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AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Program/Effective Health Care Program Information

Evidence-based Practice Program

• Evidence Reports

  The following provides a list of Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC) reports starting with the most recent. For a list of archived reports, visit the Archived EPC Evidence Reports page on AHRQ's Web site.

  188.   Impact of Consumer Health Informatics Applications

  187.   Treatment of Overactive Bladder in Women

  186.   Family History and Improving Health

  185.   Diagnosis and Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

  184.   Treatment of Common Hip Fractures

  183.   Vitamin D and Calcium: Systematic Review of Health Outcomes

  181.   Outcomes of Community Health Worker Interventions

  180.   Outcomes of Genetic Testing in Adults with a History of Venous Thromboembolism

  179.   Clinical Utility of Cancer Family History Collection in Primary Care

  177.   Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Back Pain Utilization

  176.   Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Elective Induction of Labor

  175.   Barriers and Drivers of Health Information Technology Use for the Elderly, Chronically Ill, and Underserved

  174.   Management of Chronic Hepatitis B

  173.   Integration of Mental Health/Substance Abuse and Primary Care

  172.   HER2 Testing to Manage Patients with Breast or Other Solid Tumors

  171.   Diagnosis and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

  170.   Effectiveness of Weight Management Programs in Children and Adolescents

  169.   Bariatric Surgery in Women of Reproductive Age: Special Concerns for Pregnancy

  168.   Outcomes of Maternal Weight Gain

  167.   Effectiveness of Assisted Reproductive Technology

  166.   Diabetes Education for Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Families

  165.   Hydroxyurea for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease

  164.   Utility of Monitoring Mycophenolic Acid in Solid Organ Transplant Patients

  163.   Carbohydrate and Lipid Disorders and Relevant Considerations in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

  162.   Therapeutic Management, Delivery, and Postpartum Risk Assessment and Screening in Gestational Diabetes

  161.   Prevention of Fecal and Urinary Incontinence in Adults

  160.   Impact of Gene Expression Profiling Tests on Breast Cancer Outcomes

  159.   Collection and Use of Cancer Family History in Primary Care

  158.   Effectiveness and Safety of Vitamin D in Relation to Bone Health

  157.   Treatment of Primary and Secondary Osteoarthritis of the Knee

  156.   Antiretroviral (ARV) Drug Resistance in the Developing World

  155.   Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research

  154.   Management of Uterine Fibroids: An Update of the Evidence

  153.   Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries

  152.   Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators in Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

  151.   Nurse Staffing and Quality of Patient Care

  150.   Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer: Diagnostic Strategies and Their Implications

  149.   Effectiveness of Continuing Medical Education

  148.   The Uses of Heparin To Treat Burn Injury

  147.   The Effectiveness of Different Methods of Toilet Training for Bowel and Bladder Control

  146.   Testing for Cytochrome P450 Polymorphisms in Adults With Non-Psychotic Depression Treated With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

  145.   Genomic Tests for Ovarian Cancer Detection and Management

  144.   Comparison of Endovascular and Open Surgical Repairs for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

  143.   Management of Small Cell Lung Cancer

  142.   Testing for BNP and NT-proBNP in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Heart Failure

  141.   Pediatric Anthrax: Implications for Bioterrorism Preparedness

  140.   Tobacco Use: Prevention, Cessation, and Control

  139.   Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Prevention of Chronic Disease

  138.   Cancer Care Quality Measures: Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

  137.   Cancer Care Quality Measures: Symptoms and End of Life Care

  136.   Value of the Periodic Health Evaluation

  135.   Management of Eating Disorders

  134.   B Vitamins and Berries and Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders

  133.   Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request

  132.   Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology

  131.   Telemedicine for the Medicare Population—Update

  130.   Management of Adnexal Mass

  129.   Diagnosis and Management of Work-Related Asthma

  128.   Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapy of Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glucose

  127.   Acute Stroke: Evaluation and Treatment

  126.   Effects of Soy on Health Outcomes

  125.   Manifestations and Management of Chronic Insomnia in Adults

  124.  Update on Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis

  123.   Post-Myocardial Infarction Depression

  122.   Knowledge and Access to Information on Recruitment of Underrepresented Populations to Cancer Clinical Trials

  121.   Use of Spirometry for Case Finding, Diagnosis, and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  120.   Management of Menopause-Related Symptoms

  119.   Perinatal Depression: Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes

  118.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Child and Maternal Health

  117.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Eye Health

  116.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Mental Health

  115.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Organ Transplantation

  114.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cognitive Function with Aging, Dementia, and Neurological Diseases

  113.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cancer

  112.   The Use of Episiotomy in Obstetrical Care: A Systematic Review

  111.   Wound-Healing Technologies: Low-Level Laser and Vacuum-Assisted Closure

  110.   End-of-Life Care and Outcomes

  109.   Sexuality and Reproductive Health Following Spinal Cord Injury

  108.   Melatonin for Treatment of Sleep Disorders

  107.   Preventing Violence and Related Health-Risking Social Behaviors in Adolescents

  106.   Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Congestive Heart Failure

  105.   Measuring the Quality of Breast Cancer Care in Women

  104.   Celiac Disease

  103.   Pharmacological and Surgical Treatment of Obesity

  102.   Effectiveness of Behavioral Interventions to Modify Physical Activity Behaviors in General Populations and Cancer Patients and Survivors

  101.  Economic Incentives for Preventive Care

  100.   Criteria to Determine Disability Related to Multiple Sclerosis

  99.   Community-Based Participatory Research

  98.   Islet Transplantation in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

  97.   Pharmacological Treatment of Dementia

  96.   Regionalization of Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response

  95.   Training of Hospital Staff To Respond to a Mass Casualty Incident

  94.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Disease

  93.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Intermediate Markers of Cardiovascular Disease

  92.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Arrhythmogenic Mechanisms in Animal and Isolated Organ/Cell Culture Studies

  91.   Health Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Asthma

  90.   Strategies for Improving Minority Healthcare Quality

  89.   Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Lipids and Glycemic Control in Type II Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome and on Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Renal Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Osteoporosis

  88.   Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Adjuncts to Scaling and Root-Planing Therapy for Periodontitis

  87.   Literacy and Health Outcomes

  86.   Total Knee Replacement

  85.   Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, and Stroke

  84.   Use of Glycated Hemoglobin and Microalbuminuria in the Monitoring of Diabetes Mellitus

  83.   Effect of Supplemental Antioxidants Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Coenzyme Q10 for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

  82.   Pharmacologic Management of Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: Effect in Female, Black, and Diabetic Patients, and Cost-Effectiveness

  81.   Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease in Women: Systematic Reviews of Evidence on Selected Topics

  80.   Results of Systematic Review of Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease in Women

  79.   Diffusion and Dissemination of Evidence-based Cancer Control Interventions

  78.   Best-Case Series for the Use of Immuno-Augmentation Therapy and Naltrexone for the Treatment of Cancer

  77.   Management of Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy

  76.   Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance Enhancement: Clinical Efficacy and Side Effects

  75.   Effect of the Supplemental Use of Antioxidants Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and the Coenzyme Q10 for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

  74.   The Effect of Health Care Working Conditions on Patient Safety

  73.   Criteria for Determining Disability in Infants and Children: Short Stature

  72.   Criteria for Determining Disability in Infants and Children: Failure to Thrive

  71.   Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

  70.   Criteria for Determining Disability in Infants and Children: Low Birth Weight

  69.   Management of Bronchiolitis in Infants and Children

  68.   Diagnosis and Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

  67.   Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Working-Age Population

  3.   Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Dependence

• Evidence Technical Reviews

  The following provides a list of Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC) technical reviews starting with the most recent. For a list of archived reports, visit the Archived Technical Reviews on AHRQ's Web site.

  17.   Nutritional Research Series

  • Volume 1: Application of Systematic Review Methodology to the Field of Nutrition
  • Volume 2: Issues and Challenges in Conducting Systematic Reviews to Support Development of Nutrient Reference Values: Workshop Summary
  • Volume 3: Reporting of Systematic Reviews of Micronutrients and Health: A Critical Appraisal

  16.   Updating Systematic Reviews

  15.   Consumer-Oriented Strategies for Improving Health Benefit Design: An Overview

  14.   A Critical Analysis of Care Coordination Strategies for Children With Special Health Care Needs

  13.   Empirical Evaluation of the Association Between Methodological Shortcomings and Estimates of Adverse Events

  12.   Criteria for Distinguishing Effectiveness From Efficacy Trials in Systematic Reviews

  11.   Developing a Methodology for Establishing a Statement of Work for a Policy-Relevant Technical Analysis

  10.   Strategies To Support Quality-based Purchasing

  9.   Closing the Quality Gap:

  • Volume 1: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies
  • Volume 2: Diabetes Mellitus Care
  • Volume 3: Hypertension Care
  • Volume 4: Antibiotic Prescribing Behavior
  • Volume 5: Asthma Care
  • Volume 6: Healthcare-Associated Infections
  • Volume 7: Care Coordination

  8.   Meta-regression Approaches: What, Why, When, and How?

  7.   Determinants of Increases in Medicare Expenditures for Physicians' Services

  6.   Current Validity of AHRQ Clinical Practice Guidelines

  5.   Measures of Patient Safety Based on Hospital Administrative Data—The Patient Safety Indicators

  4.   Refinement of the HCUP Quality Indicators

  3.   Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

  2.   Treatment of Headache

• Technology Assessment Reports

  Below is a list of completed technology assessment reports. The technology assessment program at AHRQ provides technology assessments for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These technology assessments are used by CMS to inform its national coverage decisions for the Medicare program as well as provide information to Medicare carriers. For a list of archived reports from 1990-2002, visit the AHRQ Web site. The AHRQ Web site also provides a list of Technology Assessments In Progress.

  *Not available electronically. Contact AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov for report availability.
  **Report is completed, but in the process of being prepared for posting. Please check back for updates.

  2009

  • Reviews of Selected Pharmacogenetic Tests for Non-Cancer and Cancer Conditions

  2008

  • Evaluation of the Evidence on Benefits and Harms of Pulmonary Artery Catheter Use in Critical Care Settings
  • Home Testing in Management of Chronic Diseases
  • Horizon Scan of Invasive Interventions for Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease and Systematic Review of Studies Comparing Stent Placement to Other Interventions
  • Horizon Scan: Lipoprotein Subfractions for Identifying Patients at Increased Risks for Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Methodological Issues in Evaluation of Innovative Training Approaches to Stroke Rehabilitation
  • Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Post-Discharge Care in Heart Failure
  • Positron Emission Tomography for Nine Cancers (Bladder, Brain, Cervical, Kidney, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Prostate, Small Cell Lung, Testicular)

  2007

  • Applicability of the Evidence Regarding Intensive Glycemic Control and Self-Monitored Blood Glucose to Medicare Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
  • Compendia for Coverage of Off-Label Uses of Drugs and Biologics in an Anticancer Chemotherapeutic Regimen
  • Cost-Effectiveness of DNA Stool Testing to Screen for Colorectal Cancer
  • Decompression Therapy for the Treatment of Lumbosacral Pain
  • Esophageal Doppler Ultrasound-based Cardiac Output Monitoring for Real-Time Therapeutic Management of Hospitalized Patients
  • Genetic Tests for Non-Cancer Diseases/Conditions: A Horizon Scan
  • Home Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome: Modeling Different Diagnostic Strategies
  • Remote Cardiac Monitoring

  2006

  • Horizon Scan on Hip Replacement Surgery
  • A Horizon Scan: Uses of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
  • Horizon Scan on the Use of Genetic Testing in Cancer
  • Non-invasive Imaging for Coronary Artery Disease
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD and Other Lung Diseases
  • Quality of Life in Macular Degeneration
  • Telemedicine for the Medicare Population: Update

  2005

  • Cardiac Catheterization in Freestanding Clinics
  • Design of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Registry*
  • Health and Behavior Assessment/Intervention for the Management of Physical Health Problems—Cancer Pain*
  • Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Vertebral Fractures Caused by Osteoporosis and Malignancy and Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Vertebral Fractures Caused by Osteoporosis and Malignancy
  • Point of Care Testing of Hemoglobin A1C
  • Randomized Trials of Secondary Prevention Programs in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review
  • Relative Efficacy of Oral Cancer Therapy for Medicare Beneficiaries Versus Currently Covered Therapy
    • Part 1. Gefitinib and Erlotinib for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    • Part 2. Imatinib for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)
    • Part 3. Imatinib for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
    • Part 4. Thalidomide for Multiple Myeloma
  • The Role of Bone Growth Stimulating Devices and Orthobiologics in Healing Nonunion Fractures
  • Usual Care in the Management of Chronic Wounds

  2004

  • Behavioral Therapies for Treatment of Medical Disorders: Part 1—Impact on Management of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Vulnerable Plaques
  • Effectiveness of Portable Monitoring Devices for Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Horizon Scan of Procedural Interventions for the Treatment of Spine Conditions*
  • Long Term Oxygen Therapy
  • Patient Assessment for Wheelchairs*
  • Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularization/Transmyocardial Revascularization
  • Positron Emission Tomography (FDG) for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Update
  • Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
  • Vision Rehabilitation Services*

  2003

  • Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia
  • Acupuncture for Osteoarthritis
  • Electrical Bioimpedance for Cardiac Output Monitoring
  • Literature Review for Knee Arthroscopy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Brain Tumors (MRS)
  • Obesity in the Elderly
  • Positron Emission Tomography (FDG) for Brain, Cervical, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Small Cell Lung, and Testicular Cancers
  • Screening Immunoassay Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT)

Effective Health Care Program

• Summary Guides

  Summary Guides are short, comprehensive summaries of research reviews. There are Summary Guides available for Consumers, Clinicians, and Policymakers. Some guides are also available in Spanish. Reports are listed starting with the most recent.

  Clinicians

  • Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
  • Gestational Diabetes: Caring for Women During and After Pregnancy
  • Three Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Evidence Shows Lack of Benefit
  • Premixed Insulin Analogues: A Comparison With Other Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes
  • Treatments for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer
  • Comparing Oral Medications for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
  • ACEIs or ARBs for Adults With Hypertension
  • Management of Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis
  • Choosing Antidepressants for Adults
  • Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs
  • Choosing Medications for Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Choosing Non-Opioid Analgesics for Osteoarthritis
  • Fracture Prevention Treatments for Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis

  Consumers

  • Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Guide for Adults
  • Gestational Diabetes: A Guide for Pregnant Women
  • Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Guide for Adults
  • Premixed Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes: A Guide for Adults
  • Treating Prostate Cancer: A Guide for Men With Localized Prostate Cancer
  • Pills for Type 2 Diabetes: A Guide for Adults
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Comparing Two Kinds of Blood Pressure Pills: ACEIs and ARBs
  • Renal Artery Stenosis Treatments
  • Antidepressant Medicines - A Guide for Adults With Depression
  • Choosing Pain Medicine For Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis Treatments That Help Prevent Broken Bones: A Guide for Women After Menopause
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis Medicines: A Guide for Adults

  Policymakers

  • Particle Beam Radiation Therapies for Cancer
  • Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs
• Research Reviews

  Research Reviews are comprehensive reviews and synthesis of evidence, and are reported in several formats. Comparative Effectiveness Reviews (CERs) and Effectiveness Reviews aim to provide comprehensive appraisal and synthesis of evidence. Updates apply systematic methods to bring CERs and Evidence Reviews up to date by reviewing the current literature. Technical Briefs aim to provide an overview of key issues related to an emerging diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. All research reviews are produced by the Evidence-based Practice Centers. Final reports are listed below by health condition.

  Cancer

  • Comparative Effectiveness of Medications To Reduce Risk of Primary Breast Cancer in Women
  • Effectiveness of Noninvasive Diagnostic Tests for Breast Abnormalities
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Epoetin and Darbepoetin for Managing Anemia in Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer

  Diabetes

  • Comparative Effectiveness, Safety, and Indications of Insulin Analogues in Premixed Formulations for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
  • Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Diabetes Medications for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

  Digestive System Conditions

  • Comparative Effectiveness of Management Strategies for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

  Heart and Blood Vessel Conditions

  • Comparative Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Coronary Artery Disease
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Medical Therapies with or without ACEs or ARBs for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists (ARBs) for Treating Essential Hypertension
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Lipid-Modifying Agents
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Management Strategies for Renal Artery Stenosis: 2007 Update

  Mental Health

  • Efficacy and Comparative Effectiveness of Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics
  • Comparative Effects of Classes of Antidepressants on the Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia in the Aged
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression

  Muscle, Bone, and Joint Conditions

  • Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Analgesics for Osteoarthritis
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Treatments To Prevent Fractures in Men and Women With Low Bone Density or Osteoporosis
  • Comparative Effectiveness of Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis in Adults

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Date Modified: 11/16/2009