Comparative effectiveness research considered methodological insights from simulation studies in physician’s prescribing preference

Zhang, L. , Lewsey, J. and McAllister, D. A. (2022) Comparative effectiveness research considered methodological insights from simulation studies in physician’s prescribing preference. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 148, pp. 74-80. (doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.04.020) (PMID:35447357)

Abstract

Objective: To review comparative effectiveness research (CER) using physician’s prescribing preference as an instrumental variable (PPP IV) in pharmacoepidemiology, and to review methodological studies that use simulation to evaluate the performance PPP IV in CER. Study design and setting: We conducted a review of CER using PPP IV as well as studies evaluating the use of PPP IV by using simulation methods. We searched Ovid, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases from 2005 to 2020. Results: We identified 6 simulation studies and 18 CER studies. The simulation studies explored the most suitable ways for using PPP IV in different settings (outcome types, sample size, the prevalence of outcomes) which can be useful guidance for using PPP IV in CER. The CERs studies identified show heterogeneity in terms of validation assumptions, estimation methods and sample size. Not all applied studies utilised the methodological insights from the simulation studies. However, they all concluded that PPP is a valid instrumental variable. Conclusion: Future CER should consider a range of methodological issues to improve the validity of findings when using PPP IV. Specifically, studies should consider the impact of different choice of statistical methods, forms of proxy for measuring preference, time-varying exposures, and the type of outcome.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zhang, Lisong and McAllister, Professor David and Lewsey, Professor Jim
• Authors: Zhang, L., Lewsey, J., and McAllister, D. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0895-4356
• ISSN (Online): 1878-5921
• Published Online: 18 April 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 148: 74-80
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License