A demonstration project of a multi-component educational intervention to improve integrated post-fracture osteoporosis care in five rural communities in Ontario, Canada.

UNLABELLED: This study evaluated a multi-component intervention (educational materials and outreach visits) to increase knowledge and improve post-fracture care management in five rural communities in Canada. One hundred and twenty-five patients pre- intervention and 149 post-intervention were compared. No significant improvement in post-fracture care was documented suggesting that a more targeted intervention is needed. INTRODUCTION: Currently, the majority of patients with a low trauma fracture are under-investigated and under-treated for osteoporosis. We set out to evaluate an educational intervention on increasing knowledge of post-fracture care among health care professionals (HCPs) and fracture patients and on improving post-fracture management. METHODS: We studied five rural communities in Ontario, Canada, using a multi-component intervention ("Behind the Break"), including educational material for HCPs and patients and educational outreach visits to physicians. The study had a historical control, non-equivalent pre/post design. Telephone surveys were carried out with individuals > or =40 years of age who had a low trauma fracture in 2003 (n = 125) or in 2005 (n = 149). Family physicians and emergency department staff were also surveyed. RESULTS: A total of 4,207 educational packages were distributed. Seventy-three percent of family physicians had an outreach visit. Two-thirds indicated that they received enough information about post-fracture follow-up to incorporate it into their practice. Despite this, no significant improvement in post-fracture care was documented (32% in the "pre" group had a bone mineral density test and 25% in the "post" group). Of those diagnosed with osteoporosis, the majority were prescribed a bone-sparing medication (63% "pre" and 80% "post"). CONCLUSION: A more targeted intervention linking fracture patients to their physician needs to be evaluated in rural communities.

Development of an integrated-care delivery model for post-fracture care in Ontario, Canada.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated-care model for patients at highest risk for osteoporosis, those with a low-trauma fracture. Specific objectives were to describe the current processes and patterns of post-fracture care in hospitals in Ontario; to examine health-care professional and patient awareness of osteoporosis and the roles and responsibilities of various organizations and health care professionals; and to identify barriers and facilitators and obtain feedback on the model. METHODS: In 2002, questionnaires were completed for 178 eligible hospitals. RESULTS: Only 65% of hospitals inform primary-care physicians of a fracture for all patients and only 4% indicated that they provide information about osteoporosis. The main themes that emerged from the four patient focus groups (n=21) were lack of continuity of care, the absence of a link between the fracture and osteoporosis by both patients and health care providers, and need for information. Most participants agreed that something was needed to prompt their primary-care physician to investigate for osteoporosis. The four physician focus groups (n=26) identified a role for orthopaedic surgeons to flag cases. CONCLUSIONS: From 34 key informant interviews with community-based organizations, we found a lack of integration between health care professionals who provide fracture care and those who provide osteoporosis management and fall prevention. Based on these data, we developed an integrated local-resource-based post-fracture care model, which we obtained feedback on at a stakeholder consultation workshop. The model focuses on improving emergency department/fracture clinic communication, emphasizes the need for follow-up investigation by family physicians for osteoporosis, and incorporates other health care professionals and a telemedicine multidisciplinary osteoporosis clinic. We are currently evaluating whether this model leads to an increase in appropriate investigation of and treatment for osteoporosis in patients with low-trauma fractures.

Proton pump inhibitors. Compliance with a mandated step-up program.

OBJECTIVE: To assess compliance with a step-up approach to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy before implementation of a new provincial policy to promote histamine-type 2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) use before PPI therapy. DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective, open cohort study using prescribing and medical procedure data from January 1, 1995, to April 30, 1999. SETTING: Health administration databases for the universal health care system in Ontario. PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 1.4 million residents of Ontario older than 65 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients who received a trial of H2RA therapy or gastrointestinal diagnostic testing 12 months before starting PPI therapy in 1996. RESULTS: Among the 25,870 patients who met study criteria in 1996, about 63% had received H2RAs 12 months before starting PPI therapy and 73% had had a trial of H2RAs or gastrointestinal diagnostic testing. Repeat analysis for January through April 1999, following the new policy implementation, showed that about 72% of patients had had a trial of H2RAs within 12 months of starting PPI therapy. CONCLUSION: A modest gain (9%) in compliance with using H2RA therapy within 12 months before starting PPI therapy was seen following introduction of the step-up intervention. In future, costs and benefits of potential interventions should be carefully considered before implementing new policies.

Patterns of use of the bone mineral density test in Ontario, 1992-1998.

BACKGROUND: There is ongoing controversy about who should be referred for bone mineral density (BMD) testing to estimate fracture risk and diagnose osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of use of BMD testing in Ontario between 1992 and 1998. METHODS: All physician claims from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) claims database for BMD testing between Jan. 1, 1992, and Dec. 31, 1998, were categorized by age and sex of the patient and the specialty of the physician who ordered the test. Time trends and regional rate variation analyses were also performed. To examine the prevalence of repeat testing, an inception cohort of women who had a BMD test in 1996 was followed for 2 years from the date of first test. RESULTS: From 1992 to 1998 the number of BMD tests performed per year in women increased from 34,402 to 230,936 and in men from 2,162 to 13,579. In 1998 most tests were being ordered by family physicians (80.2% in 1998 v. 52.1% in 1992). Approximately 1 in 7 women aged 55-69 years had BMD tests done in 1998. Within a 2-year period 29.3% of these women had the test repeated; the mean time between tests was 16 months. Regional rate variation analyses of BMD tests performed in 1996-1998 indicated a 235-fold variation in BMD test rates across counties in Ontario, with a range from 0.2 to 47.1 per 1000 women in the population. INTERPRETATION: The number of BMD tests performed each year in Ontario is increasing rapidly. However, the significant variation between rates of testing in different regions indicates that the diffusion of this technology may not be taking place according to population need.

Clinical practice guidelines and Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

The objective of this paper is to review the principles, methods and issues behind the development of clinical practice guidelines. Practice guidelines have been defined as "systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances". The ultimate goal of guidelines is to improve patient outcomes; however, they may also be used as tools to decrease health care costs, improve medical education and enhance quality assurance. Evidence-based guidelines use explicit methods to link recommendations to the quality of the underlying research. Following development of the guideline, implementation and evaluation are key steps. The ultimate aim of guideline development is to influence physician knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

Spinal cord ependymomas: a retrospective analysis of 59 cases.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcome of patients with primary spinal ependymoma treated with postoperative radiotherapy and to identify clinical and treatment variables predictive of outcome. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 59 spinal ependymoma patients referred to the Princess Margaret Hospital between 1958 and 1987. All patients were treated with radiation therapy to either the site of the primary tumor or the craniospinal axis. There were 23 female and 36 male patients with a median age of 37 years (range: 8-66 years). Median follow-up was 130 months (range: 1-371 months). Clinical variables including age, sex, length of symptoms, functional status, tumor location, and grade as well as treatment variables including extent of surgery, radiation dose and treatment volume were analyzed for influence on outcome. RESULTS: Treatment was well-tolerated with no cases of radiation myelopathy identified. Overall actuarial survival at 5 and 10 years was 83% and 75%, respectively. Eleven patients had recurrent tumor with the 9/11 having a component of their recurrence within the treatment field. Median time to recurrence was 2 years with 9 of the 11 recurrences within the first 3 years. Tumor grade was the only independent variable identified as predictive of outcome. Patients with well differentiated tumors had a 5-year cause-specific survival of 97% compared to 71% for those with intermediate or poorly differentiated tumors (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: We conclude that postoperative irradiation for patients with spinal ependymomas is associated with a favorable outcome and that tumor grade is a major prognostic factor. Based on results of this series and a review of the literature, specific management recommendations are made for this rare tumor.

Risk for serious gastrointestinal complications related to use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relative risk for serious gastrointestinal complications due to non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) exposure among NSAID users as well as in selected subgroups. DESIGN: Overview and meta-analysis. DATA IDENTIFICATION: A literature search of English-language studies examining the association between NSAIDs and adverse gastrointestinal events for the period 1975 to 1990 identified using MEDLINE and communicating with three internationally recognized experts. DATA ANALYSIS: A qualitative summary of study characteristics and a critical appraisal of study quality were done. The results of 16 primary studies were selected and combined statistically. Summary estimates were weighted by sample size and quality score. MAIN RESULTS: The overall odds ratio of the risk for adverse gastrointestinal events related to NSAID use, summarized from 16 studies (9 case-control and 7 cohort) was 2.74 (95% Cl, 2.54 to 2.97). The summary odds ratios were as follows: elderly patients, (aged greater than or equal to 60 years), 5.52 (Cl, 4.63 to 6.60); patients under 65 years of age, 1.65 (Cl, 1.08 to 2.53); women, 2.32 (Cl, 1.91 to 2.82); and men, 2.40 (Cl, 1.85 to 3.11). The summary odds ratio for NSAID users receiving concomitant corticosteroids compared with NSAID users not receiving corticosteroids was 1.83 (Cl, 1.20 to 2.78). The summary odds ratio for the first gastrointestinal event was 2.39 (Cl, 2.16 to 2.65). The relative risk for a subsequent or unspecified gastrointestinal event was 4.76 (Cl, 4.05 to 5.59). The summary odds ratio for less than 1 month of NSAID exposure was 8.00 (Cl, 6.37 to 10.06); for more than 1 month but less than 3 months of exposure, the summary odds ratio was 3.31 (Cl, 2.27 to 4.82); and for more than 3 months of exposure, the summary odds ratio was 1.92 (Cl, 1.19 to 3.13). CONCLUSIONS: Users of NSAIDs are at approximately three times greater relative risk for developing serious adverse gastrointestinal events than are nonusers. Additional risk factors include age greater than 60 years, previous history of gastrointestinal events, and concomitant corticosteroid use. Another possible risk factor is the first 3 months of NSAID therapy. The risk for serious gastrointestinal events appears to be equal among men and women. These data represent summary statistics from 16 studies and cannot be considered generalizable to all NSAID users.

Counting the costs of chemotherapy in a National Cancer Institute of Canada randomized trial in nonsmall-cell lung cancer.

An economic evaluation was undertaken of a previously reported National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) trial of chemotherapy in advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). That trial had demonstrated a survival benefit associated with the use of either vindesine and cisplatin (VP) or cyclosphosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) in relation to best supportive care (BSC). The economic technique used in this evaluation was cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). All costs were determined from the viewpoint of two provincial health care plans. When compared with BSC, the survival benefit of 8 weeks in favor of patients receiving CAP chemotherapy was associated with an economic saving of $949.49 (in 1984 Canadian dollars). This translated into a savings of $6,171.69 per year of life gained. The mean survival benefit of 12.8 weeks that was obtained with VP chemotherapy compared with BSC was associated with an increased cost of $3,637.60 per patient, or $14,777.75 per year of life gained. The economic evaluation demonstrated that the majority of costs on each of the three treatment arms was related to hospitalization and not to the use of chemotherapy agents. These results compare favorably with estimates of cost-effectiveness (CE) of commonly used treatments for other diseases and demonstrate that a policy of supportive care is associated with costs that may exceed those of active treatment. It is concluded that economic factors should not adversely affect decisions regarding the use of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC.