors sought to review the evidence on screening for depression or suicide risk in children and adolescents to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. They found indirect evidence that suggested some screening instruments were reasonably accurate for detecting depression. Further, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy were associated with some benefits and no statistically significant harms for depression, but the evidence was limited for suicide risk screening instruments and interventions.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Viswanathan M, Wallace IF, Cook Middleton J .
Screening for depression and suicide risk in children and adolescents: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2022 Oct 18;328(15):1543-56. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.16310..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Children/Adolescents, Depression, Behavioral Health, Screening, Primary Care, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention