Articles of Interest

May 7, 2004

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These articles appeared in recently released journals and newsletters. They include articles funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) or authored by AHRQ researchers; articles mentioning or discussing AHRQ; articles related to AHRQ-funded Evidence-based Practice Centers; articles mentioning the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force/Put Prevention into Practice; articles mentioning the Presidents Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry and Agency-supported activities relating to the Quality Interagency Task Force; and other research using AHRQ data.

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AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles

American Journal of Nursing
Hughes RG. First, do no harm. Avoiding the near misses. Am J Nurs 2004 May; 104(5):81-4. [Author is researcher with AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships.]

American Journal of Public Health
Manski RJ, Goodman HS, Reid BC, et al. Dental insurance visits and expenditures among older adults. Am J Public Health 2004 May; 94(5):759-64. [First author is researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends; uses Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data.]

Lee JY, Rozier RG, Norton EC, et al. Effects of WIC participation on children's use of oral health services. Am J Public Health 2004 May; 94(5):772-7. [Supported by Grant Nos. T32 HS00032 and 1 R03 HS11607-01.]

Fang J, Alderman MH. Does supplemental private insurance affect care of Medicare recipients hospitalized for myocardial infarction? Am J Public Health 2004 May; 94(5):778-82. [Supported by Grant No. HS11612-01A1.]

Morales LS, Rogowski J, Freedman VA, et al. Use of preventive services by men enrolled in Medicare+Choice plans. Am J Public Health 2004 May; 94(5):796-802. [Supported by Grant No. R01 HS/AG09630.]

American Journal of Rhinology
Uribe JI, Ralph WM jr, Glaser AY, et al. Learning curves, acquisition, and retention of skills trained with the endoscopic sinus surgery simulator. Am J Rhinol 2004 Mar-Apr; 18(2):87-92. [Supported by Grant No. 1 R18 HS11866-01.]

Annals of Epidemiology
Kumari M, Seeman T, Marmot M. Biological predictors of change in functioning in the Whitehall II study. Ann Epidemiol 2004 Apr; 14(4):250-7. [Supported by Grant No. R01 HS06516.]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Walter LC, Lindquist K, Covinsky KE. Relationship between health status and use of screening mammography and Papanicolaou smears among women older than 70 years of age. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 4; 140(9):681-8. [Supported by Grant No. K02 HS00006-02.]

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy
Bridges JF. Stated preference methods in health care evaluation: an emerging methodological paradigm in health economics. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2003; 2(4):213-24. [Supported by Grant No. HS013738.]

Cardiac Electrophysiology Review
Hlatky MA, Sanders GD, Owens DK. Cost-effectiveness of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Card Electrophysiol Rev 2003 Dec; 7(4):479-82. [Supported by Grant No. HS08362.]

Informatics in Primary Care
Andrews JE, Pearce KA, Sydney C, et al. Current state of information technology use in a U.S. primary care practice-based research network. Inform Prim Care 2004; 12(1):11-8. [Supported by Grant No. R21 HS13487-01.]

International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine
Van Ness PH, Kasl SV, Jones BA. Religion, race, and breast cancer survival. Int J Psychiatry Med 2003; 33(4):357-75. [Supported by Grant No. HS06910-01.]

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
van der Steen JT, Kruse RL, Ooms ME, et al. Treatment of nursing home residents with dementia and lower respiratory tract infection in the United States and the Netherlands: an ocean apart. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004 May; 52(5):691-9. [U.S. LRI study originally funded by Grant No. HS08551.]

Holroyd-Leduc JM, Mehta KM, Covinsky KE. Urinary incontinence and its association with death, nursing home admission, and functional decline. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004 May; 52(5):712-8. [Supported by Grant No. K02 HS00006-01.]

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Wee CC, McCarthy EP, Davis RB, et al. Obesity and breast cancer screening: the influence of race, illness burden, and other factors. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):324-31. [Supported by Grant No. R03 HS11683.]

Rosen AB, Schneider EC. Colorectal screening disparities related to obesity and gender. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):332-8. [Supported by Grant No. 5 T32 HS000020-16.]

Volk RJ, Cantor SB, Cass AR, et al. Preferences of husbands and wives for outcomes of prostate cancer screening and treatment. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):339-47. [Supported by Grant No. R01 HS08992.]

Wong MD, Cunningham WE, Shapiro MF, et al. Disparities in HIV treatment and physician attitudes about delaying protease inhibitors for nonadherent patients. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):366-74. [Supported by AHRQ Grant No. P01 HS10858; uses HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) data.]

Saint S, Flanders SA. Hospitalists in teaching hospitals: opportunities but not without danger. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):392-93. [Supported by Grant No. P20 HS11540.]

Medical Care
Stryer DB, Siegel JE, Rodgers AB. Outcomes research: priorities for an evolving field. Med Care 2004 Apr; 42(4 Suppl):III-1-5. [First author is acting director of AHRQ's Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety; second author is researcher in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence.]

NCI Cancer Bulletin
Clancy CM. Putting science into practice. NCI Cancer Bull 2004 May 4; 1(18):8 [Author is AHRQ Director.]

New England Journal of Medicine
Sawaya GF, McConnell KJ, Kulasingam SL, et al. Risk of cervical cancer associated with extending the interval between cervical-cancer screening. N Engl J Med 2003 Oct 16; 349(16):1501-9. [Supported by Grant No. HS07373.]

Patel UD, Hollander H, Saint S. Clinical problem-solving. Index of suspicion. N Engl J Med 2004 350(19):1990-5. [Supported by Grant No. HS11540.]

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Learman LA, Summitt RL Jr, Varner RE, et al. Hysterectomy versus expanded medical treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding: clinical outcomes in the Medicine or Surgery trial. Obstet Gynecol 2004 May; 103(5 Pt 1):824-33. [Supported by Grant No. U01 HS09478.]

Showstack J, Kuppermann M, Vittinghoff E, et al. Resource use for total and supracervical hysterectomies: results of a randomized trial. Obstet Gynecol 2004 May; 103(5 Pt 1):834-41. [Supported by Grant No. U01 HS09478.]

Statistics in Medicine
Zou KH, Wells WM, Kikinis R, et al. Three validation metrics for automated probabilistic image segmentation of brain tumors. Stat Med 2004 Apr 30; 23(8):1259-82. [Supported by Grant No. R03 HS13234.]

Value in Health
Saver BG, Doescher MP, Jackson JE, et al. Seniors with chronic health conditions and prescription drugs: benefits, wealth, and health. Value Health 2004 Mar-Apr; 7(2):133-43. [Supported by Grant No. HS10318.]

Women's Health Issues
Scholle SH, Weisman CS, Anderson RT, et al. The development and validation of the primary care satisfaction survey for women. Women's Health Issues 2004 Mar-Apr; 14(2):35-50. [Supported by Grant No. R01 HS10237-01A1.]

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Family Physician
Hixon AL. Functional health literacy: improving health outcomes. Am Fam Physician 2004 May 1; 69(9):2077-8. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Schillinger, et al., JAMA, 2002.]

American Health Line
Evidence-based guidelines: WSJ examines debate over payments. Am Health Line 2004 May 6; #8. [Quotes AHRQ researcher Kenneth Fink.]

American Journal of Managed Care
Pawlson LG, O'Kane ME. Malpractice prevention, patient safety, and quality of care: a critical linkage. Am J Manag Care 2004 Apr; 10(4):281-4. [Cites article by Studdert et al. (third author is AHRQ Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships Director Helen Burstin) Med Care, 2000.]

American Journal of Public Health
Lydon-Rochelle MT, Krakowiak P, Hujoel PP, et al. Dental care use and self-reported dental problems in relation to pregnancy. Am J Public Health 2004 May; 94(5):765-71. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Manski et al., J Am Dent Assoc, 2001.]

Jacobs EA, Shepard DS, Suaya JA, et al. Overcoming language barriers in health care: costs and benefits of interpreter services. Am J Public Health 2004 May; 94(5):866-9. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Weinick and Kraus, Am J Public Health, 2001.]

Annals of Internal Medicine
Higashi T, Shekelle PG, Solomon DH, et al. The quality of pharmacologic care for vulnerable older patients. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 4; 140(9):714-20. [Cites MEPS data.]

BNA's Health Care Policy Report
Elderly bear cost burden for their dental care. BNA Health Care Policy Rep 2004 May 5; 10(18):478. [Summarizes findings from AHRQ MEPS report.]

Evidence-based Healthcare
Reilly AF, Reilly PM. Medical injuries can increase mortality risk and incur additional costs. Evid Based Healthc 2004 Apr; 8(2):60-2. [Commentary on AHRQ-authored article by Zhan and Miller, JAMA, 2003.]

Nelson LJ. Ethics consultations reduce time and procedures in intensive care. Evid Based Healthc 2004 Apr; 8(2):63-4. [Commentary on AHRQ-funded article by Schneiderman et al., JAMA, 2003.]

Brach C. Children and adolescents on Medicaid do not receive the same quality of care from commercial health plans as commercial enrollees. Evid Based Healthc 2004 Apr; 8(2):65-6. [Commentary author is researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets.]

Callahan MA. Surgical patients are at lower risk of death in hospitals with more degree-educated nurses. Evid Based Healthc 2004 Apr; 8(2):67-8. [Commentary on AHRQ-funded article by Aiken et al., JAMA, 2003.]

Monsonego J. Screening 3 years after negative test, rather than annually, would result in three additional cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 women screened. Evid Based Healthc 2004 Apr; 8(2):89-91. [Commentary on AHRQ-funded article by Sawaya et al. in cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

Family Medicine
Cheng C, Umland E. Practical therapeutics: an innovative residency drug education curriculum. Fam Med 2004 Apr; 36(4):236-238. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Classen et al., JAMA, 1997.]

International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics
Grabowski DC. A longitudinal study of Medicaid payment, private-pay price and nursing home quality. Int J Health Care Finance Econ 2004 Mar; 4(1):5-26. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Cohen and Spector, J Health Econ, 1996.]

Managed Care Quarterly
Hochhauser M. What health plans report. And don't report. Manag Care Q 2004 Winter; 23-4. [Shows table of "Reported and Omitted Data from 2003 CAHPS® Ratings" attributed to "the widely used AHRQ 2003 'State of Health Care Quality Report.'.]

NCI Cancer Bulletin
The health care provider's role in helping smokers quit. NCI Cancer Bull 2004 May 4; 4-5. [Summarizes study based on PHS guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, 2000, in J Natl Cancer Inst, 2004; cites commentary by AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles and AHRQ-NCI collaborations on smoking cessation programs and strategies.]

Pink Sheet
FDA mission should not include Rx cost-effectiveness, Representative Allen says. Pink Sheet 2004 May 3; 66(18):35. [Mentions support of legislation to expand the role of AHRQ and NIH in comparative effectiveness and to allocate $50 million to AHRQ as authorized under the Medicare Modernization Act.]

AHRQ comparative research agenda will start with Rx drugs. Pink Sheet 2004 May 3; 66(18):37. [Summarizes Federal Register notice published April 23.]

Report on Medical Guidelines and Outcomes Research
Levenson D. Low health literacy is a major problem, reports say. Rep Med Guidelines Outcomes Res 2004 Apr 30; 15(9):1, 6-7. [Reviews AHRQ Evidence Report, Literacy and Health Outcomes, released January 2004.]

Washington Health Policy Week in Review
Bipartisan Frist letter urges funding for Medicare Rx comparisons. Wash Health Policy Week Rev 2004 May 3; 2-3. [Cites authorization of $50 million for AHRQ to perform drug cost-effectiveness comparison studies.]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles

American Family Physician
Knight D. Health care screening for men who have sex with men. Am Fam Physician 2004 May 1; 69(9):2149-56. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for sexually transmitted diseases in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 1996.]

American Journal of Managed Care
Goldzweig CL, Parkerton PH, Washington DL, et al. Primary care practice and facility quality orientation: influence on breast and cervical cancer screening. Am J Manag Care 2004 Apr; 10(4):265-72. [Cites USPSTF recommendations in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 1996.]

Klabunde CN, Riley GF, Mandelson MT, et al. Health plan policies and programs for colorectal cancer screening: a national profile. Am J Manag Care 2004 Apr; 10(4):273-9. [Cites USPSTF guideline, Screening for Colorectal Cancer: Recommendation and Rationale, in Ann Intern Med, 2002.]

Annals of Internal Medicine
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Lung cancer screening: recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 4; 140(9):738-9. [Summarizes USPSTF recommendations on screening for lung cancer.]

Humphrey LL, Teutsch S, Johnson M. Lung cancer screening with sputum cytologic examination, chest radiography, and computed tomography: an update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 4; 140(9):740-53. [USPSTF evidence review supported by Contract No. 290-97-0018, Task Order 2, to Oregon Health & Science University Evidence-based Practice Center.]

Welch HG. Right and wrong reasons to be screened. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 4; 140(9):754-5. [Comments on article by Walter et al. cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles; cites USPSTF recommendations on mammography screening.]

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Levy-Storms L, Bastani R, Reuben DB. Predictors of varying levels of nonadherence to mammography screening in older women. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004 May; 52(5):768-73. [Cites Task Force guidelines in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 1996.]

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Hashimoto H, Nomura K, Yano E. Psychomatic status affects the relationship between subjective hearing difficulties and the results of audiometry. J Clin Epidemiol 2004 Apr; 57(4):381-5. [Cites Task Force guidelines on screening for hearing impairment in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 1996.]

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Haas JS, Kaplan CP, Gregorich SE, et al. Do physicians tailor their recommendations for breast cancer risk reduction based on patient's risk? J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):302-9. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on mammography screening and tamoxifen use as posted on AHRQ Web site.]

Armstrong K. Leading the way in breast cancer screening and prevention. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):390-1. [Comments on AHRQ-funded article by Wee et al. cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles; cites USPSTF's role in cancer risk reduction.]

Report on Medical Guidelines and Outcomes Research
Government group recommends fluoride supplement prescriptions. Rep Med Guidelines Outcomes Res 2004 Apr 30; 15(9):3. [Summarizes USPSTF recommendations on fluoride supplementation as published in Am J Prev Med, 2004.]

AHRQ announces booklet to help older adults stay healthy. Rep Med Guidelines Outcomes Res 2004 Apr 30; 15(9):4. [Describes AHRQ booklet, Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+ (based on USPSTF recommendations), as posted on AHRQ Web site.]

Primary care intake physicians who use a guideline-based smoking cessation intervention boost abstinence rates among smokers. Rep Med Guidelines Outcomes Res 2004 Apr 30; 15(9):11. [Summarizes findings from study based on PHS guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, 2000, in J Natl Cancer Inst, 2004.]

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Annals of Internal Medicine
Hoerger TJ, Harris R, Hicks KA, et al. Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Ann Intern Med 2004 May 4; 140(9):689-99. [Supported by Contract No. 290-97-0011 to RTI-UNC Evidence-based Practice Center.]

Chest
Flemons WW, Littner MR, Rowley JA, et al. Home diagnosis of sleep apnea: a systematic review of the literature. An evidence review cosponsored by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Thoracic Society. Chest 2003 Oct; 124(4):1543-79. [Reviews findings from and uses the evidence grading system utilized in AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Systematic Review of the Literature Regarding the Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea, 1999.]

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Shekelle PG, Morton SC, Jungvig LK, et al. Effect of supplemental vitamin E for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. J Gen Intern Med 2004 Apr; 19(4):380-9. [Supported by Contract No. 290-97-0001 to Southern California/RAND Evidence-based Practice Center.]

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Harman JS, Kelleher KJ, Reynolds CF, et al. Out-of-pocket expenditures of older Americans with depression. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004 May; 52(5):809-13. [Uses 1999 MEPS data.]

International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics
Miller RD Jr. Estimating the compensating differential for employer-provided health insurance. Int J Health Care Finance Econ 2004 Mar; 4(1):27-41. [Uses MEPS data.]

Current as of May 2004