Introduction
To describe the rationale and design of an NIH funded rando
mized controlled trial: the Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) study. The ai
m of this trial is to evaluate the effect that a direct
mailing of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptio
metry (DXA) results fro
m bone density testing centers to patients will have on patients' knowledge, treat
ment and self-efficacy.
Methods
We will enroll approximately 7500 patients presenting for DXA at three study sites, the University of Iowa, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Kaiser Permanente of Atlanta, Georgia. We will randomize providers (and their respective patients) to either the intervention arm or usual care. Patients randomized to the intervention group will receive a letter with their DXA results and an educational brochure, while those randomized to usual care will receive their DXA results according to standard practice. The seven discrete outcomes are changes from baseline to 12-weeks and/or 52-weeks post-DXA in: (1) guideline concordant pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapy; (2) knowledge of DXA results; (3) osteoporosis-specific knowledge; (4) general health-related quality of life; (5) satisfaction with bone-related health care, (6) patient activation; and, (7) osteoporosis-specific self-efficacy.
Conclusion
This trial will offer evidence of the impact of a novel approach¡ªdirect-to-patient mailing of test results¡ªto improve patient activation in their bone health care. The results will inform clinical practice for the communication of DXA and other test results.
