Medication non-adherence in the elderly: how big is the problem?

Patient adherence in COPD

Patient adherence to treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is essential to optimise disease management. As with other chronic diseases, poor adherence is common and results in increased rates of morbidity, healthcare expenditures, hospitalisations and possibly mortality, as well as unnecessary escalation of therapy and reduced quality of life. Examples include overuse, underuse, and alteration of schedule and doses of medication, continued smoking and lack of exercise. Adherence is affected by patients' perception of their disease, type of treatment or medication, the quality of patient provider communication and the social environment. Patients are more likely to adhere to treatment when they believe it will improve disease management or control, or anticipate serious consequences related to non-adherence. Providers play a critical role in helping patients understand the nature of the disease, potential benefits of treatment, addressing concerns regarding potential adverse effects and events, and encouraging patients to develop self-management skills. For clinicians, it is important to explore patients' beliefs and concerns about the safety and benefits of the treatment, as many patients harbour unspoken fears. Complex regimens and polytherapy also contribute to suboptimal adherence. This review addresses adherence related issues in COPD, assesses current efforts to improve adherence and highlights opportunities to improve adherence for both providers and patients.

Medication persistence rates and factors associated with persistence in patients following stroke: a cohort study

Background

Medication nonadherence can be as high as 50% and results in suboptimal patient outcomes. Stroke patients in particular can benefit from pharmacotherapy for thrombosis, hypertension, and dyslipidemia but are at high risk for medication nonpersistence.

Methods

Patients who were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with stroke between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2002 were analyzed. Data collected were pre-stroke function, stroke subtype, stroke severity, patient outcomes, and medication use at discharge, and six and 12 months post discharge. Medication persistence at six and 12 months and the factors associated with nonpersistence at six months were examined using multivariable stepwise logistic regression.

Results

At discharge, 420 patients (mean age 68.2 years, 55.7% male) were prescribed an average of 6.4 medications and mean prescription drug cost was $167 monthly. Antihypertensive (91%) and antithrombotic (96%) drug use at discharge were frequent, antilipidemic (73%) and antihyperglycemic (25%) drug use were less common. Self-reported persistence at six and 12 months after stroke was high (> 90%) for all categories.

In the multivariable model of medication nonpersistence at six months, people aged 65 to 79 years were less likely to be nonpersistent with antihypertensive medications than people aged 80 years or more (Odds ratio (OR) 0.11, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.03–0.39). Monthly drug costs of < $90 or $90–199.99 were associated with greater nonpersistence, compared to monthly drug costs ≥$200 (OR 6.74, 95% CI 1.32–34.46 for < $90; OR 5.25, 95% CI 1.14–24.25 for $90–199.99). For the antithrombotic drug category, people aged 65 to 79 years were less likely to be nonpersistent than people aged 80 years or more (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06–0.81), and people who were disabled before admission were more likely to be nonpersistent than those not disabled (OR 7.01, 95% CI 1.66–29.58).

Conclusion

Patients reported high medication persistence rates six and 12 months after stroke. Identification of factors associated with nonpersistence (such as older age and prior disability) will help predict which patients are at higher risk for discontinuing their medications.

Keys to Successful Self-Management of Medications

Medication use by community-dwelling elderly accounts for a significant portion of all U.S. drug use. Many elderly manage over three prescriptions a day. Recent evidence indicates that non-adherence to prescribed drug regimens can lead to symptoms that result in hospitalizations. The study's purpose was to explore self-management of medications as perceived by community-dwelling elderly. Guided by Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, 19 older adults were interviewed about their medication self-management practices. Inductive data analysis revealed three major themes: successful self-management of medications, living orderly, and aging well. Success in establishing individual management systems may be the result of developing and maintaining orderly lifestyles.

A systematic review of interventions to improve medication taking in elderly patients prescribed multiple medications

A range of behavioural, educational and provider-focused strategies have been tested, individually or in combination, for improving medication adherence. The results of various interventions in different patient groups, including the elderly, have been subjected to systematic reviews and meta-analyses, but because most studies have focused on improving adherence to one drug or drug group, they may have limited applicability to the general elderly population who more commonly use multiple medications for multiple co-morbidities.A systematic review of controlled studies aimed at improving adherence in community-living elderly patients prescribed at least three, or a mean/median of four or more, long-term medications was undertaken. Only studies which included a minimum of 60 patients in each group, followed patients for >or=4 weeks after intervention, and measured adherence to all medications at baseline and at the conclusion of the study were considered for inclusion in the review. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. All eight studies used verbal and/or written medication information in combination with behavioural strategies with or without provider-focused strategies. Pharmaceutical care was the theoretical framework of the interventions used in the majority of the studies. Only four studies demonstrated a significant improvement in adherence as a result of the interventions. The relative change in adherence in the intervention groups was highly variable, ranging from -13% to +55.5% (mean +11.4%). Regular scheduled patient follow-up along with a multi-compartment dose administration aid was an effective strategy for maintaining adherence in one study, while group education combined with individualized medication cards was successful in another study. Medication review by pharmacists with a focus on regimen simplification was found to be effective in two studies.Overall, as a result of inconsistent methodology and findings across the eight studies, we were unable to draw firm conclusions in favour of any particular intervention. Innovative strategies for enhancing medication adherence in the elderly and reliable measures of adherence are needed. Until further evidence from single-intervention strategies becomes available, combinations of educational and behavioural strategies should be used to improve medication adherence in the elderly.

Obesity and the use of insulin: a study of patients with type 2 diabetes in the UK

OBJECTIVE

This analysis examines how obesity affects the prescribing of insulin for individuals with type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the UK General Practice Research Database for the years 2000-2004. Patients were eligible if they had been identified as having type 2 diabetes and had undergone at least two valid glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) tests. Additionally, patients had to have poor glycemic control on the index date (HbA(1c)>7.4), no use of insulin 6 months prior to the index date, and at least 30 months of data after the index date (N=6468). Descriptive statistics were used to examine unadjusted differences between obese and nonobese patients. A Cox proportional hazards model was applied to examine the relationship between obesity and the relative likelihood of initiation of insulin while controlling for differences in patient characteristics, medication use, and HbA(1c) levels.

RESULTS

Obese individuals were significantly younger (P<.01), significantly more likely to be treated with two oral antidiabetic agents (P=.02), and significantly less likely to be treated with oral monotherapy (P=.02). Controlling for a wide range of factors that may impact receipt of insulin, results revealed that obese individuals had a "hazard" of initiation of insulin significantly lower than that of nonobese patients (hazard ratio=0.814, P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient age, severity of illness, and prior medication use all affect whether the individual will be initially prescribed insulin. Moreover, the results of this study demonstrate that obesity is an additional critical factor in physicians' decision to begin treatment with insulin.

Medication discrepancy: a concordance problem between dialysis patients and caregivers

OBJECTIVES

Extensive drug utilization, and non-concordance between the patient and the caregiver about prescriptions and actual medicine intake, are associated with the risk of non-adherence to medication as well as medication-related illness. To achieve reliable estimates of drug use, it is important to consider the patient's self-reported drug utilization as well as to consult his/her medical record. The present multicentre study was conducted with the aim of examining the self-reported drug consumption of dialysis patients and its congruence with medical records.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Consumption of pharmaceutical agents was recorded by 204 patients undergoing haemo- or peritoneal dialysis at 10 Swedish clinics. Drug record discrepancies were identified by comparing the self-reported use of prescribed medicines with the subsequently obtained medication lists.

RESULTS

The median drug intake was 11 prescribed medicines and by including on-demand drugs this increased to 12. Discrepancies between the self-reported use of prescribed drugs and the medical record were prevalent in 80.4% of cases, with a median of three discrepancies per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Dialysis patients have an extensive need for medication but there is an undesirable deviation between consumption and prescription. A single medication list, accessible for the patient and for all prescribers, is a possible solution to achieve concordance but other measures, such as analysis of the reasons for discrepancy and tailored measures, would also benefit concordant medicine-taking.

Polypharmacy among people with rheumatoid arthritis: the role of age, disease duration and comorbidity

BACKGROUND

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have comorbidities with associated disability and complex medication regimens. Little published evidence exists about why people with RA require so many medications, although it is logical to hypothesize that this may relate to older age, longer duration of RA, more active RA, worse functional disability and a greater number of comorbidities.

OBJECTIVES

We set out to quantify polypharmacy in RA and identify its predictors in an observational cohort.

METHODS

The case notes of 348 people receiving secondary care for RA were reviewed to record polypharmacy. The 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) was calculated and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Self-administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) were completed.

RESULTS

The mean total number of medications was 5.39, with a maximum of 16; of these, a mean of 2.41 medications were directly for RA. A mediational relationship was identified: older age and longer RA duration were significant predictors of a greater total number of medications, but these relationships were explained by the greater number of comorbidities in older participants and those with longer RA duration. Polypharmacy was not related to RA activity or functional disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Polypharmacy is common among people with RA and associates with older age and longer RA duration through a greater number of comorbidities. Regular review of the full treatment plan of individuals with RA by pharmacists and other health professionals specializing in rheumatology, to weigh the benefits and risks of each medication and their interactions in light of RA activity and comorbidities, is advocated.

Refill adherence by the elderly for asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease drugs dispensed over a 10-year period

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to survey prescription refill adherence for preventive asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) medication dispensed to patients 60 years and older over a 10-year period.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted based on a Swedish pharmacy record database in the county of Jämtland for the years 1994-2003. Satisfactory refill adherence was set as dispensed refills covering 80-120% of the prescribed treatment time for inhaled corticosteroids, combination products of adrenergics and steroids and anticholinergics.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Only 28% (n=160) of the repeat prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids had been dispensed with a satisfactory refill adherence, 59% showed an undersupply and 12% showed an oversupply. There was no difference in refill adherence in relation to age and gender. However, during the 10-year study period repeat prescriptions being dispensed for 2-4 years showed higher satisfactory refill adherence than those being dispensed for <2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that over half of the repeat prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids dispensed to patients over 60 years showed an undersupply. Therefore, it is likely that elderly patients on long-term therapy have a non-optimal drug use of their preventive asthma/COPD medication.

HIV infection in the elderly

In the US, an estimated 1 million people are infected with HIV, although one-third of this population are unaware of their diagnosis. While HIV infection is commonly thought to affect younger adults, there are an increasing number of patients over 50 years of age living with the condition. UNAIDS and WHO estimate that of the 40 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, approximately 2.8 million are 50 years and older. With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the mid-1990s, survival following HIV diagnosis has risen dramatically and HIV infection has evolved from an acute disease process to being managed as a chronic medical condition. As treated HIV-infected patients live longer and the number of new HIV diagnoses in older patients rise, clinicians need to be aware of these trends and become familiar with the management of HIV infection in the older patient. This article is intended for the general clinician, including geriatricians, and will review epidemiologic data and HIV treatment as well as provide a discussion on medical management issues affecting the older HIV-infected patient.

Clinical consequences of polypharmacy in elderly: expect the unexpected, think the unthinkable

Multiple medication use has been coined 'polypharmacy'. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent in older patients secondary to the increased number of co-morbid disease states with ageing. Existing practice guidelines recommend multiple drug use for certain chronic diseases (i.e., HIV, tuberculosis, hypertension, etc.). A polypharmacologic approach for certain diseases has been shown to improve therapeutic response, decrease morbidity and mortality. On the contrary, polypharmacy may induce iatrogenic complications that are often unseen prior to the initiation of medicinal regimens. This paper will review the potential clinical consequences of polypharmacy in the elderly and common medication administration errors that may occur. Consequences of polypharmacy include adverse drug effects, drug-drug interactions, disease-drug interactions, food-drug interactions, nutraceutical-drug interactions and medication cascade effect. Medication administration errors, such as phonetic confusion, flip-flopping dosing errors and pill visual-cue errors, are also reviewed. Prescribing for the elderly, whose medications are vast in number, is often uncharted physiologic territory. The clinician must expect the unexpected and think of the unthinkable in the geriatric patient, when dealing with polypharmacy and the potential consequences.

[The influence of drug packaging on the drug-taking compliance of older patients living on their own]

The present study is concerned with compliance and the possible influence thereon of drug packaging. Since most medications are prescribed for older persons, our target group was that of the over 70-year-olds otherwise usually excluded from participating as probands in clinical trials. Our method chose a study design that includes both the experience of a selected group of experts as well as the results of a field study. In the field study, 70 persons (18 male and 61 female), and 70-to-95 years of age participated in a face-to-face interview as well as in a test dealing with the handling of drug packaging. While the subjective patient responses provide a positive result with respect to compliance -- over 80% say that they take their medications regularly -- the data that were determined objectively within the framework of the test with selected medications showed deficiencies. The "medication test" carried out here shows impressively that child-proof packaging is also "age-proof" and, when used in the target group of older persons, can represent a considerable barrier to compliance.

A review of compliance to treatment in Alzheimer's disease: potential benefits of a transdermal patch

BACKGROUND

Following prescribed medication regimens is essential for the effective treatment of any medical condition. Unfortunately, patients often fail to follow recommendations, and treatment non-compliance represents a widespread, often underestimated problem, placing tremendous burden on the healthcare system. Compliance in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a chronic neurodegenerative disease typically afflicting older adults, is especially challenging.

SCOPE

To review factors contributing to poor treatment compliance in AD, considering the prominent role care givers often play in treatment management; and acknowledging strategic approaches, particularly modern transdermal patches, to improve compliance in this particularly susceptible population. Articles were identified by searching MEDLINE in November 2006 (search limits: 1987-2007) using the terms: compliance; Alzheimer's; treatment; and transdermal. Additional resources included bibliographies of identified articles.

FINDINGS

Strategic approaches to improving treatment compliance include: simplifying treatment regimens, using reminder packaging, and developing more patient- or caregiver-friendly modes of administration. To date, AD therapies have been administered orally. However, recent developments in alternative modes of drug delivery, such as transdermal patches, may offer effective, well-tolerated treatment options with the potential to enhance compliance. A patch containing rivastigmine (Exelon), an established cholinesterase inhibitor, has been developed and demonstrated to have good efficacy and tolerability in patients with AD. In addition, initial caregiver experience suggests preference for the patch over oral administration.

CONCLUSION

Transdermal patches may be an effective way to optimize treatment compliance for AD, as well as an increasing number of other chronic conditions that typically afflict the older population, offering the possibility of more sustained clinical benefits.

Patient perceptions regarding electronic prescriptions: is the geriatric patient ready?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the extent to which electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) alters communication about medication use between geriatric patients and their clinicians, as well as geriatric patients' perceptions regarding e-prescribing.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Thirty-five physician practices in six states using e-prescribing.

PARTICIPANTS

Convenience sample of patients (n=244) aged 65 and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Patient perceptions regarding discussions with their doctors regarding medication costs, adherence, and potential side effects, as well as expectations about and satisfaction with e-prescribing collected on a voluntary survey.

RESULTS

Of patients at e-prescribing practices, 53% reported ever receiving e-prescriptions. Patients who reported having e-prescriptions were more likely to feel favorably toward the electronic method, whereas most of those who reported never receiving e-prescriptions preferred paper prescriptions. Patients reporting use of e-prescriptions were somewhat more likely to have adherence discussions often or most of the time than patients who had not used e-prescriptions. Regardless of e-prescribing experience, few patients reported that they would tell their physicians if they did not want a drug or did not plan to pick up the drug from the pharmacy.

CONCLUSION

E-prescribing technology solutions may provide opportunities for earlier and enhanced communication between geriatric patients and their clinicians; geriatric patients may require more education to appreciate the value of e-prescribing.

Psychosocial influences on suboptimal adjuvant breast cancer treatment adherence among African American women: implications for education and intervention

Despite lower incidence, African American women are at increased risk of dying from breast cancer relative to their European American counterparts. Although there are key differences in both screening behavior and tumor characteristics, an additional part of this mortality difference may lie in the fact that African American women receive suboptimal adjuvant chemotherapy and may receive suboptimal hormonal therapy, therapies that are known to increase survival. The authors consider ethnic differences in the psychosocial factors that have been shown to relate to poor screening adherence and consider how they may influence adherence to breast cancer adjuvant treatment, thus the receipt of suboptimal adjuvant chemo or hormonal therapy. To this end, they review ethnic differences in cognitive, emotional, and social network variables. Psychosocial variables should be included in research designed to understand cancer disparities as well interventions that can be tailored to culturally diverse populations to improve treatment adherence.

Drug sample provision and its effect on continuous drug therapy in an indigent care setting

OBJECTIVE

To assess the continuity and consistency of drug therapy among indigent patients following drug sample provision.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Indigent ambulatory care.

PATIENTS

129 adult patients, identified as having been given a drug sample between January 1, 2004, and February 27, 2004.

INTERVENTIONS

Analysis of data regarding the sample regimen, duration, rationale for sample provision, therapeutic indication, and subsequent therapy prescribed in the 6 months following sample provision.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Lengths of gaps between sample provision and subsequent prescribed therapy were analyzed to evaluate the effect of sample provision on the continuity and consistency of drug therapy.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients for whom continuous therapy was indicated, interruptions in therapy occurred in 50% (mean duration, 51.1 +/- 37.8 days; range, 2-123). Of the 65 patients who were prescribed subsequent therapy, 89.2% were prescribed the exact same drug, 9.2% a different drug in the same class, and 1.5% a different drug in a different class. Following sample provision, only 2 (3.1%) patients were prescribed generic medications.

CONCLUSION

Significant interruptions in drug therapy frequently followed sample provision in those requiring continuous treatment. On average, patients experienced interruptions in therapy for nearly 2 months. The majority of patients who were prescribed subsequent therapy were prescribed the same drug as the drug sample initially provided.

Clinical pharmacology in the geriatric patient

Geriatric patients are a subset of older people with multiple comorbidities that usually have significant functional implications. Geriatric patients have impaired homeostasis and wide inter-individual variability. Comprehensive geriatric assessment captures the complexity of the problems that characterize frail older patients and can be used to guide management, including prescribing. Prescribing for geriatric patients requires an understanding of the efficacy of the medication in frail older people, assessment of the risk of adverse drug events, discussion of the harm:benefit ratio with the patient, a decision about the dose regime and careful monitoring of the patient's response. This requires evaluation of evidence from clinical trials, application of the evidence to frail older people through an understanding of changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and attention to medication management issues. Given that most disease occurs in older people, and that older people are the major recipients of drug therapy in the Western world, increased research and a better evidence base is essential to guide clinicians who manage geriatric patients.

Concept analysis: the importance of differentiating the ontological focus

AIM

The aim of this paper is to clarify the philosophical underpinnings of concepts and concept analysis and the implications of their use through the lens of particular ontological perspectives.

BACKGROUND

Information on the philosophical foundations of concepts from an ontological and epistemological perspective is not readily identifiable in the international literature. Although some authors have made reference to the ontological perspectives of specific concept analysis processes, none have addressed the implications of the realist or relativist perspective in relation either to the analysis process or the implications of a particular ontological perspective on the meaning and utility of a specific concept.

METHOD

We describe the evolution of concept analysis and influence of ontological paradigms on specific analysis methods. Using an historical review of concept development within nursing thought, we decode the language of concepts and processes of concept analysis, outline the importance of the ontological foundation of concept development, and describe the impact of concept use.

DISCUSSION

The nursing literature is dominated by concepts created from a realist perspective. Although recent nurse-authors have introduced evidence-based data to facilitate the development of a number of concepts, they have held fast to the perception that the 'best', most adequate or mature concepts transcend context.

CONCLUSION

The theoretical shift from context-bound empirical analysis of concepts belies the complexity of nurses' work. Concepts are unapologetically context-bound. A concept that transcends context (based on realist ontology) will remain the same even when the context of praxis changes limiting its utility.

Motivational interviewing: improving patient education

Many health care conditions require behavior change by the patient or parent to improve health outcomes. Poor outcomes may be attributed to the lack of adherence to the behavior change recommendations. A shift from the authoritarian, expert providing advice to a more family-centered, collaborative model using motivational interviewing (MI) results in improved adherence. The principles of MI are exploring ambivalence, reflective listening, reinforcing positive behavior, and rolling with resistance. The process for MI is establishing relationships; setting an agenda; assessing importance, confidence, and readiness; exploring importance; and helping families select an action plan and building confidence in their ability to change.

Adverse Drug Events Resulting from Patient Errors in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the types of patient-related errors that lead to adverse drug events (ADEs) and identify patients at high risk of such errors.

DESIGN

A subanalysis within a cohort study of Medicare enrollees.

SETTING

A large multispecialty group practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty thousand Medicare enrollees followed over a 12-month period.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcomes were ADEs, defined as injuries due to a medication, and potential ADEs, defined as medication errors with the potential to cause an injury. The subset of these events that were related to patient errors was identified.

RESULTS

The majority of patient errors leading to adverse events (n=129) occurred in administering the medication (31.8%), modifying the medication regimen (41.9%), or not following clinical advice about medication use (21.7%). Patient-related errors most often involved hypoglycemic medications (28.7%), cardiovascular medications (21.7%), anticoagulants (18.6%), or diuretics (10.1%). Patients with medication errors did not differ from a comparison group in age or sex but were taking more regularly scheduled medications (compared with 0-2 medications, odds ratio (OR) for 3-4 medications=2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.9-4.2; OR for 5-6 medications=3.1, 95% CI=1.5-7.0; OR for >or=7 medications=3.3, 95% CI=1.5-7.0). The strongest association was with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (compared with a score of 0, OR for a score of 1-2=3.8, 95% CI=2.1-7.0; OR for a score of 3-4=8.6, 95% CI=4.3-17.0; OR for a score of >or=5=15.0, 95% CI=6.5-34.5).

CONCLUSION

The medication regimens of older adults present a range of difficulties with the potential for harm. Strategies are needed that specifically address the management of complex drug regimens.

Cognitive and psychiatric predictors of medical treatment adherence among older adults in primary care clinics

OBJECTIVES

Medical treatment non-adherence among older adults is common and represents a significant public health care concern. Treatment non-adherence has been associated with a number of factors in older adults; however few studies have delineated the role of cognition and psychiatric status.

PARTICIPANTS

Data were collected from 212 ethnically diverse older primary care patients as part of a larger study.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognitive status was evaluated with the Mattis Dementia Rating scale (DRS). Psychiatric status was evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Treatment adherence was assessed by the total number of missed healthcare appointments and by physician and patient ratings. Physician ratings of patients' understanding of medical instructions were also obtained.

DESIGN

A series of multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine cognitive and psychiatric predictors for each measure of treatment adherence.

RESULTS

GDS and DRS memory scores were both independent predictors of the total number of missed medical appointments, F(7,55) = 2.34, p = 0.038. GDS score was also shown to be a significant predictor of physician ratings of patients' understanding of medical instructions, F(7,33) = 0.89, p = 0.031. Neither cognitive performance nor psychiatric status was associated with patient or physician ratings of treatment adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Measures of cognitive functioning and depression severity were supported as predictors of objective measures of treatment adherence but they were not associated with physician or patient ratings of adherence. Patient depression may influence physician ratings of patients' comprehension of medical instructions.

Parabolas of medication use and discontinuation after myocardial infarction—are we closing the treatment gap?

PURPOSE

Little is known on the use of evidence-based medications in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) across all ages. We undertook this study to describe the patterns of prescription and discontinuation of anti-platelet agents, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and statins in all patients post-AMI.

METHODS

Using population-based administrative databases, patients with an AMI between 1999 and 2004 (21 494 men and 13 241 women) were identified. Rates of prescriptions after discharge and time to discontinuation of the study drugs were computed for various age groups.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients prescribed a study drug increased throughout the study period. In 2003-2004, 90% of patients were prescribed an anti-platelet agent, 77% a beta-blocker, 72% a statin and 70% an ACE inhibitor and/or an ARB within 30 days of discharge from their AMI. However, the rates of discontinuation increased significantly during follow-up and, in men, reached 27% by 2 years and 42% by 5 years for beta-blockers. The rates of discontinuation of all four study drugs had a parabolic shape with the youngest and oldest patients having the highest rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of evidence-based drugs for patients after AMI is increasing. However, efforts aimed at closing the treatment gap may be mitigated by high rates of discontinuation, especially in patients at the extremes of the age spectrum.

Adherence, persistence, concordance: do we provide optimal management to our patients with osteoporosis?

The last two decades have witnessed numerous advances in the treatment of chronic diseases, most notably those occurring in postmenopausal women. An insidious course and minimal symptoms often characterize chronic diseases, with the result that long-term adherence to prescribed treatment regimens may be difficult to obtain. Poor compliance has been abundantly documented, particularly in patients with hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus. Many factors may contribute to poor compliance, including the unobtrusiveness of the symptoms, limited patient awareness of the potential severity of the disease and of the benefits expected from optimal treatment, low level of education, fear of adverse effects from medications, and cost of medications. The effects of these factors vary across countries, in particular according to the characteristics of healthcare systems. Several strategies are being developed to measure compliance and to identify reasons for non-compliance. Attention is turning to methods for improving compliance, some of which rest on general principles and others on the specific characteristics of each disease. Few data are available on compliance with treatments for osteoporosis, since these were introduced only within the last decade. In many studies, the reference standard was hormone replacement therapy (HRT), whose use is decreasing markedly as a result of recent data on adverse effects. Available studies of bisphosphonate therapy indicate a less than 50% continuation rate after 1 year. The few comparative studies published to date have methodological flaws that preclude definitive conclusions. Compliance has been equally poor with all available bisphosphonates. Although statistically significant, the improvements produced by weekly dosing have been modest, about 10%, indicating a need for further compliance-enhancing strategies. Conflicting results were obtained from the few studies addressing the potential of bone turnover marker assays for influencing compliance. Having a nurse inform patients about the disease and the importance of compliance with dosing recommendations holds promise for improving compliance.

Attitudes and practices of primary healthcare center patients about drug use in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Noncompliance is considered as a widespread but often neglected problem all over the world. In order to promote compliance, it is essential to first know the current drug use situation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the level of drug compliance in patients of a primary healthcare centre and identify factors which affect the patients' drug compliance in Turkey.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was executed in 2003 in Ilica Health Centre; a total of 280 patients took part in the study. The patients were visited at home and a questionnaire was applied in order to obtain information on compliance.

RESULTS

Overall 204 (72.8%) of patients were compliant and 76 (27.2%) were noncompliant. According to patients, the main reason for primary noncompliance was poverty.

CONCLUSION

Compliance with prescription is needed to get favourable results in treatments. The results show that even in urban areas drug compliance is still an important problem in Turkey.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The findings of this study may contribute to develop programmes to improve patient compliance in Turkey. The aims of these programs should include reducing the barriers, such as lack of social security, which prevent access to the prescribed drugs.

Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension

Telmisartan blocks the detrimental actions of angiotensin II mediated via the angiotensin type 1 receptor. Unique features of telmisartan are high lipophilicity and a long terminal elimination half-life (~ 24 h). Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide is indicated for hypertensive patients unable to achieve target blood pressure with either monotherapy. Fixed-dose combination tablets containing telmisartan 40 or 80 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg are widely available; in addition, telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg is available in the USA. Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide is superior to losartan/hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide in maintaining blood pressure control in the risky early morning hours at the end of the dosing interval. Furthermore, telmisartan/ hydrochlorothiazide provides superior 24-h mean blood pressure reduction and is better tolerated than amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide in elderly patients with predominantly systolic hypertension. Telmisartan has the potential to confer additional reno- and cardioprotection to that due to blood pressure control. The cardioprotective activity of renin–angiotensin system blockade with telmisartan alone and in combination with ramipril is currently being evaluated in the ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) and the Telmisartan Randomized AssessmeNt Study in aCE iNtolerant subjects with cardiovascular Disease (TRANSCEND). In total, 31,546 patients have been enrolled worldwide and are being followed for up to 5.5 years.

Validity of a prescription claims database to estimate medication adherence in older persons

BACKGROUND

Prescription claims data have been used to estimate refill medication adherence through calculations of cumulative medication acquisition (CMA) and cumulative medication gap (CMG) values. Few studies have assessed the validity of these calculated rates.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to assess the validity of CMA and CMG calculated from the Manitoba prescription claims database (DPIN) against pill count medication adherence, targeting overall medications and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs).

METHODS

Using a survey of a convenience sample of subjects recruited through community pharmacies, subjects who were eligible for study (ie, 65 years or older, noninstitutionalized, taking 2 or more "discrete" prescribed medications, including an ACEI, and willing to provide informed consent) were studied. Pill counts were conducted on all prescribed medicines during 3 home interviews over the course of 4 months. Ten months of DPIN data also were collected on each subject.

RESULTS

The concordance between CMA and pill count for overall medications was 411/522 (79%) and for ACEIs was 89/101 (88%) with no systematic differences (McNemar's P = 0.68 and P = 0.097, respectively). CMG and pill count showed even better concordance of 438/514 (85%) for overall medications and 96/101 (95%) for ACEIs, although systematic differences were noted for overall medications (McNemar's P = 0.0012) but not for ACEIs (McNemar's P = 0.500). Spearman's rank correlations were weak for all comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

The high concordance between prescription claims database and pill counts suggested that the rate with which patients refill their medications usually is consistent with the rate they consume them. DPIN is not accurate for nondiscrete dosage forms or medications prescribed for "as-required" use.

The Problem of Low Levels of Vitamin D and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and fragility fractures are common in the elderly population and represent a large public health burden. Non-pharmacological recommendations for the management of osteoporosis include modification of lifestyle behaviours, increased weight-bearing exercise and consumption - through dietary or supplement sources - of adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Although current guidelines include recommendations on calcium and vitamin D intake, patients frequently do not take sufficient amounts, even when supplements are provided free of charge. Vitamin D is essential for mineral metabolism, and low levels are associated with impaired skeletal metabolism and neuromuscular function. Nutritional sources of vitamin D are limited, and supplementation is usually necessary. A high prevalence of low vitamin D levels has been reported in a number of populations worldwide, including women being treated for osteoporosis and those with fragility fractures. At present, bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed pharmacological treatments for osteoporosis, and alendronic acid is the most frequently prescribed bisphosphonate. A nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, alendronic acid has demonstrated anti-fracture efficacy at vertebral and non-vertebral skeletal sites, including the hip, in addition to long-term safety and efficacy. Weekly administration of alendronic acid takes advantage of the pharmacokinetics of the drug and osteoclast biology to optimise treatment, and may improve patient adherence. Combining alendronic acid 70mg and colecalciferol (vitamin D(3)) 2800 IU in a single, once-weekly tablet has the advantage of combining the proven efficacy of an established bisphosphonate, alendronic acid, with the amount of vitamin D currently recommended for osteoporosis management.

Development of Novel Anticancer Agents in Older Patients

The development of novel anticancer agents in older patients presents both challenges and unique opportunities. Intrapatient variability due to comorbid conditions and the use of multiple concomitant medications may overshadow other age-related differences in pharmacokinetics. The increasing interest in oral agents may be especially problematic in older patients who have difficulty with adherence, particularly if the oral agents are given in combination or according to complex schedules. Polypharmacy, chronic comorbid conditions, and impaired organ reserve in the elderly can lead to pharmacodynamic differences such as increased toxicity and, possibly, reduced efficacy. Hampered immune responsiveness is an important area warranting further research. The development of novel agents to treat older patients with cancer cannot be successfully accomplished without increasing the proportion of elderly patients entered into clinical trials. Furthermore, data obtained from studies in older patients may provide valuable information applicable to the development of novel agents in younger patients and to a better understanding of cancer biology and treatment in general.

Hip bone mineral density, bone turnover and risk of fracture in patients on long-term suppressive L-thyroxine therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Untreated hyperthyroidism and treatment with high doses of thyroid hormone are associated with osteoporosis. However, their effect on bone turnover, their contribution to bone mineral density (BMD) in the context of other clinical risk factors for osteoporosis and the prevalence of vertebral fractures is not well documented.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We studied 59 patients receiving L-thyroxine suppressive therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). BMD of the hip was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and lateral DXA pictures of the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae were performed. Bone resorption was measured by C-telopeptides of type I collagen (ICTP) and bone formation by procollagen type I N-propeptide (PINP). Clinical risk factors for osteoporosis were evaluated using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Z-scores of BMD were similar as the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) III reference group in women and men, also after long-term (> 10 years) suppression therapy. Patients in the lowest and highest quartile of BMD showed significant differences in the presence of clinical risk factors. ICTP levels were significantly higher than in age-matched controls, PINP levels were not different. We found four patients with a prevalent vertebral fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma are not at increased risk of developing low bone mass nor have a higher prevalence of vertebral fracture at least when treated with relatively low doses of L-thyroxine.

AIP: a proposed mechanism for evaluating adherence improvement initiatives

Pharmacy prescription databases are useful for determining rates of adherence to long-term medication therapy. Thus far, however, analyses based on such databases have provided only snapshots of adherence rates over discrete time intervals and have been of limited usefulness for the timely measurement of adherence trends when adherence improvement strategies change over time. The Adherence Index of Performance is new mechanism that can be used to monitor pharmacy prescription databases over time to detect changes that occur when adherence improvement strategies are changed during a therapeutic period.