112S Abstracts

between OCD and obesity. Within an indication, PESS accounting for greatest differences were nausea and tremor (common for fluoxetine) and myalgia and dry mouth (rare for fluoxetine).

PESS vary according to indication and are influenced by comparative treatment. Indication and comparative therapy must be considered in interpretation of adverse event profiles.

62P SURVEYING PHYSICIANS BY TELEPHONE:

METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Albert C.E. Parker and Eleanor B. Schron MayaTech Corporation Silver Spring, Maryland

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute sponsored national telephone surveys of practicing physicians in 1991 (Survey I, N =2897) and 1992 (Survey II, N =2879) to assess knowledge, practice and changes regarding treatment of patients with isolated systofic hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction, and arrhythmia after myocardial infarction, in relation to the publication of the results of three clinical trials (Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly, Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial). The questionnaires consisted of three sections: physician characteristics, dissemination avenues, and knowledge and practice for subject medical condition. The sample for each survey was large enough to detect a 15% change in use of drug between Survey I and II. Interview were preceded by a personalized advance letter from NHLBI, $30 honorarium, reminder leRers, and follow-up telephone calls.

RR is a major concern in survey research, with physician survey response rates varying depending on the specialty and whether adminisUmion is by mail, telephone, or personal interview. We made changes between Survey I and II in an effort to increase the RR: selection and training interviewers; improved interviewing facilities and monitoring equipment; 1-800 number; shorter questionnaire; use of fax. Generalists (G) and Cardiologists (C) had similar response rates (RR). No significant changes were observed in the RR (62.8 % and 61.1% in 1991; 63.8 % and 6 i . 1% in 1992) but Survey II was completed in a shorter period.

Conclusion: Although no significant increase in RR was observed, the relatively high RR in both surveys was maintained, thus the survey finding represent a large proportion of randomly selected U.S. physicians for whom the impact of clinical trials results on practice may be assessed.

63P ANALYSIS OF STUDY DATA TO MONITOR QUALITY

OF BLOOD PRESSURE DATA COLLECTION

Shari L. Simile, Robert P. McMahon and Bruce A. Barton for the NGHS Investigators

Maryland Medical Research Institute Baltimore, Maryland

Digit preference and systematic differences between observers are common problems in epidemiologic studies and clinical trials in which blood pressure measurements are collected. Digit preference exists when the distribution of final digits for the measurements done by an individual observer does not follow a uniform distribution. Differences between