MEDTEP Research Projects, 1989-1996
MEDTEP Update: Online Newsletter
The Outcome of Outcomes Research at AHCPR: Final Report
Pneumonia: New Prediction Model Proves Promising
Schizophrenia PORT Results Provide Evidence-based Treatment Information
Stroke Prevention: Recommendations
Research Activities, May 2004:
Researchers examine the diagnosis, testing, and treatment of bronchiolitis in infants
Research Activities, April 2004:
Hip fracture patients function better after hip repair surgery if they receive transfusions for anemia while in the hospital
Doctors substantially reduced their prescribing of alpha-blockers for hypertension after published trial results showed problems
Research Activities, March 2004:
Patients who undergo surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease use less care later than those who receive only medications
Inconsistent use of medications by elderly Mexican Americans with diabetes may explain their greater risk of some complications
Research Activities, February 2004:
Complications from prostate cancer treatment vary according to pretreatment function and choice of treatment
Use of tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer should be weighed against an individual woman's potential to benefits and risks
Research Activities, January 2004:
Acid suppressant therapy is effective for short-term relief of heartburn for patients with persistent symptoms
Research Activities, December 2003:
CT scans of pelvic fracture patients can determine the extent of hemorrhage and need for pelvic arteriography and transfusions
Studies focus on diagnosis and treatment of low back pain, as well as related pain and disability
Research Activities, September 2003:
Inappropriate use of carotid endarterectomy to prevent stroke has declined over the past few years
Research Activities, August 2003:
Coronary bypass surgery results in better 5-year outcomes than coronary angioplasty
Certain hospital practices may reduce the incidence of pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation among critically ill patients
Research Activities, July 2003:
Recommendations for diagnosing and treating low back pain call for a conservative, step-by-step approach
Heart attack patients who are not discharged from the hospital on beta-blockers are unlikely to start them as outpatients
Research Activities, June 2003:
Chemotherapy and radiation following surgery for colorectal cancer are underused, and use varies by hospital
Research Activities, May 2003:
Heart attack patients who develop non-Q-wave vs. Q-wave infarctions after thrombolysis fare better in the short term and at 1 year
People who have more disability prior to hip replacement surgery have worse functioning and more pain after surgery
Patients with traumatic brain injury should be screened for alcohol problems that can interfere with neurologic recovery
Research Activities, April 2003:
Doctors are prescribing fewer and safer antiarrhythmic drugs than in the 1980s
Clinicians can maintain warfarin dose in asymptomatic patients with an INR of 3.3 or less without risk of hemorrhage
Pharmacist care and telephone peak flow monitoring can improve peak flow rates among patients with asthma and COPD
Use of an ECG-based diagnostic tool in the ER can help predict cardiac arrest in heart attack patients
Use of intensive care for patients with severe pneumonia is common and expensive, but hospital ICU admission rates vary
CT scans can help physicians determine which artery is bleeding in patients with traumatic pelvic fractures
Clinical screening criteria can identify virtually all blunt trauma patients with acute thoracolumbar spine injuries
Research Activities, March 2003:
Whenever possible, heart attack patients at high risk of death should receive angioplasty, not thrombolytic therapy
Paget-Schroetter syndrome should be considered whenever a person with repetitive arm motion has pulmonary hypertension
Gastric bypass can dramatically improve the health of severely obese individuals at a reasonable cost
Transplant surgeons sometimes reject a poor quality liver in hopes of getting a better organ later
Chiropractic and medical care for low back pain are comparable in their effectiveness over 6 months of followup
Research Activities, February 2003:
Researchers explore the most effective management of patients with chronic hepatitis C
Epoetin treatment reduces anemia and related transfusions for certain cancer patients
Research Activities, January 2003:
Patients undergoing hip replacement surgery fare better when their surgeons perform 10 or more of these surgeries per year
Research Activities, December 2002:
Endometrial ablation may not prevent hysterectomy for many women with benign uterine conditions
Physicians' involvement in patient safety and quality of care may be pivotal to maintaining medicine's credibility
Research Activities, October 2002:
Use of the less expensive streptokinase over tPA is difficult to justify for some heart attack patients
Research Activities, September 2002:
Many prostate biopsies are done on very elderly men who are less likely than younger men to benefit from treatment
Research Activities, August 2002:
ER doctors often overestimate the need for critical care for patients with acute congestive heart failure
Implantable defibrillators reduce cardiac deaths and are as cost effective as many generally accepted therapies
Internal thoracic artery grafting can improve survival in elderly patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery
Educating neurologists about coagulation tests could improve their use of such tests in stroke patients
Research Activities, June 2002:
Researchers examine prevalence, quality of life, and treatment of men suffering from prostate problems
Research Activities, April 2002:
Researchers examine cost-effectiveness of implantable defibrillators and amiodarone medication
Research Activities, January 2002:
Researchers examine anemia, dialysis methods, and nephrologist referral among patients with kidney disease
Researchers examine the influence of hospital surgery volume, procedure type, and patient age on surgical risk
Research Activities, December 2001:
Researchers from the Pneumonia PORT examine triage and management of community-acquired pneumonia
Five criteria can identify pediatric blunt trauma victims who are unlikely to need x-rays to exclude cervical spine injury
Research Activities, November 2001:
Epoetin may reduce the need for transfusion in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
Research Activities, October 2001:
Researchers examine the use of x-rays to diagnose cervical spine injuries due to blunt trauma
Research Activities, September 2001:
Generalists tend to be more cautious than cardiologists in their use of drugs for heart attack patients
Researchers examine the available evidence on effective management of otitis media in children
Researchers examine use of acupuncture, surgery, and imaging tests in treating back pain patients
Research Activities, July 2001:
Massage may be an effective alternative to conventional medical care for persistent back pain
Variation in use of coronary angiography after heart attack may reflect use in patients who don't need it
Research Activities, June 2001:
Nearly one-third of stroke patients receive blood coagulation testing when the result is unlikely to influence treatment
Research Activities, May 2001:
Researchers compare strategies for treating elderly patients who have an infected hip prosthesis
Sophisticated imaging tests and specialty care usually are not necessary to evaluate and manage acute low back pain
Research Activities, April 2001:
A common ear surgery for children does not measurably improve development at age 3
Researchers explore children's access to and use of health care services
Researchers confirm that ongoing doctor-patient relationships based on trust are critical for effective care
Research Activities, February 2001:
Patients who choose doctors of the opposite
sex generally are more satisfied with their care
Outpatient management of new TIA or minor stroke could be improved
Researchers identify the most effective drugs for converting atrial fibrillation to normal heart rhythm
Research Activities, January 2001:
Two-thirds of adults report improved functioning and quality of life following surgery for low back pain
Injectable and IV heparin have similar overall care costs and effectiveness for treating deep vein thrombosis
Research Activities, December 2000:
Releasing medical study findings early has a downside
Transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia declined dramatically but remains safe
Research Activities, November 2000:
Coronary angiography is underused for both Medicare managed care and fee-for-service heart attack patients
Surgery is the most cost-effective testosterone suppression treatment for advanced prostate cancer
Routine use of antibiotics and alpha-blockers to treat chronic prostatis is not supported by evidence
Research Activities, October 2000:
Risk of foot amputation may be double for diabetes patients who don't obtain prescribed footwear and medicines
Studies point the way to cholesterol screening recommendations for women
Research Activities, July 2000:
Urologists and radiation oncologists agree on some aspects of prostate cancer treatment but not on which treatment is best
Research Activities, June 2000:
Studies focus on diagnostic testing and treatment for prostate cancer
Research Activities, May 2000:
Some drugs provide
better control of heart rate for patients with atrial fibrillation at both rest
and exercise
Research Activities, April 2000:
General anesthesia
is as effective and may be better than long-acting spinal anesthesia
CT scans taken
during the initial hours of a suspected stroke cannot rule out stroke
Odontoid fractures
following blunt trauma often involve certain spinal and sometimes non-spinal
damage
Research Activities, January 2000:
Back pain study
examines pain intensity and functioning