Research Activities

August 2003, No. 276

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Contents

About Research Activities

Feature Story

Coronary bypass surgery results in better 5-year outcomes than coronary angioplasty

Outcomes/Effectiveness Research

Regionalization of invasive cardiac procedures may explain seeming underuse of coronary angiography at VA hospitals
Nonsmokers and previous smokers have less angina and function better physically than smokers after coronary angioplasty
Researchers examine medication effectiveness and depression among cardiac patients
Pneumonia triples the risk of death following hospitalization for acute stroke
Followup colonoscopy in patients with a history of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer improves survival
PSA testing may deserve part of the credit for the recent decline in prostate cancer deaths, but more data are needed
Certain hospital practices may reduce the incidence of pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation among critically ill patients
National Emphysema Treatment Trial examines benefits and costs of lung-volume-reduction surgery for severe emphysema
Continuing use of autopsy appears warranted to uncover important unsuspected diagnoses

Children's Health/Women's Health

Researchers examine the impact of prolonged middle ear disease on children's speech and language development
Lengthening postpartum hospital stays to meet minimum Federal standards is cost effective
Later admission in labor and collaborative care increase spontaneous vaginal delivery in low-risk women

Primary Care Research

Physicians are more likely to intensify therapy for diabetes when they get unfavorable blood-sugar test results during visits
Ongoing distress from a traumatic event, not the trauma itself, is related to impaired functioning in patients with chronic pain

Elderly/Long-term Care

Guidelines for improving the care of older people with diabetes emphasize reducing cardiovascular risk factors
Researchers examine accuracy of patient reports of vaccination as well as vaccination barriers and facilitators among seniors
Nursing home patients' quality of life is the most important consideration in medical decisionmaking

Minority Health

Studies examine black-white differences in low birthweight, uterine surgery outcomes, and organ donations

HIV/AIDS Research

Strategies to increase adherence to therapy among HIV/AIDS patients should target different HIV risk groups

Agency News and Notes

AHRQ-supported Task Force issues new recommendations on high blood pressure screening and promotion of breastfeeding
AHRQ supports a variety of information technology initiatives to improve health care quality

Announcements

AHRQ releases new evidence reports
New MEPS statistical brief is available online
AHRQ publishes recommendations on community-based research

Research Briefs

Current as of August 2003
AHRQ Publication No. 03-0043

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Internet Citation:

Research Activities newsletter. August 2003, No. 276. AHRQ Publication 03-0043. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/aug03/

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