Articles of Interest

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for skin cancer: recommendation statement. Am Fam Physician 2010 Jun 15; 81(12):1433-4. [Summarizes USPSTF recommendations on screening for skin cancer, published on AHRQ Web site (and in Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence update on screening for skin cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2009).]

Lin KW, Sharangpani R. Screening for skin cancer. Am Fam Physician 2010 Jun 15; 81(12):1435-6; quiz 1429. [First author is a medical officer in AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships; case study questions are based on USPSTF recommendations on screening for skin cancer cited above; cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence update on screening for skin cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2009).]

Rao G. Office-based strategies for the management of obesity. Am Fam Physician 2010 Jun 15; 81(12):1449-56; quiz 1429. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for obesity in adults and associated evidence summary (Ann Intern Med, 2003); cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence summary on screening and interventions for childhood overweight (Pediatrics, 2005) and article by Whitlock et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2002) on evaluating primary care behavioral counseling interventions.] Select to access the abstract.

Janus J, Moerschel SK. Evaluation of anemia in children. Am Fam Physician 2010 Jun 15; 81(12):1462-71. [Cites USPSTF recommendation statement, Screening for Iron Deficiency Anemia, Including Iron Supplementation for Children and Pregnant Women, 2006, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine

Sawaya GF. Rightsizing cervical cancer screening. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 14; 170(11):985-6. [Comments on AHRQ-funded article by Saraiya et al. cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles; cites USPSTF methods update (Ann Intern Med, 2007) and USPSTF recommendation statement, Screening for Cervical Cancer, 2003, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Fenton JJ, Foote SB, Green P, et al. Diffusion of computer-aided mammography after mandated Medicare coverage. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 14; 170(11):987-9. [Mentions the controversy over updated USPSTF breast cancer screening recommendations, citing two CNN Health stories published in late 2009; notes that CMS may "consider extending coverage for preventive services that have received a grade A or B recommendation from the USPSTF"; see invited commentary by Kerlikowske cited below.]

Kerlikowske K. A call for evidence of benefits outweighing harms before implementing new technologies. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 14; 170(11):990-91. [Comments on article by Fenton et al. cited above; mentions that the USPSTF "considers the potential harms when establishing evidence-based guidelines for preventions" and "systematically reviews the evidence of effectiveness and potential harms with a goal of making recommendations for interventions that maximize the potential benefit of prevention interventions while minimizing the harms".]

British Medical Journal
Bretthauer M. Which tool is best for colorectal cancer screening? BMJ 2010 Jun 12; 340(7759):1259-60. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2008).]

Circulation
Metkus TS Jr, Baughman KL, Thompson PD. Exercise prescription and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Circulation 2010 Jun 15; 121(23):2601-4. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for coronary heart disease (Ann Intern Med, 2004). See also article by Saraiya et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2010) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Annals of Internal Medicine
Suchy FJ, Brannon PM, Carpenter TO, et al. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference: lactose intolerance and health. Ann Intern Med 2010 Jun 15; 152(12):792-6. [Based on AHRQ-funded systematic review conducted by the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center cited below; Stephanie Chang, medical officer for the Evidence-based Practice Centers Program in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence, is listed as a member of the Planning Committee.]

Shaukat A, Levitt MD, Taylor BC, et al. Systematic review: effective management strategies for lactose intolerance. Ann Intern Med 2010 Jun 15; 152(12):797-803. [Supported by contract number HHSA 290-2007-10064-I (to the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center); first, third, sixth (Kane), and seventh (Wilt) authors report previous/additional AHRQ funding; cites AHRQ evidence report/technology assessment Lactose Intolerance and Health, 2010 (as prepared by Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center, under contract number HHSA 290-2007-10064-I).] Select to access the abstract.

Daviglus ML, Bell CC, Berrettini W, et al. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement: preventing Alzheimer disease and cognitive decline. Ann Intern Med 2010 Jun 14. [Epub ahead of print. Based on AHRQ-funded systematic review cited below and complete AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline, 2010 (prepared by Duke Evidence-based Practice Center under contract HHSA 290-2007-10066-I), as published on AHRQ Web site; Shilpa Amin, Stephanie Chang, and Steven Fox (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence) are listed as members of the Planning Committee.]

Plassman BL, Williams JW Jr, Burke JR, Holsinger T, et al. Systematic review: NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: factors associated with risk for and possible prevention of cognitive decline in later life. Ann Intern Med 2010 Jun 14. [Epub ahead of print. Supported in part by contract HHSA 290-2007-10066-I; first through fourth authors report previous/additional AHRQ funding; based on/related to the complete AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline, 2010 (prepared by Duke Evidence-based Practice Center under contract HHSA 290-2007-10066-I), as published on AHRQ Web site; uses guidelines from AHRQ publication, Methods Reference Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, Version 1.0, draft copy, 2007, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care program Web site, and adapts quality criteria used in AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Disease, 2004, and Effectiveness of Assisted Reproductive Technology, 2008, and Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline, 2010, all published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Circulation
Fraser A, Tilling K, MacDonald-Wallis C, et al. Association of maternal weight gain in pregnancy with offspring obesity and metabolic and vascular traits in childhood. Circulation 2010 Jun 15; 121(23):2557-64. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Outcomes of Maternal Weight Gain, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

Annals of Emergency Medicine
Lipsky AM, Gausche-Hill M, Vienna M, et al. The importance of "shrinkage" in subgroup analyses. Ann Emerg Med 2010 Jun; 55(6):544-52.e3. [Uses and analyzes population data from the Pediatric Airway Management Project, previously supported by AHRQ grant HS09065-01.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine
Grafft CA, McDonald FS, Ruud KL, et al. Effect of hospital follow-up appointment on clinical event outcomes and mortality. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jun 14; 170(11):955-60. [Uses AHRQ's Clinical Classification Software (CCS), 2008).] Select to access the abstract.

Health Services Research
Mittler JN, Landon BE, Fisher ES, et al. Market variations in intensity of Medicare service use and beneficiary experiences with care. Health Serv Res 2010 Jun; 45(3):647-69. [Uses 2003 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) data; cites articles by Hargraves et al. (Health Serv Res, 2003), Goldstein et al. (Health Care Financ Rev, 2001), Schnaier et al. (Med Care, 1999), and others, which use CAHPS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Johnson ML, Rodriguez HP, Solorio MR. Case-mix adjustment and the comparison of community health center performance on patient experience measures. Health Serv Res 2010 Jun; 45(3):670-90. [Uses "measures of patient health care experiences adapted from the Clinician and Group CAHPS® instrument," citing AHRQ-sponsored publication, Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey: Submission to the National Quality Forum, 2006; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Zhan (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence), Sangl (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety), Meyer, et al. (Med Care, 2002), Brach and Fraser (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets) (Med Care Res Rev, 2000), and Fiscella, Franks, and Clancy (AHRQ director) (JAMA, 2000); cites articles by Elliott et al. (Health Serv Res, 2005 and 2009), Kim, Zaslavsky, and Cleary (Med Care, 2005), Morales et al. (Health Serv Res, 2001), and others, which use CAHPS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Davis MA, Sirovich BE, Weeks WB. Utilization and expenditures on chiropractic care in the United States from 1997 to 2006. Health Serv Res 2010 Jun; 45(3):748-61. [Uses 1997-2006 MEPS data, citing Household Component Full Year Files, 1996 to 2006, as published on AHRQ's MEPS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Abraham JM, Deleire T, Royalty AB. Moral hazard matters: measuring relative rates of underinsurance using threshold measures. Health Serv Res 2010 Jun; 45(3):806-24. [Uses 2005 MEPS Household Component (MEPS-HC) data on AHRQ's MEPS Web site; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Banthin, Cunningham, and Bernard (first and third authors are researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Health Aff, 2008) and Banthin and Bernard (JAMA, 2006), both of which use MEPS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Lê Cook B, McGuire TG, Lock K, et al. Comparing methods of racial and ethnic disparities measurement across different settings of mental health care. Health Serv Res 2010 Jun; 45(3):825-47. [Uses 2002-2006 MEPS data, citing Linkage File for 2006 MEPS and 2004-2005 NHIS Public-use Files, 2008, and MEPS HC-056BRR: 1996-2006 Replicates for Calculating Variances File, 2008; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Zuvekas and Taliaferro (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends and Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, respectively) and Cook, McGuire, and Zuvekas (Med Care Res Rev, 2009), which use MEPS data and AHRQ's NHDR, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007; cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2008] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Lindenauer PK, Pekow PS, Lahti MC, et al. Association of corticosteroid dose and route of administration with risk of treatment failure in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. JAMA 2010 Jun 16; 303(23):2359-67. [Uses and cites Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); cites data on hospital admissions for COPD from AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Social Science and Medicine
Conrad P, Mackie T, Mehrotra A. Estimating the costs of medicalization. Soc Sci Med 2010 Jun; 70(12):1943-7. [Uses 2005 MEPS data, citing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2005 [Data File], 2008, on AHRQ's MEPS Web site; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Encinosa, Bernard, and Steiner (first and second authors are researchers in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization,and Markets and second author is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Health Aff, 2005), which uses HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, and Chan, Zhan (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence), and Homer (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2002), which uses 1996 MEPS data; cites AHRQ publications, Design and Methods of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Methodology Report No. 1, 1997, and Health Care Expenses for Uncomplicated Pregnancies, Research Findings No. 27, 2007, as published on AHRQ's MEPS Web site. See also AHRQ-authored article by Manski and Cooper (J Am Dent Assoc, 2010) and AHRQ-funded article by Mark et al. (Psychiatr Serv, 2010) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.] Select to access the abstract.

Current as of June 2010

Internet Citation:

Articles of Interest, June 18, 2010. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/articles/art061810.htm