Research Summaries for Consumers, Clinicians, and Policymakers | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

Research Summaries for Consumers, Clinicians, and Policymakers | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

Million Hearts® Initiative Seeks Hypertension Control Champions by October 10

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Million Hearts initiative is seeking nominations for blood pressure control champions for the 2014 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge. The challenge seeks to recognize high-performing small and large practices and health systems that have worked with their patients to achieve hypertension control rates at or above 70 percent. This competition is part of efforts by Million Hearts to help prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. The submission deadline is October 10. Success stories about the 2013 winners are available, along with information about hypertension from AHRQ.  

Research Summaries for Consumers, Clinicians, and Policymakers

The Effective Health Care Program creates free research summaries about the benefits and risks of different treatments for different health conditions. The summaries are based on comparative effectiveness reviews that cover health topics suggested by the public. These research summaries are not clinical recommendations or guidelines and should not be interpreted as such.

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Research summaries for consumers, clinicians, and policymakers are available for the following health conditions:

Brain and Nerve Conditions	Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDs
Breathing Conditions	Mental Health
Cancer	Muscle, Bone, and Joint Conditions
Developmental Delays, ADHD, Autism	Nonclinical Topics
Diabetes	Obesity
Digestive System Conditions	Ophthalmologic Conditions
Genitourinary Conditions	Pregnancy and Childbirth
Gynecology	Renal Disease
Heart and Blood Vessel Conditions

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Brain and Nerve Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Treating Severe Migraine Headaches in the Emergency Room (En Español)Sept. 19, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC142-A	Acute Migraine Treatment in Emergency SettingsSept. 19, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC142-3
Options for Treating Restless Legs Syndrome (En Español)Aug. 30, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC147-A	Treatment for Restless Legs SyndromeAug. 30, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC147-3

 Breathing Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Allergy Shots and Allergy Drops for Adults and Children (En Español)Aug. 22, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC061-A	Subcutaneous and Sublingual Immunotherapy To Treat Allergic Rhinitis/Rhinoconjunctivitis and AsthmaAug. 22, 2013
Treating Sleep Apnea: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Aug. 8, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC052-A	Comparative Effectiveness of Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in AdultsAug. 8, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC052-3
Human Growth Hormone for Children With Cystic Fibrosis: A Review of the Research for Parents and Caregivers(En Español)Mar. 4, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC003-A	Use of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone for Pediatric Patients With Cystic FibrosisMar. 4, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC003-3
	Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation for Acute Respiratory Failure: Comparative EffectivenessSept. 20, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC089-3

 Cancer

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Trasplantes de médula ósea o de células madre sanguíneas en niños con formas graves de trastornos autoinmunes o ciertos tipos de cáncerApr. 9, 2014  AHRQ Pub. No. 13(14)-EHC127-B-EF	Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Rare Diseases in the Pediatric PopulationSept. 25, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(14)-EHC018-3
Trasplantes de médula ósea o de células madre sanguíneas en niños con ciertas enfermedades metabólicas hereditarias y rarasMar. 25, 2014  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(14)-EHC018-B-EF	Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Rare Diseases in the Pediatric PopulationSept. 25, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(14)-EHC018-3
Bone Marrow or Blood Stem Cell Transplants in Children With Certain Rare Inherited Metabolic DiseasesSept. 25, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(14)-EHC018-A-EF	Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Rare Diseases in the Pediatric PopulationSept. 25, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(14)-EHC018-3
Bone Marrow or Blood Stem Cell Transplants in Children With Severe Forms of Autoimmune Disorders or Certain Types of CancerSept. 25, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13(14)-EHC127-A-EF	Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation for Rare Diseases in the Pediatric PopulationSept. 25, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(14)-EHC018-3
Understanding Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Guide for Adults and Their Caregivers (En Español)Nov. 30, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10(11)-EHC014-A	Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Radiotherapy Treatments for Head and Neck CancerNov. 30, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10(11)-EHC014-3
Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer With Medicine: A Guide for Women(En Español)Jan. 13, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 09(10)-EHC028-A	Medications To Reduce the Risk of Primary Breast Cancer in Women: Clinician's GuideJan. 13, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 09(10)-EHC028-3
Treating Prostate Cancer: A Guide for Men With Localized Prostate Cancer(En Español)Jul. 24, 2008  AHRQ Pub. No. 08-EHC010-2A	Treatments for Clinically Localized Prostate CancerJul. 24, 2008  AHRQ Pub. No. 08-EHC010-3

 Developmental Delays, ADHD, Autism

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum DisorderSept. 23, 2014  AHRQ Pub. No. 14-EHC036-A	Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum DisorderSept. 23, 2014  AHRQ Pub. No. 14-EHC036-3
Treatment Options for ADHD in Children and Teens: A Review of Research for Parents and Caregivers(En Español)Jun. 26, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC003-A	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and AdolescentsJun. 26, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC003-3

 Diabetes

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Methods for Delivering Insulin and Monitoring Blood Sugar: A Review of the Research for Children, Teens, and Adults With Diabetes (En Español)Sept. 4, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC036-A	Insulin Delivery and Glucose Monitoring Methods for Diabetes Mellitus: Comparative EffectivenessSept. 4, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC036-3
Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Jun. 30, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC038-A	Comparing Medications for Adults With Type 2 DiabetesJun. 30, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC038-3
Gestational Diabetes: A Guide for Pregnant Women (En Español)Aug. 5, 2009  AHRQ Pub. No. 09-EHC014-A	Gestational Diabetes: Caring for Women During and After PregnancyAug. 5, 2009  AHRQ Pub. No. 09-EHC014-3

 Digestive System Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Treatment Options for GERD or Acid Reflux Disease: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Sept. 23, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC049-A	Managing Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseSept. 23, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC-049-3

 Functional Limitations and Physical Disabilities

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Surgery for an Inguinal Hernia (En Español)Jul. 24, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC091-A	Surgical Management of Inguinal HerniaJul. 24, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC091-3

 Genitourinary Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Treatment Options for Children With Undescended Testicles (En Español)Aug. 30, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC001-A	Evaluation and Treatment of CryptorchidismAug. 30, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC001-3
Lowering the Chance of Getting Another Calcium Kidney Stone (En Español)Aug. 8, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC049-A	Recurrent Nephrolithiasis in Adults: Comparative Effectiveness of Preventive Medical StrategiesAug. 8, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC049-3
Non-surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence: A Review of the Research for Women (En Español)Apr. 9, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC074-A	Non-surgical Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women: Diagnosis and Comparative EffectivenessApr. 9, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC-074-3

 Gynecology

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Review of the Research for Women(En Español)Apr. 16, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC088-A	Effectiveness of Treatments for Noncyclic Chronic Pelvic Pain in Adult WomenApr. 16, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC088-3

 Heart and Blood Vessel Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Taking Dietary Supplements With Heart, Blood Pressure, or Cholesterol Medicines: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Apr. 10, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC021-A	Use Versus Nonuse of Dietary Supplements in Adults Taking Cardiovascular DrugsApr. 10, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC021-3
Preventing Blood Clots After Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery or Surgery for a Broken Hip: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Aug. 30, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC020-A	Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Orthopedic SurgeryAug. 30, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC020-3
Measuring Your Blood Pressure at Home: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Feb. 22, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC002-A	Effectiveness of Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring in Adults With HypertensionFeb. 22, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC002-3
Choosing Medicines for High Blood Pressure: A Review of the Research on ACEIs, ARBs, and DRIs (En Español)Oct. 24, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC063-A	ACEIs, ARBs, or DRI for Adults With HypertensionOct. 24, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)EHC063-3
“ACE Inhibitors” and “ARBs” To Protect Your Heart? (En Español)Jul. 9, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10-EHC002-A	Adding ACEIs and/or ARBs to Standard Therapy for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Benefits and HarmsJul. 9, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10-EHC002-3
Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Guide for Adults (En Español)Nov. 16, 2009  AHRQ Pub. No. 09(10)-EHC015-A	Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Clinician's GuideNov. 16, 2009  AHRQ Pub. No. 09(10)-EHC015-3
	Utilization and Clinical Data on In-Hospital Off-Label Uses of Recombinant Factor VIIaOct. 29, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10(11)-EHC030-3
	Adjunctive Devices in PCI To Remove Thrombi or Protect Against Distal Embolization in Patients With ACSMay 16, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC089-3
	Noninvasive Technologies for Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease in Women: Comparative EffectivenessOct. 11, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC034-3

 Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Testing for the Hepatitis C Virus (En Español)Sept. 13, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC090-A	Screening for Hepatitis C Virus Infection in AdultsSept. 13, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC090-3
Treating Chronic Hepatitis C: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Nov. 27, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC113-A	Comparative Effectiveness of Treatments for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in AdultsNov. 27, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC113-3
Treating and Preventing C-diff Infections: A Review of the Research for Adults and Their Caregivers (En Español)Dec. 19, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC051-A	Clostridium difficile Infections: Diagnosis, Treatment, and PreventionDec. 19, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC051-3
	Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic TherapyOct. 5, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC124-3

 Mental Health

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Treatment Options When Your SSRI Antidepressant Is Not Working Well(En Español)Jul. 24, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC050-A	Treatment for Depression After Unsatisfactory Response to SSRIs in Adults and AdolescentsJul. 24, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC050-3
Antipsychotic Medicines for Treating Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Review of the Research for Adults and Caregivers (En Español)Apr. 10, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC054-A	First-Generation Versus Second-Generation Antipsychotics in Adults: Comparative EffectivenessApr. 10, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC054-3
Antipsychotic Medicines for Children and Teens: A Review of the Research for Parents and Caregivers (En Español)Sept. 4, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC077-A	First- and Second-Generation Antipsychotics for Children: Comparative EffectivenessSept. 4, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC077-3
Medicines for Treating Mental Health Conditions: A Review of the Research for Adults and Caregivers (En Español)Aug. 1, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC087-A	Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An UpdateAug. 1, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC087-3
Medicines for Treating Depression: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Jul. 30, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC012-A	Second-Generation Antidepressants for Treating Adult Depression: An UpdateJul. 30, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC012-3
Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Review of the Research (En Español)Mar. 19, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC056-A	Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Treatment-Resistant Depression in AdultsMar. 19, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC056-3
Depression After Brain Injury: A Guide for Patients and Their Caregivers (En Español)Apr. 13, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. No. 11-EHC017-A	Depression After Traumatic Brain InjuryApr. 13, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. No. 11-EHC017-3	Depression Following a Traumatic Brain InjuryNov. 21, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC017-2

 Muscle, Bone, and Joint Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Medicines for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Nov. 20, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC024-A	Drug Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis in Adults: Comparative EffectivenessNov. 20, 2012
Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Nov. 20, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC025-A	Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparative EffectivenessNov. 20, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC025-3
Reducing the Risk of Bone Fracture: A Review of the Research for Adults With Low Bone Density (En Español)May 16, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC023-A	Treatment To Prevent Osteoporotic Fractures: An UpdateMay 16, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC023-3
Managing Osteoarthritis Pain With Medicines: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Feb. 15, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 06(07)-EHC009-A	Analgesics for OsteoarthritisFeb. 15, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC076-3
Managing Pain From a Broken Hip: A Guide for Adults and Their Caregivers(En Español)May 17, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC022-A	Pain Management Interventions for Elderly Patients With Hip FractureMay 17, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-EHC022-3
Treatment Options for Rotator Cuff Tears: A Guide for Adults (En Español)Oct. 29, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10(11)-EHC050-A	Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions for Rotator Cuff Tears in AdultsOct. 29, 2010  AHRQ Pub. No. 10(11)-EHC050-3
	Antinuclear Antibody, Rheumatoid Factor, and Cyclic-Citrullinated Peptide Tests for Evaluating Musculoskeletal Complaints in ChildrenJul. 5, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC015-3

 Nonclinical Topics

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Managing Care for Adults With Long-term Medical Illnesses (En Español)Aug. 30, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC031-A	Effectiveness of Outpatient Case Management for Adults With Medical Illness and Complex Care NeedsAug. 30, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC031-3
	Mitigating the Effects of Low Health Literacy: A Brief of the Research Evidence for Health Communicators & EducatorsMar. 7, 2011  AHRQ Pub. No. 11-E006-6	Considering Low Health Literacy in the Development or Support of Patient & Consumer InformationMar. 7, 2011

 Obesity

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Keeping Children at a Healthy Weight(En Español)Sept. 19, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC081-A	Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs: Comparative EffectivenessSept. 19, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 13-EHC081-3
Weight-Loss Surgery for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes Who Are at the Lower Levels of Obesity (En Español)Sept. 13, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC139-A	Comparative Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery and Nonsurgical Therapy in Adults With Metabolic Conditions and a Body Mass Index of 30.0 to 34.9 kg/m²Sept. 13, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC139-3

 Ophthalmologic Conditions

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Treatments for Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Review of the Research for Adults (En Español)Feb. 14, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC038-A	Comparisons of Medical, Laser, and Incisional Surgical Treatments for Open-Angle Glaucoma in AdultsFeb. 14, 2013  AHRQ Pub. No. 12(13)-EHC038-3

 Pregnancy and Childbirth

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Progestogens To Prevent Preterm Birth: A Review of the Research About Progestogens for Women at Risk (En Español)Sept. 21, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC105-A	Progestogens for Prevention of Preterm BirthSept. 21, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 12-EHC105-3
Thinking About Inducing Your Labor: A Guide for Pregnant Women (En Español)Dec. 14, 2009  AHRQ Pub. No. 10-EHC004-A	Elective Induction of Labor: Safety and HarmsNov. 30, 2009  AHRQ Pub. No. 10-EHC004-3

 Renal Disease

Consumer Summaries	Clinician Summaries	Policymaker Summaries
Medicines for Early Stage Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review of the Research for Adults With Kidney Disease and Diabetes or High Blood Pressure (En Español)Oct. 11, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC075-A	Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 1–3Oct. 11, 2012  AHRQ Pub. No. 11(12)-EHC075-3