Does professional advice influence aspirin use to prevent heart disease in an HMO population?
OBJECTIVE: Aspirin use seems to reduce coronary artery disease events in some groups of patients. Factors associated with use of aspirin to prevent heart disease in an HMO population were examined. DESIGN: A population-based survey. SETTING: A large HMO in the midwestern United States. PARTICIPANTS: 8000 health plan members 40 years of age and older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The survey assessed use of aspirin, professional advice to use aspirin, and coronary heart disease risk factors and status. The sample was stratified by whether members had none, one, or more than one of the following chronic conditions: diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorder, or heart disease. The mailed survey had a corrected response rate of 82.4%. RESULTS: Overall, 38% of respondents reported using aspirin at least three times a week to prevent heart disease. Aspirin use did not vary in owned versus contracted clinics. Aspirin use was 71.3% in patients with and 27.7% in patients without diagnosed coronary heart d
