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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 25 of 62 Research Studies DisplayedPrentice JC, Conlin PR, Gellad WF
Capitalizing on prescribing pattern variation to compare medications for type 2 diabetes.
This study used observational quasi-experimental methods using instrumental variables (IVs) to compare the effect of two hypoglycemic medications, sulfonylureas (SUs) and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), on long-term outcomes. It found that individuals who used an SU as a second-line agent experienced significantly more adverse long-term health outcomes than did individuals who started on a TZD.
AHRQ-funded; HS019708.
Citation: Prentice JC, Conlin PR, Gellad WF .
Capitalizing on prescribing pattern variation to compare medications for type 2 diabetes.
Value Health 2014 Dec;17(8):854-62. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.2674..
Keywords: Diabetes, Medication, Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness
Banerjee M, Muenz DG, Worden FP
Conditional survival in patients with thyroid cancer.
This study used data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry to determine conditional 5-year disease-specific survival based on patient age, gender, and stage. It found that patients with localized thyroid cancer have excellent conditional 5-year survival, irrespective of where they are in their survivorship phase. In addition, patients with regional thyroid cancer have relatively stable conditional 5-year survival.
AHRQ-funded; HS020937.
Citation: Banerjee M, Muenz DG, Worden FP .
Conditional survival in patients with thyroid cancer.
Thyroid 2014 Dec;24(12):1784-9. doi: 10.1089/thy.2014.0264..
Keywords: Cancer, Mortality, Outcomes, Registries
Cai L, Wu Y, Cheskin LI
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study, the first systematic, quantitative study of childhood obesity prevention programs on blood lipids in high-income countries found that most interventions (70 percent) showed similar significant or no effects on adiposity- and lipid outcomes; 15 percent of interventions improved both adiposity- and lipids outcomes; 55 percent had no significant effects on either. These programs had a significant desirable effect on LDL-C and HDL-C.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710061I
Citation: Cai L, Wu Y, Cheskin LI .
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obes Rev. 2014 Dec;15(12):933-44. doi: 10.1111/obr.12227..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Prevention, Outcomes, Social Determinants of Health
Dulai PS, Siegel CA, Colombel JF
Systematic review: monotherapy with antitumour necrosis factor alpha agents versus combination therapy with an immunosuppressive for IBD.
The authors discussed the efficacy and the risks of anti-TNF monotherapy versus combination therapy with an immunosuppressive in patients with IBD. They concluded that the addition of an immunosuppressive to anti-TNF therapy improves treatment efficacy for infliximab in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Further, the use of combination therapy appears to add no significant incremental risk for serious infections above that seen with anti-TNF or immunosuppressive monotherapy in most patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS021747.
Citation: Dulai PS, Siegel CA, Colombel JF .
Systematic review: monotherapy with antitumour necrosis factor alpha agents versus combination therapy with an immunosuppressive for IBD.
Gut 2014 Dec;63(12):1843-53. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-307126.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Medication, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Treatments
Heisler M, Choi H, Palmisano G
Comparison of community health worker-led diabetes medication decision-making support for low-income Latino and African American adults with diabetes using e-health tools versus print materials: a randomized, controlled trial.
This study compared outcomes between community health worker (CHW) use of a tailored, interactive, Web-based, tablet computer-delivered tool specifically developed for the study and use of printed educational materials. In a population of low-income Latino and African American adults with diabetes and relatively low levels of formal education, participants in both CHW-led interventions reported mostly similar improvements in outcomes over 3 months.
AHRQ-funded; HS019256
Citation: Heisler M, Choi H, Palmisano G .
Comparison of community health worker-led diabetes medication decision-making support for low-income Latino and African American adults with diabetes using e-health tools versus print materials: a randomized, controlled trial.
Ann Intern Med. 2014 Nov 18;161(10 Suppl):S13-22. doi: 10.7326/m13-3012..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Diabetes, Decision Making, Outcomes, Social Determinants of Health
Davis AE, Mehrotra S, Ladner DP
Changes in geographic disparity in kidney transplantation since the final rule.
The researchers assessed the significance of changes of geographic disparities for four metrics since the 1998 adoption of HHS Final Rule’s emphasizing objective priority criteria: waiting times, transplant rates, pre-transplant mortality, and organ quality. They found that the ranges of the four metrics have worsened by approximately 30% or more after the Final Rule at both the regional and donor service area levels.
AHRQ-funded; HS021078.
Citation: Davis AE, Mehrotra S, Ladner DP .
Changes in geographic disparity in kidney transplantation since the final rule.
Transplantation 2014 Nov 15;98(9):931-6. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000446..
Keywords: Transplantation, Disparities, Policy, Outcomes
Bilchick KC, Stukenborg GJ
Comparative effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in combination with implantable defibrillator in patients with heart failure and wide QRS duration.
The researchers examined the long-term outcomes among Medicare patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) compared with those receiving standard implantable cardioverter defibrillators. They found that the greatest benefit of CRT-D was in patients with guideline-based class I recommendations for CRT-D. For these patients, there was a 17 percent reduction in risk of death.
AHRQ-funded; HS017693
Citation: Bilchick KC, Stukenborg GJ .
Comparative effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in combination with implantable defibrillator in patients with heart failure and wide QRS duration.
Am J Cardiol. 2014 Nov 15;114(10):1537-42. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2014.08.017..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Medicare, Outcomes, Cardiovascular Conditions, Medical Devices
Khazanie P, Hammill BG, Qualls LG
Clinical effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy versus medical therapy alone among patients with heart failure: analysis of the ICD Registry and ADHERE.
The researchers examined associations between cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) and mortality and readmission among patients with heart failure who received CRT-D in clinical practice, compared with those who received medical therapy alone. They found that CRT-D was associated with lower risks of mortality and readmission than medical therapy alone.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092
Citation: Khazanie P, Hammill BG, Qualls LG .
Clinical effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy versus medical therapy alone among patients with heart failure: analysis of the ICD Registry and ADHERE.
Circ Heart Fail. 2014 Nov;7(6):926-34. doi: 10.1161/circheartfailure.113.000838..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Heart Disease and Health, Medical Devices, Hospital Readmissions, Outcomes
Shah RK, Stey AM, Jantana KR
Identification of opportunities for quality improvement and outcome measurement in pediatric otolaryngology.
This study evaluated perioperative outcomes in pediatric otolaryngology through analysis of records residing in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. It found that although the overall rate of major postoperative morbidity in pediatric otolaryngology is low, the following areas may be targeted for targeted quality-improvement interventions: tracheostomy, airway reconstruction, mastoidectomy, and abscess drainage.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932
Citation: Shah RK, Stey AM, Jantana KR .
Identification of opportunities for quality improvement and outcome measurement in pediatric otolaryngology.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Nov;140(11):1019-26. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2014.2067..
Keywords: Surgery, Children/Adolescents, Quality Improvement, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Spangler EL, Goodney PP, Schanzer A
Outcomes of carotid endarterectomy versus stenting in comparable medical risk patients.
The purpose of this study was to compare risk-stratified outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Included in the study group were 11,336 patients who underwent isolated primary CEA and 544 who underwent primary CAS. The researchers found that asymptomatic normal- and high-risk patients do equally well after CEA or CAS. However, normal- and high-risk symptomatic patients have substantially worse outcomes with CAS compared with CEA.
AHRQ-funded; HS021581.
Citation: Spangler EL, Goodney PP, Schanzer A .
Outcomes of carotid endarterectomy versus stenting in comparable medical risk patients.
J Vasc Surg 2014 Nov;60(5):1227-31, 31.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2014.05.044..
Keywords: Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness, Risk, Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health
Duffy RP, Adams JE, Callas PW
The influence of gender on functional outcomes of lower extremity bypass.
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effect of gender on early and late procedural and functional outcomes of lower extremity bypass (LEB). They found that women have complication rates similar to men with inferior early and late functional outcomes after LEB. The reduced patency rates in women with critical limb ischemia did not translate into differences in limb salvage.
AHRQ-funded; HS021581.
Citation: Duffy RP, Adams JE, Callas PW .
The influence of gender on functional outcomes of lower extremity bypass.
J Vasc Surg 2014 Nov;60(5):1282-90, 90.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2014.05.008.
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Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Outcomes, Sex Factors, Surgery
Scialla JJ, Liu J, Crews DC
An instrumental variable approach finds no associated harm or benefit with early dialysis initiation in the United States.
The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at dialysis initiation has been rising. This study described geographic variation in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at dialysis initiation and determine its association with mortality. It found no associated harm or benefit with early dialysis initiation in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; 290200500341I.
Citation: Scialla JJ, Liu J, Crews DC .
An instrumental variable approach finds no associated harm or benefit with early dialysis initiation in the United States.
Kidney Int 2014 Oct;86(4):798-809. doi: 10.1038/ki.2014.110..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Outcomes, Patient Safety, Registries
Ju MH, Chung JW, Kinnier CV
Association between hospital imaging use and venous thromboembolism events rates based on clinical data.
This study assessed the presence and extent of venous thromboembolism (VTE) surveillance bias using high-quality clinical data from 208 hospitals. It concluded that hospitals may be unfairly deemed poor performers for the outcome VTE measure if they have increased vigilance for VTE by performing more VTE imaging studies that result in higher VTE event rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS021857
Citation: Ju MH, Chung JW, Kinnier CV .
Association between hospital imaging use and venous thromboembolism events rates based on clinical data.
Ann Surg. 2014 Sep; 260(3):558-64; discussion 64-6. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000000897..
Keywords: Blood Clots, Public Reporting, Adverse Events, Outcomes, Quality of Care
Borne RT, Peterson PN, Greenlee R
Temporal trends in patient characteristics and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in the United States, 2006-2010.
Results from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry's Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Registry. This study characterizing trends in clinical profiles and outcomes among Medicare patients undergoing primary implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation found only modest changes in clinical characteristics between 2006 and 2010. However, 6-month mortality and rehospitalization improved significantly over time, suggesting that there were meaningful improvements.
AHRQ-funded; HS019814
Citation: Borne RT, Peterson PN, Greenlee R .
Temporal trends in patient characteristics and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in the United States, 2006-2010.
Circulation. 2014 Sep 2;130(10):845-53. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.008653..
Keywords: Medical Devices, Outcomes, Medicare, Registries, Quality of Care
Goode AP, Richardson WJ, Schectman RM
Complications, revision fusions, readmissions, and utilization over a 1-year period after bone morphogenetic protein use during primary cervical spine fusions.
The authors sought to determine the 1-year risk of complications, cervical revision fusions, hospital readmissions, and health care services utilization after bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) use with cervical spine fusions. They found that patients receiving BMP were 29% more likely to have a complication and a nervous system complication; cervical revision fusions were more likely among patients receiving BMP; the risk of 30-day readmission was greater with BMP use; and readmission occurred 27.4% sooner on an average. Additionally, patients receiving BMP were more likely to receive computed tomography scans and epidurals with anterior surgical approaches.
AHRQ-funded; HS019479.
Citation: Goode AP, Richardson WJ, Schectman RM .
Complications, revision fusions, readmissions, and utilization over a 1-year period after bone morphogenetic protein use during primary cervical spine fusions.
Spine J 2014 Sep;14(9):2051-9. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.11.042.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Hospital Readmissions, Patient Safety, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Treatments
Abdelsattar ZM, Krell RW, Campbell Jr DA
Differences in hospital performance for noncancer vs cancer colorectal surgery.
The researchers investigated the differences in hospital performance for noncancer and cancer colorectal resections at 52 Michigan hospitals. They found that hospital performance ranking in risk-adjusted outcomes (mortality, morbidity, length of stay) after noncancer colorectal resections does not correlate with performance for cancer-related colorectal resections.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053; HS20937
Citation: Abdelsattar ZM, Krell RW, Campbell Jr DA .
Differences in hospital performance for noncancer vs cancer colorectal surgery.
J Am Coll Surg. 2014 Sep;219(3):450-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.02.034..
Keywords: Outcomes, Surgery, Quality of Care
Huesch MD
The impact of short breaks from cardiac surgery on mortality and stay length in California.
In this small, exploratory study, the researchers sought to investigate potential surgical “forgetting” among cardiac surgeons taking a break from performing isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in a large state-wide study in California. Patients operated on by surgeons who had not performed isolated CABG in the prior calendar month stayed in hospital 0.5 day longer.
AHRQ-funded; HS021868.
Citation: Huesch MD .
The impact of short breaks from cardiac surgery on mortality and stay length in California.
J Healthc Qual 2014 Sep-Oct;36(5):42-9. doi: 10.1111/jhq.12018..
Keywords: Surgery, Outcomes, Mortality, Risk
Salihu HM, Salemi JL, Nash MC
Assessing the economic impact of paternal involvement: a comparison of the generalized linear model versus decision analysis trees.
The authors illustrated a methodological comparison of decision analysis modeling and generalized linear modeling (GLM) techniques using a case study that assesses the cost-effectiveness of potential father involvement interventions. They found that lack of paternal involvement was associated with higher rates of preterm birth, small-for-gestational age, and infant morbidity and mortality, concluding that healthcare costs could be significantly reduced through enhanced father involvement during pregnancy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019997.
Citation: Salihu HM, Salemi JL, Nash MC .
Assessing the economic impact of paternal involvement: a comparison of the generalized linear model versus decision analysis trees.
Matern Child Health J 2014 Aug;18(6):1380-90. doi: 10.1007/s10995-013-1372-0.
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Keywords: Family Health and History, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Pregnancy, Case Study, Decision Making
Antonescu I, Scott S, Tran TT
Measuring postoperative recovery: what are clinically meaningful differences?
This paper's objective was to generate minimal clinically important difference (MCID) estimates for three postoperative recovery metrics. On the data analyzed, MCIDs were consistently smaller for patients rating their health as "excellent" or "very good" compared with those for patients rating their health as "fair" or "poor." The authors provided MCIDs and ranges around each estimate and recommended that these values be considered when planning and interpreting abdominal surgery clinical trials where patient-reported outcomes are assessed.
AHRQ-funded; HS021857.
Citation: Antonescu I, Scott S, Tran TT .
Measuring postoperative recovery: what are clinically meaningful differences?
Surgery 2014 Aug;156(2):319-27. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2014.03.005.
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Keywords: Outcomes, Surgery
Smith SR
Preface to the AHRQ supplement.
AHRQ, through its Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness (DEcIDE) Research Network, sponsored this supplement to present various strategies in the design, analysis, and conduct of health outcomes studies relevant to rare diseases. The purpose of this supplement is to disseminate illustrative examples of research methods that can be applied to understand health outcomes and potentially to stimulate new patient-centered outcomes studies for rare diseases.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Smith SR .
Preface to the AHRQ supplement.
J Gen Intern Med 2014 Aug;29 Suppl 3:S712-3. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-2922-x.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Santos CA, Brennan DC, Fraser VJ
Delayed-onset cytomegalovirus disease coded during hospital readmission after kidney transplantation.
The researchers sought to expand understanding of the scope, risk factors and outcomes associated with delayed-onset cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease among kidney transplant reci
AHRQ-funded; HS019455
Citation: Santos CA, Brennan DC, Fraser VJ .
Delayed-onset cytomegalovirus disease coded during hospital readmission after kidney transplantation.
Transplantation. 2014 Jul 27;98(2):187-94. doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000000030..
Keywords: Transplantation, Hospital Readmissions, Risk, Outcomes
Garabedian LF, Chu P, Toh S
Potential bias of instrumental variable analyses for observational comparative effectiveness research.
Results of instrumental variable analyses may be biased if the instrument and outcome are related through an unadjusted third variable, an instrument-outcome confounder. The authors review of 187 comparative effectiveness studies using this type of analysis, only 4 considered potential instrument-outcome confounders outside the study data.
AHRQ-funded; 290050016I
Citation: Garabedian LF, Chu P, Toh S .
Potential bias of instrumental variable analyses for observational comparative effectiveness research.
Ann Intern Med. 2014 Jul 15;161(2):131-8. doi: 10.7326/M13-1887..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Outcomes, Research Methodologies
Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA
A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis.
The researchers designed the Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Spinal Stenosis trial to compare the effectiveness of epidural injections of glucocorticoids plus anesthetic with injections of anesthetic alone in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. They found that epidural injection of glucocorticoids plus lidocaine offered minimal or no short-term benefit as compared with lidocaine alone.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222
Citation: Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA .
A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis.
N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 3;371(1):11-21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1313265..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Chronic Conditions, Elderly, Outcomes
Maggard-Gibbons M
The use of report cards and outcome measurements to improve the safety of surgical care: the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.
This review summarized the history of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project and its components, and described the evidence that feeding outcomes back to providers, along with real-time comparisons with other hospital rates, leads to quality improvement, better patient outcomes, cost savings and overall improved patient safety.
AHRQ-funded; 2902007100621.
Citation: Maggard-Gibbons M .
The use of report cards and outcome measurements to improve the safety of surgical care: the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.
BMJ Qual Saf 2014 Jul;23(7):589-99. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002223..
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality Measures, Quality of Care, Surgery, Patient Safety, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Provider Performance
Strom Williams JL, Lynch CP, Winchester R
Gender differences in composite control of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes.
This study examined the gender differences in multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor control in adults with type 2 diabetes seen in diverse clinical settings. It found that women had significantly poorer composite control of CVD risk outcomes compared with men, adjusting for relevant confounding factors. In unadjusted analyses, women had higher mean systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels compared with men.
AHRQ-funded; HS011418.
Citation: Strom Williams JL, Lynch CP, Winchester R .
Gender differences in composite control of cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Technol Ther 2014 Jul;16(7):421-7. doi: 10.1089/dia.2013.0329..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Risk, Diabetes, Outcomes, Sex Factors
