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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 33 Research Studies DisplayedKrakovitz PR, Boss EF
Intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroidectomy-more complex than cost alone.
This brief invited commentary discussed intraoperative nerve monitoring and surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932.
Citation: Krakovitz PR, Boss EF .
Intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroidectomy-more complex than cost alone.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016 Dec;142(12):1206-07. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2016.3116.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Healthcare Costs, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life, Surgery
Silverberg JI, Hinami K, Trick WE
Itch in the general internal medicine setting: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and quality-of-life effects.
The researchers sought to determine the prevalence and impact of itch on quality of life (QOL) in the general internal medicine setting. They found that the patient burden of itch was similar to those of pain, constipation, sexual dysfunction, cough, and weight loss. They concluded that itch occurs commonly in the primary care setting and is associated with poor QOL.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Silverberg JI, Hinami K, Trick WE .
Itch in the general internal medicine setting: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and quality-of-life effects.
Am J Clin Dermatol 2016 Dec;17(6):681-90. doi: 10.1007/s40257-016-0215-3.
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Keywords: Quality of Life, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Bachmann JM, Goggins KM, Nwosu SK
Perceived health competence predicts health behavior and health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.
The authors sought to evaluate the effect of perceived health competence on health behavior and health-related quality of life. They found that perceived health competence was highly associated with health behaviors and health-related quality of life, while low perceived health competence was associated with a decrease in health-related quality of life between hospitalization and 90 days after discharge. They concluded that perceived health competence predicts health behavior and health-related quality of life in patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease as well as change in health-related quality of life after discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Bachmann JM, Goggins KM, Nwosu SK .
Perceived health competence predicts health behavior and health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Patient Educ Couns 2016 Dec;99(12):2071-79. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.07.020.
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Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Health Literacy, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Quality of Life
Earnshaw VA, Rosenthal L, Lang SM
Stigma, activism, and well-being among people living with HIV.
The researchers examined associations between experiences of HIV stigma and HIV activism, and test whether HIV activists benefit from greater well-being than non-activists. Their results suggest that HIV activists reported greater social network integration, greater social well-being, greater engagement in active coping with discrimination, and greater meaning in life than non-activists.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Earnshaw VA, Rosenthal L, Lang SM .
Stigma, activism, and well-being among people living with HIV.
AIDS Care 2016;28(6):717-21. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1124978.
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Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Quality of Life, Depression, Social Determinants of Health, Social Stigma
Ware JE, Jr., Gandek B, Allison J
The validity of disease-specific quality of life attributions among adults with multiple chronic conditions.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of QOL attributions to specific diseases among adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). It concluded that, collectively, convergent and discriminant test results support the construct validity of disease-specific QOL impact attributions across MCC within the eight pre-identified conditions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023117.
Citation: Ware JE, Jr., Gandek B, Allison J .
The validity of disease-specific quality of life attributions among adults with multiple chronic conditions.
Int J Stat Med Res 2016;5(1):17-40..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Chronic Conditions, Arthritis, Kidney Disease and Health, Heart Disease and Health
Kavalieratos D, Corbelli J, Zhang D
Association between palliative care and patient and caregiver outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review sought to determine the association of palliative care with quality of life (QOL), symptom burden, survival, and other outcomes for people with life-limiting illness and for their caregivers. It concluded that the association between palliative care and QOL was attenuated but remained statistically significant whereas the association with symptom burden was not statistically significant . There was no association between palliative care and survival.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Kavalieratos D, Corbelli J, Zhang D .
Association between palliative care and patient and caregiver outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
JAMA 2016 Nov 22;316(20):2104-14. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.16840.
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Keywords: Caregiving, Palliative Care, Quality of Life, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Hochman MJ, Kamal AH, Wolf SP
Anticholinergic drug burden in noncancer versus cancer patients near the end of life.
This article's objective is to determine anticholinergic load (ACL) and its impact in noncancer versus cancer palliative care patients. The authors concluded that ACL is associated with worse fatigue and quality of life and may not differ significantly between cancer and noncancer patients nearing end of life. Symptom management drugs are more responsible for ACL in cancer and noncancer patients, although disease management drugs contribute significantly to ACL in the latter group. They recommend more attention to reducing anticholinergic use in all patients with life-limiting illness.
AHRQ-funded; HS023681.
Citation: Hochman MJ, Kamal AH, Wolf SP .
Anticholinergic drug burden in noncancer versus cancer patients near the end of life.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2016 Nov;52(5):737-43.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2016.03.020.
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Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Cancer, Medication, Palliative Care, Quality of Life
Kantor R, Dalal P, Cella D
Research letter: Impact of pruritus on quality of life-a systematic review.
This systematic review was designed to identify all review articles and qualitative or mixed methods studies pertaining to the impact of pruritus on quality of life. It concluded that the lack of concordance between qualitative studies and review articles suggests there are practice gaps with how pruritus is evaluated and managed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Kantor R, Dalal P, Cella D .
Research letter: Impact of pruritus on quality of life-a systematic review.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2016 Nov;75(5):885-86.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.07.016.
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Keywords: Quality of Life, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Shared Decision Making
Devine EB, Alfonso-Cristancho R, Yanez ND
Effectiveness of a medical vs revascularization intervention for intermittent leg claudication based on patient-reported outcomes.
This study compared the effectiveness of a medical (walking program, smoking cessation counseling, and medications) vs revascularization (endovascular or surgical) intervention for intermittent claudication (IC) in the community, focusing on outcomes of greatest importance to patients. Among patients with IC, those in the revascularization cohort had significantly improved function (Walking Impairment Questionnaire), better health-related quality of life , and fewer symptoms at 12 months compared with those in the medical cohort.
AHRQ-funded; HS020025.
Citation: Devine EB, Alfonso-Cristancho R, Yanez ND .
Effectiveness of a medical vs revascularization intervention for intermittent leg claudication based on patient-reported outcomes.
JAMA Surg 2016 Oct 19;151(10):e162024. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2016.2024.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life, Treatments
Hanmer J, Hess R, Sullivan S
Benchmarking health-related quality-of-life data from a clinical setting.
This paper's objective was to construct a nationally representative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) benchmark for use with a clinical sample. The results showed that HRQoL benchmarks can be created from current public datasets, and subgroups in national samples may provide more valid benchmarks for clinical populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Hanmer J, Hess R, Sullivan S .
Benchmarking health-related quality-of-life data from a clinical setting.
Am J Manag Care 2016 Oct;22(10):669-75.
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Keywords: Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Quality of Life
Harrod M, Montoya A, Mody L
Challenges for nurses caring for individuals with peripherally inserted central catheters in skilled nursing facilities.
The researchers sought to understand the perceived preparedness of frontline nurses (registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs)), unit nurse managers, and skilled nursing facility (SNF) administrators in providing care for residents with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in SNFs. They noted differences between resident self-reported PICC concerns (quality of life) and those described by frontline nurses.
AHRQ-funded; HS019979; HS022835.
Citation: Harrod M, Montoya A, Mody L .
Challenges for nurses caring for individuals with peripherally inserted central catheters in skilled nursing facilities.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2016 Oct;64(10):2059-64. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14341.
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Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Communication, Nursing, Quality of Life, Transitions of Care
Kirby JS, Sisic M, Tan J
Exploring coping strategies for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
The authors explored the coping strategies of individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). They found that negative coping included behavioral disengagement and social isolation, while positive coping included use of humor and positive reframing as well as the support of others.
AHRQ-funded; HS024585.
Citation: Kirby JS, Sisic M, Tan J .
Exploring coping strategies for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
JAMA Dermatol 2016 Oct;152(10):1166-67. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.1942.
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Keywords: Health Status, Quality of Life, Patient Self-Management, Skin Conditions
Carlozzi NE, Schilling SG, Lai JS
HDQLIFE: the development of two new computer adaptive tests for use in Huntington disease, speech difficulties, and swallowing difficulties.
The authors developed a patient-reported outcome measure for use in the Huntington Disease Health-Related Quality of Life (HDQLIFE) Measurement System that focused on the impact that difficulties with speech and swallowing have on health-related quality of life in Huntington disease. These measures may have clinical utility in other populations where speech and swallowing difficulties are prevalent.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Carlozzi NE, Schilling SG, Lai JS .
HDQLIFE: the development of two new computer adaptive tests for use in Huntington disease, speech difficulties, and swallowing difficulties.
Qual Life Res 2016 Oct;25(10):2417-27. doi: 10.1007/s11136-016-1273-y.
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Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Quality of Life, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Health Information Technology (HIT), Quality Measures
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
Foy CG, Newman JC, Berlowitz DR
Blood pressure, sexual activity, and dysfunction in women with hypertension: baseline findings from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT).
The authors assessed the association between systolic blood pressure and other variables, and sexual activity and sexual dysfunction in women with hypertension. They found that younger age, higher education, living with others, and higher weekly alcohol consumption were significantly associated with higher odds of being sexually active in the sample group. They concluded that systolic blood pressure was not significantly associated with sexual activity or sexual dysfunction.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Foy CG, Newman JC, Berlowitz DR .
Blood pressure, sexual activity, and dysfunction in women with hypertension: baseline findings from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT).
J Sex Med 2016 Sep;13(9):1333-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.06.014.
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Keywords: Blood Pressure, Sexual Health, Women, Quality of Life
Edmonds SW, Cram P, Lou Y
Effects of a DXA result letter on satisfaction, quality of life, and osteoporosis knowledge: a randomized controlled trial.
This study tested whether a tailored dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test result letter and an accompanying educational bone-health brochure affected patient satisfaction, quality of life (QOL), or osteoporosis (OP) knowledge. It found that a tailored DXA result letter and bone-health educational brochure sent to patients improved patient satisfaction with bone-related health care. There were no differences between the intervention and usual care groups in QOL or OP knowledge.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Edmonds SW, Cram P, Lou Y .
Effects of a DXA result letter on satisfaction, quality of life, and osteoporosis knowledge: a randomized controlled trial.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016 Aug 26;17(1):369. doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-1227-0.
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Keywords: Education: Patient and Caregiver, Osteoporosis, Patient Experience, Quality of Life
Sohn W, Resnick MJ, Greenfield S
Impact of adherence to quality measures for localized prostate cancer on patient-reported health-related quality of life outcomes, patient satisfaction, and treatment-related complications.
Given the small number of narrowly focused measures in prostate cancer care, the researchers sought to determine whether adherence to any of the available payer-driven quality measures influences patient-centered outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQOL), patient satisfaction, and treatment-related complications. They concluded that compliance with available nationally endorsed quality indicators was not associated with clinically important changes in patient-centered outcomes (HRQOL, satisfaction, or complications) within 1-year.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: Sohn W, Resnick MJ, Greenfield S .
Impact of adherence to quality measures for localized prostate cancer on patient-reported health-related quality of life outcomes, patient satisfaction, and treatment-related complications.
Med Care 2016 Aug;54(8):738-44. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000562.
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Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Quality of Life, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient Experience
Wang SY, Hsu SH, Gross CP
Association between time since cancer diagnosis and health-related quality of life: a population-level analysis.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between time since cancer diagnosis and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors in remission. The researchers found that most cancer survivors did not experience poorer mental health, but that survivors of prostate or cervical cancer had lower mental component summary scores after 10 years of diagnosis. They concluded that the level of HRQOL among cancer survivors depends on time since cancer diagnosis and cancer type.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Wang SY, Hsu SH, Gross CP .
Association between time since cancer diagnosis and health-related quality of life: a population-level analysis.
Value Health 2016 Jul-Aug;19(5):631-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2016.02.010.
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Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Health Status, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life
Roth JA, Gulati R, Gore JL
Economic analysis of prostate-specific antigen screening and selective treatment strategies.
The researchers evaluated the potential cost-effectiveness of plausible prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening strategies and assessed the value added by increased use of conservative management among low-risk, screen-detected cases. They found that, with contemporary treatment, only strategies with biopsy referral for PSA levels higher than 10.0 ng/mL or age-dependent thresholds were associated with increased quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and only quadrennial screening of patients aged 55 to 69 years was potentially cost-effective in terms of cost per QALY. They concluded that, for PSA screening to be cost-effective, it needs to be used conservatively and ideally in combination with a conservative management approach for low-risk disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Roth JA, Gulati R, Gore JL .
Economic analysis of prostate-specific antigen screening and selective treatment strategies.
JAMA Oncol 2016 Jul;2(7):890-8. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.6275.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Prevention, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Quality of Life, Screening
Rhoten BA
Head and neck cancer and sexuality: a review of the literature.
The author analyzed nine publications to present a review of the literature on head and neck cancer and sexuality, concluding that existing studies indicate that sexuality is of considerable significance, particularly after treatment for head and neck cancer. She recommended that oncology nurses be aware that this topic is of importance to many patients, and that they should familiarize themselves with available resources.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Rhoten BA .
Head and neck cancer and sexuality: a review of the literature.
Cancer Nurs 2016 Jul-Aug;39(4):313-20. doi: 10.1097/ncc.0000000000000289.
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Keywords: Cancer, Sexual Health, Quality of Life
Ware JE, Jr., Gandek B, Guyer R
Standardizing disease-specific quality of life measures across multiple chronic conditions: development and initial evaluation of the QOL Disease Impact Scale (QDIS(R)).
The researchers document the development and evaluation of the Quality of life Disease Impact Scale (QDIS(R)), a measure that standardizes item content and scoring across chronic conditions and provides a summary, norm-based quality of life (QOL) impact score for each disease. Standardization of content and scoring across diseases was shown to be justified psychometrically and enabled the first summary measure of disease-specific QOL impact normed in the chronically ill population.
AHRQ-funded; HS023117.
Citation: Ware JE, Jr., Gandek B, Guyer R .
Standardizing disease-specific quality of life measures across multiple chronic conditions: development and initial evaluation of the QOL Disease Impact Scale (QDIS(R)).
Health Qual Life Outcomes 2016 Jun 2;14:84. doi: 10.1186/s12955-016-0483-x.
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Keywords: Quality of Life, Chronic Conditions, Outcomes
Piccini JP, Simon DN, Steinberg BA
Differences in clinical and functional outcomes of atrial fibrillation in women and men: two-year results from the ORBIT-AF Registry.
The purpose of this paper was to determine whether symptoms, quality of life, treatment, and outcomes differ between women and men with atrial fibrillation (AF). The authors found that women with AF have more symptoms and worse quality of life, lower risk-adjusted all-cause and cardiovascular death compared with men, but higher stroke rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Piccini JP, Simon DN, Steinberg BA .
Differences in clinical and functional outcomes of atrial fibrillation in women and men: two-year results from the ORBIT-AF Registry.
JAMA Cardiol 2016 Jun 1;1(3):282-91. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2016.0529.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Sex Factors, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Quality of Life, Registries, Evidence-Based Practice
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
Naidech AM, Polnaszek KL, Berman MD
Hematoma locations predicting delirium symptoms after intracerebral hemorrhage.
The researchers tested the hypothesis that hematoma location is predictive of delirium symptoms in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Identifying 90 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, they found that acute delirium symptoms were predicted by hematoma of right-hemisphere subcortical white matter and parahippocampal gyrus. The authors concluded that disruption of large-scale brain networks that normally support attention and conscious awareness was thus associated with acute delirium symptoms.
AHRQ-funded; HS023437.
Citation: Naidech AM, Polnaszek KL, Berman MD .
Hematoma locations predicting delirium symptoms after intracerebral hemorrhage.
Neurocrit Care 2016 Jun;24(3):397-403. doi: 10.1007/s12028-015-0210-1.
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Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life
Groessl EJ, Kaplan RM, Castro Sweet CM
AHRQ Author: Kaplan RM
Cost-effectiveness of the LIFE physical activity intervention for older adults at increased risk for mobility disability.
The study objective was to examine the resources required to deliver the physical activity (PA) intervention and calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness compared with a health education intervention. They found that the average cost per participant over 2.6 years was US $3,302 and US $1,001 for the PA and health education interventions, respectively. PA participants accrued 0.047 per person more Quality-Adjusted Life-Years than health education participants.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Groessl EJ, Kaplan RM, Castro Sweet CM .
Cost-effectiveness of the LIFE physical activity intervention for older adults at increased risk for mobility disability.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2016 May;71(5):656-62. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glw001.
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Keywords: Elderly, Lifestyle Changes, Health Promotion, Healthcare Costs, Quality of Life