National patterns and predictors of beta-blocker use in patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies suggest underuse of beta-blockers in patients with coronary artery disease, but these studies have been based on selected populations of recently hospitalized patients.


OBJECTIVE
To describe national patterns and determinants of beta-blocker use in the ambulatory setting.


METHODS
We analyzed 11745 visits by patients with coronary artery disease to randomly selected, office-based physicians in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys for 1980, 1981, 1985, and 1989 through 1996. We used multiple logistic regression to determine the independent effect of sociodemographic and clinical factors on beta-blocker use.


METHODS
Beta-blocker use at patient visits.


RESULTS
Beta-blocker use was reported in only 20.9% of office visits by patients with coronary artery disease and no strong contraindications between 1993 and 1996. In multivariate analyses, age younger than 75 years, residence in the Northeast, and visits to cardiologists and internists compared with family and general practitioners predicted greater use of beta-blocker therapy. White race and private insurance also were significant predictors of beta-blocker use between 1980 and 1996. Longitudinal analyses revealed a significant decline in beta-blocker use from 1980 to 1990, followed by a gradual increase in recent years.


CONCLUSIONS
Beta-blockers appear to be underused in ambulatory patients with coronary artery disease. Our data suggest that nonclinical factors may influence rates of use, indicating the need for closer scrutiny of variations in physician prescribing practices.
Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
T J
TJ
Wang
R S
RS
Stafford
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists