Randomized clinical trial on the use of antispasmodic drugs in barium enema: impact on radiological practice

Purpose: To assess the willingness of radiologists to change their practice when the results of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) on the use of antisp asmodic drugs in barium enema are presented. Materials and Methods: During the years 1994 and 1995 two postal questionnaires were sent to 481 practici ng radiologists who were all members of the Netherlands Society of Radiolog y. In the first questionnaire the respondents were asked to give the charac teristics of their practices in performing daily barium enema. The data fro m this questionnaire was used as a reference. The second questionnaire was sent to the respondents together with an abstract on the randomized clinica l trial supporting the use of antispasmodic drugs in barium enema. We also indicated a preference for Buscopan over Glucagon as the antispasmodic drug . The willingness to change prescription habits was measured by comparing t he data of the two questionnaires. Results: Of 481 practicing radiologists, 312 responded to the first questionnaire and gave information of their pr- ascription habits (response rate 64%). These 312 responders were sent an ab stract of the RCT and were asked to fill out a second questionnaire to dete rmine their willingness to change their practice. Two hundred and sixty-sev en radiologists responded (response rate 86%). A significant number of 119 (51%) were willing to increase the use of antispasmodic drugs. A significan t number of 128 (55%) chose to increase the use of Buscopan, while a signif icant number of 81 (32%) were willing to decrease the use of Glucagon. Conc lusion: Direct exposure to the results of an RCT recommending the use of an tispasmodic drugs in barium enema, especially Buscopan, is likely to increa se its use by practicing radiologists. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Lt d. All rights reserved.