Use of a decision aid to improve treatment decisions in osteoporosis: the osteoporosis choice randomized trial

Am J Med. 2011 Jun;124(6):549-56. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.01.013.

Abstract

Objective: Poor adherence to therapy, perhaps related to unaddressed patient preferences, limits the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment in at-risk women. A parallel patient-level randomized trial in primary care practices was performed.

Methods: Eligible postmenopausal women with bone mineral density T-scores less than -1.0 and not receiving bisphosphonate therapy were included. In addition to usual primary care, intervention patients received a decision aid (a tailored pictographic 10-year fracture risk estimate, absolute risk reduction with bisphosphonates, side effects, and out-of-pocket cost), and control patients received a standard brochure. Knowledge transfer, patient involvement in decision-making, and rates of bisphosphonate start and adherence were studied. Data came from medical records, post-visit written and 6-month phone surveys, video recordings of clinical encounters, and pharmacy prescription profiles.

Results: A total of 100 patients (range of 10-year fracture risk, 6%-60%) were allocated randomly to receive the decision aid (n=52) or usual care (n=48). Patients receiving the decision aid were 1.8 times more likely to correctly identify their 10-year fracture risk (49% vs 28%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-3.2) and 2.7 times more likely to identify their estimated risk reduction with bisphosphonates (43% vs 16%; 95% CI, 1.3-5.7). Patient involvement improved with the decision aid by 23% (95% CI, 13.6-31.4). Bisphosphonates were started by 44% of patients receiving the decision aid and 40% of patients receiving usual care. Adherence at 6 months was similarly high across both groups, but the proportion with more than 80% adherence was higher with the decision aid (n=23 [100%] vs n=14 [74%]; P = .009).

Conclusion: A decision aid improved the quality of clinical decisions about bisphosphonate therapy in at-risk postmenopausal women, did not affect start rates, and may have improved adherence.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00578981.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Decision Making*
  • Decision Support Techniques*
  • Diphosphonates / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / complications
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / etiology
  • Osteoporotic Fractures / prevention & control*
  • Patient Participation*
  • Primary Health Care / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Trust

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00578981