National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Blood Pressure (2)
- Cancer (5)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (3)
- Cancer: Lung Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Ovarian Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Care Management (1)
- Case Study (1)
- Chronic Conditions (3)
- Decision Making (2)
- Diabetes (2)
- Evidence-Based Practice (12)
- Family Health and History (1)
- Genetics (2)
- (-) Guidelines (18)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Labor and Delivery (2)
- Maternal Care (6)
- Medicare (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Patient Safety (1)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Pregnancy (6)
- Prevention (8)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Nurse (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Risk (1)
- Screening (8)
- Surgery (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (11)
- (-) Women (18)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 18 of 18 Research Studies DisplayedHenderson 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
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
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
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
Mills J, Mohnot S
AHRQ Author: Mills J
Screening for gestational diabetes.
This “Putting Prevention into Practice: An Evidence Based Approach” paper is a case study with questions and answers related to a patient with gestational diabetes.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Mills J, Mohnot S .
Screening for gestational diabetes.
Am Fam Physician 2021 Dec 1;104(6):641-42..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Diabetes, Pregnancy, Screening, Prevention, Women, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Case Study
Pillay J, Donovan L, Guitard S
Screening for gestational diabetes: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The objective of this study was to update the 2012 review on screening for gestational diabetes to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The investigators concluded that direct evidence on screening vs no screening remained limited. One- vs 2-step screening was not significantly associated with improved health outcomes. At or after 24 weeks of gestation, treatment of gestational diabetes was significantly associated with improved health outcomes.
Citation: Pillay J, Donovan L, Guitard S .
Screening for gestational diabetes: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2021 Aug 10;326(6):539-62. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.10404..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Diabetes, Pregnancy, Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Women, Prevention, Guidelines
Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
The purpose of this study was to determine the changes associated with the revised USPSTF guideline for lung cancer screening eligibility among female, Black, and Hispanic populations using a large nationwide survey. The investigators concluded that the revised USPSTF guideline may likely increase lung cancer screening rates for female, Black, and Hispanic populations. However, despite these potential improvements, lung cancer screening inequities may persist without tailored eligibility criteria.
AHRQ-funded; HS026198.
Citation: Reese TJ, Schlechter CR, Potter LN .
Evaluation of revised US Preventive Services Task Force lung cancer screening guideline among women and racial/ethnic minority populations.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jan;4(1):e2033769. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.33769..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Smith ME, Vitous CA, Hughes TM
Barriers and facilitators to de-implementation of the Choosing Wisely((R)) guidelines for low-value breast cancer surgery.
The objective of this study was to understand why surgeons stop performing certain unnecessary cancer operations but not others and how best to de-implement entrenched and emerging unnecessary procedures. The investigators concluded that with a growing focus on the elimination of ineffective, unproven or low value practices, it is imperative that the behavioral determinants are understood and targeted with specific interventions to decrease utilization rapidly.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Smith ME, Vitous CA, Hughes TM .
Barriers and facilitators to de-implementation of the Choosing Wisely((R)) guidelines for low-value breast cancer surgery.
Ann Surg Oncol 2020 Aug;27(8):2653-63. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08285-0..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Decision Making, Guidelines, Women
Friedman Peahl A, Heisler M, Essenmacher LK
A comparison of international prenatal care guidelines for low-risk women to inform high-value care.
The authors compared U.S. to international prenatal care consensus guidelines for low-risk women to inform care delivery reforms. They found that U.S. and peer-country guidelines recommended similar prenatal education and psychosocial services for low-risk women; however, peer countries generally recommended fewer visits, longer intervals between visits, and less reliance on obstetrician-gynecologists for routine, low-risk prenatal care. They recommended that further investigation evaluate associations between recommended care and actual practice, as well as the effects of different components of prenatal care and delivery models on maternal-infant outcomes, patient-centeredness, and health care expenditures in the U.S.
AHRQ-funded; HS025465.
Citation: Friedman Peahl A, Heisler M, Essenmacher LK .
A comparison of international prenatal care guidelines for low-risk women to inform high-value care.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 May;222(5):505-07. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.01.021..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Healthcare Delivery
Simpson KR, Lyndon A, Spetz J
Adherence to the AWHONN staffing guidelines as perceived by labor nurses.
Labor and delivery nurses were surveyed to determine if their units adhere to Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) staffing guidelines. Labor nurses in selected hospitals in California, Michigan and New Jersey were invited via email to participate in the study. Their nurse leaders facilitated the invitations. A total of 615 labor nurses from 67 hospitals participated. Most nurses did report that staffing guidelines were adhered to. The hospitals with smaller annual birth volumes (500-999 range) were significantly more like to be perceived as compliant than hospitals with 2,500 or more annual births.
AHRQ-funded; HS025715.
Citation: Simpson KR, Lyndon A, Spetz J .
Adherence to the AWHONN staffing guidelines as perceived by labor nurses.
Nurs Womens Health 2019 Jun;23(3):217-23. doi: 10.1016/j.nwh.2019.03.003..
Keywords: Care Management, Guidelines, Labor and Delivery, Maternal Care, Patient Safety, Pregnancy, Provider, Provider: Nurse, Women
Neal JL, Lowe NK, Phillippi JC
Likelihood of cesarean birth among parous women after applying leading active labor diagnostic guidelines.
The goals of this study were: Determine the proportions of women admitted to the hospital before or in active labor per the leading National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists/Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (ACOG/SMFM) guidelines; Compare associations of labor status at admission with oxytocin augmentation, cesarean birth, and adverse birth outcomes when using the different active labor diagnostic guidelines. Active labor diagnostic guidelines were applied retrospectively to cervical examination data. The authors conclude that many parous women with spontaneous labor onset are admitted to the hospital before active labor, and these women are more likely to receive oxytocin augmentation during labor and to have a cesarean birth. Implications for practice are discussed.
AHRQ-funded; HS024733.
Citation: Neal JL, Lowe NK, Phillippi JC .
Likelihood of cesarean birth among parous women after applying leading active labor diagnostic guidelines.
Midwifery 2018 Dec;67:64-69. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.09.007..
Keywords: Decision Making, Guidelines, Hospitalization, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Feltner C
Hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal women: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
This review updated evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force on the benefits and harms of hormone therapy in reducing risks for chronic conditions. It concluded that hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in menopausal women is associated with some beneficial effects but also with a substantial increase of risks for harms. The available evidence regarding benefits and harms of early initiation of hormone therapy is inconclusive.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200015I.
Citation: Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Feltner C .
Hormone therapy for the primary prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal women: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2017 Dec 12;318(22):2234-49. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.16952.
.
.
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Prevention, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Women
Henderson JT, Thompson JH, Burda BU
Preeclampsia screening: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The researchers systematically reviewed the benefits and harms of preeclampsia screening and risk assessment for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Their review of 21 studies concluded that evidence to estimate benefits and harms of preeclampsia screening and the test performance of different screening approaches over the course of pregnancy was limited. Externally validated risk prediction models had limited applicability.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200151I.
Citation: Henderson JT, Thompson JH, Burda BU .
Preeclampsia screening: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2017 Apr 25;317(16):1668-83. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.18315.
.
.
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Pregnancy, Blood Pressure, Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Women, Prevention
Fan T, Blitz J
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Screening for iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation in pregnant women to improve maternal health and birth outcomes.
This case study involves a 28-year-old woman presents for a routine antepartum visit. She is 33 weeks pregnant and also has a four-year-old son. She has no particular problems, and the findings from your examination are unremarkable. She asks if her blood iron level should be tested. Based on the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the quiz asks 3 questions involving screening and treatment.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Fan T, Blitz J .
Screening for iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation in pregnant women to improve maternal health and birth outcomes.
Am Fam Physician 2016 Jan 15;93(2):137-8..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Maternal Care, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Dinan MA, Mi X, Reed SD
Initial trends in the use of the 21-gene recurrence score assay for patients with breast cancer in the Medicare population, 2005-2009.
The researchers examined trends in the use of the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay in routine clinical practice in a nationally representative sample of women with breast cancer. They found that the RS assay was adopted quickly in clinical practice after the Medicare coverage decision in 2006, and use appears to be consistent with guidelines and equitable across geographic and racial groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS022189.
Citation: Dinan MA, Mi X, Reed SD .
Initial trends in the use of the 21-gene recurrence score assay for patients with breast cancer in the Medicare population, 2005-2009.
JAMA Oncol 2015 May;1(2):158-66. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.43..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Genetics, Guidelines, Medicare, Practice Patterns, Women
Silver MI, Rositch AF, Burke AE
Patient concerns about human papillomavirus testing and 5-year intervals in routine cervical cancer screening.
The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes toward new cervical cancer screening options and understand factors associated with those beliefs among women in routine gynecologic care. It found that the majority still believed women should be screened every year. Despite this, two-thirds stated that they would be willing to extend screening to every 3 years if their doctor recommended it.
AHRQ-funded; HS022199.
Citation: Silver MI, Rositch AF, Burke AE .
Patient concerns about human papillomavirus testing and 5-year intervals in routine cervical cancer screening.
Obstet Gynecol 2015 Feb;125(2):317-29. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000000638..
Keywords: Screening, Guidelines, Cancer, Women
Nelson HD, Pappas M, Zakher B
Risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women: a systematic review to update the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation.
This systematic review was done in support of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated recommendation on the benefit and harms of risk assessment, genetic testing, and genetic counseling for BRCA-related cancer in women. A systematic review was done on literature from 2004 to July 30, 2013 from MEDLINE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Health Technology Assessment, Scopus, and reference lists. Data on the participants, study design, analysis, follow-up, and results was extracted and a second investigator confirmed key data. The studies were rated on study quality and applicability. The analysis found women with high-risk for breast cancer had decreased risk of breast cancer by 85% to 100% by having a mastectomy, and risk of mortality by 81% to 100% compared to women without surgery. There was also a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer after having salpingo-oopherectomy surgery.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710057
Citation: Nelson HD, Pappas M, Zakher B .
Risk assessment, genetic counseling, and genetic testing for BRCA-related cancer in women: a systematic review to update the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation.
Ann Intern Med 2014 Feb 18;160(4):255-66. doi: 10.7326/m13-1684..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Ovarian Cancer, Cancer, Genetics, Screening, Prevention, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Women, Risk, Family Health and History