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
- Access to Care (1)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (1)
- (-) Behavioral Health (21)
- Children/Adolescents (5)
- Comparative Effectiveness (8)
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1)
- Depression (3)
- Diabetes (1)
- Education: Academic (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Costs (1)
- Healthcare Utilization (2)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Medicaid (5)
- (-) Medication (21)
- Obesity (1)
- Opioids (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (2)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (2)
- Practice Patterns (2)
- Primary Care (1)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Research Methodologies (2)
- Screening (1)
- Substance Abuse (2)
- Tobacco Use (1)
- Treatments (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
- Young Adults (1)
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 21 of 21 Research Studies DisplayedBrownley KA, Berkman ND, Peat CM
Binge-eating disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review summarized evidence about the benefits and harms of psychological and pharmacologic therapies for adults with binge-eating disorder. It concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy, lisdexamfetamine, SGAs, and topiramate reduced binge eating and related psychopathology, and lisdexamfetamine and topiramate reduced weight in adults with binge-eating disorder.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200008U.
Citation: Brownley KA, Berkman ND, Peat CM .
Binge-eating disorder in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Ann Intern Med 2016 Sep 20;165(6):409-20. doi: 10.7326/m15-2455.
.
.
Keywords: Obesity, Medication, Evidence-Based Practice, Behavioral Health, Comparative Effectiveness
Kennedy-Hendricks A, Busch SH, McGinty EE
Primary care physicians' perspectives on the prescription opioid epidemic.
The authors aimed to determine primary care physicians' perceptions of the seriousness of the prescription opioid epidemic, its causes, groups responsible for addressing it, attitudes toward individuals with prescription opioid use disorder, beliefs about the effectiveness of addiction treatments, and support for various policies. They found that respondents largely attributed the causes to individual-oriented factors and certain physician-oriented factors, and that respondents believed that individuals with prescription opioid use disorder and physicians were primarily responsible for addressing the problem. The researchers also found that negative attitudes toward people with prescription opioid use disorder were prevalent, but a majority believed that treatment could be effective.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Kennedy-Hendricks A, Busch SH, McGinty EE .
Primary care physicians' perspectives on the prescription opioid epidemic.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2016 Aug 1;165:61-70. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.010.
.
.
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Medication, Opioids, Primary Care, Substance Abuse
Morrato EH, Brewer SE, Campagna EJ
Glucose testing for adults receiving Medicaid and antipsychotics: a population-based prescriber survey on behaviors, attitudes, and barriers.
The authors aimed to assess provider attitudes about glucose testing for adults prescribed second-generation antipsychotic medication. They concluded that establishing organizational priority across all treatment settings is important for achieving population-based diabetes screening goals for all Medicaid patients receiving antipsychotics.
AHRQ-funded; HS019464.
Citation: Morrato EH, Brewer SE, Campagna EJ .
Glucose testing for adults receiving Medicaid and antipsychotics: a population-based prescriber survey on behaviors, attitudes, and barriers.
Psychiatr Serv 2016 Jul 1;67(7):798-802. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201500181.
.
.
Keywords: Diabetes, Medication, Behavioral Health, Practice Patterns, Screening
Fan T, Blitz J
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco smoking cessation in adults, including pregnant women.
This case study involves a 40-year-old woman presenting for a routine antepartum visit. She is 20 weeks pregnant and smokes half a pack of cigarettes per day. She asks if your clinic offers services to help with tobacco smoking cessation and if she should try using e-cigarettes to stop smoking. The authors next pose three multiple choice questions and then give the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations and related background information.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Fan T, Blitz J .
Behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco smoking cessation in adults, including pregnant women.
Am Fam Physician 2016 May 15;93(10):861-2.
.
.
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Tobacco Use, Behavioral Health, Medication, Guidelines
Kahwati L, Viswanathan M, Golin CE
Identifying configurations of behavior change techniques in effective medication adherence interventions: a qualitative comparative analysis.
The researchers aimed to extend the results from an existing systematic review of interventions to improve medication adherence by using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to identify necessary or sufficient configurations of behavior change techniques among effective interventions. They were able to identify seven configurations of behavior change techniques sufficient for improving adherence, which together accounted for 26 (76 percent) of the effective studies.
AHRQ-funded; HS022563.
Citation: Kahwati L, Viswanathan M, Golin CE .
Identifying configurations of behavior change techniques in effective medication adherence interventions: a qualitative comparative analysis.
Syst Rev 2016 May 4;5:83. doi: 10.1186/s13643-016-0255-z.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Research Methodologies, Comparative Effectiveness, Behavioral Health
Kahwati L, Jacobs S, Kane H
Using qualitative comparative analysis in a systematic review of a complex intervention.
The objective of this study was to describe in detail and examine the suitability of using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) within the context of a systematic review. It concluded that QCA was suitable for use within a systematic review of medication adherence interventions and offered insights beyond the single dimension stratifications used in the original completed review.
AHRQ-funded; HS022563.
Citation: Kahwati L, Jacobs S, Kane H .
Using qualitative comparative analysis in a systematic review of a complex intervention.
Syst Rev 2016 May 4;5:82. doi: 10.1186/s13643-016-0256-y.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Research Methodologies, Comparative Effectiveness, Behavioral Health
Gibbs EL, Kass AE, Eichen DM
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-specific stimulant misuse, mood, anxiety, and stress in college-age women at high risk for or with eating disorders.
The researchers examined the misuse of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-specific stimulants in a college population at high risk for or with clinical or subclinical eating disorders. They found that ADHD-specific stimulant misuse is associated with eating disorder and comorbid pathology among such individuals, recommending that screening for stimulant misuse and eating disorder pathology may improve identification of college-age women who may be engaging in maladaptive behaviors and inform prevention efforts.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Gibbs EL, Kass AE, Eichen DM .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-specific stimulant misuse, mood, anxiety, and stress in college-age women at high risk for or with eating disorders.
J Am Coll Health 2016 May-Jun;64(4):300-8. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2016.1138477.
.
.
Keywords: Education: Academic, Behavioral Health, Medication, Substance Abuse, Young Adults
Watkins KE, Smith B, Akincigil A
The quality of medication treatment for mental disorders in the department of Veterans Affairs and in private-sector plans.
The objective of this paper was to compare the quality of mental health care provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with care provided to a comparable population treated in the private sector. The researchers found that VA performance was superior to that of the private sector by more than 30%. They concluded that their findings demonstrate the significant advantages that accrue from an organized, nationwide system of care and suggested that the much higher performance of the VA has important clinical and policy implications.
AHRQ-funded; HS003258; HS021112.
Citation: Watkins KE, Smith B, Akincigil A .
The quality of medication treatment for mental disorders in the department of Veterans Affairs and in private-sector plans.
Psychiatr Serv 2016 Apr;67(4):391-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400537.
.
.
Keywords: Quality of Care, Health Insurance, Medication, Behavioral Health
O'Connor BC, Lewandowski RE, Rodriguez S
Usual care for adolescent depression from symptom identification through treatment initiation.
The researchers sought to determine rates of appropriate follow-up care for adolescents with newly identified depression symptoms in 3 large health systems. They concluded that most adolescents with newly identified depression symptoms received some treatment, usually including psychotherapy, within the first 3 months after identification. However, follow-up care was low and substantial variation existed between sites.
AHRQ-funded; HS020503.
Citation: O'Connor BC, Lewandowski RE, Rodriguez S .
Usual care for adolescent depression from symptom identification through treatment initiation.
JAMA Pediatr 2016 Apr;170(4):373-80. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.4158.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Children/Adolescents, Depression, Behavioral Health
Gartlehner G, Gaynes BN, Amick HR
Comparative benefits and harms of antidepressant, psychological, complementary, and exercise treatments for major depression: An evidence report for a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians.
This evidence report compared the benefits and harms of second-generation antidepressants and psychological, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and exercise treatments as first- and second-step interventions for adults with acute major depressive disorder (MDD). It concluded tht, given their similar efficacy, cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants are both viable choices for initial treatment of MDD.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Gartlehner G, Gaynes BN, Amick HR .
Comparative benefits and harms of antidepressant, psychological, complementary, and exercise treatments for major depression: An evidence report for a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians.
Ann Intern Med 2016 Mar 1;164(5):331-41. doi: 10.7326/m15-1813.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Comparative Effectiveness, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Depression, Behavioral Health
Finnerty M, Neese-Todd S, Pritam R
Access to psychosocial services prior to starting antipsychotic treatment among Medicaid-insured youth.
The researchers sought to examine rates and predictors of receiving a psychosocial service before initiating antipsychotic treatment among young people in the Medicaid program. They found that less than one-half of youth received a psychosocial service before initiating antipsychotic treatment, and youth diagnosed with stress disorders were significantly more likely than those diagnosed with psychotic or bipolar disorders to have received a psychosocial service before starting an antipsychotic. They concluded that this service pattern highlights a critical gap in access to psychosocial services.
AHRQ-funded; HS019937; HS020503; HS021112.
Citation: Finnerty M, Neese-Todd S, Pritam R .
Access to psychosocial services prior to starting antipsychotic treatment among Medicaid-insured youth.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016 Jan;55(1):69-76.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.09.020.
.
.
Keywords: Access to Care, Children/Adolescents, Medication, Behavioral Health
Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, McInnis MG
Baseline disability and poor functioning in bipolar disorder predict worse outcomes: results from the Bipolar CHOICE study.
This study examined the effects of treatment on functioning impairments and quality of life and assessed baseline functioning and employment status as predictors of treatment response in symptomatic individuals from the Bipolar Clinical Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (Bipolar CHOICE) study. It found that prior disability status was associated with a worse treatment response and prospective illness course.
AHRQ-funded; HS019371.
Citation: Deckersbach T, Nierenberg AA, McInnis MG .
Baseline disability and poor functioning in bipolar disorder predict worse outcomes: results from the Bipolar CHOICE study.
J Clin Psychiatry 2016 Jan;77(1):100-8. doi: 10.4088/JCP.14m09210.
.
.
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Medication
Nierenberg AA, McElroy SL, Friedman ES
Bipolar CHOICE (Clinical Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness): a pragmatic 6-month trial of lithium versus quetiapine for bipolar disorder.
The purpose of this trial was to compare lithium and second-generation antipsychotics. The investigators found that outcomes with lithium + APT and quetiapine + APT were not significantly different across 6 months of treatment for bipolar disorder.
AHRQ-funded; HS019371.
Citation: Nierenberg AA, McElroy SL, Friedman ES .
Bipolar CHOICE (Clinical Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness): a pragmatic 6-month trial of lithium versus quetiapine for bipolar disorder.
J Clin Psychiatry 2016 Jan;77(1):90-9. doi: 10.4088/JCP.14m09349.
.
.
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Comparative Effectiveness, Medication, Behavioral Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Raghavan R, Brown DS, Allaire BT
Medicaid expenditures on psychotropic medications for maltreated children: a study of 36 States.
The authors aimed to quantify the magnitude of Medicaid expenditures incurred in the purchase of psychotropic drugs for children with histories of abuse or neglect. They concluded that Medicaid agencies should focus their cost containment strategies on antidepressants and antimanic drugs, consider expanding primary care case management arrangements, and expand use of instruments such as the Child Behavior Checklist to identify and treat high-need children.
AHRQ-funded; HS020269.
Citation: Raghavan R, Brown DS, Allaire BT .
Medicaid expenditures on psychotropic medications for maltreated children: a study of 36 States.
Psychiatr Serv 2014 Dec;65(12):1445-51. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400028.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Costs, Medicaid, Medication, Behavioral Health
Saloner B, Matone M, Kreider AR
Second-generation antipsychotic use among stimulant-using children, by organization of Medicaid mental health.
The authors compared differences in second-generation antipsychotic utilization among Medicaid-enrolled children across fee-for-service, integrated managed care, and managed behavioral health carve-out organizational structures. They found that carve-outs, versus other arrangements, were associated with lower second-generation antipsychotic use.
AHRQ-funded; HS020269; HS018550.
Citation: Saloner B, Matone M, Kreider AR .
Second-generation antipsychotic use among stimulant-using children, by organization of Medicaid mental health.
Psychiatr Serv 2014 Dec;65(12):1458-64. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300574.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Medication, Behavioral Health
Bradford WD, Lastrapes WD
A prescription for unemployment? Recessions and the demand for mental health drugs.
The authors estimated the relationship between mental health drug prescriptions and the level of labor market activity in the USA. They found that the number of mental health drug prescriptions rises by about 10% when employment falls by 1% and when unemployment rises by 100 basis points, but only for patients in the Northeast region.
AHRQ-funded; HS011326.
Citation: Bradford WD, Lastrapes WD .
A prescription for unemployment? Recessions and the demand for mental health drugs.
Health Econ 2014 Nov;23(11):1301-25. doi: 10.1002/hec.2983.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Healthcare Utilization, Health Services Research (HSR), Behavioral Health
Finnerty M, Neese-Todd S, Bilder S
Best practices: MEDNET: a multistate policy maker-researcher collaboration to improve prescribing practices.
The authors describe the Medicaid/ Mental Health Network for Evidence-Based Treatment (MEDNET), the first multistate Medicaid QI collaborative to focus on improving psychotropic prescribing. In particular, this article includes the development, infrastructure challenges, and early evidence of success of this public-academic partnership.
AHRQ-funded; HSO19937; HS021112.
Citation: Finnerty M, Neese-Todd S, Bilder S .
Best practices: MEDNET: a multistate policy maker-researcher collaboration to improve prescribing practices.
Psychiatr Serv 2014 Nov 1;65(11):1297-9. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400343..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Medication, Medicaid, Practice Patterns
Vanderwerker L, Akincigil A, Olfson M
Foster care, externalizing disorders, and antipsychotic use among Medicaid-enrolled youths.
The researchers investigated the extent to which clinical diagnoses of externalizing disorders explain higher rates of antipsychotic use by foster care youths. They found that foster care youths had higher rates of externalizing disorders than the comparison group and greater antipsychotic use. Foster care remained a significant predictor of antipsychotic use after control for demographic and diagnostic covariates.
AHRQ-funded; HS017918; HS019937; HS021112.
Citation: Vanderwerker L, Akincigil A, Olfson M .
Foster care, externalizing disorders, and antipsychotic use among Medicaid-enrolled youths.
Psychiatr Serv 2014 Oct;65(10):1281-4. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300455.
.
.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medication, Medicaid, Vulnerable Populations, Behavioral Health
Bobo WV, Reilly-Harrington NA, Ketter TA
Effect of adjunctive benzodiazepines on clinical outcomes in lithium- or quetiapine-treated outpatients with bipolar I or II disorder: results from the Bipolar CHOICE trial.
This study investigated the longer-term effects of adjunctive benzodiazepines on symptom response during treatment in patients with bipolar disorders. The investigators concluded that adjunctive benzodiazepines may not significantly affect clinical outcome in lithium- or quetiapine-treated patients with bipolar I or II disorder over 6 months, after controlling for potential confounding factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS019371.
Citation: Bobo WV, Reilly-Harrington NA, Ketter TA .
Effect of adjunctive benzodiazepines on clinical outcomes in lithium- or quetiapine-treated outpatients with bipolar I or II disorder: results from the Bipolar CHOICE trial.
J Affect Disord 2014 Jun;161:30-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.046..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Depression, Medication, Behavioral Health, Treatments
Stroup TS, Gerhard T, Crystal S
Geographic and clinical variation in clozapine use in the United States.
This nationwide study examined predictors of clozapine use to help identify ways to optimize its use. It found that the clozapine initiation rate was low compared with the expected proportion of patients who warrant a clozapine trial and was strongly affected by local treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS016097
Citation: Stroup TS, Gerhard T, Crystal S .
Geographic and clinical variation in clozapine use in the United States.
Psychiatr Serv. 2014 Feb;65(2):186-92. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300180.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Medication, Behavioral Health
Hartung DM, Zerzan J, Yamashita T
Characteristics and trends of low-dose quetiapine use in two western state Medicaid programs.
This study characterized longitudinal trends in low-dose second-generation antipsychotic medications, and, in particular, quetiapine in two western State Medicaid programs over a 5-year period. The researchers found that when one State suspended off-label promotional activities, there was a significant decline in the initiation of low-dose quetiapine use.
AHRQ-funded; HS019456; HS019464.
Citation: Hartung DM, Zerzan J, Yamashita T .
Characteristics and trends of low-dose quetiapine use in two western state Medicaid programs.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2014 Jan;23(1):87-94. doi: 10.1002/pds.3538..
Keywords: Medication, Medicaid, Behavioral Health