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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 25 Research Studies DisplayedVyas A, Madhavan S, Sambamoorthi U
Association between persistence with mammography screening and stage at diagnosis among elderly women diagnosed with breast cancer.
The objective of this study is to determine the association between persistence with mammography screening and stage at breast cancer (BC) diagnosis among elderly women. It found that, as compared to women who were not persistent with mammography screening, women who were persistent with mammography screening were significantly more likely to be diagnosed at earlier stages of BC.
AHRQ-funded; HS018622.
Citation: Vyas A, Madhavan S, Sambamoorthi U .
Association between persistence with mammography screening and stage at diagnosis among elderly women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2014 Dec;148(3):645-54. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-3204-3..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Elderly, Prevention, Screening, Women
Smieliauskas F, MacMahon H, Salgia R
Geographic variation in radiologist capacity and widespread implementation of lung cancer CT screening.
The researchers estimated the prevalence of capacity constraints in the radiologist workforce and resulting potential disparities in access to lung cancer screening. They found that scaling up lung cancer screening would increase imaging procedures by an average of 4% across Health Service Areas (HSAs). HSAs that were rural, with many eligible smokers, and disproportionately Hispanic or low-income smokers had significantly higher odds of facing capacity constraints.
AHRQ-funded; HS018535.
Citation: Smieliauskas F, MacMahon H, Salgia R .
Geographic variation in radiologist capacity and widespread implementation of lung cancer CT screening.
J Med Screen 2014 Dec;21(4):207-15. doi: 10.1177/0969141314548055..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Screening, Imaging
Elstad EA, Sheridan SL, Lee JG
Have screening harms become newsworthy? News coverage of prostate and colorectal cancer screening since the 2008 USPSTF recommendation changes.
The researchers aimed to determine whether newspapers portrayed screening for prostate and colorectal cancers differently after the 2008 USPSTF recommendation changes. In US newspapers from 2005 to 2012, they found that benefits in prostate cancer screening articles and harms and benefits in colonoscopy articles did not change over time, but mentions of prostate cancer screening harms increased after 2008. They concluded that consumers, especially lay consumers, are receiving unbalanced information on cancer screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS021133; HS000032.
Citation: Elstad EA, Sheridan SL, Lee JG .
Have screening harms become newsworthy? News coverage of prostate and colorectal cancer screening since the 2008 USPSTF recommendation changes.
J Behav Med 2014 Dec;37(6):1242-51. doi: 10.1007/s10865-014-9572-7.
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Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Screening, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Pignone MP, Crutchfield TM, Brown PM
Using a discrete choice experiment to inform the design of programs to promote colon cancer screening for vulnerable populations in North Carolina.
This study used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to learn about how vulnerable individuals in North Carolina value different aspects of CRC screening programs. It found that follow-up cost coverage was most frequently found to be the most important attribute from the DCE (47 percent); followed by test reward/copayment (33 percent).
AHRQ-funded; HS019468.
Citation: Pignone MP, Crutchfield TM, Brown PM .
Using a discrete choice experiment to inform the design of programs to promote colon cancer screening for vulnerable populations in North Carolina.
BMC Health Serv Res 2014 Nov 30;14:611. doi: 10.1186/s12913-014-0611-4..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Health Promotion, Rural Health, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Haukoos JS, Lyons MS, White DA
Acute HIV infection and implications of fourth-generation HIV screening in emergency departments.
This editorial discusses a study in the same journal issue that contributes substantially to the understanding of HIV screening in EDs by reporting programmatic results of nontargeted opt-out screening in a high-volume, urban ED. This study is unique in that it reports, for the first time in an ED setting, the use of fourth-generation HIV testing which improves detection of acute HIV infection.
AHRQ-funded; HS021749.
Citation: Haukoos JS, Lyons MS, White DA .
Acute HIV infection and implications of fourth-generation HIV screening in emergency departments.
Ann Emerg Med 2014 Nov;64(5):547-51. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.07.004..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Screening, Emergency Department, Urban Health
Thompson CA, Gomez SL, Chan A
Patient and provider characteristics associated with colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening among Asian Americans.
The researchers performed multivariable modeling to evaluate potential predictors (at the provider- and patient-level) of screening completion among Asian patients. They concluded that language- and gender-concordant primary care providers and culturally tailored online health resources may help improve preventive cancer screening in Asian patient populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS019815.
Citation: Thompson CA, Gomez SL, Chan A .
Patient and provider characteristics associated with colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening among Asian Americans.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014 Nov;23(11):2208-17. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-14-0487..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Healthcare Utilization, Screening
Gupta S, Brenner AT, Ratanawongsa N
Patient trust in physician influences colorectal cancer screening in low-income patients.
The study objective was to characterize the relationship between patient trust and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening behavior among racially and ethnically diverse, low-income patients who had all received a physician recommendation for screening. After controlling for traditional factors, trust in the primary care provider remained the only significant driver of CRC screening completion.
AHRQ-funded; HS013853; HS000032; HS022561
Citation: Gupta S, Brenner AT, Ratanawongsa N .
Patient trust in physician influences colorectal cancer screening in low-income patients.
Am J Prev Med. 2014 Oct;47(4):417-23. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.04.020..
Keywords: Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income, Primary Care
Chung S, Azar KM, Baek M
Reconsidering the age thresholds for type II diabetes screening in the U.S.
In order to examine the optimal age cut-point for opportunistic universal screening (as opposed to targeted screening), the researchers used a nationally representative sample from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2010) and other resources. They found that opportunistic screening among individuals 35 years of age and older could greatly reduce the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019815; HS019815.
Citation: Chung S, Azar KM, Baek M .
Reconsidering the age thresholds for type II diabetes screening in the U.S.
Am J Prev Med. 2014 Oct;47(4):375-81. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.05.012..
Keywords: Diabetes, Screening, Prevention, Chronic Conditions
Goodwin JS, Jaramillo E, Yang L
Is anyone listening? Variation in PSA screening among providers for men 75+ before and after United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations against it: a retrospective cohort study.
The authors assessed prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening by primary care physicians (PCPs) before and after the 2008 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. They found that the USPSTF recommendation did not increase consensus among PCPs regarding PSA screening of older men.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Goodwin JS, Jaramillo E, Yang L .
Is anyone listening? Variation in PSA screening among providers for men 75+ before and after United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations against it: a retrospective cohort study.
PLoS One 2014 Sep 10;9(9):e107352. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107352.
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Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Practice Patterns, Primary Care, Screening, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Lapham GT, Rubinsky AD, Williams EC
Decreasing sensitivity of clinical alcohol screening with the AUDIT-C after repeated negative screens in VA clinics.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of repeat annual clinical alcohol screening in 4 samples of VA outpatients with 1–4 prior consecutive negative annual screens. It found that among patients with repeated negative clinical alcohol screens, the proportion who subsequently screened positive a year later was low and decreased as patients had more prior negative screens.
AHRQ-funded; HS022800.
Citation: Lapham GT, Rubinsky AD, Williams EC .
Decreasing sensitivity of clinical alcohol screening with the AUDIT-C after repeated negative screens in VA clinics.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2014 Sep 1;142:209-15. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.06.017..
Keywords: Screening, Alcohol Use, Substance Abuse
Wheeler SB, Kuo TM, Goyal RK
Regional variation in colorectal cancer testing and geographic availability of care in a publicly insured population.
The researchers examined colorectal cancer (CRC) testing across regions of North Carolina by using population-based Medicare and Medicaid claims data from disabled individuals who turned 50 years of age during 2003-2008. They found that fewer than 50% of eligible individuals had evidence of CRC testing; men, African-Americans, Medicaid beneficiaries, and those living furthest away from endoscopy facilities had significantly lower odds of CRC testing, with significant regional variation.
AHRQ-funded; HS019468.
Citation: Wheeler SB, Kuo TM, Goyal RK .
Regional variation in colorectal cancer testing and geographic availability of care in a publicly insured population.
Health Place 2014 Sep;29:114-23. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2014.07.001.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Disparities, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Kenik J, Jean-Jacques M, Feinglass J
Explaining racial and ethnic disparities in cholesterol screening.
This study examining the impact of low socioeconomic status, access to care, and language on racial and ethnic disparities in cholesterol screening found that these factors explained most of those disparities. After adjusting for these factors, disparities between whites and Blacks and Hispanics but not Asians and Pacific Islanders were eliminated.
AHRQ-funded; HS021141
Citation: Kenik J, Jean-Jacques M, Feinglass J .
Explaining racial and ethnic disparities in cholesterol screening.
Prev Med. 2014 Aug;65:65-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.04.026..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening, Access to Care
Yehia BR, Herati RS, Fleishman JA
AHRQ Author: Fleishman JA
Hepatitis C virus testing in adults living with HIV: a need for improved screening efforts.
The authors sought to understand hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing practices in people living with HIV (PLWH) in order to improve compliance with guidelines and help identify areas for future intervention. They concluded that additional efforts to improve compliance with HCV testing guidelines are needed.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201100007C.
Citation: Yehia BR, Herati RS, Fleishman JA .
Hepatitis C virus testing in adults living with HIV: a need for improved screening efforts.
PLoS One 2014 Jul 17;9(7):e102766. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102766.
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Keywords: Guidelines, Healthcare Utilization, Hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Screening
Atlas SJ, Zai AH, Ashburner JM
Non-visit-based cancer screening using a novel population management system.
The authors evaluated whether involving primary care providers (PCPs) in a visit-independent population management IT application led to more effective cancer screening. They found that involving PCPs in a visit-independent population management IT application resulted in similar cancer screening rates compared with an automated reminder system, but fewer patients were sent reminder letters, suggesting that PCPs were able to identify and exclude from contact patients who would have received automated reminder letters but not undergone screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Atlas SJ, Zai AH, Ashburner JM .
Non-visit-based cancer screening using a novel population management system.
J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jul-Aug;27(4):474-85. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2014.04.130319.
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Keywords: Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Primary Care, Screening
Wernli KJ, Hubbard RA, Johnson E
Patterns of colorectal cancer screening uptake in newly eligible men and women.
The researchers describe patterns of colorectal cancer screening uptake in a U.S. insured population as individuals become newly eligible for screening at age 50 and assess temporal trends and patient characteristics with screening uptake. Their results suggest that characteristics of newly eligible individuals who initiate colorectal cancer screening are similar to the characteristics of all U.S. adults who receive colorectal cancer screening tests.
AHRQ-funded; HS019482.
Citation: Wernli KJ, Hubbard RA, Johnson E .
Patterns of colorectal cancer screening uptake in newly eligible men and women.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014 Jul;23(7):1230-7. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-13-1360..
Keywords: Screening, Colonoscopy, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Healthcare Utilization
Pruitt SL, Leonard T, Zhang S
Physicians, clinics, and neighborhoods: multiple levels of influence on colorectal cancer screening.
The researchers described variability in colorectal cancer (CRC) test use across multiple levels, including physician, clinic, and neighborhood; and (ii) compared the performance of novel cross-classified models versus traditional hierarchical models. Significant variability was observed across all levels in both hierarchical and cross-classified models that was unexplained by measured covariates. For colonoscopy, variance was similar across all levels.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Pruitt SL, Leonard T, Zhang S .
Physicians, clinics, and neighborhoods: multiple levels of influence on colorectal cancer screening.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014 Jul;23(7):1346-55. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-13-1130..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Screening
Cobran EK, Wutoh AK, Lee E
Perceptions of prostate cancer fatalism and screening behavior between United States-born and Caribbean-born Black males.
The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of prostate cancer (CaP) fatalism and predictors of CaP screening with Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing between U.S.-born and Caribbean-born African-American males. In their study of 211 U.S.-born and Caribbean-born Black males between ages 39–75, the researchers found that nativity was not a significant predictor of CaP screening with PSA testing within the last year.
AHRQ-funded; HS011673.
Citation: Cobran EK, Wutoh AK, Lee E .
Perceptions of prostate cancer fatalism and screening behavior between United States-born and Caribbean-born Black males.
J Immigr Minor Health 2014 Jun;16(3):394-400. doi: 10.1007/s10903-013-9825-5..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Screening, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cancer
Yaghjyan L, Wolin K, Chang SH
Racial disparities in healthy behaviors and cancer screening among breast cancer survivors and women without cancer: National Health Interview Survey 2005.
This study aimed to compare healthy behaviors and cancer screening practices among breast cancer survivors and respondents without cancer separately in Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic women. It found that most differences were suggestive and do not differ by race.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Yaghjyan L, Wolin K, Chang SH .
Racial disparities in healthy behaviors and cancer screening among breast cancer survivors and women without cancer: National Health Interview Survey 2005.
Cancer Causes Control. 2014 May;25(5):605-14. doi: 10.1007/s10552-014-0365-7..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Disparities, Screening
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
Zai AH, Kim S, Kamis A
Applying operations research to optimize a novel population management system for cancer screening.
The objective of this paper is to optimize a new visit-independent, population-based cancer screening system (TopCare) by using operations research techniques to simulate changes in patient outreach staffing levels (delegates, navigators), modifications to user workflow within the information technology (IT) system, and changes in cancer screening recommendations. Results showed that simulating the impact of changes in staffing, system parameters, and clinical inputs on the effectiveness and efficiency of care can inform the allocation of limited resources in population management.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Zai AH, Kim S, Kamis A .
Applying operations research to optimize a novel population management system for cancer screening.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2014 Feb;21(e1):e129-35. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2013-001681.
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Keywords: Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Screening, Workflow
Southern WN, Drainoni ML, Smith BD
Physician nonadherence with a hepatitis C screening program.
The researchers sought to measure adherence to an hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening protocol during a multifaceted continuous intervention. They found that overall adherence to the guideline was low, suggesting that attitudinal and external barriers remained. They concluded that when implementing complex clinical practice guidelines, planners must address attitudinal and external barriers to maximize adherence.
AHRQ-funded; 2902006000012.
Citation: Southern WN, Drainoni ML, Smith BD .
Physician nonadherence with a hepatitis C screening program.
Qual Manag Health Care 2014 Jan-Mar;23(1):1-9. doi: 10.1097/qmh.0000000000000007..
Keywords: Hepatitis, Screening, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Bond B
Decreasing disparities in breast cancer screening in refugee women using culturally tailored patient navigation.
The goal of this research was to evaluate whether a patient navigator (PN) program for refugee women decreases disparities in breast cancer screening. Results showed that linguistically and culturally tailored PN decreased disparities over time in breast cancer screening among female refugees from Somalia, the Middle East, and Bosnia.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Percac-Lima S, Ashburner JM, Bond B .
Decreasing disparities in breast cancer screening in refugee women using culturally tailored patient navigation.
J Gen Intern Med 2013 Nov;28(11):1463-8. doi: 10.1007/s11606-013-2491-4.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cultural Competence, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Katz DF, Sun J, Khatri V
QTc interval screening in an opioid treatment program.
This pilot study supports the feasibility of implementing a population-based electrocardiographic monitoring program in order to decrease the QTc interval in high-risk patients undergoing methadone maintenance in an opioid treatment program. Clinical characteristics alone were inadequate to identify patients in need of electrocardiographic screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS021138
Citation: Katz DF, Sun J, Khatri V .
QTc interval screening in an opioid treatment program.
Am J Cardiol. 2013 Oct 1;112(7):1013-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.05.037..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Screening, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Medication: Safety, Risk, Implementation
Le XH, Luque AE, Wang D
Assessing the usage of a guideline-driven interactive case simulation tool for insomnia screening and treatment in an HIV clinical education program.
The researchers report the preliminary results from a study to assess the usage of a guideline-driven insomnia screening and treatment case simulation tool. Using system usage diagrams as an instrument, they quantified visit frequency and length of stay for different types of system resources. Preliminary results have shown that both recommendations and interactive decision diagrams were frequently used, with the former having a longer length of stay but fewer visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS022057.
Citation: Le XH, Luque AE, Wang D .
Assessing the usage of a guideline-driven interactive case simulation tool for insomnia screening and treatment in an HIV clinical education program.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2013;192:323-7..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Guidelines, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Screening, Simulation, Sleep Problems
Percac-Lima S, Benner CS, Lui R
The impact of a culturally tailored patient navigator program on cervical cancer prevention in Latina women.
The authors evaluated the impact of patient navigation on cervical cancer prevention in Latinas. They found that patient navigation can prevent cervical cancer in Latina women by increasing colposcopy clinic attendance, shortening time to colposcopy, and decreasing severity of cervical abnormalities over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS019161.
Citation: Percac-Lima S, Benner CS, Lui R .
The impact of a culturally tailored patient navigator program on cervical cancer prevention in Latina women.
J Womens Health 2013 May;22(5):426-31. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2012.3900.
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Keywords: Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cultural Competence, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening