National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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 22 of 22 Research Studies DisplayedBajaj JS, Duarte-Rojo A, Xie JJ
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy and mild cognitive impairment worsen quality of life in elderly patients with cirrhosis.
Researchers investigated the performance of elderly patients with cirrhosis on tests for minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and predementia mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their effects on quality of life (QOL). They found that, in a multicenter study of elderly patients with cirrhosis and controls, the presence of MHE, regardless of MCI, was associated with poor cognition and QOL. They created adjusted norms that defined the high sensitivity of EncephalApp for the detection of MHE in older individuals and validated it in a separate cohort.
AHRQ-funded; HS025412.
Citation: Bajaj JS, Duarte-Rojo A, Xie JJ .
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy and mild cognitive impairment worsen quality of life in elderly patients with cirrhosis.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020 Dec;18(13):3008-16.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.033..
Keywords: Elderly, Chronic Conditions, Quality of Life, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Roberts ET, McGarry BE, Glynn A
Cognition and take-up of the Medicare Savings Programs.
In this study, the investigators examined the association between cognition and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) enrollment among elderly Medicare beneficiaries who qualified for these programs. They also examined enrollment in the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), a separate program that provides premium and cost-sharing assistance in Medicare Part D that Medicare beneficiaries automatically received if they are enrolled in an MSP.
AHRQ-funded; HS026727.
Citation: Roberts ET, McGarry BE, Glynn A .
Cognition and take-up of the Medicare Savings Programs.
JAMA Intern Med 2020 Nov;180(11):1529-31. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2783..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Low-Income, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Armstrong MJ, Gamez N, Alliance S
Research priorities of caregivers and individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies: an interview study.
The authors investigated the research priorities of individuals and caregivers living with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Through telephone interviews, they found that individuals with DLB and caregivers identified research needs and highlighted DLB symptoms needing additional research. They recommended that funding be informed by the priorities of all relevant stakeholders and support research investigating causes, natural history, biomarkers, and treatment in addition to research targeting themes regarding living with disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS024159.
Citation: Armstrong MJ, Gamez N, Alliance S .
Research priorities of caregivers and individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies: an interview study.
PLoS One 2020 Oct 7;15(10):e0239279. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239279..
Keywords: Caregiving, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Patient and Family Engagement, Elderly, Research Methodologies
Merrilees JJ, Bernstein A, Dulaney S
The Care Ecosystem: promoting self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.
The authors illustrated specific psychosocial interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy among family caregivers enrolled in the Care Ecosystem, a model of navigated care designed to support persons with dementia and their primary caregivers. They identified three categories of Care Team Navigator intervention: emotional, informational, and instrumental support, which are consistent with a psychosocial approach to building self-efficacy. They concluded that their findings demonstrated how a model of navigated care can positively impact self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Merrilees JJ, Bernstein A, Dulaney S .
The Care Ecosystem: promoting self-efficacy among dementia family caregivers.
Dementia 2020 Aug;19(6):1955-73. doi: 10.1177/1471301218814121..
Keywords: Elderly, Caregiving, Dementia
H H, Caton Gilstrap L
AHRQ Author: Tracer H
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
This evidence-based approach paper focuses on putting prevention into action. It discusses screening for cognitive impairment in older adults. It provides case study, case study questions and a discussion.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: H H, Caton Gilstrap L .
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Am Fam Physician 2020 Jun 15;101(12):753-54..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Screening, Prevention, Case Study, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Crystal S, Jarrín OF, Rosenthal M
National partnership to improve dementia care in nursing homes campaign: state and facility strategies, impact, and antipsychotic reduction outcomes.
This study examines the success of the national partnership campaign to reduce prescription of antipsychotic medications to elderly nursing home residents with dementia. Antipsychotic medications have been shown to increase mortality. Use of these medications had increased 23.9% in dementia patients by 2011. The campaign reduced use by 40.1% to 14.3% by the second quarter of 2019. The campaign measured progress with public reporting of quality measures, increased regulatory scrutiny, and accompanying state and facility initiatives. Sedative-hypnotic medication use also decreased in tandem with antipsychotic reduction suggesting that the campaign increased attention to the use of other risky psychotropic medications.
AHRQ-funded; HS023464; HS022406; HS023258; HS021112.
Citation: Crystal S, Jarrín OF, Rosenthal M .
National partnership to improve dementia care in nursing homes campaign: state and facility strategies, impact, and antipsychotic reduction outcomes.
Innov Aging 2020 Jun 2;4(3):igaa018. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaa018..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Medication, Mortality
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
This study is a systematic review of biomarker and test accuracy for identification of Alzheimer Disease (AD) in older adults. Studies with low or medium risk of bias were analyzed, and two reviewers rated risk of bias. Fifteen brain imaging studies and 9 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies met analysis criteria and were included. The meta-analysis found that in methodologically heterogeneous studies of uncertain applicability to typical clinical settings, the biomarkers amyloid PET, 18F-FDG proton emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were highly sensitive for neuropathologic AD. Single studies suggested that adding amyloid PET, 18F-FDG PET, and CSF test combinations may add accuracy to clinical evaluation.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC .
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):669-77. doi: 10.7326/m19-3888..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R
Benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia (CATD). Studies with low or medium risk of bias (ROB) were analyzed and rated. The analysis concluded there was a slight reduction in short-term cognitive decline with cholinesterase inhibitors and memantime, and cholinesterase inhibitors slightly reduced reported functional decline. There was mostly insufficient evidence on drug treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and on supplements for all outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R .
Benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):656-68. doi: 10.7326/m19-3887..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Medication, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Outcomes, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Treatments
Hemmy LS, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC
Brief cognitive tests for distinguishing clinical Alzheimer-type dementia from mild cognitive impairment or normal cognition in older adults with suspected cognitive impairment.
Researchers summarized evidence on accuracy and harms of brief cognitive tests for clinical Alzheimer-type dementia (CATD) in older adults with suspected cognitive impairment. They encountered the following limitations: small studies, few test metrics being evaluated by multiple studies, and few studies directly comparing different tests, scores, cut points, or test combinations. They concluded that many brief, single cognitive tests accurately distinguish CATD from normal cognition in older adults but are less accurate in distinguishing mild CATD from normal cognition or CATD from mild cognitive impairment.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Hemmy LS, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC .
Brief cognitive tests for distinguishing clinical Alzheimer-type dementia from mild cognitive impairment or normal cognition in older adults with suspected cognitive impairment.
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):678-87. doi: 10.7326/m19-3889..
Keywords: Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Elderly, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rossom RC
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to systematically review the test accuracy of cognitive screening instruments and benefits and harms of interventions to treat cognitive impairment in older adults (>/=65 years) to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The investigators concluded that screening instruments could adequately detect cognitive impairment. They indicated that there was no empirical evidence, however, that screening for cognitive impairment improved patient or caregiver outcomes or causes harm.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500007I.
Citation: Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rossom RC .
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 Feb 25;323(8):764-85. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.22258..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Guidelines, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Mitchell LL, Peterson CM, Rud SR
"It's like a cyber-security blanket": the utility of remote activity monitoring in family dementia care.
Technologies have emerged that aim to help older persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs) remain at home while also supporting their caregiving family members. The current study evaluated the acceptability and utility of an in-home remote activity monitoring (RAM) system for 30 family caregivers of persons with ADRD via quantitative survey data collected over a 6-month period and qualitative survey and interview data collected for up to 18 months.
AHRQ-funded; HS022836.
Citation: Mitchell LL, Peterson CM, Rud SR .
"It's like a cyber-security blanket": the utility of remote activity monitoring in family dementia care.
J Appl Gerontol 2020 Jan;39(1):86-98. doi: 10.1177/0733464818760238..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Caregiving, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
McCreedy E, Ogarek JA, Thomas KS
The minimum data set agitated and reactive behavior scale: measuring behaviors in nursing home residents with dementia.
Researchers in this study test the internal consistency and construct validity of the Agitated and Reactive Behavior Scale (ARBS), a measure created to measure agitated and aggressive behaviors in dementia residents at nursing homes (NHs). This cross-sectional study used data from the 2016 national sample of 15,326 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-certified NHs. The sample included 489,854 new admissions and 765,367 long-stay residents (defined as 90 days or more) all diagnosed with dementia. The ARBS is a composite measure of physical and verbal agitation or aggressiveness towards other people; other behavioral symptoms not directed at other people; and rejection of care. The study found that 1) the ARBS score has borderline-adequate internal consistency in the national population of NH residents with dementia; 2) only 18% of new admissions, and 21% of long-stay residents with dementia displayed any aggressive or agitated behaviors in the previous week; and 3) the ARBS demonstrated good construct validity. Conclusions were that nationally available MDS data may significantly underestimate the prevalence of agitated and aggressive behaviors among NH dementia patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: McCreedy E, Ogarek JA, Thomas KS .
The minimum data set agitated and reactive behavior scale: measuring behaviors in nursing home residents with dementia.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2019 Dec;20(12):1548-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.08.030..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Behavioral Health
Rosa TD, Possin KL, Bernstein A
Variations in costs of a collaborative care model for dementia.
Care coordination programs can improve patient outcomes and decrease healthcare expenditures; however, implementation costs are poorly understood. In this study, the investigators evaluated the direct costs of implementing a collaborative dementia care program. They found that care team navigators caseload was an important driver of service cost. They provide strategies for maximizing caseload without sacrificing quality of care and discuss current barriers to broad implementation that can inform new reimbursement policies.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Rosa TD, Possin KL, Bernstein A .
Variations in costs of a collaborative care model for dementia.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Dec;67(12):2628-33. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16076.
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Keywords: Dementia, Healthcare Costs, Care Coordination, Elderly, Care Management, Implementation, Teams
Prusaczyk B, Olsen MA, Carpenter CR
Differences in transitional care provided to patients with and without dementia.
This study compared differences in transitional care provided to patients with and without dementia. The medical charts of 210 hospitalized patients at a single hospital (126 with dementia, 84 without) 70 years and older was reviewed for evidence of transitional care, including discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up appointments. Patients were dementia were less likely to receive information although caregivers would like the patients to receive more education and information from hospital providers. The authors recommend that nurses and social workers consider providing education regardless of diagnosis.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Prusaczyk B, Olsen MA, Carpenter CR .
Differences in transitional care provided to patients with and without dementia.
J Gerontol Nurs 2019 Aug;45(8):15-22. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20190530-02..
Keywords: Elderly, Transitions of Care, Dementia
Gillespie SM, Wasserman EB, Wood NE
High-intensity telemedicine reduces emergency department use by older adults with dementia in senior living communities.
Individuals with dementia have high rates of emergency department (ED) use for acute illnesses. In this study, the investigators evaluated the effect of a high-intensity telemedicine program that delivered care for acute illnesses on ED use rates for individuals with dementia residing in senior living communities (SLCs; independent and assisted living).
AHRQ-funded; HS018047.
Citation: Gillespie SM, Wasserman EB, Wood NE .
High-intensity telemedicine reduces emergency department use by older adults with dementia in senior living communities.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2019 Aug;20(8):942-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.03.024..
Keywords: Elderly, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Healthcare Delivery, Chronic Conditions, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization
Jayadevappa R, Chhatre S, Malkowicz SB
Association between androgen deprivation therapy use and diagnosis of dementia in men with prostate cancer.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) exposure and diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or dementia among elderly men with prostate cancer. Results showed that, among elderly patients with prostate cancer, ADT exposure was associated with subsequent diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or dementia over a follow-up period of at least 10 years.
AHRQ-funded; HS024106.
Citation: Jayadevappa R, Chhatre S, Malkowicz SB .
Association between androgen deprivation therapy use and diagnosis of dementia in men with prostate cancer.
JAMA Netw Open 2019 Jul 3;2(7):e196562. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.6562..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Dementia, Elderly, Men's Health, Risk
Schiltz NK, Warner DF, Sun J
The influence of multimorbidity on leading causes of death in older adults with cognitive impairment.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of leading causes of death with gradients of cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. The authors found that multimorbidity was common in the study population. Heart disease was the leading cause in all groups, but with a larger percentage of deaths in the mild and moderate/severe cognitively impaired groups than among the noncognitively impaired. The different "paths" down the regression trees showed that the distribution of causes of death changed with different combinations of multimorbidity.
AHRQ-funded; HS023113.
Citation: Schiltz NK, Warner DF, Sun J .
The influence of multimorbidity on leading causes of death in older adults with cognitive impairment.
J Aging Health 2019 Jul;31(6):1025-42. doi: 10.1177/0898264317751946..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Chronic Conditions, Mortality
Hong M, Casado BL, Lee SE
The intention to discuss advance care planning in the context of Alzheimer's disease among Korean Americans.
The authors examined the intention to discuss advance care planning (ACP) for a family member with Alzheimer's disease among Korean Americans. Path analyses were conducted on a cross-sectional convenience sample; age, gender, education, and knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and ACP were included as covariates. From their findings, the authors recommended promoting ACP among this population and designing educational interventions to address positive attitudes and subjective norms toward ACP.
AHRQ-funded; HS022947.
Citation: Hong M, Casado BL, Lee SE .
The intention to discuss advance care planning in the context of Alzheimer's disease among Korean Americans.
Gerontologist 2019 Mar 14;59(2):347-55. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnx211..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Decision Making, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Marcum ZA, Walker RL, Jones BL
Patterns of antihypertensive and statin adherence prior to dementia: findings from the adult changes in thought study.
Using the hypothesis that changes in medication adherence might represent an early sign of cognitive impairment, this study examined antihypertensive and statin adherence trajectories in community-dwelling older adults to compare which went on to develop dementia and which did not. Data from Adult Changes in Thought (ACT), a population-based cohort study, was analyzed; 4368 participants aged 65 years or older who had at least one follow-up visit were selected, included on the basis of whether they were prevalent users of either a statin or antihypertensive medication on the first day of follow up. Research-quality dementia diagnoses were used to identify cases. Non-dementia control visits were matched by age, sex, and study cohort that occurred at similar follow-up time as the selected case dementia onset. The authors conclude that the patterns of medication adherence that emerged may be useful to identify people with higher likelihood of developing dementia.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Marcum ZA, Walker RL, Jones BL .
Patterns of antihypertensive and statin adherence prior to dementia: findings from the adult changes in thought study.
BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 14;19(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1058-6..
Keywords: Dementia, Elderly, Medication, Neurological Disorders, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Gaugler JE, Zmora R, Mitchell LL
Six-month effectiveness of remote activity monitoring for persons living with dementia and their family caregivers: an experimental mixed methods study.
This paper describes a pilot study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of remote activity monitoring (RAM) for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD) and their family caregivers. An experimental mixed methods study of 132 persons living with ADRD was conducted for six months. There were mixed results as the early months spent calibrating and modifying the RAM system was challenging for families. For families who care for ADRD patients with less severe cognitive impairment and difficulty navigating around the most there was a statistically significant increase in competence and self-sufficiency. However, it may not be as effective for patients with more severe cognitive impairment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022836.
Citation: Gaugler JE, Zmora R, Mitchell LL .
Six-month effectiveness of remote activity monitoring for persons living with dementia and their family caregivers: an experimental mixed methods study.
Gerontologist 2019 Jan 9;59(1):78-89. doi: 10.1093/geront/gny078..
Keywords: Caregiving, Dementia, Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT), Neurological Disorders, Quality of Care, Quality Improvement
Carnahan RM, Daly JM, Minion S
A needs assessment of family physicians to inform development of educational resources on antipsychotic use in dementia.
The authors assessed the needs and preferred resources of Iowa physicians to inform the development of educational resources for best practice dementia care and compared the responses of nursing home medical directors with nonmedical directors. They found that medical directors and nonmedical directors had similar preferences for resources used and information needs, with preference for online resources, pocket guides, a handbook, consulting pharmacists, and facility in-services being the most commonly preferred sources of new information. Medical directors were significantly more aware of the FDA warning on antipsychotic use in dementia and treated more nursing home patients. No differences were observed between groups related to confidence in and use of nondrug strategies instead of antipsychotics to manage behavioral symptoms of dementia.
AHRQ-funded; HS019355.
Citation: Carnahan RM, Daly JM, Minion S .
A needs assessment of family physicians to inform development of educational resources on antipsychotic use in dementia.
J Prim Care Community Health 2019 Jan-Dec;10:2150132719840113. doi: 10.1177/2150132719840113..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Medication, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Long-Term Care
Armstrong MJ, Alliance S, Corsentino P
Cause of death and end-of-life experiences in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Researchers investigate the natural history, cause of death, and end-of-life experiences of individuals diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In the 20-question survey, respondents indicated that physicians rarely discussed what to expect at the end of life and that the caregiver usually initiated such conversations. Failure to thrive was the most common cause of death, followed by pneumonia and swallowing difficulties, other medical conditions, and complications from falling. The researchers conclude that the study results highlight a critical need for better prognostic counseling and education for persons and families living with DLB, and they recommended further study.
AHRQ-funded; HS024159.
Citation: Armstrong MJ, Alliance S, Corsentino P .
Cause of death and end-of-life experiences in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Jan;67(1):67-73. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15608..
Keywords: Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Patient Experience, Palliative Care, Mortality, Elderly