AHCPR Announces First Evidence Report Topics

Media Advisory Date: October 17, 1997

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) announces the first set of topics it has assigned to its 12 Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs). The EPCs will systematically review the relevant scientific literature about these topics, conducting additional analyses, if appropriate. Their findings will be published as evidence reports or technology assessments, which will form the basis of other organizations' guidelines, quality improvement projects, and purchasing decisions.

"These state-of-the-science reports and technology assessments, once distributed, will help reduce inappropriate variations in medical care and improve the overall quality of the health care system," said AHCPR Administrator John M. Eisenberg, M.D. The EPCs will be conducting their research through partnerships and collaborations with managed care organizations, medical specialty societies, federal purchasers, and others. "In this way, we ensure that the EPC products will be appropriate and useful as soon as they are completed," said Douglas Kamerow, M.D., M.P.H., who oversees AHCPR's Evidence-based Practice Program.

First Topics Assigned to the EPCs

1. Pharmacotherapy for alcohol dependence: Research Triangle Institute and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC.
2. Management of stable angina: University of California, San Francisco, CA, and Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
3. Diagnosis of sleep apnea: MetaWorks, Inc., Boston, MA.
4. Treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
5. Rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury: Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR.
6. Testosterone suppression treatment for prostatic cancer: BlueCross and BlueShield Association Technical Evaluation Center (TEC), Chicago, IL.
7. Evaluation of cervical cytology: Duke University, Durham, NC.
8. Depression treatment with new drugs: University of Texas, San Antonio, TX.
9. Evaluation and treatment of new onset of atrial fibrillation in the elderly: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
10. Prevention and management of urinary complications in paralyzed persons: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA.
11. Diagnosis and treatment of acute sinusitis: New England Medical Center, Boston, MA.
12. Diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia/swallowing problems in the elderly: ECRI, Plymouth Meeting, PA.

For additional information, contact AHCPR Public Affairs: Salina M. Prasad, (301) 427-1864 (SPrasad@ahrq.gov).