People's attitudes, beliefs, and experiences regarding polypharmacy and willingness to Deprescribe

PRN Medicines Management for Older People with Long-Term Mental Health Disorders in Home Care

Older people with long-term mental health conditions who receive care in their own home are vulnerable to the inappropriate use of medications and polypharmacy given their underlying health conditions and comorbidities. Inappropriate use of pro re nata (PRN) medications in these older people can enhance their suffering and have negative consequences for their quality of life and well-being, leading to readmission to healthcare settings and the increased cost of health care. This narrative review on published international literature aims at improving our understanding of medicines management in home care and how to improve PRN medication use among older people with long-term health conditions in their own home. Accordingly, the improvement of PRN medicines management for these older people requires the development of an individualised care plan considering ‘reduction of older people’s dependence on PRN medications’, ‘empowerment of family caregivers’, and ‘support by healthcare professionals.’ PRN medication use should be reduced through deprescription and discontinuation strategies. Also, older people and their family caregivers should be encouraged to prioritize the use of non-pharmacologic methods to relieve physical and psychological problems. Besides the empowerment of family caregivers through role development, education and training about PRN medications, and involvement in decision-making, they need support by the multidisciplinary network in terms of supervision, monitoring, and home visits.

Attitudes of ambulatory care older Nepalese patients towards deprescribing and predictors of their willingness to deprescribe

INTRODUCTION

Older adults continue to receive potentially inappropriate medications necessitating the need for medication optimization, by deprescribing. To ensure a holistic approach to deprescribing, it is essential to understand the perception of older adults towards deprescribing. This study aimed to assess the attitude of older ambulatory patients towards deprescribing and to identify factors predicting their willingness to deprescribe.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in central Nepal between March and September 2019 among 385 older ambulatory care patients (aged ⩾65 years) who were taking at least one regular medicine. The perception of patients towards deprescribing was assessed using the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire via a face-to-face interview method. Descriptive statistics were performed to describe patients' characteristics and their attitudes towards deprescribing. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of the willingness of older ambulatory patients towards deprescribing.

RESULTS

The median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of patients was 72 (8) years. Nearly three in five patients (64.9%) had hypertension, with 11.2% having polypharmacy. More than half of the patients (57.4%) would be willing to stop one or more of their regular medicines if their doctor said it was possible to do so. Regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) 0.946; 95% CI 0.913, 0.981; p = 0.003] and concerns about stopping medicine score (OR 0.541; 95% CI 0.334, 0.876; p = 0.013) were predictors of the willingness of the older patients towards deprescribing.

CONCLUSION

One in two older ambulatory care patients in Nepal would be willing to have one or more of their medicines deprescribed. The factors predicting their willingness to deprescribe are their age and concerns about stopping medicines. Clinicians should consider discussing the possibility of deprescribing with older patients for the prevention of potential medication-related harms.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

What do older Nepalese patients think about withdrawal or dose reduction of an inappropriate medication?Introduction: Research suggests that older adults (aged ⩾65 years) continue to receive medications that have the potential for harm rather than a benefit. This necessitates the need for withdrawal or dose reduction of such inappropriate medications, the process known as deprescribing. Understanding what older patients think about this process could be a stepping-stone to the general approach for its implementation. Data on deprescribing is lacking from Nepal. Therefore, we designed a survey to explore the attitude of older patients towards deprescribing and factors that could predict their willingness to deprescribe.Methods: This study was conducted between March to September 2019 among 385 older patients who were taking at least one regular medicine and were visiting selected hospitals of Nepal for outpatient services. We performed a face-to-face interview to assess the attitude of patients towards deprescribing using a validated tool called revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire that quantified the response through scoring. The data were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the attitudes of Nepalese older patients towards deprescribing and to develop a model to predict their willingness to deprescribe.Results: The average age of the participant was 72 years with 65% having hypertension and 11% using more than five medications. Our data suggested that one in two older Nepalese patients would be willing to stop one or more of their regular medications if their doctors said it was possible to do so. Their willingness to deprescribe could be predicted from their age and concerns about stopping medications.Conclusion: Clinicians should consider discussing the possibility of deprescribing with older patients for the prevention of potential medication-related harms.

Older people's attitudes towards deprescribing cardiometabolic medication

BACKGROUND

Overtreatment with cardiometabolic medication in older patients can lead to major adverse events. Timely deprescribing of these medications is therefore essential. Self-reported willingness to stop medication is usually high among older people, still overtreatment with cardiometabolic medication is common and deprescribing is rarely initiated. An important barrier for deprescribing reported by general practitioners is the patients' unwillingness to stop the medication. More insights are needed into the influence of patients' characteristics on their attitudes towards deprescribing and differences in these attitudes between cardiometabolic medication groups.

METHODS

A survey in older people using cardiometabolic medication using the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire was performed. Participants completed the general rPATD and an adapted version for four medication groups. Linear and ordinal logistic regression were used to assess the influence of age, sex, therapeutic area and number of medications used on the patients' general attitudes towards deprescribing. Univariate analysis was used to compare differences in deprescribing attitudes towards sulfonylureas, insulins, antihypertensive medication and statins.

RESULTS

Overall, 314 out of 1143 invited participants completed the survey (median age 76 years, 54% female). Most participants (80%) were satisfied with their medication and willing to stop medications if their doctor said it was possible (88%). Age, sex and therapeutic area had no influence on the general attitudes towards deprescribing. Taking more than ten medicines was significantly associated with a higher perceived medication burden. Antihypertensive medication and insulin were considered more appropriate than statins, and insulin was considered more appropriate than sulfonylureas not favouring deprescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of older people using cardiometabolic medication are willing to stop one of their medicines if their doctor said it was possible. Health care providers should take into account that patients perceive some of their medication as more appropriate than other medication when discussing deprescribing.

Leveraging implementation science to increase the translation of deprescribing evidence into practice

Implementation science may address some of the limitations that impede the translation of deprescribing recommendations into practice and policy. Application of principles and standard terminologies from implementation science could improve understanding and interpretation of deprescribing research findings. As such, in this commentary we propose three main avenues to help achieve this. These include: The application of these concepts derived from implementation science could help inform future deprescribing needs for clinicians and researchers. Ultimately, this could help ensure the quality use of medications and examination of meaningful outcomes in deprescribing studies. This could result in more consistent and widespread translation of deprescribing evidence into practice and policy across various healthcare settings.

Depression, antidepressants and fall risk: therapeutic dilemmas-a clinical review

PURPOSE

The aim of this clinical review was to summarize the existing knowledge on fall risk associated with antidepressant use in older adults, describe underlying mechanisms, and assist clinicians in decision-making with regard to (de-) prescribing antidepressants in older persons.

METHODOLOGY

We comprehensively examined the literature based on a literature search in Pubmed and Google Scholar, and identified additional relevant articles from reference lists, with an emphasis on the most commonly prescribed drugs in depression in geriatric patients. We discuss use of antidepressants, potential fall-related side effects, and deprescribing of antidepressants in older persons.

RESULTS

Untreated depression and antidepressant use both contribute to fall risk. Antidepressants are equally effective, but differ in fall-related side effect profile. They contribute to (or cause) falling through orthostatic hypotension, sedation/impaired attention, hyponatremia, movement disorder and cardiac toxicity. Falling is an important driver of morbidity and mortality and, therefore, requires prevention. If clinical condition allows, withdrawal of antidepressants is recommended in fall-prone elderly persons. An important barrier is reluctance of prescribers to deprescribe antidepressants resulting from fear of withdrawal symptoms or disease relapse/recurrence, and the level of complexity of deprescribing antidepressants in older persons with multiple comorbidities and medications. Practical resources and algorithms are available that guide and assist clinicians in deprescribing antidepressants.

CONCLUSIONS

(De-) prescribing antidepressants in fall-prone older adults is often challenging, but detailed insight in fall-related side effect profile of the different antidepressants and a recently developed expert-based decision aid STOPPFalls assists prescribers in clinical decision-making.

A narrative review of evidence to guide deprescribing among older adults

Potentially inappropriate prescription and polypharmacy are well‐known risk factors for morbidity and mortality among older adults. However, recent systematic reviews have failed to demonstrate the overall survival benefits of deprescribing. Thus, it is necessary to synthesize the current evidence to provide a practical direction for future research and clinical practice. This review summarizes the existing body of evidence regarding deprescribing to identify useful intervention elements. There is evidence that even simple interventions, such as direct deprescribing targeted at risky medications and explicit criteria‐based approaches, effectively reduce inappropriate prescribing. On the other hand, if the goal is to improve clinical outcomes such as hospitalization and emergency department visits, patient‐centered multimodal interventions such as a combination of medication review, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient education are likely to be more effective. We also consider the opportunities and challenges for deprescribing within the Japanese healthcare system.

Attitudes toward deprescribing among adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Attitudes toward deprescribing could vary among subpopulations. We sought to understand patient attitudes toward deprescribing among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic medical center in New York City.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive patients with HFpEF seen in July 2018-December 2019 at a program dedicated to providing care to older adults with HFpEF.

MEASUREMENTS

We assessed the prevalence of vulnerabilities outlined in the domain management approach for caring for patients with heart failure and examined data on patient attitudes toward having their medicines deprescribed via the revised Patient Attitudes Toward Deprescribing (rPATD).

RESULTS

Among 134 patients with HFpEF, median age was 75 (interquartile range 69-82), 60.4% were women, and 35.8% were nonwhite. Almost all patients had polypharmacy (94.0%) and 56.0% had hyperpolypharmacy; multimorbidity (80.6%) and frailty (78.7%) were also common. Overall, 90.3% reported that they would be willing to have one or more of their medicines deprescribed if told it was possible by their doctors; and 26.9% reported that they would like to try stopping one of their medicines to see how they feel without it. Notably, 91.8% of patients reported that they would like to be involved in decisions about their medicines. In bivariate logistic regression, nonwhite participants were less likely to want to try stopping one of their medicines to see how they feel without it (odds ratio 0.25, 95% confidence interval [0.09-0.62], p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HFpEF contend with many vulnerabilities that could prompt consideration for deprescribing. Most patients with HFpEF were amenable to deprescribing. Race may be an important factor that impacts patient attitudes toward deprescribing.

Attitudes towards deprescribing: The perspectives of geriatric patients and nursing home residents

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Successful deprescribing requires insight into patients' thoughts about deprescribing. We described attitudes towards deprescribing in a large sample of geriatric patients and nursing home residents.

DESIGN

Interview-based questionnaire study.

SETTING

Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS

Geriatric inpatients (n = 44), geriatric outpatients (n = 94), and nursing home residents (n = 162) with an Orientation-Memory-Concentration score of ≥8.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants completed the validated Danish version of the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire by interview. Attitudes were reported descriptively, and rPATD factor scores were compared between participant groups and across participant characteristics.

RESULTS

Participants had a median age of 82 years (interquartile range [IQR] 76-89) and used a median of 8 medications (IQR 5-10). Thirty-three percent of participants would like to try stopping one of their medications on their own, while 87% were willing to stop one on their physician's advice. Geriatric inpatients reported slightly greater perceived burden of taking medication compared to geriatric outpatients and nursing home residents (median "burden" score 50 vs 42, p = 0.11), while geriatric outpatients reported slightly more involvement in their medication use compared to nursing home residents (median "involvement" score 80 vs 75, p < 0.05) and geriatric inpatients (median "involvement" score 80 vs 70, p < 0.01). An increasing number of medications was associated with an increased "burden" score (p_trend = 0.001): Those using 1-4 medications daily had a median score of 25 (IQR 17-33) compared to 58 (IQR 42-75) among those using ≥10 medications daily. Similarly, an increasing number of medications was associated with a higher "concerns about stopping" score (p_trend  = 0.001) and a lower "appropriateness" score (p_trend  < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Geriatric patients and nursing home residents are generally open towards deprescribing, particularly if proposed by their physician. Some differences exist between populations and across individual patient characteristics. Clinicians should increase awareness of deprescribing as a possibility in these populations and tailor their deprescribing approach to the individual patient.

Perceived Versus Demonstrated Understanding of the Complex Medications of Medically Complex Children

OBJECTIVES

Parents and caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC) manage complex medication regimens (CMRs) at home. Parental understanding of CMRs is critical to safe medication administration. Regarding CMR administration, we 1) described the population of CMC receiving CMRs; 2) assessed parental perceived confidence and understanding; and 3) evaluated parental demonstrated understanding.

METHODS

Cross-sectional clinic-based assessment of knowledge and understanding of CMC using CMRs who received primary care in a large pediatric complex care clinic. CMRs were identified by the receipt of ≥1 of the following: 1) ≥10 concurrent medications; 2) ≥1 high-risk medication; or 3) ≥1 extemporaneously compounded medication. Parents reported their perceived confidence and understanding of CMRs, and then demonstrated understanding through 3 medication-related tasks.

RESULTS

Of 156 CMCs, most were <10 years of age (63.5%), white (75%), had neurologic impairment (76.9%), and used a median of 8 medications (IQR, 5-10). Parents were female (76.9%) with a mean age of 38.8 ± 11.5 years, white (69.9%), spoke English (94.2%), and had some college education (82.1%). On 11 confidence and understanding statements, most parents reported a high perceived level of understanding and confidence, with combined agreement or strong agreement ranging between 81.2% and 98.7%. Only 73.1% correctly identified medications taken for specified conditions, 40.4% reported complete dosing parameters, and 54.8% correctly measured 2 different medication doses. Significant differences existed between parental perceived understanding versus the 3 demonstrated tasks (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial opportunities exist to improve medication safety and efficacy in the outpatient, in-home setting including improved medication-specific education and medication-related supports.

Exploring Patients' Attitudes Toward Deprescribing and Their Perception of Pharmacist Involvement in a European Country: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

To explore how adult patients perceive deprescribing in a country with developing pharmaceutical care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in ten community pharmacies across Croatia. Community-dwelling adults 40 years and older, taking at least one prescription medication long term, were invited to participate. The revised and validated Patients' Attitude Towards Deprescribing Questionnaire was used to investigate community-dwelling adults' opinions on potential medication discontinuation. Questions regarding the patients' perception of pharmacist competences and involvement as well as patients' preferences in deprescribing were added. Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to explore potential predictive factors of willingness to have medication deprescribed. All tests were performed as two-tailed and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 315 adults aged 40 years and older completed the questionnaire. Majority of participants, 83.81% (95% CI, 79.72% to 87.90%) stated that they were satisfied with their medications, and 83.81% (95% CI, 79.72% to 87.90%) would be willing to deprescribe one or more medications. Participants expressed a positive attitude toward pharmacists' competences (68.89%, 95% CI, 63.75% to 74.03%) and involvement in deprescribing (71.11%, 95% CI, 66.08% to 76.14%). Participants who stated specific medication as deprescribing preference were more likely show dissatisfaction with current medication and show greater willingness to have medication deprescribed. Three factors were found to be associated with a positive attitude towards deprescribing: low concerns about stopping factor score (aOR 0.54, 95% CU=0.35-0.84; p=0.006), low appropriateness factor score (aOR 0.62, 95% CI=0.39-0.98; p=0.039), and a positive opinion on pharmacist involvement (aOR 2.35, 95% CI=1.18-4.70; p= 0.016).

CONCLUSION

This study showed the patient's willingness for deprescription as well as their positive attitude towards pharmacists being involved in the process. Results favour transition to a patient-centred care and shared-decision making model.

Understanding stakeholders’ perspectives on implementing deprescribing for older people living in long-term residential care homes: the STOPPING study protocol

Background

Older people with multimorbidity often experience polypharmacy. Taking multiple medicines can be beneficial; however, some older adults are prescribed multiple medicines when they are unlikely to improve clinical outcomes and may lead to harm. Deprescribing means reducing or stopping prescription medicines which may no longer be providing benefit. While appropriate deprescribing may usually be safely undertaken, there is a lack of guidance about how to implement it in practice settings such as care homes. Implementing deprescribing in care homes is often challenging, due to differing concerns of residents, staff, clinicians, friends/family members and carers along with differences in care home structures. The STOPPING study will support the development of better deprescribing practice in care homes, considering different views and environments. This paper aims to introduce the research protocol.

Methods

We will use qualitative approaches informed by the widely accepted Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to aid analysis. To understand the barriers, facilitators, and contextual factors influencing deprescribing in care homes, we will employ individual interviews with care home residents and family members, focus groups with care home staff and healthcare professionals, and observations from care homes. Then, we will examine acceptability, feasibility, and suitability of existing deprescribing approaches using cognitive interviews with care home staff and healthcare professionals. Lastly, we will use narrative synthesis to integrate findings and develop guidance for implementing a deprescribing approach for care homes.

Discussion

This research will support the development of implementable approaches to deprescribing in care homes. The insights from this project will be shared with various stakeholders: care home residents, staff, pharmacists, general practitioners, nurses, and other health professionals, carers, researchers, and the public. This work will support deprescribing to be implemented effectively in care homes to benefit residents and the wider health economy.

Spinal cord injury and polypharmacy: a scoping review

Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review was to map the scope of the literature on polypharmacy among individuals with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (SCI/D).Material and methods: Five electronic databases were searched for literature published between January 1990 and July 2018. The following keywords were searched using Boolean operators, wild cards, proximity operators and truncations: spinal cord injuries, multiple medications, polypharmacy. The initial search identified 1,459 articles; 1,098 remained after deduplication. Following the title and abstract screen, 81 full-texts were reviewed, and 18 met all of the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the review.Results: Of the 18 studies identified, less than half defined polypharmacy. Definitions varied in the types and number of medications. Older age, higher level of injury and greater severity of injury were factors related to polypharmacy. Negative clinical outcomes, such as drug-related problems and bowel complications were identified.Conclusions: This scoping review identified a paucity of research on polypharmacy post-SCI/D, highlighting a need for future research. To improve the state of knowledge, there is a need to better understand factors and clinical outcomes related to polypharmacy in persons with SCI/D and to explore experiences of persons with SCI/D, caregivers and clinicians relating to polypharmacy.Implications for rehabilitationPrescribers should be aware of the factors and negative clinical outcomes related to polypharmacy and spinal cord injuries/dysfunction, especially for patients with higher level and more severe injuries.Prescribers should work with their patients with spinal cord injuries/dysfunction to avoid inappropriate polypharmacy and to integrate appropriate alternatives to medications.Optimizing medication management should be a significant focus of spinal cord injury/dysfunction rehabilitation and research in order to develop targeted interventions that improve patient outcomes.

What do older adults with multimorbidity and polypharmacy think about deprescribing? The LESS study - a primary care-based survey

Background

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are very common in older adults in primary care. Ideally, general practitioners (GPs), should regularly review medication lists to identify inappropriate medication(s) and, where appropriate, deprescribe. However, it remains challenging to deprescribe given time constraints and few recommendations from guidelines. Further, patient related barriers and enablers to deprescribing have to be accounted for. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and enablers to deprescribing as reported by older adults with polypharmacy and multimorbidity.

Methods

We conducted a survey among participants aged ≥70 years, with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic conditions) and polypharmacy (≥5 chronic medications). We invited Swiss GPs, to recruit eligible patients who then completed a paper-based survey on demographics, medications and chronic conditions. We used the revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire and added twelve additional Likert scale questions and two open-ended questions to assess barriers and enablers towards deprescribing, which we coded and categorized into meaningful themes.

Result

Sixty four Swiss GPs consented to recruit 5–6 patients each and returned 300 participant responses. Participants were 79.1 years (SD 5.7), 47% female, 34% lived alone, and 86% managed their medications themselves. Sixty-seven percent of participants took 5–9 regular medicines and 24% took ≥10 medicines. The majority of participants (77%) were willing to deprescribe one or more of their medicines if their doctor said it was possible. There was no association with sex, age or the number of medicines and willingness to deprescribe. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, there was a strong positive association between willingness to deprescribe and saying that because they have a good relationship with their GP, they would feel that deprescribing was safe OR 11.3 (95% CI: 4.64–27.3) and agreeing that they would be willing to deprescribe if new studies showed an avoidable risk OR 8.0 (95% CI 3.79–16.9). From the open questions, the most mentioned barriers towards deprescribing were patients feeling well on their current medicines and being convinced that they need all their medicines.

Conclusions

Most older adults with polypharmacy are willing to deprescribe. GPs may be able to increase deprescribing by building trust with their patients and communicating evidence about the risks of medication use.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-020-01843-x.

Potentially inappropriate medication and attitudes of older adults towards deprescribing

INTRODUCTION

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are current challenges when caring for the older population. Both have led to an increase of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), illustrating the need to assess patients' attitudes towards deprescribing. We aimed to assess the prevalence of PIM use and whether this was associated with patient factors and willingness to deprescribe.

METHOD

We analysed data from the LESS Study, a cross-sectional study on self-reported medication and on barriers and enablers towards the willingness to deprescribe (rPATD questionnaire). The survey was conducted among multimorbid (≥3 chronic conditions) participants ≥70 years with polypharmacy (≥5 long-term medications). A subset of the Beers 2019 criteria was applied for the assessment of medication appropriateness.

RESULTS

Data from 300 patients were analysed. The mean age was 79.1 years (SD 5.7). 53% had at least one PIM (men: 47.8%%, women: 60.4%%; p = 0.007). A higher number of medications was associated with PIM use (p = 0.002). We found high willingness to deprescribe in both participants with and without PIM. Willingness to deprescribe was not associated with PIM use (p = 0.25), nor number of PIMs (p = 0.81).

CONCLUSION

The willingness of older adults with polypharmacy towards deprescribing was not associated with PIM use in this study. These results suggest that patients may not be aware if they are taking PIMs. This implies the need for raising patients' awareness about PIMs through education, especially in females, in order to implement deprescribing in daily practice.

Issues with deprescribing in haemodialysis: a qualitative study of patient and provider experiences

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Patients undergoing haemodialysis receive on average 10-17 medications, which increase the risk of falls, adverse drug reactions and hospitalizations. Supervised discontinuation of potentially inappropriate medications may lower these risks. Although many calls have been made for deprescribing in the haemodialysis setting, little is known about how patients and providers in this setting experience it. The aim of this study is to explore patient and provider experiences and perceptions of one of the rare deprescribing intervention in haemodialysis.

METHODS

Ten semi-structured interviews were held with patients, and a focus group was done with dialysis clinic team members at a Montreal area health network's haemodialysis clinic after the implementation of a standardized deprescribing intervention using the patient-as-partner approach. The interviews and focus group were recorded, and verbatims were coded to determine emerging themes. Grounded theory was used for interview guide design and data analysis.

RESULTS

The three emerging themes were (1) ambivalence towards medication creating a favourable context for deprescribing, (2) the empowering elements of the deprescribing process and (3) the uncertain future of deprescribing in the clinics even though the intervention was considered successful.

CONCLUSION

Haemodialysis patients and providers viewed deprescribing favourably, believed the intervention was valuable, and offered suggestions for long term implementation while expressing concerns about feasibility. Notwithstanding the underlying uncertainties, a structured and integrated approach in routine practice involving all members of the care team may facilitate the continuity of deprescribing as an intervention in the setting of a haemodialysis clinic.

Post-discharge medicines management: the experiences, perceptions and roles of older people and their family carers

Background

Multiple changes are made to older patients’ medicines during hospital admission, which can sometimes cause confusion and anxiety. This results in problems with post‐discharge medicines management, for example medicines taken incorrectly, which can lead to harm, hospital readmission and reduced quality of life.

Aim

To explore the experiences of older patients and their family carers as they enacted post‐discharge medicines management.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews took place in participants’ homes, approximately two weeks after hospital discharge. Data analysis used the Framework method.

Setting and participants

Recruitment took place during admission to one of two large teaching hospitals in North England. Twenty‐seven participants aged 75 plus who lived with long‐term conditions and polypharmacy, and nine family carers, were interviewed.

Findings

Three core themes emerged: impact of the transition, safety strategies and medicines management role. Conversations between participants and health‐care professionals about medicines changes often lacked detail, which disrupted some participants’ knowledge and medicines management capabilities. Participants used multiple strategies to support post‐discharge medicines management, such as creating administration checklists, seeking advice or supporting primary care through prompts to ensure medicines were supplied on time. The level to which they engaged with these activities varied.

Discussion and conclusion

Participants experienced gaps in their post‐discharge medicines management, which they had to bridge through implementing their own strategies or by enlisting support from others. Areas for improvement were identified, mainly through better communication about medicines changes and wider involvement of patients and family carers in their medicines‐related care during the hospital‐to‐home transition.

Medication-Related Burden and Medication Adherence Among Geriatric Patients in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study

The evaluation of medicines burden from the patients’ perspectives is a crucial endeavor to identify any barriers that may hinder achieving optimal health outcomes. Therefore, this study was designed, firstly to identify the prevalence of medication-related burden among geriatrics and factors influencing this burden. Secondly, to determine the prevalence of medication adherence and the correlation between the burden and adherence. A cross-sectional study was performed using Living with Medicines Questionnaire version-3 (LMQ-3) and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS) questionnaire. Four hundred and fifty patients attending primary healthcare centers were invited to participate, and 424 (94.2%) agreed. Data were collected via face-to-face structured interviews. The vast majority of respondents (97.4%; 95% CI: 95.3–98.6) perceived to suffer from minimum (35.4%) to moderate (62.0%) degrees of medicine burden. The median (IQR) LMQ overall score was 112 (21) indicating a moderate burden. LMQ-3 overall scores revealed a significant trend toward higher perceived burden among respondents aged ≥ 75 years, males, non-Kuwaitis, residents in Al-Farwaniyah and Al-Jahra governorates, using oral and nonoral formulations, paying prescription charges, and needing support with using medicines (p <0.05). Almost 55% (95% CI: 49.8–59.5) of respondents were nonadherent to their medications. The median (IQR) ARMS overall score was 20 (7.0) indicating low adherence to medications. There was a significant positive correlation between LMQ-3 and ARMS scores (p<0.001) showing that the higher the medications burden the lower the level of medication adherence. The key findings of this study underscore the need for multifaceted interventions that could be targeted at the identified problems to reduce medication burden and improve medication adherence.

Barriers and Enablers of Older Patients to Deprescribing of Cardiometabolic Medication: A Focus Group Study

Background

Deprescribing has been recommended for managing polypharmacy but deprescribing preventive medication in older patients is still uncommon. We aimed to investigate older patients’ barriers to and enablers of deprescribing cardiometabolic medication.

Methods

Two focus groups were conducted among patients ≥70 years with polypharmacy, including cardiometabolic medication. Purposive sampling through four community pharmacies was used in two regions in the Netherlands. A topic list was developed using literature and the theoretical domains framework (TDF). The meetings were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using thematic coding, attribute coding and the TDF. In addition, patients were categorized on attitudes towards medication and willingness to stop.

Results

The meetings were attended by 17 patients and 1 caregiver (71 to 84 years). In total 15 barriers and 13 enablers were identified within four themes, partly related to beliefs, fears and experiences regarding using or stopping medication, and partly related to the relationship with the health care professional and the conditions to stop. Some patients attributed their wellbeing to their medication and were therefore unwilling to stop. Reducing cardiometabolic medication because of less strict treatment targets confused some patients and was a barrier to deprescribing. Having options to monitor clinical measurements and restart medication were enablers. Patients were only willing to stop cardiometabolic medication when this was proposed by a HCP they trusted. Patients with a positive attitude towards medication varied in their willingness to stop cardiometabolic medication. Patients with a negative attitude towards medication were generally willing to stop medication but still perceived several barriers and may consider some medication as being essential.

Conclusion

Fears, beliefs, and experiences regarding using and stopping medication as well as trust in the HCP influence willingness to have medication deprescribed. Attitudes towards medication in general do not necessarily translate into willingness or unwillingness to stop specific medication. For deprescribing cardiometabolic medication, patient involvement when setting new treatment targets and monitoring the effects on short-term outcomes are important.

Perceptions of COPD patients of the proposed withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids prescribed outside guidelines: A qualitative study

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines support the prescription of fixed combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β-agonists in symptomatic COPD patients with frequent or severe exacerbations, with the aim of preventing them. ICS are frequently also prescribed to COPD patients with mild or moderate airflow limitation, outside guidelines, with the risk of unwanted effects. No investigation to date has addressed the views of these milder COPD patients on ICS withdrawal. The objective is to assess the views of COPD patients with mild or moderate airflow limitation on the staged withdrawal of ICS prescribed outside guidelines. One-to-one semi-structured qualitative interviews exploring COPD patients’ views about ICS use and their attitudes to proposed de-prescription were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was completed. Seventeen eligible COPD patients were interviewed. Many participants were not aware they were using an ICS. None was aware that prevention of exacerbations was the indication for ICS therapy or the risk of associated side effects. Some were unconcerned by what they perceived as low individual risk. Others expressed fears of worsening symptoms on withdrawal. Most with mild or moderate airflow limitation would have been willing to attempt withdrawal or titration to a lower dosage of ICS if advised by their clinician, particularly if a reasoned explanation were offered. Attitudes in this study to discontinuing ICS use varied. Knowledge of the drug itself, the indications for its prescription in COPD and potential for side effects, was scant. The proposed withdrawal of ICS is likely to be challenging and requires detailed conversations between patients and respiratory healthcare professionals.

Deprescribing in older people

Deprescribing is the process of discontinuing drugs that are either potentially harmful or no longer required. It can be achieved in older people and may be associated with improved health outcomes without long-term adverse effects. The risk of drug withdrawal effects can often be mitigated by carefully monitoring and gradually tapering the dose. Deprescribing should ideally be a shared decision-making process between the patient and the prescriber.

Patient and Provider Perspectives on Deprescribing Proton Pump Inhibitors

The aim of the current study is to describe proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing trends in an older adult population and elucidate perspectives regarding PPI deprescribing. A retrospective chart review and a prospective cross-sectional analysis of provider and patient surveys were conducted. The retrospective chart review identified 107 patients age ≥65 who were prescribed PPI therapy. Nineteen patients on PPI therapy and 74 providers completed surveys regarding their perspectives on PPI deprescribing. PPI therapy was potentially inappropriate for 66% of patients based on dose, duration, and/or indication. Provider barriers to deprescribing included fear of outcomes, access to documentation, and uncertainty of current guidelines. This study illustrates the prevalence of long-term PPI use in geriatric patients without associated clinical indications, as well as perceived barriers to deprescribing. Long-term PPI use is associated with significant side effects; therefore, successful deprescribing must address these perceived barriers. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(10), 9-17.].

Role of nurses in supporting proactive deprescribing

Deprescribing is the term used to describe the discontinuation of medicines. It can be either 'reactive', for example in response to an adverse event or therapeutic failure, or 'proactive', when the prescriber and patient decide to discontinue the medicine because its future benefits no longer outweigh its potential for harm. At present, there is a limited amount of proactive deprescribing activity in primary and secondary care. This article provides the rationale for increasing proactive deprescribing activity, lists the medicines this relates to, identifies the barriers and enablers to its implementation, and describes the potential role of the nurse in this process.

The OPTIMIZE patient- and family-centered, primary care-based deprescribing intervention for older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Background

Most individuals with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have multiple chronic conditions (MCC). The combination leads to multiple medications and complex medication regimens and is associated with increased risk for significant treatment burden, adverse drug events, cognitive changes, hospitalization, and mortality. Optimizing medications through deprescribing (the process of reducing or stopping the use of inappropriate medications or medications unlikely to be beneficial) may improve outcomes for MCC patients with dementia or MCI.

Methods

With input from patients, family members, and clinicians, we developed and piloted a patient-centered, pragmatic intervention (OPTIMIZE) to educate and activate patients, family members, and primary care clinicians about deprescribing as part of optimal medication management for older adults with dementia or MCI and MCC. The clinic-based intervention targets patients on 5 or more medications, their family members, and their primary care clinicians using a pragmatic, cluster-randomized design at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. The intervention has two components: a patient/ family component focused on education and activation about the potential value of deprescribing, and a clinician component focused on increasing clinician awareness about options and processes for deprescribing. Primary outcomes are total number of chronic medications and total number of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). We estimate that approximately 2400 patients across 9 clinics will receive the intervention. A comparable number of patients from 9 other clinics will serve as wait-list controls. We have > 80% power to detect an average decrease of − 0.70 (< 1 medication). Secondary outcomes include the number of PIM starts, dose reductions for selected PIMs (benzodiazepines, opiates, and antipsychotics), rates of adverse drug events (falls, hemorrhagic events, and hypoglycemic events), ability to perform activities of daily living, and skilled nursing facility, hospital, and emergency department admissions.

Discussion

The OPTIMIZE trial will examine whether a primary care-based, patient- and family-centered intervention educating patients, family members, and clinicians about deprescribing reduces numbers of chronic medications and PIMs for older adults with dementia or MCI and MCC.

Trial registration

NCT03984396. Registered on 13 June 2019

[What do primary care physicians think about deprescription?]

INTRODUCTION

To learn about the perceptions and attitudes of family doctors regarding deprescription.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Organización Sanitaria Integrada Bidasoa, Osakidetza. In November 2018, sessions were held at health centres on deprescribing for family doctors, following which the PACPD-12 questionnaire was handed out, translated into Spanish and adapted. The responses to the questionnaire were collected, together with the socio-demographic variables.

RESULTS

Forty-two of the 58 doctors who received the survey responded (72%). One hundred percent considered deprescription beneficial in the current scenario. The drug groups that they most frequently considered deprescribing were the benzodiazepines, bisphosphonates and proton pump inhibitors. The main reasons they gave for deprescribing were to reduce harm from adverse effects and that the medication was of minimal benefit in the patient's circumstances, and they indicated that specific training in deprescribing and pharmacist alerts in the clinical history would facilitate deprescription. Barriers highlighted were lack of time, prescribing by other professionals, or resistance on the part of the patient or their family.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing what doctors think about deprescribing and its barriers and facilitators are necessary to plan a strategy to facilitate the practice. Although all the respondents indicated that they consider deprescription beneficial, they found barriers in their daily practice to their being able to implement it.

Family conferences and shared prioritisation to improve patient safety in the frail elderly (COFRAIL): study protocol of a cluster randomised intervention trial in primary care

Background

Frailty in elderly patients is associated with an increased risk of poor health outcomes, including falls, delirium, malnutrition, hospitalisation, and mortality. Because polypharmacy is recognised as a possible major contributor to the pathogenesis of geriatric frailty, reducing inappropriate medication exposure is supposed to be a promising approach to improve health-related quality of life and prevent adverse outcomes. A major challenge for the process of deprescribing of inappropriate polypharmacy is to improve the communication between general practitioner (GPs), patient and family carer. This study investigates the effects of a complex intervention in frail elderly patients with polypharmacy living at home.

Methods

This is a cluster randomised controlled trial including 136 GPs and 676 patients. Patients with a positive clinical screening for frailty are eligible if they are aged 70 years or older, receiving family or professional nursing care at home, and taking in five or more drugs per day. Exclusion criteria are higher grade of dementia and life expectancy of 6 months or less. The GPs of the intervention group receive an educational training promoting a deprescribing guideline and providing information on how to conduct a family conference focussing on prioritisation of treatment goals concerning drug therapy. During the 1-year intervention, GPs are expected to perform a total of three family conferences, each including a structured medication review with patients and their family carers. GPs of the control group will receive no training and will deliver care as usual. Geriatric assessment of all patients will be performed by study nurses during home visits at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the hospitalisation rate during the observation period of 12 months. Secondary outcomes are number and appropriateness of medications, mobility, weakness, cognition, depressive disorder, health-related quality of life, activities of daily living, weight, and costs of health care use.

Discussion

This study will provide evidence for a pragmatic co-operative and patient-centred educational intervention using family conferences to improve patient safety in frail elderly patients with polypharmacy.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00015055 (WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform [ICTRP]). Registered on 6 February 2019.

Education around medication review and deprescribing: a survey of medical and pharmacy students' perspectives

Research into the practice of medication review is developing across the world in response to the ever-increasing burden of inappropriate polypharmacy. Education, training and support of undergraduates and novice practitioners to equip them to participate in the medication review process could lead to long-term shifts in practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness of pharmacy and medical undergraduates about medication review, deprescribing and polypharmacy, in order to inform improvement strategies. In November 2016, all final-year medical and pharmacy students at a London (UK) university were invited to complete a short questionnaire survey. Qualitative analysis inductively themed free-text comments and quantitative analysis used descriptive statistics to summarize responses, with chi-square tests used to indicate differences between the groups. The overall response rate was 34% (171/500). The terms ‘medication review’ and ‘polypharmacy’ were known to the students, whilst the term ‘deprescribing’ was unfamiliar with no difference between the groups. The term ‘medication review’ meant different things to the groups: pharmacy students suggested a focus on adherence and patient understanding, whilst medical students focused on interactions and whether medicines were still indicated. The groups differed in their perceptions of who they thought undertook reviews, who identifies potentially inappropriate medicines, who makes the final decision to deprescribe and the frequency of medication reviews. Both groups reported that on qualification they would not be comfortable stopping a medicine without discussion with a senior colleague, but would be comfortable prompting a senior colleague to review. Both groups had some awareness of medication review tools. The meaning of the term ‘medication review’ differed between the student groups. While medical students focused on clinical aspects, pharmacy students emphasized patient experience. Both groups anticipated a lack of confidence in deprescribing without senior support, highlighting the need for alignment between education and professional development syllabi in a way that combines the variety of professional perspectives. Prompts by juniors could lead to more medication reviews within existing practice, and may give them invaluable experience in reviewing medicines in their future careers as seniors.

Older Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Medication Value and Deprescribing: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVES

Shared decision making is essential to deprescribing unnecessary or harmful medications in older adults, yet patients' and caregivers' perspectives on medication value and how this affects their willingness to discontinue a medication are poorly understood. We sought to identify the most significant factors that impact the perceived value of a medication from the perspective of patients and caregivers.

DESIGN

Qualitative study using focus groups conducted in September and October 2018.

SETTING

Participants from the Pepper Geriatric Research Registry (patients) and the Pitt+Me Registry (caregivers) maintained by the University of Pittsburgh.

PARTICIPANTS

Six focus groups of community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older, or their caregivers, prescribed five or more medications in the preceding 12 months.

MEASUREMENTS

We sought to identify (1) general views on medication value and what makes medication worth taking; (2) how specific features such as cost or side effects impact perceived value; and (3) reactions to clinical scenarios related to deprescribing.

RESULTS

We identified four themes. Perceived effectiveness was the primary factor that caused participants to consider a medication to be of high value. Participants considered a medication to be of low value if it adversely affected quality of life. Participants also cited cost when determining value, especially if it resulted in material sacrifices. Participants valued medications prescribed by providers with whom they had good relationships rather than valuing level of training. When presented with clinical scenarios, participants ably weighed these factors when determining the value of a medication and indicated whether they would adhere to a deprescribing recommendation.

CONCLUSION

We identified that perceived effectiveness, adverse effects on quality of life, cost, and a strong relationship with the prescriber influenced patients' and caregivers' views on medication value. These findings will enable prescribers to engage older patients in shared decision making when deprescribing unnecessary medications and will allow health systems to incorporate patient-centered assessment of value into systems-based deprescribing interventions. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:746-753, 2020.

Patients’ and Caregivers’ Attitudes Toward Deprescribing in Singapore

Background

Knowledge of decision-making preference of patients and caregivers is needed to facilitate deprescribing. This study aimed to assess the perspectives of caregivers and older adults towards deprescribing in an Asian population. Secondary objectives were to identify and compare characteristics associated with these attitudes and beliefs.

Method

A cross-sectional survey of two groups of participants was conducted using the Revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing questionnaire. Descriptive results were reported for participants’ characteristics and questionnaire responses from four factors (belief in medication inappropriateness, medication burden, concerns about stopping, and involvement) and two global questions. Correlation between participant characteristics and their responses was analyzed.

Results

A total of 1,057 (615 older adults; 442 caregivers) participants were recruited from 10 institutions in Singapore. In which 511 (83.0%) older adults and 385 (87.1%) caregivers reported that they would be willing to stop one or more of their medications if their doctor said it was possible, especially among older adults recruited from acute-care hospitals (85.3%) compared with older adults in community pharmacies (73.6%). Individuals who take more than five medications and those with higher education were correlated with greater agreement in inappropriateness and involvement, respectively.

Conclusions

Clinicians should consider discussing deprescribing with older adults and caregivers in their regular clinical practice, especially when polypharmacy is present. Further research is needed into how to engage older adults and caregivers in shared decision making based on their attitudes toward deprescribing.

Experiences and support needs of informal caregivers of people with multimorbidity: a scoping literature review

Objective: Describe and synthesise existing published research on the experiences and support needs of informal caregivers of people with multimorbidity.Design: Scoping literature review. Primary database and secondary searches for qualitative and/or quantitative English-language research with an explicit focus on informal carers of people with multimorbidity (no date restrictions). Quality appraisal of included papers. Thematic analysis to identify key themes in the findings of included papers.Results: Thirty-four papers (reporting on 27 studies) were eligible for inclusion, the majority of which were rated good quality, and almost half of which were published from 2015 onwards. The review highlights common difficulties for informal carers of people with multiple chronic illnesses, including practical challenges related to managing multiple health care teams, appointments, medications and side effects, and psychosocial challenges including high levels of psychological symptomatology and reduced social connectedness. Current gaps in the literature include very few studies of interventions which may help support this caregiver group.Conclusion: Interest in this research area is burgeoning. Future work might fruitfully examine the potential benefits of audio-recorded health care consultations, and digitally delivered psychosocial interventions such as online peer support forums, for supporting and enhancing the caring activities and wellbeing of this caregiver group.

Medicine, pharmacy and nursing trainees' perceptions of curriculum preparation to deprescribe and interprofessional roles in the deprescribing process

With increasing rates of polypharmacy among older adults, preparedness of current and future health care professionals to identify and deprescribe potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is critical. Medicine (n = 28), pharmacy (n = 35) and nursing (n = 11) trainees enrolled in an interprofessional course completed a survey assessing preparedness, confidence and attitudes toward deprescribing, and perception of interprofessional roles in the process. Pharmacy (p = .001) and nursing (p = .007) felt that their curriculum prepared them better to identify and deprescribe PIMs compared to medicine trainees. Pharmacy trainees perceived significantly more barriers to deprescribing compared to medicine (p = .003), but not nursing trainees. Physicians and pharmacists were perceived as the main drivers of the deprescribing process. Current curricular content should be modified to address lack of preparedness to deprescribe in clinical practice. Addressing such gaps as part of an interprofessional team may increase interprofessional role recognition and translate into changes in clinical practice as trainees move into the workforce.

An Interprofessional Workshop to Enhance De-prescribing Practices Among Health Care Providers

INTRODUCTION

De-prescribing is a complex behavior that benefits from a multifaceted approach to learning. We sought to create and deliver a 1-day interprofessional workshop to enhance de-prescribing knowledge and skills among health care professionals.

METHODS

Workshop development was based on the Adult Learning Theory and the Theoretical Domains Framework. The workshop addressed provider-related barriers, was created and delivered by an interprofessional team, and combined didactic and active learning techniques. Targeted participants included physicians, advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician's assistants), pharmacists, and clinic staff. Interprofessional workgroups were created a priori. Participants were asked to complete a postprogram evaluation, including whether they would implement changes to practice, teaching, research, or administrative duties after participation.

RESULTS

We created an in-person, 5.5 credit hour, interprofessional de-prescribing workshop that comprised six sessions: (1) polypharmacy and de-prescribing overview; (2) identification of potentially inappropriate medications; (3) prioritization of medications for de-prescribing; (4) design and implementation of a de-prescribing plan; (5) principles for a patient-centered approach; and (6) suggestions for successful collaboration. Forty-one participants attended the workshop, and 38 (92.7%) completed the postprogram assessment. Participants felt they were likely to implement changes in practice, teaching, research, or administrative duties, rating themselves with a mean of 9.2 (SD = 1.06) on a 1 to 10 scale. Ultimately, 96.6% would recommend the workshop to others.

DISCUSSION

Based on participant feedback, the workshop catalyzed intention to change practice, teaching, research, or administrative duties. Other institutions seeking to change the complex behavior of de-prescribing may wish to model this development and delivery strategy.

Deprescribing of non-antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients

PURPOSE

In recent decades, the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients has increased considerably, to the extent that the disease can now be considered chronic. In this context of progressive aging, HIV-infected persons have a greater prevalence of comorbid conditions. Consequently, they usually take more non-antiretroviral drugs, and their drug therapy are more complex. This supposes a greater risk of drug interactions, of hospitalization, falls, and death. In the last years, deprescribing has gained attention as a means to rationalize medication use.

METHODS

Review of the different therapeutic approach that includes optimization of polypharmacy and control and reduction of potentially inappropriate prescription.

RESULTS

There are several protocols for systematizing the deprescribing process. The most widely used tool is the Medication Regimen Complexity Index, an index validated in HIV-infected persons. Anticholinergic medications are the agents that have been most associated with major adverse effects so, various scales have been employed to measure it. Other tools should be employed to detect and prevent the use of potentially inappropriate drugs. Prioritization of candidates should be based, among others, on drugs that should always be avoided and drugs with no justified indication.

CONCLUSIONS

The deprescribing process shared by professionals and patients definitively would improve management of treatment in this population. Because polypharmacy in HIV-infected patients show that a considerable percentage of patients could be candidates for deprescribing, we must understand the importance of deprescribing and that HIV-infected persons should be a priority group. This process would be highly feasible and effective in HIV-infected persons.

Development of consumer information leaflets for deprescribing in older hospital inpatients: a mixed-methods study

OBJECTIVE

To develop information leaflets for older inpatients and/or their carers to support deprescribing of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

DESIGN

An iterative mixed-methods approach involving face-to-face user testing and semi-structured interviews was performed over three rounds with consumers and hospital health professionals.

SETTING

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-seven consumers (or their carers) aged 65 years or older admitted to hospital in the previous 5 years and taking at least one regular medicine (not the medicine tested) completed user testing. Health professionals included a convenience sample of seven pharmacists and five doctors.

METHODS

The antipsychotic leaflet was tested in round 1 (consumers, n=10) and revised and retested in round 2 (consumers, n=9; health professionals, n=5). Findings from rounds 1 and 2 informed the design of the benzodiazepine/Z-drug and PPI leaflets tested in round 3 (benzodiazepine/Z-drug consumers, n=9; health professionals, n=7; PPI consumers, n=9). Findings from round 3 informed the final design of all leaflets. Consumer user testing involved 12-13 questions to evaluate consumers' ability to locate and understand information in the leaflet. Usability by health professionals was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS).

RESULTS

At least 80% of consumers correctly found and understood the deprescribing information in the leaflets (9 of 12 information points in round 1 (antipsychotic); 10 of 12 in round 2; 12 of 13 (benzodiazepine/Z-drug) and 11 of 12 (PPI) in round 3). Consumers perceived the leaflets to be informative, well-designed and useful aids for ongoing medication management. The SUS scores obtained from health professionals were 91.0±3.8 for the antipsychotic leaflet and 86.4±6.6 for the benzodiazepine/Z-drug leaflet, indicating excellent usability.

CONCLUSIONS

Understandable and easy-to-use consumer information leaflets were developed and tested by consumers and health professionals. The feasibility and utility of these leaflets to support deprescribing at transitions of care should be explored in clinical practice.

New horizons in deprescribing for older people

Deprescribing has gained interest recently, driven by an ageing population seeing an increasing number living with multiple long-term conditions. This, coupled with disease-specific guidelines derived from clinical trials in younger people, has led to an increase in exposure to polypharmacy and the associated therapeutic burden. Older people, especially those living with frailty, tend to experience lower efficacy of these medications along with a higher risk of drug adverse effects. Explanations for these differences include the physiological effects of frailty, drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions and reduced medication adherence. Adverse drug reactions often go unnoticed and can trigger further prescribing. Certain medications have been recognised as potentially inappropriate for people with frailty, yet their use remains common. Evidence suggests that many older people are open to the concept of reducing medications. Deprescribing should be based around a shared decision-making approach. Trials to date have suggested that it can often be achieved without harm. To date, there are few data to support improvements in hospitalisation or mortality rates. However, there is some evidence that it may reduce polypharmacy, improve medication adherence, reduce financial costs and improve quality of life. In the future, it will be necessary to grow the evidence base and improve public and clinician awareness of the potential benefits of deprescribing. It will require excellent team working and communication between all of those involved in the prescribing and administration of medications, also supported by improved healthcare informatics. Non-pharmacological approaches will need to be promoted. Fewer drugs is not less care.

Practical Problems of Medication Use in the Elderly Malaysians and Their Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Deprescribing of Medications

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of practical problems with medications use experienced by elderly patients and the management strategy employed to overcome the problems. This study also aimed to evaluate the belief and attitude of elderly patients toward deprescribing.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly patients that seeking treatment in a primary care clinic in Malaysia from September to November 2018 using a set of researcher-assisted and validated questionnaire on their consent.

Findings:

A total of 182 elderly patients were included in this study. A majority of participants (n = 87, 47.8%) admitted experiencing practical problems with their medication use. There are varieties of choice of management strategy employed by elderly patients to overcome the problems. For the willingness to deprescribing, there were positive correlation for patients' age (rs (182) =0.183, P < 0.05) and number of medications (rs (182) =0.271, P < 0.01) with the burden factor. There were also a negative correlation of age (rs (182) = −0.174, P < 0.05) and number of medication (rs (182) = −0.176, P < 0.04) with appropriateness of medications.

Conclusion:

A majority of Malaysian elderly experience practical problems with their medication use. Elderly patients' belief and attitudes toward deprescribing were influenced by age and number of medications.

Deprescribing in end-of-life care

The aim of deprescribing in end-of-life care is to improve the patient's quality of life by reducing their drug burden. It is essential to engage the patients and enable them to make choices about medications by discussing their preferences and implement a pharmacy management plan. Withdrawing medications during the end stages of life is extremely complex because the period of care varies substantially. The aim of this article is to address polypharmacy within end-of-life care. It will review which medications should be stopped by examining the non-essential and essential drugs. The intention is to encourage an approach to care which provides an equal balance between treatment and patient expectation.

Study protocol for a process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing and polypharmacy in patients with multimorbidity in Irish primary care (SPPiRE)

Background: Multimorbidity (the presence of two or more chronic conditions) is associated with poorer health outcomes, particularly for patients with significant polypharmacy (≥15 medications), due to the higher risk of adverse events and drug interactions. The SPPiRE study will assess the effectiveness of a complex intervention to support general practitioners (GPs) to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing and consider deprescribing in older people with multimorbidity and significant polypharmacy. The aim of the SPPiRE process evaluation is to understand how and why the intervention is effective or ineffective and to explore the potential for system wide implementation of the intervention using the Medical Research Council general themes of context, implementation and mechanism of impact.

Methods: The SPPiRE study is a clustered randomised controlled trial (RCT), aiming to recruit 55 general practices and 400 patients (≥65 years) on ≥15 medications throughout the Republic of Ireland.

This mixed-methods process evaluation of the SPPiRE study will integrate both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data will be collected on use of the intervention elements and from GP questionnaires. Qualitative data will be collected from semi-structured telephone interviews with all intervention GPs and a purposeful sample of patients from intervention practices. The topic guide will explore barriers and facilitators to participation and implementation of the intervention.

Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Interviews will be transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data will be then be integrated.

Discussion: The SPPiRE cluster RCT will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness and practicability of delivering a structured medication review in reducing polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing for patients with multimorbidity. This process evaluation will provide information on how the intervention was implemented, how it was or was not effective and the potential for a system wide implementation.

Trial registration:ISRCTN 12752680, registration: 20/10/2016

Study protocol for a process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing and polypharmacy in patients with multimorbidity in Irish primary care (SPPiRE)

Background: Multimorbidity (the presence of two or more chronic conditions) is associated with poorer health outcomes, particularly for patients with significant polypharmacy (≥15 medications), due to the higher risk of adverse events and drug interactions. The SPPiRE study will assess the effectiveness of a complex intervention to support general practitioners (GPs) to reduce potentially inappropriate prescribing and consider deprescribing in older people with multimorbidity and significant polypharmacy. The aim of the SPPiRE process evaluation is to understand how and why the intervention is effective or ineffective and to explore the potential for system wide implementation of the intervention using the Medical Research Council general themes of context, implementation and mechanism of impact. Methods: The SPPiRE study is a clustered randomised controlled trial (RCT), aiming to recruit 55 general practices and 400 patients (≥65 years) on ≥15 medications throughout the Republic of Ireland. This mixed-methods process evaluation of the SPPiRE study will integrate both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data will be collected on use of the intervention elements and from GP questionnaires. Qualitative data will be collected from semi-structured telephone interviews with all intervention GPs and a purposeful sample of patients from intervention practices. The topic guide will explore barriers and facilitators to participation and implementation of the intervention. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Interviews will be transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data will be then be integrated. Discussion: The SPPiRE cluster RCT will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness and practicability of delivering a structured medication review in reducing polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing for patients with multimorbidity. This process evaluation will provide information on how the intervention was implemented, how it was or was not effective and the potential for a system wide implementation. Trial registration: ISRCTN 12752680, registration: 20/10/2016.

Approaches to Risk Assessment Among Older Patients With Diabetes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

A patient's prognosis and risk of adverse drug effects are important considerations for individualizing care of older patients with diabetes. This review summarizes the evidence for risk assessment and proposes approaches for clinicians in the context of current clinical guidelines.

RECENT FINDINGS

Diabetes guidelines vary in their recommendations for how life expectancy should be estimated and used to inform the selection of glycemic targets. Readily available prognostic tools may improve estimation of life expectancy but require validation among patients with diabetes. Treatment decisions based on prognosis are difficult for clinicians to communicate and for patients to understand. Determining hypoglycemia risk involves assessing major risk factors; models to synthesize these factors have been developed. Applying risk assessment to individualize diabetes care is complex and currently relies heavily on clinician judgment. More research is need to validate structured approaches to risk assessment and determine how to incorporate them into patient-centered diabetes care.

A collaborative intervention for deprescribing: The role of stakeholder and patient engagement

BACKGROUND

At a recent World Café Workshop on future deprescribing priorities, Canadian researchers identified that, in addition to implementation evaluation and economic analyses, high quality clinical trials require meaningful patient engagement.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to develop a deprescribing intervention for collaborative primary healthcare clinics and long-term care facilities that have pharmacists integrated in these settings. This manuscript aims to provide a summary of the experience with engaging patients in the development of the deprescribing framework.

METHODS

Sixteen members of the research team met with six patient representatives (identified by the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit) in a facilitated meeting. The event provided a welcoming environment for all participants; discussion groups ensured a mix of clinical, research and patient voice; and facilitators focused on engaging all voices equally. Initial discussions were structured around four topics: 1) identifying and prioritizing potentially inappropriate medications to reduce or stop; 2) identifying patients appropriate for deprescribing; 3) effectively communicating deprescribing with both patients and prescribers; and 4) measuring satisfaction with the framework. Subsequent discussions used group input to draft an intervention. After the event, participants engaged via e-mail, to refine the proposed intervention.

RESULTS

The facilitated meeting provided helpful insight into patients' interests and changed the shape of the project. For example, patient representatives felt that an age restriction of 65 years of age or older was unfair, as deprescribing may help people younger than 65 years of age. Patient representatives also felt it was crucial to have resources to offer with non-pharmacologic information to increase success of deprescribing. This led to the deprescribing intervention becoming a framework for pharmacist-led deprescribing and a toolbox of supportive patient and healthcare professional resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this process allowed for successful and meaningful patient engagement that aligned well with priorities for deprescribing clinical trials.

Undiagnosing: Correcting the medical record to prevent over-intervention

•

Over-diagnosis can lead to over-intervention and over-prescribing, particularly among older adults.

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Undiagnosing is a strategy to review diagnostic labels and remove those that are unnecessary or no longer beneficial.

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Undiagnosing relies on accurate and comprehensive medical records to inform a thorough review of diagnoses

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Effective communication and collaborative decision making regarding undiagnosing are essential to ensure consumer centered care.

Attitudes towards deprescribing and the influence of health literacy among older Australians

Aim

This study aimed to explore attitudes, beliefs and experiences regarding polypharmacy and discontinuing medications, or deprescribing, among community living older adults aged ≥65 years, using ≥5 medications. It also aimed to investigate if health literacy capabilities influenced attitudes and beliefs towards deprescribing.

Background

Polypharmacy use is common among Australian older adults. However, little is known about their attitudes towards polypharmacy use or towards stopping medications. Previous studies indicate that health literacy levels tend to be lower in older adults, resulting in poor knowledge about medications.

Methods

A self-administered survey was conducted using two previously validated tools; the Patients’ Attitude Towards Deprescribing (PATD) tool to measure attitudes towards polypharmacy use and deprescribing and the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS) to measure functional, communicative and critical health literacy. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted.

Findings

The 137 responses showed that 80% thought all their medications were necessary and were comfortable with the number taken. Wanting to reduce the number of medications taken was associated with concerns about the amount taken (P<0.001), experiencing side effects (P<0.001), or believing that one or more medications were no longer needed (P<0.000). Those who were using ten or more medications were more likely to want to reduce the number taken (P=0.019). Most (88%) respondents would be willing to stop medication/s in the context of receiving this advice from their doctor. Willingness to consider stopping correlated with higher scores on the critical health literacy subscale (P<0.021) and overall AAHLS score (P<0.009). Those with higher scores on the overall AAHLS measure were more likely to report that they understood why their medications were prescribed (P<0.000) and were more likely to participate in decision-making (P=0.027). Opportunities to proactively consider deprescribing may be missed, as one third of the respondents could not recall a recent review of their medications.

Psychoactive medication use among older community-dwelling Americans

BACKGROUND

Falls are a common and serious health issue among older Americans. A common fall risk factor is the use of psychoactive medications. There is limited recent information on the national prevalence of psychoactive medication use among older Americans.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of psychoactive medication use among community-dwelling older Americans and compare it with previous estimates from 1996.

METHODS

The data source was the 2013 Cost and Use Data files combining Medicare claims data and survey data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, an in-person nationally representative survey of Medicare beneficiaries. Participants were included if they were 65 years of age and older, lived in the community, and had a complete year of prescription use data. Medication use was examined for 7 classes of psychoactive medications categorized by the 2015 American Geriatric Society Beers criteria as increasing fall risk. These include opioids, benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, anticonvulsants, nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics, antipsychotics, and tricyclic antidepressants. Data on participant demographic factors were also collected.

RESULTS

Among the 6959 community-dwelling older adults studied, representing 33,268,104 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries, 53.3% used at least 1 psychoactive medication linked to falls in 2013. The most frequently used medication classes were opioids (34.9%), benzodiazepines (15.4%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (14.3%), and anticonvulsants (13.3%). These estimates are considerably higher for all classes except tricyclic antidepressants than previous reports from 1996 that used the same data source. Among most psychoactive medication classes observed, women had higher usage than men.

CONCLUSION

More than half of all older Americans used at least 1 psychoactive medication in 2013. Health care providers, including pharmacists, play a vital role in managing older adults' exposure to psychoactive medications. Medication management can optimize health and reduce older adult falls.

Barriers and enablers for deprescribing among older, multimorbid patients with polypharmacy: an explorative study from Switzerland

Background

Polypharmacy is an increasing problem, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, especially in older, multimorbid patients. Consequently, there is a need for reduction of polypharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes, beliefs, and concerns towards deprescribing among older, multimorbid patients with polypharmacy who chose not to pursue at least one of their GP’s offers to deprescribe.

Methods

Exploratory study using telephone interviews among patients of a cluster-randomized study in Northern Switzerland. The interview included a qualitative part consisting of questions in five pre-defined key areas of attitudes, beliefs, and concerns about deprescribing and an open explorative question. The quantitative part consisted of a rating of pre-defined statements in these areas.

Results

Twenty-two of 87 older, multimorbid patients with polypharmacy, to whom their GP offered a drug change, did not pursue all offers. Nineteen of these 22 were interviewed by telephone. The 19 patients were on average 76.9 (SD 10.0) years old, 74% female, and took 8.9 (SD 2.6) drugs per day. Drugs for acid-related disorders, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs were the three most common drug groups where patient involvement and the shared-decision-making (SDM) process led to the joint decision to not pursue the GPs offer. Eighteen of 19 patients fully trusted their GP, 17 of 19 participated in SDM even before this study and 8 of 19 perceived polypharmacy as a substantial burden. Conservatism/inertia and fragmented medical care were the main barriers towards deprescribing. No patient felt devalued as a consequence of the deprescribing offer. Our exploratory findings were supported by patients’ ratings of predefined statements.

Conclusion

We identified patient involvement in deprescribing and coordination of care as key issues for deprescribing among older multimorbid patients with polypharmacy. GPs concerns regarding patients’ devaluation should not prevent them from actively discussing the reduction of drugs.

Trial registration

ISRCTN16560559.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12875-019-0953-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.