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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 59 Research Studies DisplayedKrouse RS, Anderson GL, Arnold KB
Surgical versus non-surgical management for patients with malignant bowel obstruction (S1316): a pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial.
The purpose of this study was to compare surgical versus non-surgical management with the goal of determining the optimal approach for managing malignant bowel obstruction. From May 11, 2015, to April 27, 2020, 221 patients were enrolled, with 199 evaluable participants. The study found no variation between surgery and non-surgery for the primary outcome of good days: mean 42·6 days in the randomized surgery group, 43·9 days (29·5) in the randomized non-surgery group, 54·8 days (27·0) in the patient choice surgery group, and 52·7 days (30·7) in the patient choice non-surgery group. During their initial hospital stay, six participants died, five due to cancer progression and one due to malignant bowel obstruction treatment complications The most common grade 3-4 malignant bowel obstruction treatment complication was anemia.
AHRQ-funded; HS021491.
Citation: Krouse RS, Anderson GL, Arnold KB .
Surgical versus non-surgical management for patients with malignant bowel obstruction (S1316): a pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial.
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023 Oct; 8(10):908-18. doi: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00191-7..
Keywords: Cancer, Surgery, Treatments, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Di M, Keeney T, Belanger E
Functional status and therapy for older adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in nursing homes: a population-based study.
The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of functional and cognitive impairments, and relationships between impairments and treatment in older patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving nursing home (NH) care. The study found that of the eligible 649 NH patients 45% received chemoimmunotherapy; among the recipients, 47% received multi-agent, anthracycline-containing regimens. Those patients in a NH were less likely to receive chemoimmunotherapy, had higher 30-day mortality, and poorer OS compared with community-dwelling patients. NH patients with severe functional (61%) or any cognitive impairment (48%) were less likely to receive chemoimmunotherapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Di M, Keeney T, Belanger E .
Functional status and therapy for older adults with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in nursing homes: a population-based study.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Jul; 71(7):2239-49. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18302..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Medicare, Cancer, Treatments
Carroll CE, Landrum MB, Wright AA
Adoption of innovative therapies across oncology practices-evidence from immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a crucial development in cancer care, significantly enhancing patient outcomes for various cancer forms, yet limited information exists regarding the adoption of this innovative treatment by different practices or the speed of uptake. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adoption of immunotherapy across oncology practices in the United States and examine variations in adoption based on practice characteristics. This cohort investigation utilized Medicare fee-for-service data from beneficiaries undergoing six-month chemotherapy cycles between 2010 and 2017. Data analysis was conducted from January 19, 2021, to September 28, 2022, for patients diagnosed with cancers for which the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved immunotherapy during the study period: melanoma, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. The primary outcome assessed whether a practice adopted immunotherapy. The data included 71,659 episodes from 1,732 oncology practices. The study found that among these, 264 practices (15%) were rural, 900 (52%) were independent, and 492 (28%) had 1 to 5 physicians. The study also found that the majority of practices adopted immunotherapy within two years of FDA approval, but considerable variations in adoption rates existed across practice types. Following FDA approval, immunotherapy adoption was 11 percentage points lower in rural practices compared to urban practices and 27 percentage points lower in practices with 1 to 5 physicians than those with six or more physicians. Adoption rates were comparable between independent practices and nonacademic institutions; however, both practice types exhibited lower adoption than academic institutions (independent practice difference, -6 percentage points; nonacademic systems difference, -9 percentage points).
AHRQ-funded; HS024072
Citation: Carroll CE, Landrum MB, Wright AA .
Adoption of innovative therapies across oncology practices-evidence from immunotherapy.
JAMA Oncol 2023 Mar;9(3):324-33. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.6296.
Keywords: Cancer, Treatments
De B, Pasalic D, Barocas DA
Patient-reported outcomes after external beam radiotherapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost vs radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer: five-year results from a prospective comparative effectiveness study.
The purpose of this study was to compare patient reported outcomes through 5 years following radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation therapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost for localized prostate cancer. The researchers enrolled men 80 years of age or under who had localized prostate adenocarcinoma and followed them longitudinally from 2011 to 2012. The study found that when compared with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost was related with clinically meaningful worse urinary irritative/obstructive and better urinary incontinence function through 5 years. Urinary function bother was similar between groups. Treatment with external beam radiation therapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost was associated with worse bowel function through 5 years compared to radical prostatectomy. Treatment with external beam radiation therapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost was associated with better sexual function at 1 year compared to radical prostatectomy, but there was insufficient evidence to reject the supposition that no difference was seen at 3 or 5 years. The researcher concluded that external beam radiation therapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost was related with clinically meaningful worse urinary irritative/obstructive and bowel functions but better urinary incontinence function through 5 years after treatment compared to radical prostatectomy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: De B, Pasalic D, Barocas DA .
Patient-reported outcomes after external beam radiotherapy with low dose rate brachytherapy boost vs radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer: five-year results from a prospective comparative effectiveness study.
J Urol 2022 Dec;208(6):1226-39. doi: 10.1097/ju.0000000000002902..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Treatments
Kang MM, Hasan Y, Waller J
Has hypofractionated whole-breast radiation therapy become the standard of care in the United States? An updated report from National Cancer Database.
This study examined trends in the use of hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation (HF-WBI) over time in the United States and factors related to its adoption for patients undergoing a lumpectomy from 2004 to 2016. Lumpectomy patients in the National Cancer Database were identified, with 688,079 early-stage invasive breast cancer patients, and 248,218 patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ. Among invasive cancer patients, HB-WBI use increased from 0.7% in 2004 to 38.1% in 2016. Among ductal carcinoma in situ patients, HB-WBI use increased significantly from 0.42% in 2004 to 34.3% in 2016. Factors associated with HB-WBI use included age, geographic location, race/ethnicity, tumor stage, grade, treating facility type, and volume.
AHRQ-funded; HS025806.
Citation: Kang MM, Hasan Y, Waller J .
Has hypofractionated whole-breast radiation therapy become the standard of care in the United States? An updated report from National Cancer Database.
Clin Breast Cancer 2022 Jan;22(1):e8-e20. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2021.05.016..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Treatments, Practice Patterns
Moazzezi M, Rose B, Kisling K
Prospects for daily online adaptive radiotherapy via ethos for prostate cancer patients without nodal involvement using unedited CBCT auto-segmentation.
This study’s objective was to assess the new online adaptive radiation therapy technology called Ethos for treating prostate cancer. Twenty-five prostate patients previously treated at the author’s clinic were re-planed using an Ethos emulator. Clinical margins of 3 mm posterior, 5 mm left/right/anterior, and 7 mm superior/inferior were used. Dose metrics were compared to unadapted plans to evaluate clinical target volumes (CTV) and online adaptive radiation (OAR) dose changes. Overall, 96% of fractions required auto-segmentation edits, although they were mostly minor. Adaptation improved CTV 98% for the 24 patients with minor auto-segmentation corrections. However, for one in 25 patients, large contour edits were required.
AHRQ-funded; HS025440.
Citation: Moazzezi M, Rose B, Kisling K .
Prospects for daily online adaptive radiotherapy via ethos for prostate cancer patients without nodal involvement using unedited CBCT auto-segmentation.
J Appl Clin Med Phys 2021 Oct;22(10):82-93. doi: 10.1002/acm2.13399..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Treatments, Imaging
Garsa A, Jang JK, Baxi S
Radiation therapy for brain metastases: a systematic review.
This systematic review synthesizes the available evidence on radiation therapy for brain metastases. A literature search was conducted using the major medical databases and included randomized controlled trials and large observational studies which evaluated whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone or in combination as initial or postoperative treatment, with or without systemic therapy for adults with brain metastases due to lung cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma. No statistically significant difference in overall survival was found with a combination of SRS plus WBRT compared with SRS alone or WBRT alone. Radiation therapy after surgery did not improve overall survival compared with surgery alone. WBRT plus systemic therapy was associated with increased risks for vomiting compared with WBRT alone. There was not enough data on patient-relevant outcomes such as quality of life, functional status, and cognitive effects.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500010I.
Citation: Garsa A, Jang JK, Baxi S .
Radiation therapy for brain metastases: a systematic review.
Pract Radiat Oncol 2021 Sep-Oct;11(5):354-65. doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2021.04.002..
Keywords: Cancer, Surgery, Treatments, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Caram MEV, Burns J, Kumbier K
Factors influencing treatment of veterans with advanced prostate cancer.
This study examined factors influencing treatment of veterans with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Clinician and nonclinical factors associated with the first-line treatment for CPRC using data from the Veterans Health Administration was used. Almost 5000 patients who received abiraterone, enzalutamide, docetaxel, or ketoconazole from 2010 through 2017 were identified. Increasing age was associated with receipt of abiraterone or enzalutamide versus docetaxel. Greater preexisting comorbidity was associated with enzalutamide versus abiraterone. Patients with higher PSA values at the start of treatment were more likely to receive docetaxel than the other three treatments. African American men were more likely to receive ketoconazole.
AHRQ-funded; HS025707.
Citation: Caram MEV, Burns J, Kumbier K .
Factors influencing treatment of veterans with advanced prostate cancer.
Cancer 2021 Jul 1;127(13):2311-18. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33485..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Men's Health, Treatments
Pasalic D, Barocas DA, Huang LC
Five-year outcomes from a prospective comparative effectiveness study evaluating external-beam radiotherapy with or without low-dose-rate brachytherapy boost for localized prostate cancer.
This retrospective cohort study’s objective was to determine if there were differences in treatment-related regret or survival between prostate cancer patients who received external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with or without a brachytherapy boost (EBRT-LDR), over a 5-year period. The cohort included 695 men who met inclusion criteria and received either EBRT (n=583) or EBRT-LDR (n=112). Men who received either treatment reported clinically worse urinary irritation and bowel function through 3 years but resolved after 5 years. Men who received EBRT-LDR continued to report moderate- to-big problems with urinary function bother and frequent urination at 5 years. There was no difference in treatment-related regret or survival between patients who received either treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: Pasalic D, Barocas DA, Huang LC .
Five-year outcomes from a prospective comparative effectiveness study evaluating external-beam radiotherapy with or without low-dose-rate brachytherapy boost for localized prostate cancer.
Cancer 2021 Jun 1;127(11):1912-25. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33388..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Treatments
Maduekwe UN, Herb JN, Esther RJ
Pathologic nodal staging for clinically node negative soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities.
This study looked at the need for pathological nodal staging in patients with extremity synovial, clear cell, angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and epithelioid (SCARE) soft tissue sarcoma. Patients included were without clinical nodal involvement undergoing surgical resection in the National Cancer Database (2004-2017). The cohort included 4158 patients, with 669 patients (16%) undergoing regional lymph node surgery (RLNS). Patients with epithelioid and clear cell sarcomas were most likely to undergo RLNS. Forty-five (7%) had positive nodes with clear cell sarcoma (14%) and angiosarcoma (13%) having the highest rates of nodal positivity. Five-year survival was reduced in patients with positive nodes.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Maduekwe UN, Herb JN, Esther RJ .
Pathologic nodal staging for clinically node negative soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities.
J Surg Oncol 2021 May;123(8):1792-800. doi: 10.1002/jso.26465..
Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Treatments
Heneghan MB, Hussain T, Barrera L
Access to technology and preferences for an mHealth intervention to promote medication adherence in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: approach leveraging behavior change techniques.
This study’s objectives were to examine access to mobile technology and preferences for an mHealth intervention to improve medication adherence in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Parents of children with ALL as well as adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with ALL who received maintenance chemotherapy were given a cross-sectional survey. Findings showed that parents, adolescents, and AYAs reported ubiquitous access to mobile technology and strong interest in multiple adherence-specific mHealth app features. Parents and AYAs provided valuable insight into preferred features for a multifunctional behavioral intervention to promote medication adherence in pediatric ALL.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Heneghan MB, Hussain T, Barrera L .
Access to technology and preferences for an mHealth intervention to promote medication adherence in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: approach leveraging behavior change techniques.
J Med Internet Res 2021 Feb 18;23(2):e24893. doi: 10.2196/24893..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Caregiving, Cancer, Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Health Information Technology (HIT), Treatments
Gupta A, Sedhom R, Sharma R
Nonpharmacological interventions for managing breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review.
The purpose of this review was to evaluate the advantages and harms of nonpharmacological interventions for managing breathlessness in adults with advanced cancer. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for English-language studies about randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials, controlled trials, and observational studies. Findings included the safety and association with improved breathlessness of several nonpharmacological interventions for adults with advanced cancer. Recommendations included incorporating nonpharmacological interventions as first-line treatment for adults with advanced cancer and breathlessness.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500006I.
Citation: Gupta A, Sedhom R, Sharma R .
Nonpharmacological interventions for managing breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review.
JAMA Oncol 2021 Feb;7(2):290-98. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.5184..
Keywords: Cancer, Respiratory Conditions, Treatments, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Quality of Life, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Feliciano JL, Waldfogel JM, Sharma R
Pharmacologic interventions for breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the use of pharmacological interventions for breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer. Studies were identified from database inception to May 2020 using predefined eligibility criteria. Pharmacologic intervention benefits and harms were compared, focusing on breathlessness, anxiety, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Out of 7729 unique citations, 19 studies with a total of 1424 patients were included. Opioids were not associated with more effectiveness than placebo for improving breathlessness or exercise capacity. Anxiolytics were also not associated with more effectiveness than placebo for breathlessness or anxiety. There was limited evidence for other pharmacologic interventions. There was some harm, but it was minimal in those short-term studies.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500006I.
Citation: Feliciano JL, Waldfogel JM, Sharma R .
Pharmacologic interventions for breathlessness in patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Feb;4(2):e2037632. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37632..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Respiratory Conditions, Medication, Treatments, Opioids, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Quality of Life, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Dinan MA, Wilson LE, Reed SD
Association of 21-gene assay (OncotypeDX) testing and receipt of chemotherapy in the Medicare breast cancer patient population following initial adoption.
This study looked at trends in the association of 21-gene assay testing and receipt of chemotherapy in the Medicare breast cancer patient population following initial adoption from 2001 to 2011. The investigators looked at updated SEER-Medicare data from 2004 and 2011. The cohort included 26,009 patients who met inclusion criteria. Assay use was associated with a decrease in absolute percentage use of chemotherapy by 4.5%, which became even more pronounced from 2008-2011 with a decrease of 6.8%.
AHRQ-funded; HS022189.
Citation: Dinan MA, Wilson LE, Reed SD .
Association of 21-gene assay (OncotypeDX) testing and receipt of chemotherapy in the Medicare breast cancer patient population following initial adoption.
Clin Breast Cancer 2020 Dec;20(6):487-94.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2020.05.010..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Treatments, Genetics, Medicare, Women, Healthcare Utilization
Friese CR, Fauer AJ, Kuisell C
Patient-reported outcomes collected in ambulatory oncology practices: feasibility, patterns, and correlates.
The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of soliciting outcomes from adults who received chemotherapy treatment for cancer and to describe the patterns and correlates of patient-reported toxicities. Results determined that querying patients on chemotherapy treatment experiences and toxicities was feasible. Toxicity rates varied across practices, informing quality improvement. Toxicity severity and service use incidence exceed previously published trial data, particularly for pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues. Open-text questions enabled exploration with newer treatment regimens.
AHRQ-funded; HS024914.
Citation: Friese CR, Fauer AJ, Kuisell C .
Patient-reported outcomes collected in ambulatory oncology practices: feasibility, patterns, and correlates.
Health Serv Res 2020 Dec;55(6):966-72. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13574..
Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Cancer, Treatments, Quality of Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Schlick CJR, Merkow RP, Yang AD
Post-discharge venous thromboembolism after pancreatectomy for malignancy: predicting risk based on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors.
Extended chemoprophylaxis is recommended for high-risk patients following pancreatectomy for malignancy. However, quantifying risk remains difficult. In this study, the investigators sought to (a) identify factors associated with post-discharge venous thromboembolism (VTE) following pancreatectomy for malignancy and (b) develop a post-discharge VTE risk calculator to identify high-risk patients. The investigators concluded that preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were associated with post-discharge VTE following pancreatectomy for malignancy.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Schlick CJR, Merkow RP, Yang AD .
Post-discharge venous thromboembolism after pancreatectomy for malignancy: predicting risk based on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors.
J Surg Oncol 2020 Sep 15;122(4):675-83. doi: 10.1002/jso.26046..
Keywords: Cancer, Surgery, Treatments, Blood Clots, Risk
Lafferty M, Fauer A, Wright N
Causes and consequences of chemotherapy delays in ambulatory oncology practices: a multisite qualitative study.
The purpose of this study was to examine the causes and consequences of chemotherapy treatment delays and possible solutions to improve quality of care. The authors identified four primary themes from the analysis that affect delays. They suggest future investigations to examine nurses' communication practices in the context of timely chemotherapy administration since communication and documentation technologies within healthcare settings continuously evolve.
AHRQ-funded; HS024914.
Citation: Lafferty M, Fauer A, Wright N .
Causes and consequences of chemotherapy delays in ambulatory oncology practices: a multisite qualitative study.
Oncol Nurs Forum 2020 Jul 1;47(4):417-27. doi: 10.1188/20.Onf.417-427..
Keywords: Treatments, Cancer, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Quality of Care, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Provider: Nurse, Provider, Nursing, Chronic Conditions
Heneghan MB, Hussain T, Barrera L
Applying the COM-B model to patient-reported barriers to medication adherence in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This study examined parent- and patient-reported barriers to oral chemotherapy adherence with children with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The medicine most often used was 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). Forty-nine parents and 15 patients were surveyed and most reported at least one adherence barrier. Most of the barriers were about meeting other patients with ALL or meeting other parents. Patients also reported difficulty in finding out what their medications are, and what 6-MP does. These barriers can lead to relapse if they are not addressed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Heneghan MB, Hussain T, Barrera L .
Applying the COM-B model to patient-reported barriers to medication adherence in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020 May;67(5):e28216. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28216..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Treatments, Cancer, Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Herb JN, Dunham LN, Ollila DW
Use of completion lymph node dissection for sentinel lymph node-positive melanoma.
This study examined the use and time trends of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) for sentinel lymph node-positive melanoma (SNPM). There has been found to be no benefit for CLND in SNPM patients. The National Cancer Database was used to find patients 18 years and older from 2012 to 2016 with SNPM. During that time period, 7,146 patients were identified with SNPM. From 2012 to 2014 the proportion of patients undergoing CLND was steady (61-63%) but decreased to 57% in 2015 and 50% in 2016. Use was less likely for women and increasing age. Higher use was more likely at high-volume centers, and associated with increased Breslow depth and ulceration.
Citation: Herb JN, Dunham LN, Ollila DW .
Use of completion lymph node dissection for sentinel lymph node-positive melanoma.
J Am Coll Surg 2020 Apr;230(4):515-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.12.010..
Keywords: Cancer: Skin Cancer, Cancer, Skin Conditions, Treatments
Ellis RJ, Ho JW, Schlick CJR
National use of chemotherapy in initial management of stage I pancreatic cancer and failure to perform subsequent resection.
This paper investigated rates of resection surgery after upfront chemotherapy for patients treated for clinical stage I pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The authors used the National Cancer Database to identify eligible patients and a total of 17,495 patients were included. A total of 26.6% received upfront chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was most common in patients 80 years old or greater, had a T2 tumor, or were treated at a low-volume center. Only 33.5% of patients receiving upfront chemotherapy underwent subsequent resection. Resection was more likely in patients with T1 tumors or receiving treatment at a high-volume center. Rates of surgical resection after upfront chemotherapy are relatively low, but should be considered as part of an internal quality-of-cancer-care measure.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011; HS000078.
Citation: Ellis RJ, Ho JW, Schlick CJR .
National use of chemotherapy in initial management of stage I pancreatic cancer and failure to perform subsequent resection.
Ann Surg Oncol 2020 Mar;27(3):909-18. doi: 10.1245/s10434-019-08023-1..
Keywords: Cancer, Treatments, Surgery
Ellis RJ, Schlick CJR, Feinglass J
Failure to administer recommended chemotherapy: acceptable variation or cancer care quality blind spot?
This study examined hospital variation in cancer patients who did not receive recommended chemotherapy. Patients with breast, colon, and lung cancers who did not receive chemotherapy from 2000 to 2015 were identified from the National Cancer Database. A total of 183,148 patients at 1281 hospitals were included. For breast cancer, 3.5% of patients failed to receive recommended chemotherapy, and 6.6% with colon, and 10.7% with lung cancer. Sociodemographic factors showed that patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy if they were uninsured or on Medicaid, as were non-Hispanic black patients with both breast and colon cancer. There was also significant hospital variation with failure to administer as high as 21.8% for breast, 40.2% for colon, and 40.0% for lung cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078; HS026385.
Citation: Ellis RJ, Schlick CJR, Feinglass J .
Failure to administer recommended chemotherapy: acceptable variation or cancer care quality blind spot?
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 Feb;29(2):103-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009742..
Keywords: Treatments, Cancer, Healthcare Delivery, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Social Determinants of Health, Vulnerable Populations, Uninsured, Hospitals, Quality of Care
Cornell M, Kaderka R, Hild SJ
Noninferiority study of automated knowledge-based planning versus human-driven optimization across multiple disease sites.
This study compared fully automated knowledge-based planning (KBP) versus human-driven plan optimization for dosimetry treatment across multiple disease types. Treatment site clinical KBP automated planning routines were developed for prostate, prostatic fossa, hypofractionated lung, and head and neck locations. Overall, fully automated KBP was noninferior to human-driven plan optimization and for many sites showed superiority.
AHRQ-funded; HS025440.
Citation: Cornell M, Kaderka R, Hild SJ .
Noninferiority study of automated knowledge-based planning versus human-driven optimization across multiple disease sites.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020 Feb;106(2):430-39. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.10.036..
Keywords: Cancer, Treatments
Drucker AM, Adam GP, Rofeberg V
Treatments for primary squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the skin: a systematic review and network meta-analysis summary of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality comparative effectiveness review.
This article discusses the results of a systematic review and network meta-analysis summary of treatments for primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCi) AHRQ comparative effective review. The authors included English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with information on recurrence, histologic clearance, clinical clearance, cosmesis, and quality of life. They excluded studies enrolling less than 10 body lesions total or arms that had 5 or less lesions. They included 7 RCTs with a total of 418 participants. While they found some evidence of the best treatment options, there was little evidence to guide treatment of SC. There were no RCTs found on surgical modalities which is the first line of treatment for SCC.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500002I.
Citation: Drucker AM, Adam GP, Rofeberg V .
Treatments for primary squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the skin: a systematic review and network meta-analysis summary of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality comparative effectiveness review.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 Feb;82(2):479-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.030..
Keywords: Cancer: Skin Cancer, Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Treatments, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Khorfan R, Schlick CJR, Yang AD
Utilization of minimally invasive surgery and its association with chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.
This study compared outcomes of patients with T3 or greater and/or N+ gastric carcinoma who had minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or traditional open surgery. Patients who received MIS had a greater likelihood of receiving postoperative chemotherapy. Patients from the National Cancer Database (21,872) from 2010 to 2015 were identified. The majority (72.2%) received open surgery although MIS rates went up during that time period. Predictors of MIS were Asian race, any insurance coverage and treatment at high-volume centers. Survival rates were higher for MIS patients although that could be explained by their increased likelihood of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Khorfan R, Schlick CJR, Yang AD .
Utilization of minimally invasive surgery and its association with chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.
J Gastrointest Surg 2020 Feb;24(2):243-52. doi: 10.1007/s11605-019-04410-x.
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Keywords: Surgery, Treatments, Cancer, Digestive Disease and Health, Healthcare Utilization, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice
Hoffman KE, Penson DF, Zhao Z
Patient-reported outcomes through 5 years for active surveillance, surgery, brachytherapy, or external beam radiation with or without androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer.
This study compared different treatment of men with favorable-risk prostate cancer and those with unfavorable-risk disease and their functional outcomes 5 years post-treatment. Treatment options for favorable-risk disease include active surveillance, nerve-sparing prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), or low-dose-rate brachytherapy with prostatectomy being the most common. Treatment options for men with unfavorable-risk disease is prostatectomy or EBRT with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The cohort analyzed included men diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 through 2012, accrued from 5 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program sites and a US prostate cancer registry, using surveys through September 2017. A total of 2005 men met inclusion criteria. For men with favorable-risk disease low-dose-rate brachytherapy was associated with worse urinary irritative, and sexual and bowel function at 1 year compared with active surveillance. Nerve-sparing prostatectomy was associated with worse urinary incontinence at 5 years and sexual function at 3 years compared with active surveillance. EBRT was not associated with clinically different function changes from active surveillance at any point during the 5 years. For men with unfavorable-risk disease, EBRT with ADT was associated with lower hormonal function at 6 months, bowel function at 1 year, but better sexual function and incontinence than prostatectomy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: Hoffman KE, Penson DF, Zhao Z .
Patient-reported outcomes through 5 years for active surveillance, surgery, brachytherapy, or external beam radiation with or without androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer.
JAMA 2020 Jan 14;323(2):149-63. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.20675..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice, Treatments, Men's Health, Adverse Events, Surgery