Improving osteoporosis screening: results from a randomized cluster trial.
BACKGROUND
Despite recommendations, osteoporosis screening rates among women aged 65 years and older remain low. We present results from a clustered, randomized trial evaluating patient mailed reminders, alone and in combination with physician prompts, to improve osteoporosis screening and treatment.


METHODS
Primary care clinics (n = 15) were randomized to usual care, mailed reminders alone, or mailed reminders with physician prompts. Study patients were females aged 65-89 years (N = 10,354). Using automated clinical and pharmacy data, information was collected on bone mineral density testing, pharmacy dispensings, and other patient characteristics. Unadjusted/adjusted differences in testing and treatment were assessed using generalized estimating equation approaches.


RESULTS
Osteoporosis screening rates were 10.8% in usual care, 24.1% in mailed reminder, and 28.9% in mailed reminder with physician prompt. Results adjusted for differences at baseline indicated that mailed reminders significantly improved testing rates compared to usual care, and that the addition of prompts further improved testing. This effect increased with patient age. Treatment rates were 5.2% in usual care, 8.4% in mailed reminders, and 9.1% in mailed reminders with prompt. No significant differences were found in treatment rates between those receiving mailed reminders alone or in combination with physician prompts. However, women receiving usual care were significantly less likely to be treated.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of mailed reminders, either alone or with physician prompts, can significantly improve osteoporosis screening and treatment rates among insured primary care patients (Clinical Trials.gov number NCT00139425).
Lafata
Jennifer Elston
JE
Center for Health Services Research, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. JLAFATA1@HFHS.ORG
Kolk
Deneil
D
Peterson
Edward L
EL
McCarthy
Bruce D
BD
Weiss
Thomas W
TW
Chen
Ya-Ting
YT
Muma
Bruce K
BK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017010:Reminder Systems