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
226 to 245 of 245 Research Studies DisplayedMoore CL, Daniels B, Ghita M
Accuracy of reduced-dose computed tomography for ureteral stones in emergency department patients.
The researchers compared the sensitivity and specificity of reduced-dose computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis of clinically important urologic causes of kidney stones likely to require intervention within a 90-day follow-up period. In 201 patients with a range of body mass indexes who received both regular and reduced dose scans contemporaneously, reduced-dose CT were 96% sensitive for stones requiring intervention.
AHRQ-funded; HS018322.
Citation: Moore CL, Daniels B, Ghita M .
Accuracy of reduced-dose computed tomography for ureteral stones in emergency department patients.
Ann Emerg Med 2015 Feb;65(2):189-98.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.09.008..
Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Department, Kidney Disease and Health, Imaging
Lee CI, Gold LS, Nelson HD
Comparative effectiveness of imaging modalities to determine metastatic breast cancer treatment response.
This literature review evaluates studies regarding the effectiveness of different imaging modalities in evaluating treatment response among metastatic breast cancer patients. The review of the literature demonstrates a current paucity of evidence regarding the use of imaging for treatment evaluation of metastatic lesions among breast cancer patients.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200014I.
Citation: Lee CI, Gold LS, Nelson HD .
Comparative effectiveness of imaging modalities to determine metastatic breast cancer treatment response.
Breast 2015 Feb;24(1):3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2014.11.009..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Imaging, Outcomes
Schaefer PW, Souza L, Kamalian S
Limited reliability of computed tomographic perfusion acute infarct volume measurements compared with diffusion-weighted imaging in anterior circulation stroke.
The researchers tested whether thresholded computed tomographic cerebral blood flow (CT-CBF) and CT-cerebral blood volume (CT-CBV) maps are sufficiently accurate to substitute for diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for estimating the critically ischemic tissue volume. They found that the poor contrast:noise ratios of CT-CBV and CT-CBF compared with those of DWI result in large measurement error, make it problematic to substitute CTP for DWI in selecting individual acute stroke patients for treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS011392.
Citation: Schaefer PW, Souza L, Kamalian S .
Limited reliability of computed tomographic perfusion acute infarct volume measurements compared with diffusion-weighted imaging in anterior circulation stroke.
Stroke 2015 Feb;46(2):419-24. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.114.007117..
Keywords: Stroke, Imaging
Carter JL, Coletti RJ, Harris RP
Quantifying and monitoring overdiagnosis in cancer screening: a systematic review of methods.
The authors conducted a systematic review to identify and evaluate the methods that have been used for measuring overdiagnosis of cancer. Their systematic review highlights the high potential for bias and the reliance on unproven assumptions in modeling studies and studies that quantify overdiagnosis using pathological or imaging characteristics.
AHRQ-funded; HS021133.
Citation: Carter JL, Coletti RJ, Harris RP .
Quantifying and monitoring overdiagnosis in cancer screening: a systematic review of methods.
BMJ 2015 Jan 7;350:g7773. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g7773..
Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Screening
Rosenkrantz AB, Mendiratta-Lala M, Bartholmai BJ
Clinical utility of quantitative imaging.
This article provides an overview of the clinical use of quantitative imaging (QI) by discussing QI tools that are currently used in clinical practice, clinical applications of these tools, approaches to reporting of QI, and challenges to implementing QI.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200007I.
Citation: Rosenkrantz AB, Mendiratta-Lala M, Bartholmai BJ .
Clinical utility of quantitative imaging.
Acad Radiol 2015 Jan;22(1):33-49. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2014.08.011.
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Keywords: Imaging
Samim M, Goss S, Luty S
Incidental findings on CT for suspected renal colic in emergency department patients: prevalence and types in 5,383 consecutive examinations.
This study aimed to determine the prevalence, importance, and types of incidental findings (IF) in non-enhanced CT scans performed for suspected renal colic, based on ACR white papers and other accepted radiographic recommendations. It found that important IF occurred in 12.7% of non-enhanced CT scans performed for suspected renal colic in the emergency department and are more common in older individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS018322.
Citation: Samim M, Goss S, Luty S .
Incidental findings on CT for suspected renal colic in emergency department patients: prevalence and types in 5,383 consecutive examinations.
J Am Coll Radiol 2015 Jan;12(1):63-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2014.07.026..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Imaging, Elderly
Abramson RG, Burton KR, Yu JP
Methods and challenges in quantitative imaging biomarker development.
In this article, the Association of University Radiologists Radiology Research Alliance Quantitative Imaging Task Force reviews current issues in quantitative imaging (QI) biomarker research, discusses motivations for advancing QI, defines key terms, presents a framework for QI biomarker research, and outlines challenges in QI biomarker development.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200007I.
Citation: Abramson RG, Burton KR, Yu JP .
Methods and challenges in quantitative imaging biomarker development.
Acad Radiol 2015 Jan;22(1):25-32. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2014.09.001.
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Keywords: Imaging, Quality Improvement, Research Methodologies
Smith SS, Ference EH, Evans CT
The prevalence of bacterial infection in acute rhinosinusitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The primary objective of this systematic review of 29 studies was to assess the prevalence of bacterial infection in adults with clinically diagnosed acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) who undergo culture from antral puncture or endoscopically directed middle meatus culture. The review provides evidence that the prevalence of bacterial infection in patients with clinically diagnosed ARS remains poorly defined, but is likely greater than the 0.5% to 2% figure previously widely quoted.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Smith SS, Ference EH, Evans CT .
The prevalence of bacterial infection in acute rhinosinusitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Laryngoscope 2015 Jan;125(1):57-69. doi: 10.1002/lary.24709..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Respiratory Conditions
George AJ, Boehme AK, Dunn CR
Trimming the fat in acute ischemic stroke: an assessment of 24-h CT scans in tPA patients.
The authors questioned the utility of routine 24-h computed tomography imaging and looked at the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale as a possible clinical screen for selecting candidates for 24-h imaging. They found that routine 24-h computed tomography scan in patients without 24-h National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale worsening was less likely to yield information that results in a deviation from standard acute stroke care, and that no patient without worsening had parenchymal hematoma on 24-h computed tomography. They concluded that application of this Stroke Scale to distinguish patients who should have 24-h follow-up imaging from those who will not benefit is a potential avenue for improving utilization of resources and warrants further study.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: George AJ, Boehme AK, Dunn CR .
Trimming the fat in acute ischemic stroke: an assessment of 24-h CT scans in tPA patients.
Int J Stroke 2015 Jan;10(1):37-41. doi: 10.1111/ijs.12293.
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Keywords: Decision Making, Imaging, Stroke
Smieliauskas F, MacMahon H, Salgia R
Geographic variation in radiologist capacity and widespread implementation of lung cancer CT screening.
The researchers estimated the prevalence of capacity constraints in the radiologist workforce and resulting potential disparities in access to lung cancer screening. They found that scaling up lung cancer screening would increase imaging procedures by an average of 4% across Health Service Areas (HSAs). HSAs that were rural, with many eligible smokers, and disproportionately Hispanic or low-income smokers had significantly higher odds of facing capacity constraints.
AHRQ-funded; HS018535.
Citation: Smieliauskas F, MacMahon H, Salgia R .
Geographic variation in radiologist capacity and widespread implementation of lung cancer CT screening.
J Med Screen 2014 Dec;21(4):207-15. doi: 10.1177/0969141314548055..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Screening, Imaging
Kruger JF, Chen AH, Rybkin A
Clinician perspectives on considering radiation exposure to patients when ordering imaging tests: a qualitative study.
The authors examined outpatient clinician attitudes towards considering radiation exposure when ordering CT scans and clinician reactions to displaying radiation exposure information for CT scans at clinician electronic order entry. They found that displaying clinically relevant radiation exposure information at order entry may improve clinician knowledge and inform patient-clinician discussions regarding risks and benefits of imaging.
AHRQ-funded; HS018090.
Citation: Kruger JF, Chen AH, Rybkin A .
Clinician perspectives on considering radiation exposure to patients when ordering imaging tests: a qualitative study.
BMJ Qual Saf 2014 Nov;23(11):893-901. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2013-002773.
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Keywords: Decision Making, Provider: Health Personnel, Imaging, Patient Safety, Practice Patterns
Lacson R, Prevedello LM, Andriole KP
Four-year impact of an alert notification system on closed-loop communication of critical test results.
The authors evaluated the impact of an alert notification system on policy adherence for communicating critical imaging test results to referring providers and assessed system adoption over the first 4 years after implementation. They concluded that an automated alert notification system for communicating critical imaging results was successfully adopted and was associated with increased adherence to institutional policy for communicating critical test results and with reduced workflow interruptions.
AHRQ-funded; HS019635.
Citation: Lacson R, Prevedello LM, Andriole KP .
Four-year impact of an alert notification system on closed-loop communication of critical test results.
AJR Am J Roentgenol 2014 Nov;203(5):933-8. doi: 10.2214/ajr.14.13064.
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Keywords: Communication, Decision Making, Guidelines, Health Information Technology (HIT), Imaging
Merdan S, Womble PR, Miller DC
Toward better use of bone scans among men with early-stage prostate cancer.
This study evaluated the performance of published guidelines compared with that of current practice for radiographic staging of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. It found that, based on current practice patterns, more uniform application of existing guidelines would ensure that bone scans are performed for almost all men with bone metastases, while avoiding many negative imaging studies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018346
Citation: Merdan S, Womble PR, Miller DC .
Toward better use of bone scans among men with early-stage prostate cancer.
Urology. 2014 Oct;84(4):793-8. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2014.06.010..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Guidelines, Imaging
Deppen SA, Blume JD, Kensinger CD
Accuracy of FDG-PET to diagnose lung cancer in areas with infectious lung disease: a meta-analysis.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) combined with fludeoxyglucose F18 (FDG) for pulmonary modules suspicious for lung cancer in regions where infectious lung disease is endemic and compare the accuracy in regions where such disease is rare. It found that the accuracy of FDG-PET was extremely heterogeneous.
AHRQ-funded; HS021554.
Citation: Deppen SA, Blume JD, Kensinger CD .
Accuracy of FDG-PET to diagnose lung cancer in areas with infectious lung disease: a meta-analysis.
JAMA 2014 Sep 24;312(12):1227-36. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.11488..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Respiratory Conditions, Imaging
Hollingsworth JM, Sakshaug JW, Zhang Y
In-office imaging capabilities among procedure-based specialty practices.
The authors sought to determine whether arrangements tailored to fit Stark law spur utilization. They found that the availability of in-office advanced imaging is associated with increased imaging use.
AHRQ-funded; HS020927; HS018726.
Citation: Hollingsworth JM, Sakshaug JW, Zhang Y .
In-office imaging capabilities among procedure-based specialty practices.
Surg Innov 2014 Aug;21(4):403-8. doi: 10.1177/1553350613505715.
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Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Quality of Care, Imaging, Practice Patterns
Johnson EK, Graham DA, Chow JS
Nationwide emergency department imaging practices for pediatric urolithiasis: room for improvement.
The researchers describe the national use of computed tomography (CT) versus ultrasound imaging for pediatric patients seen at emergency departments (EDs) for suspected urolithiasis (SU) during the period 2006-2010. Use of CT was much higher than use of ultrasound, although it dropped off after 2007. Lowest CT use was seen at EDs that care for more children.
AHRQ-funded; HS019485
Citation: Johnson EK, Graham DA, Chow JS .
Nationwide emergency department imaging practices for pediatric urolithiasis: room for improvement.
J Urol. 2014 Jul;192(1):200-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.01.028..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Emergency Department, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Imaging, Children/Adolescents, Practice Patterns
Lyerly MJ, Houston JT, Boehme AK
Safety of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration with computed tomography evidence of prior infarction.
The researchers sought to determine if the presence of a previous stroke on pretreatment computed tomography (CT) is a predictor of hemorrhagic complications and functional outcomes after the administration of intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Their data suggest that a prior stroke on CT should not be viewed as a reason to withhold this treatment unless it occurred within the last 3 months.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Lyerly MJ, Houston JT, Boehme AK .
Safety of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator administration with computed tomography evidence of prior infarction.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2014 Jul;23(6):1657-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.01.011..
Keywords: Stroke, Risk, Outcomes, Imaging
Suri P, Boyko EJ, Goldberg J
Longitudinal associations between incident lumbar spine MRI findings and chronic low back pain or radicular symptoms: retrospective analysis of data from the longitudinal assessment of imaging and disability of the back (LAIDBACK).
The researchers examined the association of incident lumbar MRI findings with two specific spine-related symptom outcomes: 1) incident chronic bothersome lower back pain, and 2) incident radicular symptoms such as pain, weakness, or sensation alterations in the lower extremity. They found that even when applying more specific definitions for spine-related symptom outcomes, few MRI findings show strong associations with symptom outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222
Citation: Suri P, Boyko EJ, Goldberg J .
Longitudinal associations between incident lumbar spine MRI findings and chronic low back pain or radicular symptoms: retrospective analysis of data from the longitudinal assessment of imaging and disability of the back (LAIDBACK).
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014 May 13;15:152. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-152..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Chronic Conditions, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Pain
Valencia V, Moghadassi M, Kriesel DR
Study of Tomography Of Nephrolithiasis Evaluation (STONE): methodology, approach and rationale.
This paper describes the rationale and methods of STONE (Study of Tomography Of Nephrolithiasis Evaluation), a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness trial comparing different imaging strategies for patients with suspected urolithiasis. It concluded that the detailed methodology of STONE will provide a roadmap for comparative effectiveness studies of diagnostic imaging conducted in an ED setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS019312.
Citation: Valencia V, Moghadassi M, Kriesel DR .
Study of Tomography Of Nephrolithiasis Evaluation (STONE): methodology, approach and rationale.
Contemp Clin Trials 2014 May;38(1):92-101. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2014.03.006..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Imaging, Kidney Disease and Health, Research Methodologies
Wernli KJ, DeMartini WB, Ichikawa L
Patterns of breast magnetic resonance imaging use in community practice.
The researchers described patterns of breast MRI use in US community practice during the period 2005 through 2009. They found that the overall rate of breast MRI from 2005 through 2009 nearly tripled from 4.2 to 11.5 examinations per 1000 women, with the most rapid increase from 2005 to 2007.
AHRQ-funded; HS019482.
Citation: Wernli KJ, DeMartini WB, Ichikawa L .
Patterns of breast magnetic resonance imaging use in community practice.
JAMA Intern Med 2014 Jan;174(1):125-32. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.11963..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Data, Healthcare Utilization, Imaging, Registries