This proposal is designed to provide Dr. Rachel Hess with the research experience and analytic skills to become an independent health services researcher emphasizing women's health and health related quality of life (HRQOL). She will build on fellowship training in women's health and health services research with formal course work designed to increase her skills in epidemiologic and survey techniques, economic theory, and ascertainment of health services utilization (HSU) and directed study in HRQOL, HSU, and statistical techniques. She has the support of the Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and Center for Research on Health Care as well as the commitment of exceptional mentors: Roberta Ness, MD, MPH; Karen Matthews, PhD; and Wishwa Kapoor, MD, MPH. With her mentors' assistance, Dr. Hess will study the impact of menopause and hormonal therapy on HRQOL and HSU. ? ? Menopause affects all women as they age, yet its affect on HRQOL and HSU is not fully elucidated. Over the next 10 years, 50% of the United States population will be in or entering menopause. In 1997 alone, Americans spent over $21 billion on alternative medical therapies. Use of alternative therapies in menopause is not well quantified. Given the recent evidence of harmful effects of hormone therapy in menopause and the number of women entering menopause, quantifying alternative medication use and investigating its effect on HRQOL and HSU are essential. This study examines the: 1) effect of menopause on HRQOL; 2) use of alternative therapy for menopause and its effects on HRQOL; and 3) impact of menopause on HSU. To accomplish these goals, this study employs a novel, computerized data collection system. ? ? This research will develop a context for future studies, including randomized trials of the impact of non-traditional treatments on HRQOL and HSU. It will facilitate the candidate's transition to an independent health services researcher examining the impact of biologic and sociologic factors on HRQOL and HSU. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23AG024254-02
Application #
6934579
Study Section
National Institute on Aging Initial Review Group (NIA)
Program Officer
Haaga, John G
Project Start
2004-08-15
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2005-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$152,417
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Thomas, Holly N; Chang, Chung-Chou H; Dillon, Stacey et al. (2014) Sexual activity in midlife women: importance of sex matters. JAMA Intern Med 174:631-3
Thomas, Semara; Ness, Roberta B; Thurston, Rebecca C et al. (2013) Racial differences in perception of healthy body weight in midlife women: results from the Do Stage Transitions Result in Detectable Effects study. Menopause 20:269-73
Xu, Hanna; Thurston, Rebecca C; Matthews, Karen A et al. (2012) Are hot flashes associated with sleep disturbance during midlife? Results from the STRIDE cohort study. Maturitas 71:34-8
Buranosky, Raquel; Hess, Rachel; McNeil, Melissa A et al. (2012) Once is not enough: effective strategies for medical student education on intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women 18:1192-212
Hess, Rachel; Thurston, Rebecca C; Hays, Ron D et al. (2012) The impact of menopause on health-related quality of life: results from the STRIDE longitudinal study. Qual Life Res 21:535-44
Prairie, Beth A; Scheier, Michael F; Matthews, Karen A et al. (2011) A higher sense of purpose in life is associated with sexual enjoyment in midlife women. Menopause 18:839-44
Thomas, Holly M; Bryce, Cindy L; Ness, Roberta B et al. (2011) Dyspareunia is associated with decreased frequency of intercourse in the menopausal transition. Menopause 18:152-7
Hess, Rachel; Conroy, Molly B; Ness, Roberta et al. (2009) Association of lifestyle and relationship factors with sexual functioning of women during midlife. J Sex Med 6:1358-68
Suffoletto, Jo-Anne; Hess, Rachel (2009) Tapering versus cold turkey: symptoms versus successful discontinuation of menopausal hormone therapy. Menopause 16:436-7
Inzitari, Marco; Greenlee, Adam; Hess, Rachel et al. (2009) Attitudes of postmenopausal women toward interactive video dance for exercise. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 18:1239-43

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