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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 25 of 195 Research Studies DisplayedWeekes AJ, Davison J, Lupez K
Quality of life 1 month after acute pulmonary embolism in emergency department patients.
The objective of this prospective multicenter registry study was to determine whether any clinical or pathophysiologic features of pulmonary embolism were associated with worse Pulmonary Embolism Quality-of-Life (PEmb-QoL) scores after one month. Pulmonary embolism patients participated in QoL assessments and received PEmb-QoL questionnaires conducted by the researchers. Results indicated that acute clinical deterioration, right ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary embolism PE severity were not predictors of QoL at 1 month post-embolism. Independent predictors of worsened QoL were COPD, rehospitalization, and hospital length of stay.
AHRQ-funded; HS025979.
Citation: Weekes AJ, Davison J, Lupez K .
Quality of life 1 month after acute pulmonary embolism in emergency department patients.
Acad Emerg Med 2023 Aug; 30(8):819-31. doi: 10.1111/acem.14692..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Respiratory Conditions, Emergency Department
Leininger LJ, Tomaino M, Meara E
Health-related quality of life in high-cost, high-need populations.
This retrospective longitudinal study examined health care utilization, expenditures, and patient-reported health for high-cost, high-need (HCHN) populations comparing a baseline (year 1) and follow-up year (year 2). The sample included adults (n = 46,934) participating in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey between 2011 and 2016. The authors estimated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for each sample member using the physical and mental health scales from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12. They compared HRQOL stratified by HCHN, defined as patients whose baseline (year 1) demographics, utilization, and clinical characteristics predicted top decile health spending in year 2. The physical health scale exhibited robust measure validity, reliability, and responsiveness, but the mental health scale did not. Mean physical health was 1.25 SDs lower in HCHN vs other patients (37.9 vs 51.0 on a 0-100 scale increasing in self-perceived health). Patient-reported health outcomes continued to remain poor in HCHN populations, even after health care utilization recedes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024075.
Citation: Leininger LJ, Tomaino M, Meara E .
Health-related quality of life in high-cost, high-need populations.
Am J Manag Care 2023 Jul; 29(7):362-68. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89396..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Quality of Life, Healthcare Costs
Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC
"I wish there had been resources": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship care needs.
Prior research reveals that healthcare providers are not skilled at identifying the most relevant rectal cancer survivorship issues. As a result, survivorship care is inadequate with most rectal cancer survivors reporting at least one unmet posttherapy need. The purpose of this photo-elicitation study was to explore rectal cancer survivors’ lived experiences using participant-submitted photographs and minimally structured qualitative interviews. Twenty rectal cancer survivors from a single center submitted photographs illustrative of their life after rectal cancer therapy. The study found that rectal cancer survivors’ recommendations to improve their survivorship care fell into three primary themes: 1) informational needs; 2) continued multidisciplinary follow up care; and 3) suggestions for support services. The study concluded that rectal cancer survivors want information that is more detailed and individualized, access to multidisciplinary follow-up care over time, and resources to alleviate the challenges of daily life.
AHRQ-funded; HS026772; HS000053.
Citation: Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC .
"I wish there had been resources": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship care needs.
Ann Surg Oncol 2023 Jun; 30(6):3530-37. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-13042-6..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Quality of Life, Patient Experience
Salwei ME, Anders S, Slagle JM
Understanding patient and clinician reported nonroutine events in ambulatory surgery.
This prospective observational study’s objective was to understand the incidence and nature of patient- and clinician-reported nonroutine events (NREs) in ambulatory surgery. The authors interviewed patients about NREs that occurred during their perioperative care using a structured interview tool before discharge and in a 7-day follow-up call and concurrently interviewed the clinicians caring for these patients immediately postoperatively to collect NREs. The authors trained 2 clinicians and 2 patients to assess and code each reported NRE for type, theme, severity, and likelihood of reoccurrence (i.e., likelihood that the same event would occur for another patient). Out of 145 ambulatory surgery cases 101 (70%) contained at least one NRE. Overall, 214 NREs were reported, of those 88 were by patients and 126 by clinicians. Cases containing clinician-reported NREs were associated with increased patient body mass index and lower postcase patient ratings of being treated with respect. Cases containing patient-reported NREs were associated with longer case duration, higher postcase clinician frustration ratings, higher ratings of patient stress, and lower patient ratings of their quality of life, the quality of clinician teamwork, being treated with respect, and being listened to carefully. Trained patient raters evaluated NRE severity significantly higher than did clinician raters, while clinicians rated recurrence likelihood significantly higher than patients for both clinician and patient-reported NREs. Combining patient- and clinician-reported NREs seems to be a promising patient-centered method of identifying healthcare system deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Salwei ME, Anders S, Slagle JM .
Understanding patient and clinician reported nonroutine events in ambulatory surgery.
J Patient Saf 2023 Mar 1; 19(2):e38-e45. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001089..
Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Quality of Life
Canvasser J, Patel RM, Pryor E
Long-term outcomes and life-impacts of necrotizing enterocolitis: a survey of survivors and parents.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal condition predominantly afflicting preterm infants. Despite its association with unfavorable outcomes within the first two years of life, there is a scarcity of research examining the long-term consequences and life quality in children beyond this age. The purpose of the study was to carry out a survey to assess the enduring repercussions of NEC on physical and psychological well-being, social interactions, and overall life satisfaction as reported by adult survivors and parents of children who overcame NEC. The study found that both survivors and parents of children who have endured NEC encounter persistent challenges affecting their physical and emotional health, social encounters, and overall life contentment.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383
Citation: Canvasser J, Patel RM, Pryor E .
Long-term outcomes and life-impacts of necrotizing enterocolitis: a survey of survivors and parents.
Semin Perinatol 2023 Feb;47(1):151696. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2022.151696.
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Children/Adolescents, Digestive Disease and Health, Outcomes, Quality of Life
Greenlee MC, Bolen S, Chong W
The National Clinical Care Commission report to Congress: leveraging federal policies and programs to improve diabetes treatment and reduce complications.
This paper is the fourth in a series of five articles describing the recommendations of the National Clinician Care Commission (NCCC) on diabetes care. This paper focused on the recommendations of the Treatment and Complications subcommittee of the National Clinical Care Commission. The Commission made recommendations at all levels: patient, practice, health system, and health policy. They also identified several areas that need additional research, such as studying the barriers to uptake of diabetes self-management education and support, exploring methods to implement team-based care, and evaluating the importance of digital connectivity as a social determinant of health.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Greenlee MC, Bolen S, Chong W .
The National Clinical Care Commission report to Congress: leveraging federal policies and programs to improve diabetes treatment and reduce complications.
Diabetes Care 2023 Feb; 46(2):e51-e59. doi: 10.2337/dc22-0621..
Keywords: Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Policy, Prevention, Quality of Life
Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC
"Their whole lives are going to change": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship.
This novel study aimed to explore the rectal cancer survivor experience and identify the impacts of treatment using photo-elicitation. Patients were instructed to take photographs that showed aspects of life that are now challenges since undergoing treatment and then were interviewed. Twenty patients participated in the study at a cancer center in a tertiary medical center. Three major themes emerged regarding life after rectal cancer and its treatments: physical symptoms, lifestyle changes, and changes over time. Physical symptoms included GI issues, ostomy difficulties, and genitourinary symptoms. Lifestyle changes related to diet, social life, and hobbies as well as major life changes and finances. Finally, patients spoke of improvements after treatment and impact on daily life. A video abstract is included.
AHRQ-funded; HS026772; HS000053.
Citation: Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC .
"Their whole lives are going to change": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship.
Dis Colon Rectum 2022 Dec;65(12):1456-63. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000002474..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Quality of Life
Chovatiya R, Silverberg JI
Iatrogenic burden of atopic dermatitis.
The purpose of this study was to characterize the iatrogenic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) and conduct a qualitative review of key areas that clinicians can address to minimize that burden. The researchers concluded that the multidimensional nature of AD requires a dynamic approach, and researcher recommendations included: encouraging providers to think strategically about the avoidance of itch triggers, slowly incorporating lifestyle changes, and highlighting step-up therapy when trigger avoidance becomes too burdensome for the patient. Out-of-pocket treatment costs should be incorporated into shared decision, polypharmacy should be minimized, and providers should incorporate evidence-based guidelines into their practices.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Chovatiya R, Silverberg JI .
Iatrogenic burden of atopic dermatitis.
Dermatitis 2022 Nov-Dec;33(6s):S17-s23. doi: 10.1097/der.0000000000000799..
Keywords: Skin Conditions, Quality of Life
Yang G, Zhang M, Zhou S
Incompleteness of health-related quality of life assessments before left ventricular assist device implant: a novel quality metric.
Investigators hypothesized that pre-implant health-related quality of life (HRQOL) incompleteness in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' Intermacs registry for patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation predicts 90-day outcomes. They found that HRQOL incompleteness at high-rate hospitals was more often due to administrative reasons and less likely due to patient reasons. Increases in the adjusted pre-implant incompleteness rates were significantly associated with higher risk of infection-related mortality, infection, and renal dysfunction. They concluded that hospital adjusted pre-implant HRQOL incompleteness was predictive of 90-day post-implant outcomes and may serve as a novel quality metric.
AHRQ-funded; HS026003.
Citation: Yang G, Zhang M, Zhou S .
Incompleteness of health-related quality of life assessments before left ventricular assist device implant: a novel quality metric.
J Heart Lung Transplant 2022 Oct;41(10):1520-28. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.07.001..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Medical Devices, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions
Jackson Levin N, Zhang A, Reyes-Gastelum D
Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
This survey assessed change in worry over time in Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. A total of 273 Hispanic women with thyroid cancer diagnosed in 2014-2015 were recruited from SEER Los Angeles. Participants were surveyed at two points in time: time 1 from 2017 to 2018 and time 2 in 2019 on recurrence, quality of life, family at risk, death, and harm from treatments. Women were surveyed on their amount of worry: high worry (somewhat, quite a bit, very much) or low worry (not at all, a little). The survey showed 20.1-39.6% had high worry at both time 1 and time 2. An additional 7.6-13.4% had low worry at time 1 that evolved into high worry at time 2. Women with younger age (20-39) compared to older (40-79) had higher worry about thyroid cancer recurrence. A history of recurrent or persistent disease was associated with high worry about harms from treatment. Greater number of complications or side effect symptoms was associated with worry across all five items.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Jackson Levin N, Zhang A, Reyes-Gastelum D .
Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer.
J Cancer Surviv 2022 Aug;16(4):844-52. doi: 10.1007/s11764-021-01078-8..
Keywords: Cancer, Women, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Quality of Life, Anxiety
Wu A, Ugiliweneza B, Wang D
Trends and outcomes of early and late palliative care consultation for adult patients with glioblastoma: a seer-Medicare retrospective study.
This study investigates differences in palliative care (PC) timing on outcomes for patients with glioblastoma (GBM) using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Medicare data. Findings showed that, despite an overall increase in PC consultations, only a minority of GBM patients receive PC. Patients with late PC had the longest survival times and had greater hospice use in the last month of life compared to other subgroups.
AHRQ-funded; HS028747.
Citation: Wu A, Ugiliweneza B, Wang D .
Trends and outcomes of early and late palliative care consultation for adult patients with glioblastoma: a seer-Medicare retrospective study.
Neurooncol Pract 2022 Aug;9(4):299-309. doi: 10.1093/nop/npac026.
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Keywords: Palliative Care, Cancer, Quality of Life, Healthcare Costs
McEntee ML, Gandek B, Ware JE
Improving multimorbidity measurement using individualized disease-specific quality of life impact assessments: predictive validity of a new comorbidity index.
This study evaluated systematically compared legacy and improve method effects of aggregating multiple chronic conditions (MCC) on the accuracy of predictions of quality of life (QOL) outcomes. The study used online surveys that administered generic physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) QOL outcome measures, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), an expanded chronic condition checklist (CCC), and individualized QOL Disease-specific Impact Scale (QDIS) ratings in a developmental sample (N = 5490) of US adults. Regression models compared 12- and 35-condition checklists, mortality vs. population QOL-weighting, and population vs. individualized QOL methods. Analyses were cross-validated in an independent sample (N = 1220) representative of the adult general population. Models compared estimates of variance explained and model fit (AIC) for generic PCS and MCS across aggregation methods at baseline and nine-month follow-up. In comparison with sociodemographic-only regression models and Charlson CCI models, increased variance was accounted for using the 35-item population MCS/PCS QOL weighting and individualized QDIS weighting. The new model more accurately predicted physical and mental outcomes using an expanded MCC checklist, population QOL rather than mortality CCI weighting, and individualized rather than population QOL weighting for each reported condition.
AHRQ-funded; HS023117.
Citation: McEntee ML, Gandek B, Ware JE .
Improving multimorbidity measurement using individualized disease-specific quality of life impact assessments: predictive validity of a new comorbidity index.
Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022 Jul 12;20(1):108. doi: 10.1186/s12955-022-02016-7..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Chronic Conditions
Ahmad FS, Jackson KL, Yount SE
The development and initial validation of the PROMIS®+HF-27 and PROMIS+HF-10 profiles.
This paper describes the continued refinement of the PROMIS®-Plus-HF (PROMIS+HF) profile measure, including universal and HF-specific items, to develop shorter PROMIS+HF profiles intended for research and clinical use. The authors developed the PROMIS+HF-27 and PROMIS+HF-10 profiles with summary scores (0-100) for overall, physical, mental, and social health. In a cross-sectional sample (n = 600), they measured internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha and Spearman-Brown), test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficient; n = 100), known-groups validity via New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and convergent validity with Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores. They also evaluated responsiveness of baseline/follow-up scores in a longitudinal sample of 75 by calculating mean differences and Cohen’s d and comparing with paired t-tests. PROMIS+HF-27 scores showed good to excellent internal consistency and acceptable to good for PROMIS+HF-10 scores. Good psychometric characteristics were shown for both measures with evidence of responsiveness for overall and physical health.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Ahmad FS, Jackson KL, Yount SE .
The development and initial validation of the PROMIS®+HF-27 and PROMIS+HF-10 profiles.
ESC Heart Fail 2022 Jul 15;9(5):3380-92. doi: 10.1002/ehf2.14061..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Quality of Life, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Tsang M, DeBoer RJ, Garrett SB
Decision-making about clinical trial options among older patients with metastatic cancer who have exhausted standard therapies.
The purpose of this study was to examine the potential reasons for and responses to older adults’ under enrollment in phase 1 cancer clinical trials. The researchers conducted 101 in-depth qualitative interviews with 39 adults aged 65 and older with advanced cancer and asked about their experiences with the trials. The data was analyzed to identify the participants’ understanding of clinical research, their perceptions of early phase trials, and their experiences with enrollment in the trials. The study found that participants over the age of 70 were less enthusiastic about participation in clinical trials, although they did not mention age as a limitation to participation. Findings indicated that participation in clinical trials was an interactive, ongoing process, in which older adults relied on their oncologist for guidance and discussion. The researchers concluded that older adults rely on their oncologist to navigate the perceived complexities of phase 1 trial enrollment, and that acknowledgement of those complexities via shared decision-making can help prevent under-enrollment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Tsang M, DeBoer RJ, Garrett SB .
Decision-making about clinical trial options among older patients with metastatic cancer who have exhausted standard therapies.
J Geriatr Oncol 2022 Jun;13(5):594-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.01.012..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer, Decision Making, Quality of Life
Luckenbaugh AN, Wallis CJD, Huang LC
Association between treatment for localized prostate cancer and mental health outcomes.
Researchers conducted a prospective population-based analysis using the Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation (CEASAR) study to compare mental health outcomes for men undergoing treatment for localized prostate cancer. Results showed that there were no clinically important differences in mental health outcomes; however, the researchers identified a number of characteristics associated with worse mental health outcomes. These included: older age, poorer health, and being unmarried.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: Luckenbaugh AN, Wallis CJD, Huang LC .
Association between treatment for localized prostate cancer and mental health outcomes.
J Urol 2022 May; 207(5):1029-37. doi: 10.1097/ju.0000000000002370..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Behavioral Health, Quality of Life
Wallace K, Stewart EA, Wise LA
Anxiety, depression, and quality of life after procedural intervention for uterine fibroids.
The authors studied quality of life (QOL) and psychological health following treatment for uterine fibroids (UFs). Using data from the COMPARE-UF registry, they found that UF symptoms were more severe among women reporting anxiety/depression at baseline. At the 1-year follow-up, health-related QOL scores improved among all women and the prevalence of anxiety/depression decreased in most, but not all, women. However, the severity of anxiety/depression worsened in a small percentage of women.
AHRQ-funded; HS023418.
Citation: Wallace K, Stewart EA, Wise LA .
Anxiety, depression, and quality of life after procedural intervention for uterine fibroids.
J Womens Health 2022 Mar;31(3):415-24. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8915..
Keywords: Women, Quality of Life
Wallis CJD, Huang LC, Zhao Z
Association between pelvic nodal radiotherapy and patient-reported functional outcomes through 5 years among men undergoing external-beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer: an assessment of the Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation (C
In this study, the investigators sought to compare functional outcomes for men receiving prostate and pelvic versus prostate-only radiotherapy, longitudinally over 5 years. The investigators concluded that there were no clinically important differences in disease-specific or general health-related quality of life with the addition of pelvic irradiation to prostate radiotherapy, supporting the use of pelvic radiotherapy when it may be of clinical benefit, such as men with increased risk of nodal involvement.
AHRQ-funded; HS022640; HS019356.
Citation: Wallis CJD, Huang LC, Zhao Z .
Association between pelvic nodal radiotherapy and patient-reported functional outcomes through 5 years among men undergoing external-beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer: an assessment of the Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation (C
Urol Oncol 2022 Feb;40(2):56.e1-56.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.04.035..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Men's Health, Comparative Effectiveness, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality of Life
Bogetz JF, Revette A, DeCourcey D
Bereaved parent perspectives on the benefits and burdens of technology assistance among children with complex chronic conditions.
The objective of this study was to understand bereaved parent perspectives on technology assistance among children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs). Researchers analyzed data from the cross-sectional Survey of Caring for Children with CCCs. Parents described both benefits and burdens of technology, with two emergent subthemes related to goals of care: technology was necessary to give time for life extension and/or to say goodbye, and technology greatly impacted the child's quality of life and symptoms. The second theme to emergence was complications and regret. The researchers concluded that it is important to understand parents' most goals when supporting decisions about technology assistance for children with CCCs.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Bogetz JF, Revette A, DeCourcey D .
Bereaved parent perspectives on the benefits and burdens of technology assistance among children with complex chronic conditions.
J Palliat Med 2022 Feb; 25(2):250-58. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0221..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Quality of Life, Chronic Conditions
Schwartzman G, Lei D, Ahmed A
Longitudinal course and phenotypes of health-related quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis.
The real-world course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in atopic dermatitis (AD) is not well established. The aim of this prospective dermatology-practice based study was to examine predictors, longitudinal course and phenotypes of HRQoL in adult patients with AD. The investigators concluded that: patients with AD had a heterogeneous longitudinal course and distinct patterns of HRQoL; many patients had fluctuating HRQoL over time; and most patients with moderate to severe disease at baseline had persistent HRQoL impairment over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Schwartzman G, Lei D, Ahmed A .
Longitudinal course and phenotypes of health-related quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis.
Clin Exp Dermatol 2022 Feb;47(2):359-72. doi: 10.1111/ced.14948..
Keywords: Skin Conditions, Quality of Life
Rosenberg SM, O'Neill A, Sepucha K
Quality of life following receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy with and without bevacizumab in patients with lymph node-positive and high-risk lymph node-negative breast cancer.
The authors sought to describe and evaluate factors associated with diminished quality of life (QOL) following completion of active breast cancer treatment. They conducted a survey with patients 18 months after enrollment and found that the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy was not negatively associated with QOL at 18 months. A substantial proportion of participants reported problems related to pain or discomfort and anxiety or depression; as many reported problems can be amenable to intervention, timely referral to supportive resources, especially for women of color and those who have more extensive local therapy, is indicated.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: Rosenberg SM, O'Neill A, Sepucha K .
Quality of life following receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy with and without bevacizumab in patients with lymph node-positive and high-risk lymph node-negative breast cancer.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Feb;5(2):e220254. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0254..
Keywords: Quality of Life, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women
Zimmerman S, Carder P, Schwartz L
The imperative to reimagine assisted living.
Assisted living (AL) has existed in the United States for decades, evolving in response to older adults' need for supportive care and distaste for nursing homes and older models of congregate care. AL is state-regulated, provides at least 2 meals a day, around-the-clock supervision, and help with personal care, but is not licensed as a nursing home. This article presents the background regarding those tensions, as well as potential solutions that have been borne out, paving the path to a better future of assisted living.
AHRQ-funded; HS026893.
Citation: Zimmerman S, Carder P, Schwartz L .
The imperative to reimagine assisted living.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022 Feb;23(2):225-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.12.004..
Keywords: Elderly, Long-Term Care, Healthcare Delivery, Workforce, Quality of Care, Quality of Life, Healthcare Costs
Chyr LC, DeGroot L, Waldfogel JM
Implementation and effectiveness of integrating palliative care into ambulatory care of noncancer serious chronic illness: mixed methods review and meta-analysis.
The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of models for integrating palliative care into ambulatory care for adults with noncancer serious chronic illness. Between January 2000 to May 2020, the researchers reviewed 3 electronic databases and included qualitative, mixed methods studies, and randomized and nonrandomized controlled trial studies. Quantitative analysis included 14 studies of 2,934 US adult patients. The study found that when compared to usual care the models assessed were not more effective for improving patient health-related quality of life (HRQOL) or for patient depressive symptom scores. Qualitative analysis included 5 studies of 146 patients. There was variance in patient preferences for appropriate timing of palliative care; barriers to implementation included costs, additional visits, and travel. The researchers concluded that models were not more effective than usual care for improving HRQOL or depressive symptom scores and may have little to no effect on decreasing overall symptom burden but were more effective for increasing AD documentation.
AHRQ-funded; 2902015000061
Citation: Chyr LC, DeGroot L, Waldfogel JM .
Implementation and effectiveness of integrating palliative care into ambulatory care of noncancer serious chronic illness: mixed methods review and meta-analysis.
Ann Fam Med 2022 Jan-Feb;20(1):77-83. doi: 10.1370/afm.2754..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Palliative Care, Implementation, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Quality of Life
Silverberg JI
Validity and reliability of a novel numeric rating scale to measure skin-pain in adults with atopic dermatitis.
Little is known about the measurement properties of numeric rating scales (NRS) for pain in AD. In this study, the investigators evaluated a novel NRS for skin-pain and existing NRS for average overall-pain in adults with AD. Self-administered questionnaires and skin-examination were performed in 463 AD patients (age 18-97 years) in a dermatology practice setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Silverberg JI .
Validity and reliability of a novel numeric rating scale to measure skin-pain in adults with atopic dermatitis.
Arch Dermatol Res 2021 Dec;313(10):855-61. doi: 10.1007/s00403-021-02185-3..
Keywords: Skin Conditions, Pain, Quality of Life
Dominici L, Hu J, Zheng Y
Association of local therapy with quality-of-life outcomes in young women with breast cancer.
Researchers examined the association of surgery with longer-term satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) in young breast cancer survivors. Participants were women 40 years or older who enrolled in the Young Women's Breast Cancer Study. The results suggested that local therapy in young breast cancer survivors is persistently associated with poorer scores in multiple QOL domains, particularly among those treated with mastectomy and radiotherapy, irrespective of breast reconstruction. Socioeconomic stressors also appear to play a role.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: Dominici L, Hu J, Zheng Y .
Association of local therapy with quality-of-life outcomes in young women with breast cancer.
JAMA Surg 2021 Oct;156(10):e213758. 2021. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.3758..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Quality of Life, Women, Surgery
Holding EZ, Turner EM, Hall TA
The association between functional status and health-related quality of life following discharge from the pediatric intensive care unit.
This study investigated the association between new functional impairments, measured by the Functional Status Scale (FSS), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pediatric patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) after critical care. This secondary analysis was conducted using children aged 2 months to 18 years with ABI. Complete data were analyzed for 195 children, including 127 with traumatic brain injury. New functional impairment was common with 32 patients experiencing FSS ≥ 3, 50 (26%) patients with FSS increases of 1-2 points, and 113 (58%) patients with no change from prehospital baseline. The majority of children (63%) demonstrated HRQOL ratings ≥ 1 standard deviation below healthy age-based standards.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Holding EZ, Turner EM, Hall TA .
The association between functional status and health-related quality of life following discharge from the pediatric intensive care unit.
Neurocrit Care 2021 Oct;35(2):347-57. doi: 10.1007/s12028-021-01271-8..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Quality of Life, Brain Injury, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
