Preference for hip protectors among older adults at high risk for osteoporotic fractures.

Objective: To determine older adults' treatment preferences for osteoporosis comparing bisphosphonates and hip protectors.

Methods: Subjects at high risk for an osteoporotic hip fracture completed a discrete choice questionnaire to determine preferences for hip protectors versus oral weekly bisphosphonates. Simulations, based on respondents' values for type of treatment and absolute reduction in risk of hip fractures over 5 years, were performed to predict treatment choices.

Women's preferences for prevention of bone loss.

Objective: Despite the serious consequences of osteoporosis, few women use pharmacologic measures to prevent postmenopausal bone loss. We used an interactive computerized questionnaire to examine women's preferences for prevention of osteoporosis.

Methods: We administered a choice-based conjoint analysis survey (CBCA) to consecutive early postmenopausal women in a shopping center.

Treatment options in knee osteoarthritis: the patient's perspective.

Background: The objectives of this study were to (1) examine patient treatment preferences for knee osteoarthritis, (2) determine the influence of specific medication characteristics on patients' choices, and (3) examine whether patient preferences are consistent with current practice.

Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis completed an interactive computer questionnaire administered during a face-to-face interview. We measured the relative impact of specific medication characteristics (including administration, risks, benefits, and cost) on patients' choice, and the percentage of patients preferring nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate, opioid derivatives, and capsaicin across varying risks, benefits, and costs.

Informed choice and the widespread use of antiinflammatory drugs.

Objective: To examine whether the current widespread use of antiinflammatory drugs may reflect a lack of informed choice (i.e., unawareness of adverse effects or potential treatment alternatives) among older patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Are preferences for cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors influenced by the certainty effect?

Objective: To test whether the widespread use of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors may be mediated in part by the certainty effect, i.e., by a perception that COX-2 inhibitors eliminate the risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) events in contrast to merely reduce their risk.