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
Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Adverse Events (1)
- Blood Pressure (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (6)
- Community-Acquired Infections (1)
- Critical Care (2)
- Depression (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Disparities (6)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- Elderly (3)
- Family Health and History (1)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (2)
- Healthcare Costs (1)
- Healthcare Delivery (2)
- Heart Disease and Health (5)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Hospital Readmissions (1)
- Medication (2)
- Medication: Safety (1)
- Mortality (1)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Prevention (1)
- (-) Racial and Ethnic Minorities (21)
- Risk (10)
- Sepsis (2)
- Sex Factors (3)
- Sleep Problems (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- (-) Stroke (21)
- Surgery (1)
- Telehealth (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 DisplayedMallela DP, Canner JK, Zarkowsky DS
Association between race and perioperative outcomes after carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in NSQIP.
This study investigated the association of race on carotid endarterectomy (CEA) outcomes. Perioperative outcomes (at 30 days) were compared for Black vs. White patients adjusting for age/sex, comorbidities and disease characteristics. Out of 16,764 patients from the ACS-NSQIP targeted vascular database (2011-2019), 95.2% were White and 4.8% were Black. Black patients were slightly younger and more frequently (79.5% vs 74.0%) had high-grade carotid artery stenosis compared to White patients. Comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease were all more prevalent among Black patients. Crude perioperative stroke and stroke/death were higher for Black patients, but myocardial infarction leading to death were similar. After adjusting for baseline differences between groups, the risk of perioperative stroke and stroke/death remained significantly higher for Black patients than White patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024547.
Citation: Mallela DP, Canner JK, Zarkowsky DS .
Association between race and perioperative outcomes after carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in NSQIP.
J Am Coll Surg 2022 Jan;234(1):65-73. doi: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000016..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery, Cardiovascular Conditions, Stroke, Risk, Adverse Events
Su CM, Warren A, Kraus C
Lack of racial and ethnic-based differences in acute care delivery in intracerebral hemorrhage.
Int J Emerg Med 2021 Jan 19;14(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s12245-021-00329-w.
Early diagnosis and treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is thought to be critical for improving outcomes. In this study the investigators examined whether racial or ethnic disparities existed in acute care processes in the first hours after ICH. The investigators found no evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in acute care processes or outcomes in ICH. English as first language, however, was associated with slower care processes.
Early diagnosis and treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is thought to be critical for improving outcomes. In this study the investigators examined whether racial or ethnic disparities existed in acute care processes in the first hours after ICH. The investigators found no evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in acute care processes or outcomes in ICH. English as first language, however, was associated with slower care processes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Su CM, Warren A, Kraus C .
Lack of racial and ethnic-based differences in acute care delivery in intracerebral hemorrhage.
Int J Emerg Med 2021 Jan 19;14(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s12245-021-00329-w..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Critical Care, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Outcomes
Kempker JA, Panwar B, Judd SE
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin d and the longitudinal risk of sepsis in the REGARDS cohort..
In this paper, researchers studied low baseline plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and its association with long-term risk of sepsis. Data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study was used. Findings reveals that, among community-dwelling US adults, low plasma 25(OH)D measured at a time of relative health was independently associated with increased risk of sepsis.
AHRQ-funded; HS025240.
Citation: Kempker JA, Panwar B, Judd SE .
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin d and the longitudinal risk of sepsis in the REGARDS cohort..
Clin Infect Dis 2019 May 17;68(11):1926-31. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciy794..
Keywords: Community-Acquired Infections, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Sepsis, Stroke
Mahalingam M, Moore Jx, Donnelly JP
Frailty syndrome and risk of sepsis in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort.
This study examined the association between frailty (weakness, exhaustion, and low physical activity) and the risk of sepsis in stroke patients. Data from the cohort study Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) was used. There was an associated increase in sepsis hospitalizations and 30-day case fatalities from sepsis in stroke patients with more frailty indicators.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Mahalingam M, Moore Jx, Donnelly JP .
Frailty syndrome and risk of sepsis in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort.
J Intensive Care Med 2019 Apr;34(4):292-300. doi: 10.1177/0885066617715251..
Keywords: Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Sepsis, Stroke
Sterling MR, Durant RW, Bryan J
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and microsize myocardial infarction risk in the reasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke study.
Researchers compared the association of N-terminal pro B-type peptide (NT-proBNP) with risk of incident typical myocardial infarction (MI) and microsize MI in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study. Over a median of 5 years of follow-up, there were 315 typical MI, 139 microsize MI, and 195 incident fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). NT-proBNP was independently and strongly associated with all CHD endpoints, with significantly greater risk observed for incident microsize MI.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Sterling MR, Durant RW, Bryan J .
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and microsize myocardial infarction risk in the reasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke study.
BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2018 Apr 16;18(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s12872-018-0806-4.
.
.
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Stroke
Mefford MT, Rosenson RS, Cushman M
PCSK9 variants, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and neurocognitive impairment: Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study(REGARDS).
Researchers examined if there was an association between low lifelong exposure to PCSK9 levels and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with neurocognitive function in blacks. Data was analyzed from subjects in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. The mean sample age was 64, with 62% women but a low prevalence of neurocognitive impairments at any level (6.3% by CERAD battery, and 15.4% by SIS definitions). No association with found.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Mefford MT, Rosenson RS, Cushman M .
PCSK9 variants, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and neurocognitive impairment: Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study(REGARDS).
Circulation 2018 Mar 20;137(12):1260-69. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.117.029785..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Stroke
Boehme AK, Carr BG, Kasner SE
Sex differences in rt-PA utilization at hospitals treating stroke: the National Inpatient Sample.
The researchers sought to explore sex and race differences in the utilization of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) at primary stroke centers (PSCs) compared to non-PSCs across the US. They found that women are less likely to receive rt-PA than men at both PSCs and non-PSCs. Absolute treatment rates are lowest in black women.
AHRQ-funded; HS17960; HS018362; HS013852.
Citation: Boehme AK, Carr BG, Kasner SE .
Sex differences in rt-PA utilization at hospitals treating stroke: the National Inpatient Sample.
Front Neurol 2017 Sep 27;8:500. Original Research. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00500.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors, Stroke
Tajeu GS, Mennemeyer S, Menachemi N
Cost-effectiveness of antihypertensive medication: exploring race and sex differences using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study.
The researchers compared the cost-effectiveness of antihypertensive medication treatment versus no-treatment in white and black adults. They concluded that antihypertensive medication treatment is cost-saving and increases quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for all groups considered in the model, particularly among black adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Tajeu GS, Mennemeyer S, Menachemi N .
Cost-effectiveness of antihypertensive medication: exploring race and sex differences using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study.
Med Care 2017 Jun;55(6):552-60. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000719.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Blood Pressure, Healthcare Costs, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stroke
Nakagawa K, Ahn HJ, Taira DA
Ethnic comparison of 30-day potentially preventable readmissions after stroke in Hawaii.
The authors sought to compare potentially preventable readmissions (PPR) among a multiethnic population in Hawaii. They concluded that the Chinese ethnicity may have a higher risk of 30-day PPR after stroke compared to whites. Other associated factors include mental illness, Medicaid, and Hawaii county.
AHRQ-funded; HS019990.
Citation: Nakagawa K, Ahn HJ, Taira DA .
Ethnic comparison of 30-day potentially preventable readmissions after stroke in Hawaii.
Stroke 2016 Oct;47(10):2611-7. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.116.013669.
.
.
Keywords: Stroke, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization, Risk
Kabra R, Girotra S, Vaughan Sarrazin M
Refining stroke prediction in atrial fibrillation patients by addition of African-American ethnicity to CHA2DS2-VASc score.
The authors hypothesized that the addition of African-American ethnicity to the CHA2DS2-VASc score might improve stroke prediction in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). They found that, in patients over age 65 with newly diagnosed AF, the addition of ethnicity to CHA2DS2-VASc score significantly improved stroke prediction.
AHRQ-funded; HS023104.
Citation: Kabra R, Girotra S, Vaughan Sarrazin M .
Refining stroke prediction in atrial fibrillation patients by addition of African-American ethnicity to CHA2DS2-VASc score.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2016 Aug 2;68(5):461-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.05.044.
.
.
Keywords: Stroke, Heart Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Cardiovascular Conditions
Lyerly MJ, Wu TC, Mullen MT
The effects of telemedicine on racial and ethnic disparities in access to acute stroke care.
The authors sought to determine the effect of telemedicine on access to acute stroke care for racial and ethnic minorities in the state of Texas. They found that telemedicine increased access to acute stroke care for 1.5 million Texans, and they found no evidence of disparities in access to the acute stroke expertise afforded by telemedicine.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Lyerly MJ, Wu TC, Mullen MT .
The effects of telemedicine on racial and ethnic disparities in access to acute stroke care.
J Telemed Telecare 2016 Mar;22(2):114-20. doi: 10.1177/1357633x15589534.
.
.
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stroke, Telehealth
Albright KC, Boehme AK, Tanner RM
Addressing stroke risk factors in black and white Americans: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2010.
The authors examined racial differences in risk factors being addressed among stroke survivors and those at risk for stroke. They found that addressed hypertension and hyperlipidemia in stroke-naïve participants were significantly lower in blacks than in whites. They concluded that a better understanding of this information is critical to preventing stroke and other vascular diseases.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009; HS013852.
Citation: Albright KC, Boehme AK, Tanner RM .
Addressing stroke risk factors in black and white Americans: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2010.
Ethn Dis 2016 Jan 21;26(1):9-16. doi: 10.18865/ed.26.1.9.
.
.
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention, Stroke
Lewis MW, Khodneva Y, Redmond N
The impact of the combination of income and education on the incidence of coronary heart disease in the prospective Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study.
The authors investigated the association between income-education groups and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) in a national prospective cohort study. They found that, for younger individuals, low income, regardless of education, was associated with higher risk of CHD; however, this was not observed for those 65 years of age or older.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Lewis MW, Khodneva Y, Redmond N .
The impact of the combination of income and education on the incidence of coronary heart disease in the prospective Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study.
BMC Public Health 2015 Dec 29;15:1312. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-2630-4.
.
.
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Stroke
Aparicio HJ, Carr BG, Kasner SE
Racial disparities in intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator use persist at primary stroke centers.
The researechers found that racial disparities in intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) use were not reduced by presentation to primary stroke centers (PSCs). Black patients were less likely to receive thrombolytic treatment than white patients at both non-PSCs and PSCs. Hispanic patients were less likely to be seen at PSCs relative to white patients and were less likely to receive intravenous rt-PA in the fully adjusted model.
AHRQ-funded; HS018362; HS017960; HS013852.
Citation: Aparicio HJ, Carr BG, Kasner SE .
Racial disparities in intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator use persist at primary stroke centers.
J Am Heart Assoc 2015 Oct 14;4(10):e001877. doi: 10.1161/jaha.115.001877.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Disparities, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stroke
Kabra R, Cram P, Girotra S
Effect of race on outcomes (stroke and death) in patients >65 years with atrial fibrillation.
The researchers sought to determine whether there are any racial differences in the outcomes of death and stroke in patients with newly diagnosed AF in patients >65 years. They found that the risks of death and stroke are higher in blacks and Hispanics compared with whites. The increased risk was eliminated or significantly reduced after adjusting for preexisting co-morbidities.
AHRQ-funded; HS021992.
Citation: Kabra R, Cram P, Girotra S .
Effect of race on outcomes (stroke and death) in patients >65 years with atrial fibrillation.
Am J Cardiol 2015 Jul 15;116(2):230-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2015.04.012..
Keywords: Elderly, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stroke, Mortality, Risk
Lyerly MJ, Albright KC, Boehme AK
Patient selection for drip and ship thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke.
The authors sought to determine whether the population of their offsite stroke patients receiving thrombolysis differed from patients treated directly at their stroke center. Their results showed that a smaller proportion of blacks and older adults arrived at their center from other facilities, possibly reflecting differences in how patients are selected for thrombolysis and transferred to a higher level of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Lyerly MJ, Albright KC, Boehme AK .
Patient selection for drip and ship thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke.
South Med J 2015 Jul;108(7):393-8. doi: 10.14423/smj.0000000000000306.
.
.
Keywords: Critical Care, Elderly, Stroke, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Sims M, Redmond N, Khodneva Y
Depressive symptoms are associated with incident coronary heart disease or revascularization among blacks but not among whites in the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke study.
The authors examined the association of depressive symptoms with coronary heart disease (CHD) end points by race and income. They found that high depressive symptoms were associated with higher risk of CHD or revascularization for blacks but not whites.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Sims M, Redmond N, Khodneva Y .
Depressive symptoms are associated with incident coronary heart disease or revascularization among blacks but not among whites in the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke study.
Ann Epidemiol 2015 Jun;25(6):426-32. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2015.03.014.
.
.
Keywords: Depression, Disparities, Heart Disease and Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Stroke
Aycock DM, Kirkendoll KD, Coleman KC
Family history of stroke among African Americans and its association with risk factors, knowledge, perceptions, and exercise.
The authors compared modifiable risk factors, knowledge of stroke risk factors, perceived threat of stroke, perceived control of stroke, and exercise behaviors and intentions in African Americans with a family history of stroke (FHS) and those without a FHS. They found that family history of stroke was common among those studied; however, this fact did not translate into better understanding of stroke or better exercise behaviors and intentions. They recommended that more be done to identify African Americans with a FHS, especially those with multiple risk factors, in order to educate them about the significance of FHS while promoting lifestyle change and self-management.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Aycock DM, Kirkendoll KD, Coleman KC .
Family history of stroke among African Americans and its association with risk factors, knowledge, perceptions, and exercise.
J Cardiovasc Nurs 2015 Mar-Apr;30(2):E1-6. doi: 10.1097/jcn.0000000000000125.
.
.
Keywords: Education: Patient and Caregiver, Family Health and History, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Stroke
Govindarajan P, Friedman BT, Delgadillo JQ
Race and sex disparities in prehospital recognition of acute stroke.
The investigators examined prehospital provider recognition of stroke by race and sex. They found that correct prehospital recognition of stroke was lower among Hispanic patients, Asians, and others, when compared with non-Hispanic whites, and also in women compared with men. They concluded that significant disparities exist in prehospital stroke recognition.
AHRQ-funded; HS017965.
Citation: Govindarajan P, Friedman BT, Delgadillo JQ .
Race and sex disparities in prehospital recognition of acute stroke.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Mar;22(3):264-72. doi: 10.1111/acem.12595.
.
.
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors, Stroke
Petrov ME, Howard VJ, Kleindorfer D
Over-the-counter and prescription sleep medication and incident stroke: the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study.
The authors investigated the relation between sleep medication use and incident stroke. At the sleep assessment, 9.6% of the participants used prescription sleep medication and 11.1% used over-the-counter sleep aids. Over an average follow-up of 3.3 ± 1.0 years, 297 stroke events occurred. The authors found that over-the-counter sleep medication use was associated with increased risk of incident stroke; however, there was no significant association with prescription sleep medications. They concluded that over-the-counter sleep medication use may independently increase the risk of stroke beyond other risk factors in middle-aged to older individuals with no history of stroke.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Petrov ME, Howard VJ, Kleindorfer D .
Over-the-counter and prescription sleep medication and incident stroke: the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2014 Sep;23(8):2110-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.03.025.
.
.
Keywords: Medication: Safety, Medication, Risk, Sleep Problems, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Boehme AK, Siegler JE, Mullen MT
Racial and gender differences in stroke severity, outcomes, and treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
This study sought to determine the association of race and gender on initial stroke severity, thrombolysis, and functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The investigators concluded that race and gender were not significantly associated with short-term outcome, although black women were significantly less likely to be treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Black women had more tPA exclusions than any other group. The primary reason for tPA exclusion in this study was not arriving within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Boehme AK, Siegler JE, Mullen MT .
Racial and gender differences in stroke severity, outcomes, and treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2014 Apr;23(4):e255-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.11.003..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Outcomes, Sex Factors, Stroke