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Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Back Health and Pain (1)
- Blood Pressure (1)
- Cancer (4)
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- Diabetes (2)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Disabilities (1)
- Disparities (1)
- (-) Elderly (24)
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- Medicare (2)
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- Mortality (3)
- Nursing Homes (1)
- Nutrition (1)
- Obesity (1)
- Outcomes (3)
- Pain (1)
- Palliative Care (1)
- Patient and Family Engagement (1)
- Patient Safety (1)
- Quality of Life (4)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Research Methodologies (1)
- Risk (4)
- Shared Decision Making (2)
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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 24 of 24 Research Studies DisplayedTucher Keeney, T Cohen, AJ
Conceptualizing food insecurity among older adults: development of a summary indicator in the National Health and Aging Trends Study.
Measurement of food insecurity in older adults is focused on financial barriers to food access. Given that older adults are particularly susceptible to additional access-related barriers including functional limitations and lack of social support, the objective of this study was to construct a summary indicator of food insecurity incorporating these domains. The investigators concluded that food insecurity among older adults is broader than lacking adequate financial resources to obtain food; it is also associated with social and functional limitations.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Tucher Keeney, T Cohen, AJ .
Conceptualizing food insecurity among older adults: development of a summary indicator in the National Health and Aging Trends Study.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021 Nov 15;76(10):2063-72. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa147..
Keywords: Elderly, Nutrition, Health Status
Odlum M, Moise N, Kronish IM
Trends in poor health indicators among Black and Hispanic middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 1999-2018.
This study used records extracted from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to determine which health indicators have improved or became worse among Black and Hispanic middle-aged (45 and older) adults compared to Whites from 1999 to 2018. This data is required by the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000. A sample included of 4,856,326 participants, of them 60.9% women, mean age 60.4. During the last 20 years, Black adults showed an overall decrease showing improvement in uninsured status and physical inactivity while showing an overall increase in hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and stroke, and also the same increases and decreases in the Black-White gap. Hispanic adults showed improvement in physical inactivity and perceived poor health, while they showed overall deterioration in hypertension and diabetes. The Hispanic-White gap improved in coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, asthma, arthritis, depression and physical inactivity while it increased for diabetes, hypertension, and uninsured status.
AHRQ-funded; HS025198.
Citation: Odlum M, Moise N, Kronish IM .
Trends in poor health indicators among Black and Hispanic middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 1999-2018.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2025134. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25134..
Keywords: Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Health Status, Health Insurance, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Chronic Conditions
Johnson J, Rodriguez MA, Al Snih S
Life-space mobility in the elderly: current perspectives.
The authors conducted a narrative review: a) to provide a summary of the articles that have assessed validation of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Life-Space Assessment instrument, the most widely used instrument to assess life-space mobility (LSM) in older adults; and b) to provide a summary of the research articles that have examined LSM as independent or outcome variable. They found that the identified studies showed that LSM instruments can accurately predict morbidity, mortality, and healthcare use.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Johnson J, Rodriguez MA, Al Snih S .
Life-space mobility in the elderly: current perspectives.
Clin Interv Aging 2020;15:1665-74. doi: 10.2147/cia.S196944..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Status
Rundell SD, Resnik L, Heagerty PJ
Comparing the performance of comorbidity indices in predicting functional status, health-related quality of life, and total health care use in older adults with back pain.
The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to determine how well the functional comorbidity index (FCI) predicted outcomes in older adults with back pain compared to Quan's modification of the Charlson comorbidity index (Quan-Charlson comorbidity index) and the Elixhauser comorbidity index. The investigators concluded that all indices performed similarly in predicting outcomes. The authors indicated that there is still a need to develop better function-based risk-adjustment models that improve prediction of functional outcomes versus standard comorbidity indices.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Rundell SD, Resnik L, Heagerty PJ .
Comparing the performance of comorbidity indices in predicting functional status, health-related quality of life, and total health care use in older adults with back pain.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020 Mar;50(3):143-48. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.8764..
Keywords: Elderly, Back Health and Pain, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Quality of Life, Healthcare Utilization, Health Status
McKellar MS, Kuchibhatla MN, Oursler KAK
Racial differences in change in physical functioning in older male veterans with HIV.
Little is known about longitudinal change in physical functioning of older African American/Black and White HIV-infected persons. In this study, the investigators examined up to 10 years of data on African American and White men with HIV infection and comparable HIV-negative men age 50-91 years from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Survey sample.
AHRQ-funded; HS021112; HS023464; HS023258.
Citation: McKellar MS, Kuchibhatla MN, Oursler KAK .
Racial differences in change in physical functioning in older male veterans with HIV.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2019 Nov/Dec;35(11-12):1034-43. doi: 10.1089/aid.2018.0296..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Health Status, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Elderly, Men's Health
Satchidanand N, Servoss TJ, Singh R
Development of a risk tool to support discussions of care for older adults admitted to the ICU with pneumonia.
The purpose of this study was to develop a 30-day mortality prediction tool for older patients in intensive care unit (ICU) with pneumonia that will initiate palliative care earlier in hospital course. The authors suggest that their risk tool can help care teams make more informed decisions among care options by identifying a patient group for whom a careful review of goals of care is indicated both during and after hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS023656.
Citation: Satchidanand N, Servoss TJ, Singh R .
Development of a risk tool to support discussions of care for older adults admitted to the ICU with pneumonia.
Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2018 Sep;35(9):1201-06. doi: 10.1177/1049909118764093..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Elderly, Health Status, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Palliative Care, Risk
Mian HS, Wildes TM, Fiala MA
Development of a Medicare health outcomes survey deficit-accumulation frailty index and its application to older patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics 2018; 2):1-13. doi: 10.1200/cci.18.00043.
This study’s objective was to develop a frailty index for older patients and apply it to a subset of patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The study used the Rockwood Accumulation of Deficits approach for the Medicare Health Outcomes Study (MHOS). Data from over 2 million patients without cancer older than 66 years of age from SEER-MHOS linked databases were compared to the cohort with multiple myeloma. It was found that among patients without cancer, each 10% increase in the frailty index was associated with a 40% increased risk of death. For the multiple myeloma cohort, each 10% increase in the frailty index was associated with a 16% increased risk for death. Median time for overall survival was only 26.8 months for patients considered frail, compared with 43.7 months for those who were not. This frailty index could be used a predictor of overall survival in older multiple myeloma patients.
This study’s objective was to develop a frailty index for older patients and apply it to a subset of patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The study used the Rockwood Accumulation of Deficits approach for the Medicare Health Outcomes Study (MHOS). Data from over 2 million patients without cancer older than 66 years of age from SEER-MHOS linked databases were compared to the cohort with multiple myeloma. It was found that among patients without cancer, each 10% increase in the frailty index was associated with a 40% increased risk of death. For the multiple myeloma cohort, each 10% increase in the frailty index was associated with a 16% increased risk for death. Median time for overall survival was only 26.8 months for patients considered frail, compared with 43.7 months for those who were not. This frailty index could be used a predictor of overall survival in older multiple myeloma patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Mian HS, Wildes TM, Fiala MA .
Development of a Medicare health outcomes survey deficit-accumulation frailty index and its application to older patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.
JCO Clin Cancer Inform 2018;2. doi: 10.1200/cci.18.00043..
Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Elderly, Health Status, Medicare
Ogarek JA, McCreedy EM, Thomas KS
Minimum data set changes in health, end-stage disease and symptoms and signs scale: a revised measure to predict mortality in nursing home residents.
The purpose of this study was to revise the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Changes in Health, End-stage disease and Symptoms and Signs (CHESS) scale, an MDS 2.0-based measure widely used to predict mortality in institutional settings, in response to the release of MDS 3.0. The MDS-CHESS 3.0 predicts mortality in newly admitted and long-stay nursing home populations. The additional relationship to hospitalizations and successful discharges to community increases the utility of this scale as a potential risk adjustment tool.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Ogarek JA, McCreedy EM, Thomas KS .
Minimum data set changes in health, end-stage disease and symptoms and signs scale: a revised measure to predict mortality in nursing home residents.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2018 May;66(5):976-81. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15305..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Elderly, Health Status, Mortality, Nursing Homes
Sterling MR, Lin FR, Jannat-Khah DP
Hearing loss among older adults with heart failure in the United States: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers examined the prevalence and correlates of hearing loss among older adults with and without heart failure (HF) in the United States. Overall, 75 percent of adults 70 years or older with HF have hearing loss. Although hearing loss was more common among adults with HF compared with those without it, HF was not independently associated with hearing loss after accounting for demographic and clinical characteristics.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Sterling MR, Lin FR, Jannat-Khah DP .
Hearing loss among older adults with heart failure in the United States: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Mar;144(3):273-75. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.2979.
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Keywords: Elderly, Health Status, Heart Disease and Health, Risk
Park JS, Bateni SB, Bold RJ
The modified frailty index to predict morbidity and mortality for retroperitoneal sarcoma resections.
The researchers performed a retrospective analysis of patients with a diagnosis of primary malignant retroperitoneal neoplasm who underwent surgical resection. The modified frailty index (mFI) was calculated according to standard published methods. Their data demonstrate that the majority of patients undergoing retroperitoneal sarcoma resections have few, if any, comorbidities. The mFI was a limited predictor of overall and serious complications and was not a significant predictor of mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Park JS, Bateni SB, Bold RJ .
The modified frailty index to predict morbidity and mortality for retroperitoneal sarcoma resections.
J Surg Res 2017 Sep;217:191-97. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.05.025.
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Keywords: Cancer, Elderly, Health Status, Mortality, Risk
Hartzler AL, Osterhage K, Demiris G
Understanding views on everyday use of personal health information: insights from community dwelling older adults.
As a first step in formulating the role of personal health information management (PHIM) in healthy aging, researchers explored the perspectives of older adults on health and health information used in their everyday lives. Participants expressed wellness from a position of personal strength by focusing on wellness activities for staying healthy through: (1) personal health practices, (2) social network support, and (3) residential community engagement.
AHRQ-funded; HS022106.
Citation: Hartzler AL, Osterhage K, Demiris G .
Understanding views on everyday use of personal health information: insights from community dwelling older adults.
Inform Health Soc Care 2017 Sep;43(3):1-14. doi: 10.1080/17538157.2017.1297815.
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Keywords: Elderly, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Health Status
Coyle CE, Steinman BA, Chen J
Visual acuity and self-reported vision status.
This study examined the associations of two measures of vision impairment (i.e., a clinical measure of visual acuity and self-reported vision status) and social isolation in a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 60 and older. Effects of both measures of vision impairment in predicting social isolation were substantially reduced or eliminated in adjusted models.
AHRQ-funded; HS017589.
Citation: Coyle CE, Steinman BA, Chen J .
Visual acuity and self-reported vision status.
J Aging Health 2017 Feb;29(1):128-48. doi: 10.1177/0898264315624909.
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Keywords: Elderly, Eye Disease and Health, Health Status
Kenzik KM, Kent EE, Martin MY
Chronic condition clusters and functional impairment in older cancer survivors: a population-based study.
The purpose of this study was to identify chronic condition clusters at pre- and post-cancer diagnosis, evaluate predictors of developing clusters post-cancer, and examine the impact on functional impairment among older cancer survivors. It found that distinct condition clusters of two or more chronic conditions are prevalent among older cancer survivors. Cluster prevalence increases from pre- to post-cancer diagnosis.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009; HS013852.
Citation: Kenzik KM, Kent EE, Martin MY .
Chronic condition clusters and functional impairment in older cancer survivors: a population-based study.
J Cancer Surviv 2016 Dec;10(6):1096-103. doi: 10.1007/s11764-016-0553-4.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Cancer, Elderly, Research Methodologies, Health Status
Barile JP, Horner-Johnson W, Krahn G
Measurement characteristics for two health-related quality of life measures in older adults: the SF-36 and the CDC Healthy Days items.
This study assessed the extent to which the SF-36 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Days items measure the same aspects of health. It found that the CDC Healthy Days items measure similar domains as the SF-36 but appear to assess health-related quality of life without regard to limitations in functioning.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Barile JP, Horner-Johnson W, Krahn G .
Measurement characteristics for two health-related quality of life measures in older adults: the SF-36 and the CDC Healthy Days items.
Disabil Health J 2016 Oct;9(4):567-74. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.04.008.
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Keywords: Disabilities, Elderly, Health Status, Quality of Life
Koroukian SM, Schiltz N, Warner DF
Combinations of chronic conditions, functional limitations, and geriatric syndromes that predict health outcomes.
The researchers aimed to identify combinations of chronic conditions, functional limitations, and geriatric syndromes that predict poor health outcomes. They found that functional limitations and/or geriatric syndromes were the most prominent conditions in predicting health outcomes. They concluded that accounting for chronic conditions alone may be less informative than also accounting for the co-occurrence of functional limitations and geriatric syndromes, as the latter conditions appear to drive health outcomes in older individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS023113.
Citation: Koroukian SM, Schiltz N, Warner DF .
Combinations of chronic conditions, functional limitations, and geriatric syndromes that predict health outcomes.
J Gen Intern Med 2016 Jun;31(6):630-7. doi: 10.1007/s11606-016-3590-9.
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Keywords: Elderly, Chronic Conditions, Risk, Outcomes, Health Status
Gaugler JE
Driving and other important activities in older adulthood.
In this editorial, the author introduced the June 2016 issue by discussing driving as a key indicator of independence. He continued by discussing related articles that appear in this issue along with articles covering other potentially health-promoting activities enjoyed by older persons.
AHRQ-funded; HS022836.
Citation: Gaugler JE .
Driving and other important activities in older adulthood.
J Appl Gerontol 2016 Jun;35(6):579-82. doi: 10.1177/0733464816647560.
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Keywords: Elderly, Health Promotion, Health Status, Quality of Life
Sanses TV, Schiltz NK, Couri BM
Functional status in older women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse.
The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of functional limitations based on health status in older women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). They found that the prevalence of functional limitations was 76.2% in strength, 44.9% in upper and 65.8% in lower body mobility. They further discovered that the odds of all functional limitations increased significantly with advancing age.
AHRQ-funded; HS023113.
Citation: Sanses TV, Schiltz NK, Couri BM .
Functional status in older women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016 May;214(5):613.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.11.038.
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Keywords: Elderly, Health Status, Women
Nikolich-Zugich J, Goldman DP, Cohen PR
Preparing for an aging world: engaging biogerontologists, geriatricians, and the society.
This perspective article summarizes a workshop discussion in Tucson in April, 2014, on biomedical approaches to best extend healthspan as way to reduce age-related dysfunction and disability. It further specifies the action items necessary to unite health professionals, scientists, and society to partner around the exciting and palpable opportunities to extend healthspan.
AHRQ-funded; HS022763.
Citation: Nikolich-Zugich J, Goldman DP, Cohen PR .
Preparing for an aging world: engaging biogerontologists, geriatricians, and the society.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2016 Apr;71(4):435-44. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glv164.
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Keywords: Elderly, Quality of Life, Health Status, Health Promotion
Hannum SM, Rubinstein RL
The meaningfulness of time; narratives of cancer among chronically ill older adults.
The authors sought to describe how chronically ill older adults experience a new cancer diagnosis and the effects of this on their interpretations of personal health, aging, and the future. Among the fifteen participants, they found that perceived time was fragmented into three distinct segments: the Recalled Past, the Existent Present, and the Imagined Future. They discussed implications for how older adults understood their cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS020177.
Citation: Hannum SM, Rubinstein RL .
The meaningfulness of time; narratives of cancer among chronically ill older adults.
J Aging Stud 2016 Jan;36:17-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jaging.2015.12.006.
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Keywords: Elderly, Cancer, Chronic Conditions, Health Status
Batsis JA, Mackenzie TA, Lopez-Jimenez F
Sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and functional impairments in older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004.
The researchers tested the hypothesis that the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity would be similar based on the different NIH criteria, increase with age, and be associated with risk of impairment limitations. They concluded that the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity varies greatly, and a uniform definition is needed to identify and characterize these high-risk populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS021695.
Citation: Batsis JA, Mackenzie TA, Lopez-Jimenez F .
Sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and functional impairments in older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999-2004.
Nutr Res 2015 Dec;35(12):1031-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2015.09.003.
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Keywords: Elderly, Obesity, Chronic Conditions, Health Status
Huang ES
Potential overtreatment of older, complex adults with diabetes.
This study examined glycemic control levels among older adults with diabetes mellitus by health status and to estimate the prevalence of potential overtreatment of diabetes. Most older patients with complex/intermediate or very complex/poor health status, reached tight glycemic targets between 2001 and 2010. Most of them were treated with insulin or sulfonylureas. The findings suggest that a substantial proportion of older adults with diabetes were potentially over-treated.
AHRQ-funded; HS018542.
Citation: Huang ES .
Potential overtreatment of older, complex adults with diabetes.
JAMA 2015 Sep 22-29;314(12):1280-1. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.9757..
Keywords: Diabetes, Elderly, Health Status
Briesacher BA, Madden JM, Zhang F
Did Medicare Part D affect national trends in health outcomes or hospitalizations? A time-series analysis.
The researchers examined changes in health outcomes and medical services in the Medicare population after implementation of Medicare Part D. They found that 5 years after implementation, and contrary to previous reports, there was no evidence of Part D's effect on a range of population-level health indicators among Medicare enrollees. Further, there was no clear evidence of gains in medical care efficiencies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018577
Citation: Briesacher BA, Madden JM, Zhang F .
Did Medicare Part D affect national trends in health outcomes or hospitalizations? A time-series analysis.
Ann Intern Med. 2015 Jun 16;162(12):825-33. doi: 10.7326/m14-0726..
Keywords: Hospitalization, Outcomes, Medicare, Health Status, Elderly
Koroukian SM, Warner DF, Owusu C
Multimorbidity redefined: prospective health outcomes and the cumulative effect of co-occurring conditions.
The researchers explored the prospective effects of multimorbidity on health outcomes (health status, major health decline, and mortality). They found a strong and significant association between multimorbidity and prospective health status, major health decline, and mortality and concluded that multimorbidity may be used — both in clinical practice and in research — to identify older adults with heightened vulnerability for adverse outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023113.
Citation: Koroukian SM, Warner DF, Owusu C .
Multimorbidity redefined: prospective health outcomes and the cumulative effect of co-occurring conditions.
Prev Chronic Dis 2015 Apr 23;12:E55. doi: 10.5888/pcd12.140478..
Keywords: Outcomes, Health Status, Mortality, Elderly
Rantz MJ, Skubic M, Popescu M
A new paradigm of technology-enabled 'vital signs' for early detection of health change for older adults.
The purpose of this article is threefold: (1) discuss research behind the technology-enabled ‘vital signs’ for early detection of health change that the Eldertech Research team has conducted, (2) discuss clinical implications for mainstream adoption and use of these vital signs for early interventions to help older adults, their families, and healthcare providers, and (3) present some obstacles to overcome for mainstream adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS018477.
Citation: Rantz MJ, Skubic M, Popescu M .
A new paradigm of technology-enabled 'vital signs' for early detection of health change for older adults.
Gerontology 2015;61(3):281-90. doi: 10.1159/000366518..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Status, Patient Safety, Health Information Technology (HIT)