Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17991

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Meade-D'Alisera P, Merriweather T, Wentland M.
Impact of commercial marketing on patient demand.
Urol Nurs 2001 Dec; 21:(6):406-7,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11998507

Abstract:

This pilot study attempts to determine the impact of commercial direct-to-consumer advertising on the incidence of patients requesting medication for urinary incontinence by brand name. Of 310 patients interviewed prior to urodynamics, 237 (76%) sought treatment after seeing related commercials. After testing, 119 (50.2%) were prescribed the advertised drug for detrusor instability. Fifty-nine (24.8%) were diagnosed with intrinsic sphincter deficiency and were recommended anticholinergics, collagen injections, or surgery. Forty-one (17.2%) men were found to have bladder outlet obstruction, but only four were prescribed the advertised drug. Three (1.2%) were recommended intermittent catheterization along with the advertised drug and 15 (6.6%) had various other treatments. The results suggest that 50% of those seeking treatment were not candidates for the medication advertised.

Keywords:
* Adult * Aged * Aged, 80 and over * Female * Health Services Needs and Demand* * Humans * Male * Marketing of Health Services* * Middle Aged * Pilot Projects * Urinary Incontinence/diagnosis * Urinary Incontinence/drug therapy* * Urodynamics