Urologist compliance with AUA best practice guidelines for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Medicare population

Abstract

Objectives: To improve benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) care, the American Urological Association created the best practice guidelines for BPH management. We evaluated the trends in use of BPH-related evaluative tests and the extent to which urologists comply with the guidelines for these evaluative tests.

Methods: From a 5% random sample of Medicare claims from 1999 to 2007, we created a cohort of 10,248 patients with new visits for BPH to 748 urologists. The trends in use of BPH-related testing were determined. After classifying urologists by compliance with the best practice guidelines, the models were fit to determine the differences in the use of BPH-related testing among urologists. Additional models were used to define the extent to which individual BPH-related tests influenced guideline compliance.

Results: The use of most BPH testing increased with time (P<.001) except for prostate-specific antigen (declined; P<.001) and ultrasonography (P=.416). Northeastern and Midwestern urologists were more likely to be in the lowest compliance group compared with Southern and Western urologists (29%, 27%, 13%, and 19%, respectively; P=.01). The testing associated with high guideline compliance included urinalysis and prostate-specific antigen measurement (P<.01 for both). Prostate ultrasonography (P=.03), cystoscopy (P<.01), uroflow (P<.01), and postvoid residual urine volume determination (P=.02) were associated with low guideline compliance. Urodynamics, postvoid residual urine volume, cytology, serum creatinine, and upper tract imaging were not strongly associated with guideline compliance.

Conclusions: Despite the American Urological Association guidelines for BPH care, wide variations in the evaluation and treatment were seen. Improving guideline adherence and reducing variation could improve BPH care quality.