Effect of an academic detailing intervention on the utilization rate of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in the elderly.
BACKGROUND
Osteoarthritis is prevalent in the elderly. Nova Scotia general practitioners (GPs) identified the need for an academic detailing (AD) intervention aimed at optimizing the management of osteoarthritis. AD was provided by Dalhousie University Continuing Medical Education in a face-to-face encounter employing evidence-based information. GP participation was voluntary.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a GP-targeted osteoarthritis AD intervention on a reduction in the prescribing of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, as well as examine the intervention effect on the utilization rates of gastroprotective agents and medical services.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study design employing administrative data was used. Differences in utilization rates between intervention and control groups were evaluated using generalized estimating equations analysis for longitudinal data over four 90-day postintervention periods. Confounding was addressed using propensity scores to adjust for between-group bias on the measured covariates.


RESULTS
The between-group difference for change in COX-2 utilization rates was 0.76 defined daily doses/patient (p = 0.040; 95% CI 0.037 to 1.48) for the 3-month period following the intervention, with lower COX-2 utilization in the AD intervention group than in the control group. The intervention group showed a significant decrease in the within-group utilization rate between the pre- and postintervention periods (z =-2.34; p = 0.019). The between-group difference for change in GP office visit rates was 0.40 visits/patient (p = 0.028; 95% CI 0.046 to 0.79) with the intervention group, showing higher visit rates compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The osteoarthritis AD intervention was associated with a significant decrease (23%) in COX-2 utilization rates in the 3-month period immediately following the intervention. The only secondary outcome to show a significant between-group effect was the GP office visit rate, which was higher for the intervention group in the second 3-month postintervention period.
Graham
Stephen D
SD
Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Hartzema
Abraham G
AG
Sketris
Ingrid S
IS
Winterstein
Almut G
AG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009674:Nova Scotia; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors