Prescription pattern of aromatase inhibitors for the adjuvant therapy of breast cancer in Germany - results of the second survey among gynaecologists and medical oncologists.
BACKGROUND
In sequence to our first survey in 2004 on antihormonal therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AIs), we conducted a second survey on the prescription practice in 2005.


METHODS
We distributed the anonymous questionnaires amongst the participants of the 2005 congresses of the German Society of Senology and German Society of Haematology and Oncology.


RESULTS
The surveys were mostly completed by gynaecologists (46%) and medical oncologists (46%). According to the responses given, over 31,000 breast cancer patients were treated in these institutions in 2004, over 18,000 of whom received AIs. 37/30% of doctors prescribed AIs for national/private health insurance patients depending on the known risks of tamoxifen treatment (> 50% of cases). Whilst only 6/10% of doctors prescribed AIs for more than 50% of patients with either national/private health insurance in 2004, this figure reached 49% in 2005, independent of the type of medical insurance. Assuming unrestricted approval, 68/65% of doctors would treat over 50% of their patients with an AI.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of treatment with AIs has increased dramatically. The previous gold standard, tamoxifen, was by and large replaced by AIs in 2004/2005. We may assume that almost all receptor- positive breast cancer patients will receive an AI in the course of their adjuvant therapy in the very near future.
Lüftner
Diana
D
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik mit Schwerpunkt Onkologie und Hämatologie, Charité, Campus Mitte, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. diana.lueftner@charite.de
Scheller
Jürgen
J
Kölm
Petra
P
Possinger
Kurt
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000075202:Contraindications; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen