Deriving Drug Treatment Preference for Osteoporosis Patients Using Discrete Choice Experiments: A Scoping Review

To conduct a scoping review of discrete choice experiment (DCE) studies assessing medication preference patterns in patients with osteoporosis, focusing on quantifying preference intensities, willingness-to-pay for treatment attributes, and heterogeneity in preferences across patient subgroups. This analysis aims to support evidence-based clinical decision-making.

A scoping review was undertaken, where five electronic databases were searched for key terms to identify eligible DCE studies related to drug treatment preference for osteoporosis patients. We included studies that met criteria, including being published from database establishment until April 20, 2024. Data were systematically extracted, tabulated, and summarised in a narrative review.

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, six of which were conducted in Europe. The included DCE studies contained between 3 and 6 attributes and 2 to 6 levels per attribute. The number of choice sets per study ranged from 8 to 36. Treatment efficacy emerged as the most critical attribute. Subgroup analyses revealed significant preference heterogeneity associated with age, educational attainment, and fracture history.

Incorporating quantified patient preferences and WTP metrics into treatment planning may optimize adherence rates and osteoporosis management outcomes. This preference-sensitive approach demonstrates potential to reduce both clinical burden and patient financial burden through value-based treatment allocation.