1
|
Fiske M, Moen A, Mdala I, Straand J. Malnutrition and Polypharmacy in Older Adult Patients Receiving Home Care Nursing Services: A Cross-sectional Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:526-531. [PMID: 38158191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied the nutritional status of older adult adults receiving home nursing care using demographic data, household category, polypharmacy, and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Two Norwegian municipalities during 2017-2019; home nursing service clients aged ≥70 years. METHODS Inclusion of patients and data collection were done by nurses working in the home services. Recorded data were participants' age, sex, living alone or with others, nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and body mass index), regular prescription drugs, and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) according to the Norwegian General Practice Nursing home (NORGEP-NH) criteria. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used. RESULTS Of the 270 patients (mean age 84.2 years; 64.8% females; 188 living alone), 25 (9.3%) were malnourished and 154 (57%) at risk of malnutrition; in addition, 14.8% had a BMI <21 and 27.8% had lost weight in the previous 3 months. The odds for being at malnutrition risk was higher if living with others vs living alone: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.23 (1.20-4.13). Female sex, older age, and better mobility was associated with living alone. The mean number of regular drugs was 7.3. Overall, 43.3% of the participants used at least 1 PIM. Using 0 to 5 drugs vs ≥6 drugs (polypharmacy) was associated with higher odds for malnutrition risk: adjusted OR 1.97 (1.04-3.75). Compared with well-nourished patients, those at risk for or who were malnourished used fewer cardiovascular and musculoskeletal drugs. Exposure to PIMs was not associated with nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Two-thirds of home nurse clients were either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Living with others or using fewer daily drugs implied increased risk for malnourishment, probably reflecting differences in morbidity and possible inappropriateness of medication use. Future research on nutritional status and medication use should aim for including more clinical data than simple drug counts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mari Fiske
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Moen
- Department of Public Health Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ibrahimu Mdala
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørund Straand
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; General Practice Research Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hu Q, Tian F, Jin Z, Lin G, Teng F, Xu T. Developing a Warning Model of Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Older Chinese Outpatients in Tertiary Hospitals: A Machine-Learning Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12072619. [PMID: 37048702 PMCID: PMC10095456 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12072619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to multiple comorbid illnesses, polypharmacy, and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in older adults, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is high, which affects the quality of life of older adults. Building an effective warning model is necessary for the early identification of PIMs to prevent harm caused by medication in geriatric patients. The purpose of this study was to develop a machine learning-based model for the warning of PIMs in older Chinese outpatients. This retrospective study was conducted among geriatric outpatients in nine tertiary hospitals in Chengdu from January 2018 to December 2018. The Beers criteria 2019 were used to assess PIMs in geriatric outpatients. Three problem transformation methods were used to tackle the multilabel classification problem in prescriptions. After the division of patient prescriptions into the training and test sets (8:2), we adopted six widely used classification algorithms to conduct the classification task and assessed the discriminative performance by the accuracy, precision, recall, F1 scores, subset accuracy (ss Acc), and Hamming loss (hm) of each model. The results showed that among 11,741 older patient prescriptions, 5816 PIMs were identified in 4038 (34.39%) patient prescriptions. A total of 41 types of PIMs were identified in these prescriptions. The three-problem transformation methods included label power set (LP), classifier chains (CC), and binary relevance (BR). Six classification algorithms were used to establish the warning models, including Random Forest (RF), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), CatBoost, Deep Forest (DF), and TabNet. The CC + CatBoost model had the highest accuracy value (97.83%), recall value (89.34%), F1 value (90.69%), and ss Acc value (97.79%) with a good precision value (92.18%) and the lowest hm value (0.0006). Therefore, the CC + CatBoost model was selected to predict the occurrence of PIM in geriatric Chinese patients. This study’s novelty establishes a warning model for PIMs in geriatric patients by using machine learning. With the popularity of electronic patient record systems, sophisticated computer algorithms can be implemented at the bedside to improve medication use safety in geriatric patients in the future.
Collapse
|
3
|
Lampe D, Grosser J, Gensorowsky D, Witte J, Muth C, van den Akker M, Dinh TS, Greiner W. The Relationship of Continuity of Care, Polypharmacy and Medication Appropriateness: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies. Drugs Aging 2023; 40:473-497. [DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01022-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
|
4
|
Lee GB, Etherton-Beer C, Hosking SM, Pasco JA, Page AT. The patterns and implications of potentially suboptimal medicine regimens among older adults: a narrative review. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2022; 13:20420986221100117. [PMID: 35814333 PMCID: PMC9260603 DOI: 10.1177/20420986221100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of an ageing population, the burden of disease and medicine use is
also expected to increase. As such, medicine safety and preventing avoidable
medicine-related harm are major public health concerns, requiring further
research. Potentially suboptimal medicine regimens is an umbrella term that
captures a range of indicators that may increase the risk of medicine-related
harm, including polypharmacy, underprescribing and high-risk prescribing, such
as prescribing potentially inappropriate medicines. This narrative review aims
to provide a background and broad overview of the patterns and implications of
potentially suboptimal medicine regimens among older adults. Original research
published between 1990 and 2021 was searched for in MEDLINE, using key search
terms including polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing, potentially
inappropriate medication lists, medication errors, drug interactions and drug
prescriptions, along with manual checking of reference lists. The review
summarizes the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of polypharmacy,
underprescribing and potentially inappropriate medicines. A synthesis of the
evidence regarding the longitudinal patterns of polypharmacy is also provided.
With an overview of the existing literature, we highlight a number of key gaps
in the literature. Directions for future research may include a longitudinal
investigation into the risk factors and outcomes of extended polypharmacy,
research focusing on the patterns and implications of underprescribing and
studies that evaluate the applicability of tools measuring potentially
inappropriate medicines to study settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgie B Lee
- Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, HERB-Building Level 3, C/- University Hospital Geelong, 285 Ryrie Street, P.O. Box 281, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | | | - Sarah M Hosking
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie A Pasco
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy T Page
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Candeias C, Gama J, Rodrigues M, Falcão A, Alves G. Potentially Inappropriate Medications and Potential Prescribing Omissions in Elderly Patients Receiving Post-Acute and Long-Term Care: Application of Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment Criteria. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:747523. [PMID: 34737705 PMCID: PMC8560892 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.747523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START) criteria have been used to detect potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). These criteria were applied to geriatric Portuguese patients receiving post-acute and long-term care to assess the prevalence and predictors of PIMs and PPOs. Methods: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional and multicenter study was performed in 161 patients (aged ≥65 years) from eight Units for Integrated Continuous Care. Results: In these studied patients (mean age: 81.6, 64% female, median number of medications: 9) PIMs were detected in 85.1% and PPOs in 81.4% of patients. While PIMs mainly involved the central nervous system and psychotropic drugs (66.5%), PPOs were mostly related to musculoskeletal system (55.3%) and cardiovascular (39.8%) system. A subsequent analysis with logistic regression found the female gender, the hospital provenience, and the number of medications as predictors of PIMs. Predictors of PPOs were the Charlson Comorbidity Index and history of recent fractures. Conclusion: PIMs and PPOs were highly prevalent in the studied patients receiving post-acute and long-term care in Units for Integrated Continuous Care. Therefore, STOPP/START criteria might be an effective tool for improving prescribing quality and clinical outcomes in these frail elderly patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Candeias
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,UMP-Union of Portuguese Mercies, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge Gama
- CMA-UBI-Centre of Mathematics and Applications, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Márcio Rodrigues
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,ESALD-IPCB-Dr. Lopes Dias School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal.,UDI-IPG-Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Guarda, Portugal
| | - Amílcar Falcão
- CIBIT-Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gilberto Alves
- CICS-UBI-Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,ESALD-IPCB-Dr. Lopes Dias School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal.,UFBI-Pharmacovigilance Unit of Beira Interior, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Paradissis C, Cottrell N, Coombes I, Scott I, Wang W, Barras M. Patient harm from cardiovascular medications. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2021; 12:20420986211027451. [PMID: 34367546 PMCID: PMC8317255 DOI: 10.1177/20420986211027451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Medication harm can lead to hospital admission, prolonged hospital stay and poor patient outcomes. Reducing medication harm is a priority for healthcare organisations worldwide. Recent Australian studies demonstrate cardiovascular (CV) medications are a leading cause of harm. However, they appear to receive less recognition as ‘high risk’ medications compared with those classified by the medication safety acronym, ‘APINCH’ (antimicrobials, potassium, insulin, narcotics, chemotherapeutics, heparin). Our aim was to determine the scale and type of medication harm caused by CV medications in healthcare. Methods A narrative review of adult (>16 years) medication harm literature identified from PubMed and CINAHL databases was undertaken. Studies with the primary outcome of measuring the incidence of medication harm were included. Harm caused by CV medications was described and ranked against other medication classes at four key stages of a patient’s healthcare journey. Where specified, the implicated medications and type of harm were investigated. Results A total of 75 studies were identified, including seven systematic reviews and three meta-analyses, with most focussing on harm causing hospital admission. CV medications were responsible for approximately 20% of medication harm; however, this proportion increased to 50% in older populations. CV medications were consistently ranked in the top five medication categories causing harm and were often listed as the leading cause. Conclusion CV medications are a leading cause of medication harm, particularly in older adults, and should be the focus of harm mitigation strategies. A practical approach to generate awareness among health professionals is to incorporate ‘C’ (for CV medications) into the ‘APINCH’ acronym. Plain language summary
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chariclia Paradissis
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Neil Cottrell
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ian Coombes
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ian Scott
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - William Wang
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael Barras
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sandvik MK, Watne LO, Brugård A, Wang-Hansen MS, Kersten H. Association between psychotropic drug use and handgrip strength in older hospitalized patients. Eur Geriatr Med 2021; 12:1213-1220. [PMID: 34033072 PMCID: PMC8626357 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-021-00511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Handgrip strength is an indicator of frailty and longevity in older adults. The association between psychotropic drug use and handgrip strength in older hospitalized patients was investigated in this study. METHODS A total of 488 patients were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study, 333 women and 155 men, from two different cohorts of older (mean age 84 years) hospitalized in-patients. We used multiple linear regression models to explore the association between psychotropic drug use and handgrip strength. We adjusted for factors known to affect handgrip strength: Age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and comorbidity (Charlson comorbidity index). RESULTS Both unadjusted and adjusted analyses showed that psychotropic drug use was associated with handgrip strength (β = - 0.183, p < 0.0001). The relationship was of a linear character, with no clear threshold value, but with the greatest reduction in handgrip strength between zero and two psychotropic drugs. CONCLUSION An increasing number of psychotropic drugs were significantly associated with reduced handgrip strength in a linearly pattern. Hence, it is timely to question the guided threshold value of avoidance of three or more psychotropic drugs in older people. Psychotropic drug use should be kept as low as possible in treatment of older patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Leiv Otto Watne
- Oslo Delirium Research Group, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anniken Brugård
- Oslo Delirium Research Group, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Trust, Drammen, Norway
| | - Marte Sofie Wang-Hansen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Hege Kersten
- Department of Research, Telemark Hospital Trust, Skien, Norway.,Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Richardson K, Wharton SB, Grossi CM, Matthews FE, Fox C, Maidment I, Loke YK, Steel N, Arthur A, Myint PK, Boustani M, Campbell N, Robinson L, Brayne C, Savva GM. Neuropathological Correlates of Cumulative Benzodiazepine and Anticholinergic Drug Use. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 74:999-1009. [PMID: 32116256 DOI: 10.3233/jad-191199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines and anticholinergic drugs have been implicated in causing cognitive decline and potentially increasing dementia risk. However, evidence for an association with neuropathology is limited. OBJECTIVE To estimate the correlation between neuropathology at death and prior use of benzodiazepines and anticholinergic drugs. METHODS We categorized 298 brain donors from the population-based Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study, according to their history of benzodiazepine (including Z-drugs) or anticholinergic medication (drugs scoring 3 on the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale) use. We used logistic regression to compare dichotomized neuropathological features for those with and without history of benzodiazepine and anticholinergic drug use before dementia, adjusted for confounders. RESULTS Forty-nine (16%) and 51 (17%) participants reported benzodiazepine and anticholinergic drug use. Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change was similar whether or not exposed to either drug, for example 46% and 57% had intermediate/high levels among those with and without anticholinergic drug use. Although not significant after multiple testing adjustments, we estimated an odds ratio (OR) of 0.40 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.18-0.87) for anticholinergic use and cortical atrophy. For benzodiazepine use, we estimated ORs of 4.63 (1.11-19.24) and 3.30 (1.02-10.68) for neuronal loss in the nucleus basalis and substantial nigra. There was evidence of neuronal loss in the nucleus basalis with anticholinergic drug use, but the association reduced when adjusted for confounders. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence that benzodiazepine or anticholinergic drug use is associated with typical pathological features of Alzheimer's disease; however, we cannot rule out effects owing to small numbers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen B Wharton
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Carlota M Grossi
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Fiona E Matthews
- Institute of Health and Society/Institute for Ageing, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Chris Fox
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Ian Maidment
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yoon K Loke
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Nicholas Steel
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Antony Arthur
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Phyo Kyaw Myint
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Malaz Boustani
- School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Noll Campbell
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Louise Robinson
- Institute of Health and Society/Institute for Ageing, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Carol Brayne
- Cambridge Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - George M Savva
- School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.,Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Amorim WW, Passos LC, Gama RS, Souza RM, Graia LT, Macedo JC, Santos DB, Oliveira MG. Physician and patient-related factors associated with inappropriate prescribing to older patients within primary care: a cross-sectional study in Brazil. SAO PAULO MED J 2021; 139:107-116. [PMID: 33825769 PMCID: PMC9632519 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0411.r1.18112020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physician and patient-related characteristics can influence prescription of medications to older patients within primary healthcare. Use of Brazilian criteria may indicate the real prevalence of prescription of potentially inappropriate medications to this population. OBJECTIVES To evaluate prescription of potentially inappropriate medications to older patients within primary care and identify patient-related and prescribing physician-related factors. DESIGN AND SETTING This cross-sectional study was conducted in 22 public primary care facilities in Brazil, among older people (≥ 60 years) who were waiting for medical consultations. METHODS Interviews were conducted before and after the medical consultations. If the patient received a medical prescription at the consultation, all the drugs prescribed and the physician's medical council registration number were recorded. Prevalence ratios were estimated to ascertain the magnitude of prescription of potentially inappropriate medications, along with patient and physician-related factors associated with such prescription. RESULTS In total, 417 older patients were included; 45.3% had received ≥ 1 potentially inappropriate medication, and 86.8% out of 53 physicians involved had prescribed ≥ 1 potentially inappropriate medication. The strongest patient-related factor associated with higher prevalence of prescription of potentially inappropriate medications was polypharmacy. Among physician-related factors, the number of patients attended, number of prescriptions and length of medical practice < 10 years were positively associated with prescription of potentially inappropriate medications. CONCLUSIONS High prevalence of prescription of potentially inappropriate medications was observed. Physician-related characteristics can influence prescription of medications to older people within primary healthcare. This suggests that there is a need for interventions among all physicians, especially younger physicians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Welma Wildes Amorim
- MD, PhD. Internal Medicine Professor, Medicine Course, Department of Natural Sciences, Vitória da Conquista Campus, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil.
| | - Luiz Carlos Passos
- MD, PhD. Internal Medicine Professor, Postgraduate Program on Medicine and Health, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador (BA), Brazil.
| | - Romana Santos Gama
- BPharm. Master's Student, Postgraduate Program on Medicine and Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador (BA), Brazil.
| | - Renato Morais Souza
- BPharm. Research Assistant, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil.
| | - Lucas Teixeira Graia
- BPharm. Research Assistant, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil.
| | - Jéssica Caline Macedo
- BPharm. Master's Student, Master's Program on Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil.
| | - Djanilson Barbosa Santos
- PhD. Epidemiology Professor, Department of Collective Health, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB), Santo Antônio de Jesus (BA), Brazil.
| | - Marcio Galvão Oliveira
- BPharm, PhD. Evidence-Based Healthcare Professor, Master's Program on Collective Health, Multidisciplinary Health Institute, Anísio Teixeira Campus, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista (BA), Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Guillot J, Maumus-Robert S, Marceron A, Noize P, Pariente A, Bezin J. The Burden of Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Chronic Polypharmacy. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113728. [PMID: 33233595 PMCID: PMC7699788 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to describe the burden represented by potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in chronic polypharmacy in France. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using data from the French National Insurance databases. The study period was from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016. Chronic drug use was defined as uninterrupted daily use lasting ≥6 months. Chronic polypharmacy was defined as the chronic use of ≥5 medications, and chronic hyperpolypharmacy as the chronic use of ≥10 medications. For individuals aged ≥65 (older adults), PIMs were defined according to the Beers and Laroche lists, and for individuals aged 45-64 years (middle-aged) PIMs were defined according to the PROMPT (Prescribing Optimally in Middle-aged People's Treatments) list. Among individuals with chronic polypharmacy, 4009 (46.2%) middle-aged and 18,036 (64.8%) older adults had at least one chronic PIM. Among individuals with chronic hyperpolypharmacy, these figures were, respectively, 570 (75.0%) and 2544 (88.7%). The most frequent chronic PIM were proton pump inhibitors (43.4% of older adults with chronic polypharmacy), short-acting benzodiazepines (older adults: 13.7%; middle-aged: 16.1%), hypnotics (6.1%; 7.4%), and long-acting sulfonylureas (3.9%; 12.3%). The burden of chronic PIM appeared to be very high in our study, concerning almost half of middle-aged adults and two-thirds of older adults with chronic polypharmacy. Deprescribing interventions in polypharmacy should primarily target proton pump inhibitors and hypnotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Guillot
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health, Team Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.M.-R.); (P.N.); (A.P.); (J.B.)
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Pôle de Santé Publique, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandy Maumus-Robert
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health, Team Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.M.-R.); (P.N.); (A.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Alexandre Marceron
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Pôle de Santé Publique, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Pernelle Noize
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health, Team Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.M.-R.); (P.N.); (A.P.); (J.B.)
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Pôle de Santé Publique, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Antoine Pariente
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health, Team Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.M.-R.); (P.N.); (A.P.); (J.B.)
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Pôle de Santé Publique, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Julien Bezin
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health, Team Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (S.M.-R.); (P.N.); (A.P.); (J.B.)
- Service de Pharmacologie Médicale, Pôle de Santé Publique, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Achterhof AB, Rozsnyai Z, Reeve E, Jungo KT, Floriani C, Poortvliet RKE, Rodondi N, Gussekloo J, Streit S. Potentially inappropriate medication and attitudes of older adults towards deprescribing. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240463. [PMID: 33104695 PMCID: PMC7588126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B. Achterhof
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Zsofia Rozsnyai
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Emily Reeve
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Geriatric Medicine Research, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Katharina Tabea Jungo
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Floriani
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jacobijn Gussekloo
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, section Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sven Streit
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Josendal AV, Bergmo TS, Granas AG. Potentially inappropriate prescribing to older patients receiving multidose drug dispensing. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20:272. [PMID: 32758129 PMCID: PMC7409456 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01665-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multidose drug dispensing (MDD) is an adherence aid that provides patients with machine-dispensed medicines in disposable unit bags, usually for a 14 day period. Previous studies have suggested that the quality of prescribing, with time, is lower for MDD users, compared to patients receiving prescriptions dispensed as usual. This study aimed to examine the quality of prescribing to Norwegian elderly home care service patients receiving MDD. Methods A cross-sectional study comprising 45,593 MDD patients aged ≥70 years was performed. The proportion of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) was assessed using the Norwegian General Practice Criteria, and drug-drug interactions (DDI) were investigated using the Norwegian Medicines Agency database. Results On average, patients were prescribed 10.6 drugs (SD = 5.0), of which 6.1 were dispensed via MDD. Men used on average fewer drugs than women (10.7 vs 11.1), Twenty-seven percent of patients used at least one PIM. Concomitant use of three or more psychotropic drugs (10.8%), and prescribing of diazepam (6.4%) was the most commonly identified inappropriate prescribing. DDIs affected 59% of the patients, however, only 2.7% had serious interactions. Women were more frequently exposed to both PIMs and DDIs than men, with an odds ratio of 1.50 (95% CI: 1.43–1.58) and 1.43 (95% CI: 1.37–1.50), respectively. Conclusions Polypharmacy is common in elderly Norwegian patients using MDD. About one-fourth of the patients were exposed to PIMs, and over half were exposed to DDI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anette Vik Josendal
- Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. .,Department of Pharmacy, Section for Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Trine Strand Bergmo
- Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Anne Gerd Granas
- Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Pharmacy, Section for Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nilsen MK, Sletvold H, Olsen RM. 'To give or not to give medication, that is the question.' Healthcare personnel's perceptions of factors affecting pro re nata medication in sheltered housing for older adults - a focus-group interview study. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:622. [PMID: 32641030 PMCID: PMC7346517 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05439-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Residents living in sheltered housing depend on help from healthcare personnel (HCP) with medication management, regarding regular long-term and pro re nata (PRN) medication. The HCP assess the need for PRN medication prior to administration to the residents. The purpose of this study was to describe HCP’s perceptions of factors affecting PRN medication management in sheltered housing for older adults. Method This was a qualitative study with five focus-group interviews with 22 HCP working in sheltered housing for older adults. The HCP were heterogenous regarding scholarly education and experiences, working in four different municipalities in mid-Norway, representing urban, sub-urban and rural districts. The analysis was inductive, based on qualitative, manifest, content analysis. The main outcome was HCP perceptions of the factors affecting PRN medication management in sheltered housing. Results Four main factors affecting the PRN medication management were identified in the data and were related to either: 1) the medication; 2) the resident; 3) the HCP; or 4) the organisation. These categories included 14 subcategories. Overall, the HCP described the management of PRN medication as a complex process, where the above factors all have impact on the residents’ health and safety. Conclusion HCP working in sheltered housing describe that PRN medication management is affected by numerous human factors, that consequently may affect patient outcomes and safety. HCP involved in PRN medication management should be aware of factors that affect their decision-making, and safe management requires a professional practice built on medicines competence, practical skills and experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hege Sletvold
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Namsos, Norway
| | - Rose Mari Olsen
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Namsos, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lindberg T, Fagerström C. Nonpharmacological methods: frequency of use and follow-up actions among healthcare staff in the care of older people. Scand J Caring Sci 2019; 34:622-626. [PMID: 31657057 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Older people are at risk of developing multi-comorbidity and thus being exposed to multiple treatments and drugs to manage the emerging health complaints. More focus has been put on nonpharmacological alternatives. However, studies revealing the healthcare staff perspective on using nonpharmacological methods (NPMs) in the care of older people are still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to map the use of NPMs in daily practices and the follow-up thereof. A population-based survey with questionnaires was performed, included all healthcare professionals (n = 163; nurses and paramedical professionals) working in one district of elderly care in Sweden. The older person's anxiety and worry (76.1%), sleeping problems (53.1%) and pain (41.1%) were the health problems in daily life most likely to trigger use of NPMs. To manage the emerging health problems, interactions (87.1%), diet and nutrition supplements (63.2%) and physical activity were commonly used, particularly by nurses. One third (n = 54) stated that they did not evaluate the NPMs used, with no statistical differences between nurses and paramedical professionals. The present study indicated that NPMs were used in care of older people among nurses and paramedical professionals, but not in a systematic way and often without follow-up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terese Lindberg
- Department of Health, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Fagerström
- Blekinge Centre of Competence, Blekinge County Council, Karlskrona, Sweden.,Department of Health and Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Prevalence of drug-herb and drug-supplement interactions in older adults: a cross-sectional survey. Br J Gen Pract 2019; 68:e711-e717. [PMID: 30249608 PMCID: PMC6145997 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp18x699101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polypharmacy is common among older adults, with increasing numbers also using prescription drugs with herbal medicinal products (HMPs) and dietary supplements. There is no reliable evidence from the UK on concurrent use of HMPs and dietary supplements with prescription drugs in older adults. Aim To establish prevalence of concurrent prescription drugs, HMPs, and dietary supplements among UK community-dwelling older adults and identify potential interactions. Design and setting Cross-sectional survey of older adults registered at two general practices in South East England. Method A questionnaire asking about prescription medications, HMPs, and sociodemographic information was posted to 400 older adults aged ≥65 years, identified as taking ≥1 prescription drug. Results In total 155 questionnaires were returned (response rate = 38.8%) and the prevalence of concurrent HMPs and dietary supplements with prescriptions was 33.6%. Females were more likely than males to be concurrent users (43.4% versus 22.5%; P = 0.009). The number of HMPs and dietary supplements ranged from 1 to 8, (mean = 3, median = 1; standard deviation = 1.65). The majority of concurrent users (78.0%) used dietary supplements with prescription drugs. The most commonly used dietary supplements were cod liver oil, glucosamine, multivitamins, and vitamin D. Others (20.0%) used only HMPs with prescription drugs. Common HMPs were evening primrose oil, valerian, and Nytol Herbal® (a combination of hops, gentian, and passion flower). Sixteen participants (32.6%) were at risk of potential adverse drug interactions. Conclusion GPs should routinely ask questions regarding herbal and supplement use, to identify and manage older adults at potential risk of adverse drug interactions.
Collapse
|
16
|
Cvetković Z, Perić A, Dobrić S. Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing and Potential Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interactions in Older Outpatients: Is There Any Association? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55070332. [PMID: 31277258 PMCID: PMC6680842 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55070332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence rate of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP), by using the Screening Tool of Older Person’s potentially inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria in older outpatients, and its association with potential clinically significant drug–drug interactions (csDDIs). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 248 outpatients ≥65 years old divided into two groups depending on the presence of csDDIs. For estimating the clinical significance of csDDIs we used Medscape′s "Drug Interaction Checker". We applied the thirty PIP indicators from the STOPP criteria. Results: The presence of PIP (25.00%; all patients) was significantly higher in the group with potential csDDIs compared to the other group (43 vs. 19, respectively; Chi-square test, χ2 = 9.947; p < 0.01). The most common PIP included the inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors, long acting benzodiazepines, usage of thiazide diuretic in patients with gout, and duplication of therapeutic class. Patients with potential csDDIs had 43 potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed. Out of this number, 12 (27.91%) PIMs were identified to participate in potential csDDIs. There was a correlation between the number of medications prescribed and the number of PIMs (ρ = 0.297; p < 0.01) and between the number of PIPs and the number of potential csDDIs (ρ = 0.170; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Older outpatients with potential csDDIs in relation to those with no potential csDDIs had significantly more prescribed drugs in total as well as inappropriate drugs. Almost 30% of these PIMs were included in potential csDDIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Cvetković
- Military Pharmacy "Slavija", Central Pharmacy-Storage, Department for Military Health, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Aneta Perić
- Department of Pharmacy, Military Medical Academy, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Silva Dobrić
- Medical Faculty of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gillespie RJ, Harrison L, Mullan J. Deprescribing medications for older adults in the primary care context: A mixed studies review. Health Sci Rep 2018; 1:e45. [PMID: 30623083 PMCID: PMC6266366 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS This review investigates the factors that influence deprescribing of medications in primary care from the perspective of general practitioners (GPs) and community-living older adults. METHODS A mixed studies review structure was adopted searching Scopus, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ProQuest, and PubMed from January 2000 to December 2017. A manual search of reference lists was also conducted. Studies were included if they were original research available in English and explored general deprescribing rather than deprescribing of a specific class of medications. The Mixed Methods Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of studies, and content analysis generated common categories across studies. RESULTS Thirty-eight articles were included, and 7 key categories were identified. The review found that the factors that influence deprescribing are similar across and within health systems and mostly act as barriers. These factors remained unchanged across the review period. The structural organisation of health systems remains poorly suited to facilitate deprescribing. Individual knowledge gaps of both GPs and older adults influence practices and attitudes towards deprescribing, and significant communication gaps occur between GPs and specialists and between GPs and older adults. As a result, deprescribing decision making is characterised by uncertainty, and deprescribing is often considered only when medication problems have already arisen. Trust plays a complex role, acting as both a barrier and facilitator of deprescribing. CONCLUSIONS Deprescribing is influenced by many factors. Despite recent interest, little change has occurred. Multilevel strategies aimed at reforming aspects of the health system and managing uncertainty at the practice and individual level, notably reducing knowledge limitations and closing communications gaps, may achieve change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robyn J. Gillespie
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and HealthUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
| | - Lindsey Harrison
- School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social SciencesUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
| | - Judy Mullan
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and HealthUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
- Centre for Health Research Illawarra Shoalhaven Population (CHRISP), Australian Health Services Research InstituteUniversity of WollongongNSW2522Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Rognstad S, Brekke M, Gjelstad S, Straand J, Fetveit A. Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing to Older Patients: Criteria, Prevalence and an Intervention to Reduce It: The Prescription Peer Academic Detailing (Rx-PAD) Study - A Cluster-Randomized, Educational Intervention in Norwegian General Practice. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2018; 123:380-391. [PMID: 29753315 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) is drug treatment, which in general, at the group level for a median/mean patient, can be considered unfavourable meaning that the risks commonly may outweigh the benefits. This MiniReview reports and discusses the main findings in a large cluster-randomized educational intervention in Norwegian general practice, aimed at reducing the prevalence of PIPs to patients ≥70 years (The Rx-PAD study). Targets for the intervention were general practitioners (GPs) in continuing medical education (CME) groups receiving educational outreach visits (i.e. peer academic detailing). A Delphi consensus process, with a panel of medical experts, was undertaken to elaborate a list of explicit criteria defining PIPs for patients ≥70 years in general practice. Agreement was achieved for 36 explicit PIP criteria, the so-called Norwegian General Practice (NorGeP) criteria. Using a selection (n = 24) of these criteria during a 1-year baseline period on the prescribing practice of 454 GPs (i.e. those enrolled to participate in the intervention trial), we found a prevalence rate of 24.7 PIPs per 100 patients ≥70 years per year. In the Rx-PAD study, 449 GPs completed an educational intervention (96.6% of the included GPs), 250 in the intervention group and 199 in the control arm. Following the intervention, PIPs were reduced by 13% (95% CI 8.6-17.3), and the number of patients who were no longer exposed to one or more PIPs was reduced by 1173 (8.1%). The GPs who responded most strongly to the educational intervention were the oldest GPs (57-68 years), and these were the GPs with the highest prevalence of PIPs at baseline before the intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sture Rognstad
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Brekke
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svein Gjelstad
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørund Straand
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arne Fetveit
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Assiri GA, Shebl NA, Mahmoud MA, Aloudah N, Grant E, Aljadhey H, Sheikh A. What is the epidemiology of medication errors, error-related adverse events and risk factors for errors in adults managed in community care contexts? A systematic review of the international literature. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e019101. [PMID: 29730617 PMCID: PMC5942474 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the epidemiology of medication errors and error-related adverse events in adults in primary care, ambulatory care and patients' homes. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCE Six international databases were searched for publications between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS Two researchers independently extracted data from eligible studies and assessed the quality of these using established instruments. Synthesis of data was informed by an appreciation of the medicines' management process and the conceptual framework from the International Classification for Patient Safety. RESULTS 60 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 53 studies focused on medication errors, 3 on error-related adverse events and 4 on risk factors only. The prevalence of prescribing errors was reported in 46 studies: prevalence estimates ranged widely from 2% to 94%. Inappropriate prescribing was the most common type of error reported. Only one study reported the prevalence of monitoring errors, finding that incomplete therapeutic/safety laboratory-test monitoring occurred in 73% of patients. The incidence of preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) was estimated as 15/1000 person-years, the prevalence of drug-drug interaction-related adverse drug reactions as 7% and the prevalence of preventable ADE as 0.4%. A number of patient, healthcare professional and medication-related risk factors were identified, including the number of medications used by the patient, increased patient age, the number of comorbidities, use of anticoagulants, cases where more than one physician was involved in patients' care and care being provided by family physicians/general practitioners. CONCLUSION A very wide variation in the medication error and error-related adverse events rates is reported in the studies, this reflecting heterogeneity in the populations studied, study designs employed and outcomes evaluated. This review has identified important limitations and discrepancies in the methodologies used and gaps in the literature on the epidemiology and outcomes of medication errors in community settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghadah Asaad Assiri
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nada Atef Shebl
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Postgraduate Medicine, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Mansour Adam Mahmoud
- College of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Taibah University, Madinah, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf Aloudah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elizabeth Grant
- The Global Health Academy, Centre for Population Health Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Aziz Sheikh
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Characteristics of GPs responding to an educational intervention to minimise inappropriate prescriptions: subgroup analyses of the Rx-PAD study. BJGP Open 2018; 2:bjgpopen18X101373. [PMID: 30564704 PMCID: PMC6181085 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpopen18x101373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interventions aimed at improving GPs’ prescribing practice usually apply a 'one size fits all' when analysing intervention effects. Few studies explore intervention effects by variables related to the GPs’ age, sex, specialist status, practice type (single-handed versus group), practice setting (urban versus rural), and baseline performance regarding the target of an intervention. Aim To explore the characteristics of the GPs responding to a comprehensive educational intervention. Design & setting A secondary analysis of a cluster, randomised educational intervention in Norwegian general practice. Pre-intervention data were captured from January 2005 to December 2005, and post-intervention data from June 2006 to June 2007. The intervention was carried out from January to June 2006. Method Eighty continuing medical education (CME) groups, including 449 GPs aged 27–68 years, were randomly allocated to either an education intervention arm (41 groups, 250 GPs) or a control arm (39 groups, 199 GPs). The primary outcome was GPs' change in potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) per 100 prescriptions issued to patients aged ≥70 years. The interaction between intervention outcome and variables related to the GPs and their practices were tested. Results Improvements in prescribing were highest among GPs aged 57–68 years (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.77 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0.73 to 0.81]), those who were specialists (IRR = 0.80 [95% CI = 0.78 to 0.82]), and those who worked in single-handed practices (IRR = 0.75 [95% CI = 0.68 to 0.83]), among GPs with 2.4 to 2.9 PIPs per 100 prescriptions at baseline (IRR = 0.74 [95% CI = 0.70 to 0.78]), and GPs with ≥15 prescriptions per patient per year at baseline (IRR = 0.77 [95% CI = 0.73 to 0.80]). Conclusion The GPs with the lowest adherence to recommended practice at baseline improved their practice most.
Collapse
|
21
|
Motter FR, Fritzen JS, Hilmer SN, Paniz ÉV, Paniz VMV. Potentially inappropriate medication in the elderly: a systematic review of validated explicit criteria. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2018; 74:679-700. [PMID: 29589066 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-018-2446-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use causes preventable adverse drug reactions in older patients. Several assessment tools have been published to identify and avoid PIM use. In this systematic literature review, we aim to provide summaries and comparisons of validated PIMs lists published between 1991 and 2017 internationally. METHODS In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA), we performed a systematic review of articles describing the development and validation of criteria for identification of PIMs among older people published between January 1991 and April 2017. The searches were conducted on PUBMED, AgeLine, Academic Search, Academic Search Premier, and CINAHL. We identified the most common medications/classes described as PIM. We also identified the drug-disease interactions and drug-drug interactions reported among criteria. RESULTS From 2933 articles screened, 36 met our inclusion criteria. The majority used the Delphi method to validate their criteria. We identified 907 different medications/classes, 536 different drug disease interactions involving 84 diseases/conditions, and 159 drug-drug interactions. Benzodiazepines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the medications most commonly reported as potentially inappropriate for older people. CONCLUSION Although approaches aimed at detecting inappropriate prescribing have intensified in recent years, we observed limited overlap between different PIM lists. Additionally, some PIM lists did not provide special considerations of use and alternative therapies to avoid PIMs. These facts may compromise the use of PIM lists in clinical practice. Future PIM lists should integrate information about alternative therapies and special considerations of use in order to help clinicians in the drug prescription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiane Raquel Motter
- Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos, 920, Sao Leopoldo, RS, 93022-000, Brazil. .,Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Aged Care, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
| | - Janaína Soder Fritzen
- Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos, 920, Sao Leopoldo, RS, 93022-000, Brazil
| | - Sarah Nicole Hilmer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Aged Care, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Érika Vieira Paniz
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2400,4º andar Faculdade de Medicin, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Vera Maria Vieira Paniz
- Postgraduate Program in Collective Health, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Av. Unisinos, 920, Sao Leopoldo, RS, 93022-000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Agbabiaka TB, Wider B, Watson LK, Goodman C. Concurrent Use of Prescription Drugs and Herbal Medicinal Products in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Drugs Aging 2018; 34:891-905. [PMID: 29196903 PMCID: PMC5730633 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-017-0501-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) is common among older adults; however, little is known about concurrent use with prescription drugs, as well as potential interactions associated with such combinations. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the literature on concurrent prescription and HMP use among older adults to assess prevalence, patterns, potential interactions and factors associated with this use. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Web of Science and Cochrane databases from inception to May 2017 for studies reporting concurrent use of prescription medicines with HMPs in adults ≥ 65 years of age. Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. And the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre) three-stage approach to mixed method research was used to synthesise data. Results Twenty-two studies were included. A definition of HMPs or what was considered an HMP was frequently missing. Prevalence of concurrent use by older adults varied widely between 5.3 and 88.3%. Prescription medicines most combined with HMPs were antihypertensive drugs, β-blockers, diuretics, antihyperlipidemic agents, anticoagulants, analgesics, antihistamines, antidiabetics, antidepressants and statins. The HMPs most frequently used were Ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginseng, St John’s wort, Echinacea, saw palmetto, evening primrose oil and ginger. Potential risks of bleeding due to the use of Ginkgo biloba, garlic or ginseng with aspirin or warfarin was the most reported herb–drug interaction. Some data suggest being female, and having a lower household income and less than a high-school education were associated with concurrent use. Conclusion The prevalence of concurrent prescription drugs and HMP use among older adults is substantial and potential interactions have been reported. Knowledge of the extent and manner in which older adults combine prescription drugs will aid healthcare professionals in appropriately identifying and managing patients at risk. Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014009091. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40266-017-0501-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taofikat B Agbabiaka
- Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care (CRIPACC), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK. .,Patient Safety, Medical Directorate, NHS Improvement, London, UK.
| | - Barbara Wider
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Leala K Watson
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Claire Goodman
- Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care (CRIPACC), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Saqib A, Atif M, Scahill S. Drug utilization evaluation among an elderly population: a retrospective cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jphs.12220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anum Saqib
- Department of Pharmacy; The Islamia University of Bahawalpur; Bahawalpur Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Atif
- Department of Pharmacy; The Islamia University of Bahawalpur; Bahawalpur Pakistan
| | - Shane Scahill
- School of Management; Massey University; Wellington New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
A prevalence study of potentially inappropriate medications use in hospitalized Pakistani elderly. Aging Clin Exp Res 2018; 30:53-60. [PMID: 28258500 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-017-0742-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inappropriate prescribing in elderly patients is a widespread health problem. It is associated with increased drug-related problems and health expenditure. AIMS To determine the prevalence and types of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) prescribed to elderly patients with polypharmacy and the factors associated with their use in these patients. METHODS A cross-sectional study conducted among 228 elderly hospitalized patients with polypharmacy. Elderly patients were defined as patients ≥65 years of age, and polypharmacy was defined as taking ≥5 drugs. Based on previously published criteria (Beers and STOPP), a list of 32 PIM was developed using a Delphi technique, which was used as a tool to detect the prevalence of PIM. Age, gender, comorbidity, patients' functional status, and complete medication history were recorded to evaluate as variables related to PIM. The association between PIM used and independent variables was also assessed. RESULTS The prevalence of PIM used among the hospitalized elderly patients was 64%. PIM use according to STOPP criteria was identified in 44% of patients, whereas Beers-listed PIM were identified in 50% of patients. The most frequently observed PIM were the combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with antihypertensives and long-term NSAIDs, which account for more than 90 and 75% of the total observed PIM, respectively. Patients with age ≥85 years were more likely to be prescribed PIM. High comorbidity was found to be an independent predictor of PIM use. Polypharmacy with ≥10 drugs prescribed to patients predicted the presence of PIM. DISCUSSION The study showed a high prevalence of PIM use among hospitalized elderly patients. The consensus-validated list of PIM was a useful tool for screening inappropriate prescribing in this particular patient population. CONCLUSION Our findings support the need for measures to improve the quality of drug treatment in the elderly Pakistani population, especially among dependent patients with polypharmacy.
Collapse
|
25
|
Fulone I, Lopes LC. Potentially inappropriate prescriptions for elderly people taking antidepressant: comparative tools. BMC Geriatr 2017; 17:278. [PMID: 29197326 PMCID: PMC5712132 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-017-0674-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of psychotropic drugs by elderly people is widely spread around the world, given that prevalence of inappropriate medication is frequent. Strictly speaking, in Brazil, the vulnerable population of elderly people is more likely to use Potentially Inappropriate Psychotropic (PIP) due to the impact of social-economic characteristics, to the Brazilian Public Health System, and to the lack of patient monitoring. However, neither the use pattern nor the prevalence rate of PIP have been studied in Brazil so far. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of PIP in elderly outpatients taking antidepressants, and to compare the performance of two different tools (Beers, STOPP). Methods This cross-sectional study involved all the aged outpatients (≥ 60 years of age) taking antidepressants attended by the public health system in a city of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were obtained from a pharmacy database and medical records. All psychotropic drugs evaluated included: antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-epileptics and benzodiazepines. STOPP and Beers criteria were applied to detect PIP. Results One thousand one hundred forty prescriptions from 174 outpatients were subjected to two different screening tools. The average patient age was 67 (interquartile range 63–74) and the median number of drugs used was 3.0 (interquartile 2–4) per patient. The overall prevalence of PIP was 121 (69.5%). The levels of PIP observed according to tools were 39.6% (STOPP) and 29.9% (Beers).The long-term use of benzodiazepines was the most common PIP recognized, and the one which contributed more significantly to higher levels of PIP than other medications. Conclusions The prevalence of PIP was high among the elderly. STOPP criteria identified more PIP than Beers criteria. Knowledge of PIP prevalence should gear efforts to reduce the level of inappropriate prescriptions and may provide the need for developing national criteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Fulone
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Post graduate Course, University of Sorocaba, UNISO, Rodovia Raposo Tavares, KM 92,5, Sorocaba, São Paulo, ZIP Code 18023-000, Brazil
| | - Luciane Cruz Lopes
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Post graduate Course, University of Sorocaba, UNISO, Rodovia Raposo Tavares, KM 92,5, Sorocaba, São Paulo, ZIP Code 18023-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Can clinical practice indicator relating to long-acting benzodiazepine use in the elderly be easily generated in a hospital setting? Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2017; 74:233-241. [PMID: 29147805 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-017-2371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve the appropriate use of long-acting benzodiazepine (la.bzd) prescriptions in the elderly, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) has developed clinical practice indicators (CPI). The alert indicator (AI) evaluates the prevalence of la.bzd prescription among older people. The mastering indicator (MI) corresponds to the prevalence of elderly with a justified, i.e., appropriate, la.bzd prescription among all the elderly with la.bzd prescriptions. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of routine generation of CPI regarding la.bzd prescriptions among the elderly in the hospital setting. DESIGN This was a retrospective study. SETTING The study was conducted in two university hospitals located in Paris. SUBJECT Eligible cases were patients aged 65 years and older who were hospitalized in acute care units from January to June 2014. METHOD The AI calculation was based on information extracted from medical databases from these hospitals. The appropriateness of la.bzd prescription was assessed by a physician and a pharmacist and was based on review of computerized patient records and prescriptions, using an ad hoc algorithm. The MI was then calculated. Variation in the level of indicators was explored according to the characteristics of patients and of their hospitalization using chi2 test. Factors associated with a potentially inappropriate prescription (PIP) of la.bzd were studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULT Among the 4167 patients included in the study, 362 had la.bzd prescriptions, i.e., the AI was 9%. Prescriptions were found to be appropriate for 83 patients, i.e., the MI was 23% and PIP was 77%. The MI varied between 13 and 31% according to characteristics of patients and of hospitalization. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with PIP were age, number of comorbidities, type of care unit, and concurrent prescription of a neuroleptic or hypnotic. CONCLUSION Generation of the AI was routinely possible but only for acute care units with computerized prescriptions, corresponding to 78% of patients. Production of the MI has required medical record review for all patients with a la.bzd prescription and cannot be automated. However, difficulties in generating the MI have identified areas for significant improvement. Moreover, strategies to improve the care of older people with a la.bzd prescription could be targeted using characteristics of patients and of hospitalization associated with PIP. The future deployment of a single electronic medical record in all care departments would make it easier to mine the data and make possible automated production of CPI.
Collapse
|
27
|
Nyborg G, Brekke M, Straand J, Gjelstad S, Romøren M. Potentially inappropriate medication use in nursing homes: an observational study using the NORGEP-NH criteria. BMC Geriatr 2017; 17:220. [PMID: 28927372 PMCID: PMC5606129 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-017-0608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frail residents in the nursing home sector call for extra care in prescribing. The Norwegian General Practice Nursing Home (NORGEP-NH) list of 34 explicit criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in nursing homes was developed explicitly for this population. The aim of this study was to employ the NORGEP-NH Criteria to study the extent of potentially inappropriate medication use among nursing home residents and explore possible associated factors. METHODS Cross-sectional observational pharmacoepidemiological study from residents in nursing homes in the county of Vestfold, Norway. Data collected 2009-11 included residents' demographic and clinical status and all medications, regular and on demand. RESULTS 881 patients from 30 institutions (mean 85.9 years, 68.6% female), were included. According to NORGEP-NH, 43.8% were prescribed at least one potentially inappropriate regular medication, and 9.9% regularly received three or more potentially inappropriate medications. When also including a) the NORGEP-NH Deprescribing Criteria and b) including drugs prescribed for use as needed, 92.7% of all residents received medication that needs particular surveillance according to the NORGEP-NH. 69.7% of the nursing home residents used at least one psychotropic drug regularly. Female residents received more often than males at least one potentially inappropriate regular medication (OR 1.60, p=0.007). Regarding the prescription of three or more concomitant psychotropic medications, odds ratio for females was 1.79 (p=0.03) compared to males. Residents with the best performance in activities of daily living, and residents residing in long-term wards, had higher risk of using three or more psychotropic drugs. Use of multiple psychoactive drugs increased the risk of falls in the course of an acute episode of infection or dehydration (odds ratio 1.70, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications in nursing homes according to the NORGEP-NH was extensive, and especially the use of multiple psychotropic drugs. The high prevalence found in this study shows that there is a need for higher awareness of medication use and side effects in the elderly population. TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered. Data obtained from clinical trial NCT01023763 registered with ClinicalTrials.gov 12/01/2009.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gunhild Nyborg
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, HELSAM, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.o. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Brekke
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, HELSAM, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.o. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørund Straand
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, HELSAM, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.o. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Svein Gjelstad
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, HELSAM, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.o. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Romøren
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, HELSAM, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.o. Box 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Potentially Inappropriate Medication on Health Care Utilization and Costs Among Older Adults. Med Care 2017; 54:950-64. [PMID: 27367864 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are defined as those medicines having a greater potential risk than benefit for older adults. In this systematic literature review, we evaluate the current evidence on health care service use and health care costs associated with PIMs among older adults. METHODS A literature search was conducted in August 2015 without publication date restrictions using the databases PubMed and Scopus. Selected articles included in the review of articles were: (1) observational cohort or case-control, or intervention studies; (2) investigating PIM use among older adults aged 65 years or older with outcomes on health care utilization (eg, hospitalization) or health care costs; and (3) use of some published criteria for assessing PIMs. RESULTS Of 825 abstracts screened, in total 51 articles proceeded to full-text review. Of those full-text articles, 39 articles were included in this review. Most of the articles found that PIMs had a statistically significant effect on health care service use, especially on hospitalization, among older adults. The findings of impact on length of stay or readmissions were inconclusive. Five studies found statistically significant higher medical or total health care costs for PIM users compared those who did not use any PIMs. CONCLUSIONS PIMs can, in addition to health and quality of life problems, also lead to greater health care service use and, thus, higher health care costs. However, the heterogeneity of the study settings makes the interpretation of the results difficult. Further studies, especially on economic issues with country-specific criteria, are needed.
Collapse
|
29
|
Cooperation between geriatricians and general practitioners for improved pharmacotherapy in home-dwelling elderly people receiving polypharmacy - the COOP Study: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials 2017; 18:158. [PMID: 28372591 PMCID: PMC5379709 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-1900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polypharmacy and inappropriate drug use is associated with negative health outcomes among older people. Various interventions for improving drug treatment have been evaluated, but the majority of studies are limited by the use of surrogate outcomes or suboptimal design. Thus, the potential for clinically significant improvements from different interventions is still unclear. The main objective of this study is therefore to evaluate the effect upon patient-relevant endpoints of a cooperation between geriatricians and general practitioners on complex drug regimens in home-dwelling elderly people. Methods This is a cluster randomised, single-blind, controlled trial where general practitioners are invited to participate with patients from their lists. The patients must be 70 years or older, use at least seven different medications and have their medications administered by the home nursing service. We plan to recruit 200 patients, with randomisation at physician level. The intervention consists of three main parts: (1) clinical geriatric assessment of the patient, combined with a thorough review of their medications; (2) a meeting between the geriatrician and general practitioner, where the two physicians combine their competence and knowledge and discuss the drug list systematically; (3) clinical follow-up, depending on the medication changes that have been done. The study period is 24 weeks, and the patients are assessed at baseline, 16 and 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure is health-related quality of life according to the 15D instrument. Secondary outcome measures include physical and cognitive functioning, medication appropriateness, falls, carer burden, use of health services (hospital or nursing home admissions, use of home nursing services) and mortality. Discussion Our choice of patient-relevant outcome measures will hopefully provide new knowledge on the potential for clinical improvements after performing comprehensive medication reviews in home-dwelling elderly people receiving polypharmacy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02379455. Registered on 27 February 2015. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1900-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
30
|
Oesterhus R, Aarsland D, Soennesyn H, Rongve A, Selbaek G, Kjosavik SR. Potentially inappropriate medications and drug-drug interactions in home-dwelling people with mild dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2017; 32:183-192. [PMID: 26924491 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to describe the use of psychotropic drugs among home-dwelling people with mild dementia, to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and drug-drug interactions (DDI), and to analyze potential variables associated with having PIM and DDI. METHODS Patients (n = 251) with a first-time diagnosis of mild dementia (defined as a mini-mental state examination score >20) were included from outpatient clinics. Prevalence of psychotropic drug use, polypharmacy, and psychotropic polypharmacy were investigated. The prevalence of PIM and DDI were defined using the Norwegian general practice criteria and an interactions database, respectively. Variables associated with having PIM and DDI were assessed using a multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for relevant demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS Almost 96% of the patients used one or more medications. Polypharmacy was found in 45% of the patients, and nearly 70% of the patients were using one or more psychotropic drugs. Psychotropic polypharmacy was found in seven patients. PIM were identified in 35 patients (14%), while only four severe DDI were found. Female sex and number of medications were significantly associated with having PIM, whereas only number of medications was significantly associated with having DDI. CONCLUSION Few patients had PIM or severe DDI, indicating that the quality of prescribing was acceptable. However, psychotropic drug use was common in home-dwelling people with mild dementia despite limited evidence of benefit in dementia. More knowledge is needed about the potential risks associated with psychotropic drug use and having PIM and DDI in people with mild dementia. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ragnhild Oesterhus
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Neurobiology Caring Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hogne Soennesyn
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Arvid Rongve
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Research and Innovation, Haugesund Hospital, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Geir Selbaek
- Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norwegian Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Tønsberg, Norway.,Centre for Old Age Psychiatric Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad, Norway
| | - Svein R Kjosavik
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Melo DOD, Storpirtis S, Ribeiro E. Does hospital admission provide an opportunity for improving pharmacotherapy among elderly inpatients? BRAZ J PHARM SCI 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-82502016000300005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eliane Ribeiro
- University of São Paulo, Brazil; University of São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Clyne B, Cooper JA, Hughes CM, Fahey T, Smith SM. 'Potentially inappropriate or specifically appropriate?' Qualitative evaluation of general practitioners views on prescribing, polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2016; 17:109. [PMID: 27515854 PMCID: PMC4982127 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-016-0507-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is common in older people in primary care, as evidenced by a significant body of quantitative research. However, relatively few qualitative studies have investigated the phenomenon of PIP and its underlying processes from the perspective of general practitioners (GPs). The aim of this paper is to explore qualitatively, GP perspectives regarding prescribing and PIP in older primary care patients. Method Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with GPs participating in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of an intervention to decrease PIP in older patients (≥70 years) in Ireland. Interviews were conducted with GP participants (both intervention and control) from the OPTI-SCRIPT cluster RCT as part of the trial process evaluation between January and July 2013. Interviews were conducted by one interviewer and audio recorded. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was conducted. Results Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted (13 male; 4 female). Three main, inter-related themes emerged (complex prescribing environment, paternalistic doctor-patient relationship, and relevance of PIP concept). Patient complexity (e.g. polypharmacy, multimorbidity), as well as prescriber complexity (e.g. multiple prescribers, poor communication, restricted autonomy) were all identified as factors contributing to a complex prescribing environment where PIP could occur, as was a paternalistic-doctor patient relationship. The concept of PIP was perceived to be of variable usefulness to GPs and the criteria to measure it may be at odds with the complex processes of prescribing for this patient population. Conclusions Several inter-related factors contributing to the occurrence of PIP were identified, some of which may be amenable to intervention. Improvement strategies focused on improved management of polypharmacy and multimorbidity, and communication across primary and secondary care could result in substantial improvements in PIP. Trial registration Current controlled trials ISRCTN41694007
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Clyne
- HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland.
| | - Janine A Cooper
- HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland.,School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast (QUB), 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
| | - Carmel M Hughes
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast (QUB), 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
| | - Tom Fahey
- HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - Susan M Smith
- HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), 123 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Reppas-Rindlisbacher CE, Fischer HD, Fung K, Gill SS, Seitz D, Tannenbaum C, Austin PC, Rochon PA. Anticholinergic Drug Burden in Persons with Dementia Taking a Cholinesterase Inhibitor: The Effect of Multiple Physicians. J Am Geriatr Soc 2016; 64:492-500. [PMID: 27000323 PMCID: PMC4819524 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To explore the association between the number of physicians providing care and anticholinergic drug burden in older persons newly initiated on cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for the management of dementia. Design Population‐based cross‐sectional study. Setting Community and long‐term care, Ontario, Canada. Participants Community‐dwelling (n = 79,067, mean age 81.0, 60.8% female) and long‐term care residing (n = 12,113, mean age 84.3, 67.2% female) older adults (≥66) newly dispensed cholinesterase inhibitor drug therapy. Measurements Anticholinergic drug burden in the prior year measured using the Anticholinergic Risk Scale. Results Community‐dwelling participants had seen an average of eight different physicians in the prior year. The odds of high anticholinergic drug burden (Anticholinergic Risk Scale score ≥ 2) were 24% higher for every five additional physicians providing care to individuals in the prior year (adjusted odds ratio = 1.24, 95% confidence interval = 1.21–1.26). Female sex, low‐income status, previous hospitalization, and higher comorbidity score were also associated with high anticholinergic drug burden. Long‐term care facility residents had seen an average of 10 different physicians in the prior year. After a sensitivity analysis, the association between high anticholinergic burden and number of physicians was no longer statistically significant in the long‐term care group. Conclusion In older adults newly started on cholinesterase inhibitor drug therapy, greater number of physicians providing care was associated with higher anticholinergic drug burden scores. Given the potential risks of anticholinergic drug use, improved communication among physicians and an anticholinergic medication review before prescribing a new drug are important strategies to improve prescribing quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina E Reppas-Rindlisbacher
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hadas D Fischer
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kinwah Fung
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sudeep S Gill
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences Queen's, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dallas Seitz
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences Queen's, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cara Tannenbaum
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paula A Rochon
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Prevalence of Different Combinations of Antiepileptic Drugs and CNS Drugs in Elderly Home Care Service and Nursing Home Patients in Norway. EPILEPSY RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2016; 2016:5153093. [PMID: 27525114 PMCID: PMC4971287 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5153093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to treat different conditions in elderly patients and are among the drug classes most susceptible to be involved in drug-drug interactions (DDI). The aim of the study was to describe and compare use of AEDs between home care service and nursing home patients, as these patients are not included in nationwide databases of drug utilization. In the combined population, we investigate DDI of AEDs with other central nervous system- (CNS-) active drugs and DDIs involving AEDs in general. Materials and Methods. Point-prevalence study of Norwegian patients in home care services and nursing homes in 2009. At the patient level, we screened for different DDIs involving AEDs. Results. In total, 882 patients (7.8%) of 11,254 patients used AEDs and number of users did not differ between home care services and nursing homes (8.2% versus 7.7%). In the combined population, we identified 436 potential DDIs in 45% of the patients. Conclusions. In a large population of elderly, home care service and nursing home patients do not differ with respect to exposure of AEDs but use more AEDs as compared to the general population of similar age. The risk of DDIs with AEDs and other CNS-active drugs should be taken into consideration and individual clinical evaluations are assessed in this population.
Collapse
|
35
|
Laporte JR. Fifty years of pharmacovigilance - Medicines safety and public health. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2016; 25:725-32. [DOI: 10.1002/pds.3967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan-Ramon Laporte
- Fundació Institut Català de Farmacologia, Hospital Vall d'Hebron; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Sufficient competence in community elderly care? Results from a competence measurement of nursing staff. BMC Nurs 2016; 15:5. [PMID: 26778919 PMCID: PMC4714519 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-016-0124-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multi-morbidity, poly-pharmacy and cognitive impairment leave many old patients in a frail condition with a high risk of adverse outcomes if proper health care is not provided. Knowledge about available competence is necessary to evaluate whether we are able to offer equitable and balanced health care to older persons with acute and/or complex health care needs. This study investigates the sufficiency of nursing staff competence in Norwegian community elderly care. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1016 nursing staff in nursing homes and home care services with the instrument “Nursing Older People – Competence Evaluation Tool”. Statistical analyses were ANOVA and multiple regression. Results We found that nursing staff have competence in all areas measured, but that the level of competence was insufficient in the areas nursing measures, advanced procedures, and nursing documentation. Nursing staff in nursing homes scored higher than staff in home care services, and older nursing staff scored lower than younger nursing staff. Conclusions A reason for the relatively low influence of education and training on competence could be the diffuse roles that nursing staff have in community elderly care, implying that they have poor standards against which to judge their own competence. Clearer role descriptions for all groups of nursing staff are recommended as well as general competence development in geriatric nursing care.
Collapse
|
37
|
Mudge A, Radnedge K, Kasper K, Mullins R, Adsett J, Rofail S, Lloyd S, Barras M. Effects of a pilot multidisciplinary clinic for frequent attending elderly patients on deprescribing. AUST HEALTH REV 2016; 40:86-91. [DOI: 10.1071/ah14219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective
Multimorbidity and associated polypharmacy are risk factors for hospital re-admission. The Targeting Hospitalization Risks in Vulnerable Elders (THRIVE) clinic is a novel multidisciplinary out-patient clinic to improve transitions of care and decrease re-admission risk for older medical patients with frequent hospital admissions. This pilot study examined the effect of the THRIVE model on medication count, tablet load and potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs).
Methods
Participants with frequent medical admissions were referred within 2 weeks of discharge from hospital and assessed at baseline and then at 4 and 12 weeks by the THRIVE team. A thorough reconciliation of all medications was performed collaboratively by a clinical pharmacist and a physician. Optimising medications, including deprescribing, was in collaboration with the participants’ general practitioner. The complete medication history of each patient was compared retrospectively by an independent assessor at baseline and after the 12-week clinic, comparing total number of regular medications, tablet load and PIMs (measured using the Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions (STOPP) tool).
Results
All 17 participants attending the pilot THRIVE clinic were included in the study. At 12 weeks, there was a significant reduction in mean medication count (from 14.3 to 11.2 medications; P < 0.001) and mean tablet load (from 20.5 to 16.9 tablets; P < 0.01). There was an absolute reduction in the total number of PIMs from 38 to 14. Common medications deprescribed included opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines and diuretics.
Conclusions
Patients who attended the THRIVE clinic had a significant reduction in medication count and tablet load. The pilot study demonstrates the potential benefits of a multidisciplinary out-patient clinic to improve prescribing and reduce unwarranted medications in an elderly population. An adequately powered comparative study would allow assessment of clinical outcomes and costs.
What is known about the topic?
Elderly patients are prone to polypharmacy. The identification and deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications is effective in reducing adverse drug events in this population. However, acute hospitalisation is not always the ideal setting to initiate deprescribing.
What does the paper add?
Intensive multidisciplinary out-patient care for frequently re-admitted patients optimises their medication management plan and helps reduce the use of unwarranted medications.
What are the implications for practitioners?
Effective deprescribing in elderly patients can be achieved after hospital discharge using a multidisciplinary collaborative model, but costs and clinical benefits require further investigation.
Collapse
|
38
|
Tommelein E, Mehuys E, Petrovic M, Somers A, Colin P, Boussery K. Potentially inappropriate prescribing in community-dwelling older people across Europe: a systematic literature review. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2015; 71:1415-27. [PMID: 26407687 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-015-1954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is one of the main risk factors for adverse drug events (ADEs) in older people. PURPOSE This systematic literature review aims to determine prevalence and type of PIP in community-dwelling older people across Europe, as well as identifying risk factors for PIP. METHODS The PubMed and Web of Science database were searched systematically for relevant manuscripts (January 1, 2000-December 31, 2014). Manuscripts were included if the study design was observational, the study participants were community-dwelling older patients in Europe, and if a published screening method for PIP was used. Studies that focused on specific pathologies or that focused on merely one inappropriate prescribing issue were excluded. Data analysis was performed using R statistics. RESULTS Fifty-two manuscripts were included, describing 82 different sample screenings with an estimated overall PIP prevalence of 22.6 % (CI 19.2-26.7 %; range 0.0-98.0 %). Ten of the sample screenings were based on the Beers 1997 criteria, 19 on the Beers 2003 criteria, 14 on STOPP criteria (2008 version), 8 on START-criteria (2008 version), and 7 on the PRISCUS list. The 24 remaining sample screenings were carried out using compilations of screening methods or used country-specific lists such as the Laroche criteria. It appears that only PIP prevalence calculated from insurance data significantly differs from the other data collection method categories. Furthermore, risk factors most often positively associated with PIP prevalence were polypharmacy, poor functional status, and depression. Drug groups most often involved in PIP were anxiolytics (ATC-code: N05B), antidepressants (N06A), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic products (M01A). CONCLUSION PIP prevalence in European community-dwelling older adults is high and depends partially on the data collection method used. Polypharmacy, poor functional status, and depression were identified as the most common risk factors for PIP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eline Tommelein
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Els Mehuys
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mirko Petrovic
- Department of Internal medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annemie Somers
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Pharmacy, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Colin
- Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Boussery
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Lee JK, Alshehri S, Kutbi HI, Martin JR. Optimizing pharmacotherapy in elderly patients: the role of pharmacists. INTEGRATED PHARMACY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2015; 4:101-111. [PMID: 29354524 PMCID: PMC5741014 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s70404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As the world's population ages, global health care systems will face the burden of chronic diseases and polypharmacy use among older adults. The traditional tasks of medication dispensing and provision of basic education by pharmacists have evolved to active engagement in direct patient care and collaborative team-based care. The care of older patients is an especially fitting mission for pharmacists, since the key to geriatric care often lies with management of chronic diseases and polypharmacy use, and preventing harmful consequences of both. Because most chronic conditions are treated with medications, pharmacists, with their extensive training in pharmacotherapy and pharmacokinetics, are in a unique and critical position in the management of them. Pharmacists have the expertise to detect, resolve, and prevent medication errors and drug-related problems, such as overtreatment, undertreatment, adverse drug events, and nonadherence. Pharmacists are also competent in critically reviewing and applying clinical guidelines to the care of individual patients, and in some instances confront the lack of data (common in older adults) to provide the best possible patient-centered care. The current review aimed to depict the evidence of geriatric pharmacy care, demonstrate current impact of pharmacists' interventions on older patients, survey the tools used by pharmacists to provide effective care, and explore their role in pharmacotherapy optimization in elders. The findings of the current review strongly support previous studies that showed positive impact of pharmacists' interventions on older patients' health-related outcomes. There is a clear role for pharmacists working directly or collaboratively to improve medication use and management in older populations. Therefore, in global health care systems, teams caring for elders should involve pharmacists to optimize pharmacotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie K Lee
- Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Samah Alshehri
- Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University College of Pharmacy, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussam I Kutbi
- Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University College of Pharmacy, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jennifer R Martin
- Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Tommelein E, Petrovic M, Somers A, Mehuys E, van der Cammen T, Boussery K. Older patients' prescriptions screening in the community pharmacy: development of the Ghent Older People's Prescriptions community Pharmacy Screening (GheOP³S) tool. J Public Health (Oxf) 2015; 38:e158-70. [PMID: 26175537 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ageing of the population often leads to polypharmacy. Consequently, potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) becomes more frequent. Systematic screening for PIP in older patients in primary care could yield a large improvement in health outcomes, possibly an important task for community pharmacists. In this article, we develop an explicit screening tool to detect relevant PIP that can be used in the typical community pharmacy practice, adapted to the European market. METHODS Eleven panellists participated in a two-round RAND/UCLA (Research and Development/University of California, Los Angeles) process, including a round zero meeting, a literature review, a first written evaluation round, a second face-to-face evaluation round and, finally, a selection of those items that are applicable in the contemporary community pharmacy. RESULTS Eighteen published lists of PIP for older patients were retrieved from the literature, mentioning 398 different items. After the two-round RAND/UCLA process, 99 clinically relevant items were considered suitable to screen for in a community pharmacy practice. A panel of seven community pharmacists selected 83 items, feasible in the contemporary community pharmacy practice, defining the final GheOP³S tool. CONCLUSION A novel explicit screening tool (GheOP³S) was developed to be used for PIP screening in the typical community pharmacy practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eline Tommelein
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Gent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Mirko Petrovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, Gent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Annemie Somers
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Gent B-9000, Belgium Department of Pharmacy, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, Gent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Els Mehuys
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Gent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Tischa van der Cammen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatric Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Boussery
- Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Gent B-9000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Evaluation of the heterogeneity of studies estimating the association between risk factors and the use of potentially inappropriate drug therapy for the elderly: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2015; 71:1037-50. [PMID: 26111636 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-015-1891-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was conducted to evaluate the heterogeneity of studies estimating the association between risk factors (age, gender, and polypharmacy) and the use of potentially inappropriate drug therapy for the elderly (PIDT). METHODOLOGY This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies. LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science databases were reviewed. The following data were extracted from the included studies: country, type of study, characteristics of the sample, practice scenarios, instruments to evaluate potentially inappropriate drug therapy for the older adults, and patient-related variables. RESULTS Twenty-nine articles (17 cross-sectional and 12 cohort) were included. The majority of the studies were conducted in Europe. Regarding the study durations, 3 to 18 months was necessary to perform the research. As for the sample characteristics, all the studies analyzed involved the older adults and included anywhere from 96 patients to 33,830,599 outpatient consultations. Of the variables analyzed, only polypharmacy presented a positive association with the use of PIDT. All meta-analysis studies showed high heterogeneity, indicating the lack of a methodological standardization of the studies included, among other factors.
Collapse
|
42
|
Corbi G, Gambassi G, Pagano G, Russomanno G, Conti V, Rengo G, Leosco D, Bernabei R, Filippelli A, Ferrara N. Impact of an Innovative Educational Strategy on Medication Appropriate Use and Length of Stay in Elderly Patients. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e918. [PMID: 26091456 PMCID: PMC4616548 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED To evaluate the impact of an educational strategy on potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and length of stay in hospitalized elderly patients. DESIGN An open study, with two cross-sectional surveys interspersed with an educational program (PRE phase and POST phase), has been performed in order to compare the PIMs number before and after the introduction of an educational strategy. The study included 2 phases: PRE, in which patients were enrolled as control group; POST, in which an educational strategy on the PIMs use was introduced among physicians, and patients were enrolled as intervention group. SETTING Italian residential rehabilitation Centre. Inclusion criteria were ≥ 2 active chronic diseases and the current use of ≥ 4 medications. The educational strategy consisted of a 3-day course on strategies to prevent PIMs and a computerized tool running on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device to check for PIMs. OUTCOMES The primary was the PIMs number, the secondary the length of stay. RESULTS A total of 790 patients, 450 controls and 340 cases, were enrolled. According to the Beers criteria, 52.3% of the study population received ≥ 1 PIMs, 18.73% ≥ 2, and 2.4% ≥ 4 PIMs. A significant reduction of PIMs (P = 0.020) and length of stay (P < 0.0001) were seen in the intervention group. At multivariate analysis, PIMs significantly correlated with age, drugs number, and the intervention, and the length of stay significantly correlated with disease count, comorbidities, and intervention. These data suggest that our educative instrument may be useful in reducing the PIMs number and length of hospitalization in elderly with a high number of drugs and comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graziamaria Corbi
- From Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy (GC, GP); Centro Medicina dell'Invecchiamento, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (GG, RB); Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, UK (GP); Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy (GR, VC, AF); Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy (GR, DL, NF); and Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Telese, Telese Terme (BN), Italy (GR, NF)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Nyborg G, Straand J, Klovning A, Brekke M. The Norwegian General Practice--Nursing Home criteria (NORGEP-NH) for potentially inappropriate medication use: A web-based Delphi study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2015; 33:134-41. [PMID: 26100966 PMCID: PMC4834501 DOI: 10.3109/02813432.2015.1041833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a set of explicit criteria for pharmacologically inappropriate medication use in nursing homes. DESIGN In an expert panel, a three-round Delphi consensus process was conducted via survey software. SETTING Norway. SUBJECTS Altogether 80 participants - specialists in geriatrics or clinical pharmacology, physicians in nursing homes and experienced pharmacists - agreed to participate in the survey. Of these, 62 completed the first round, and 49 panellists completed all three rounds (75.4% of those ultimately entering the survey). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The authors developed a list of 27 criteria based on the Norwegian General Practice (NORGEP) criteria, literature, and clinical experience. The main outcome measure was the panellists' evaluation of the clinical relevance of each suggested criterion on a digital Likert scale from 1 (no clinical relevance) to 10. In the first round panellists could also suggest new criteria to be included in the process. For each criterion, degree of consensus was based on the average Likert score and corresponding standard deviation (SD). RESULTS A list of 34 explicit criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in nursing homes was developed through a three-round web-based Delphi consensus process. Degree of consensus increased with each round. No criterion was voted out. Suggestions from the panel led to the inclusion of seven additional criteria in round two. IMPLICATIONS The NORGEP-NH list may serve as a tool in the prescribing process and in medication list reviews and may also be used in quality assessment and for research purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mette Brekke
- Correspondence: Mette Brekke, Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway. Tel. + 47 92832865. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Eiras A, Teixeira MA, González-Montalvo JI, Castell MV, Queipo R, Otero Á. [Consumption of drugs in over 65 in Porto (Portugal) and risk of potentially inappropriate medication prescribing]. Aten Primaria 2015; 48:110-20. [PMID: 26014888 PMCID: PMC6877889 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetivo Conocer el consumo de medicamentos entre los mayores de un área de Oporto, determinar la prevalencia de la prescripción de medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados y analizar su asociación con la polimedicación y otros factores. Diseño Estudio observacional transversal de base poblacional. Emplazamiento Unidade de Saúde Familiar Rainha D. Amélia, Centro histórico de Oporto (Portugal). Participantes Muestra de 747 personas representativa de la población de 65 años y más del área de referencia. Mediciones principales Identificación de todos los medicamentos prescritos utilizando los registros electrónicos disponibles. Se definió polimedicación como el tratamiento simultáneo con 5 o más medicamentos, y medicación potencialmente inapropiada (MPI) como el uso de medicamentos considerados inadecuados según los criterios de Beers 2012. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, de diagnóstico y de utilización de servicios. Se utilizó la regresión logística para analizar la asociación de las distintas covariables con el uso de MPI. Resultados El 89,2% (IC 95%: 87,6-92,0) de la población de estudio tenían prescrito, al menos, un medicamento. El 59,2% (IC 95%: 55,7-62,7) estaban polimedicados. El 37,0% (IC 95%: 33,5-40,5) consumían MPI. La prescripción de MPI se asocia a mayor edad (OR = 1,02 [IC 95%: 1,00-1,05]), polimedicación (OR = 4,45 [IC 95%: 3,12-6,36]), depresión/ansiedad (OR = 2,18 [IC 95%: 1,36-3,51]) y artrosis (OR = 1,64 [IC 95%: 1,11-2,42]). Conclusiones La prescripción de fármacos, polimedicación y uso de MPI son muy elevados en la población portuguesa estudiada. La polimedicación es el factor más importante asociado al consumo de MPI. La prescripción de ansiolíticos, antidepresivos o antiinflamatorios debe hacerse con mucho cuidado ante el riesgo de los MPI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Eiras
- Unidade de Saúde Familiar Rainha D. Amélia, Oporto, Portugal.
| | | | - Juan I González-Montalvo
- IDIPAZ Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, España; Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España; Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Maria-Victoria Castell
- IDIPAZ Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, España; Centro de Salud Dr. Castroviejo, Atención Primaria, Subdirección Asistencial Norte, Madrid, España
| | - Rocio Queipo
- IDIPAZ Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, España
| | - Ángel Otero
- IDIPAZ Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, España; Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Santos APAL, Silva DT, Alves-Conceição V, Antoniolli AR, Lyra DP. Conceptualizing and measuring potentially inappropriate drug therapy. J Clin Pharm Ther 2015; 40:167-76. [PMID: 25682702 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Elderly people are the principal consumers of prescription drugs. The more the medication used by the patient, the greater the likelihood there is of the patient being subjected to potentially inappropriate drug therapy (PIDT). PIDT has been measured in the literature with both implicit and explicit tools. The purpose of this review was to assess the use of tools to detect PIDT in various studies and to determine which terms are used to refer to PIDT in practice. METHODS A systematic review was conducted according to the following steps: the first was identification. In this step, studies were selected from different combinations of the descriptors 'aged', 'elderly', 'inappropriate prescribing' and 'drug utilization' in three different languages, using the Embase, Medline, Scielo, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Second, the papers that satisfied the inclusion criteria for data extraction were carefully examined by three evaluators to determine the tools used and terms that referred to PIDT. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From the combinations of keywords, 8610 articles were found. At the end of the selection process, 119 of the articles complied with the specified criteria. The degree of agreement among evaluators was moderate for the study titles (κ1 = 0·479) and substantial for abstracts (κ2 = 0·647). With respect to the PIDT evaluation criteria used by the studies, 27·7% used two criteria. Of the 27 evaluation criteria identified, the Beers criteria were used by 82·3% of the studies. More than 50 different terms to identify PIDT were found in the literature. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION This review is the first study to conceptualize and discuss terms that refer to PIDT. At present, there is no consensus regarding terms used to refer to PIDT, with over 50 different terms currently in use. This review shows an increase in the number of articles aimed at evaluating PIDT using implicit and explicit tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A P A L Santos
- Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Social Pharmacy (LEPFS), Pharmacy College, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
|
47
|
Abstract
Climate change, driven by man-made greenhouse gas emissions, is a major threat to the health of this and future generations. Hospital-based healthcare generates large quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare requires direct action to reduce waste and energy use, but also requires radical reform of care pathways so that the only patients who come to or stay in hospital are people whose healthcare cannot safely be delivered closer to home. Achieving these reforms without major structural changes to the financial flows in the NHS will be extraordinarily difficult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Tomson
- Department of Renal Medicine, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
La pharmaco-épidémiologie : ombres et lumières. BULLETIN DE L'ACADÉMIE NATIONALE DE MÉDECINE 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s0001-4079(19)30972-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
49
|
Singh S, Bajorek B. Defining 'elderly' in clinical practice guidelines for pharmacotherapy. Pharm Pract (Granada) 2015; 12:489. [PMID: 25580172 PMCID: PMC4282767 DOI: 10.4321/s1886-36552014000400007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify how 'elderly' patients are defined and considered within Australian clinical guidelines for the use of pharmacotherapy. METHOD Guidelines pertaining to the use of pharmacotherapy, focusing on conditions described in National Health Priority Areas, were identified using databases (Medline, Google Scholar) and organisation websites (Department of Health and Ageing, National Heart Foundation, National Health and Medical Research Council). Guidelines were reviewed and qualitatively analysed to identify any references or definitions of 'elderly' persons. RESULTS Among the 20 guidelines reviewed, 3 defined 'elderly' by chronological age (i.e., years since birth) while the remaining 17 guidelines did not define 'elderly' in any way. All 20 guidelines used the term 'elderly', whilst some guidelines provided age (chronological)-based dosage recommendations suggesting an ageist or generalist approach in their representation of 'elderly', for which rationale was seldom provided. Thematic analysis of the statements revealed five key themes regarding how 'elderly' was considered within the guidelines, broadly describing 'elderly' persons as being frail and with altered pharmacology. Some guidelines also highlighted the limited evidence base to direct clinical decision-making. A continuum of perceptions of ageing also emerged out of the identified themes. CONCLUSION Clinical practice guidelines currently do not adequately define 'elderly' persons and provide limited guidance on how to apply treatment recommendations to older persons. The representation of 'elderly' in guidelines needs to be less based on chronological age or generic definitions focusing more on establishing a direct link between an individual patient's characteristics and the pharmacology of their prescribed medication. Clinical guidelines that do not offer any practical descriptions of the features of ageing that are specifically related to the use of pharmacotherapy, or how to assess these in individual patients, render decision-making challenging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shamsher Singh
- School of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney . Sydney, NSW ( Australia ).
| | - Beata Bajorek
- GradCertEdStud GDipClinPharm PhD. Associate Professor. School of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney . Sydney, NSW ( Australia ).
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kersten H, Hvidsten LT, Gløersen G, Wyller TB, Wang-Hansen MS. Clinical impact of potentially inappropriate medications during hospitalization of acutely ill older patients with multimorbidity. Scand J Prim Health Care 2015; 33:243-51. [PMID: 26553225 PMCID: PMC4750733 DOI: 10.3109/02813432.2015.1084766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), to compare drug changes between geriatric and other medical wards, and to investigate the clinical impact of PIMs in acutely hospitalized older adults. SETTING AND SUBJECTS Retrospective study of 232 home-dwelling, multimorbid older adults (aged ≥75 years) acutely admitted to Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES PIMs were identified by Norwegian general practice (NORGEP) criteria and Beers' 2012 criteria. Clinical correlates were laboratory measures, functional and mental status, physical frailty, and length of stay. RESULTS Mean (SD) age was 86 (5.7) years, and length of stay was 6.5 (4.8) days. During the stay, the mean number of drugs used regularly changed from 7.8 (3.6) to 7.9 (3.6) (p = 0.22), and drugs used pro re nata (prn) changed from 1.4 (1.6) to 2.0 (1.7) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of any PIM changed from 39.2% to 37.9% (p = 0.076), while anticholinergics and benzodiazepines were reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.02). The geriatric ward reduced drug dosages (p < 0.001) and discontinued PIMs (p < 0.001) significantly more often than other medical wards. No relations between number of PIMS and clinical outcomes were identified, but the concomitant use of ≥3 psychotropic/opioid drugs was associated with reduced hand-grip strength (p ≤ 0.012). CONCLUSION Hospitalization did not change polypharmacy or PIMs. Drug treatment was more appropriate on the geriatric than other medical wards. No clinical impact of PIMs was observed, but prescribers should be vigilant about concomitant prescription of ≥3 psychotropics/opioids. KEY POINTS Acute hospitalization of older patients with multimorbidity did not increase polypharmacy or potentially inappropriate medications. Prescription of anticholinergics and benzodiazepines was significantly reduced. The geriatric ward reduced drug dosages and discontinued potentially inappropriate medications more frequently than the other medical wards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hege Kersten
- Correspondence: Hege Kersten, Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Tønsberg, Norway. Tel: + 47 92807875. Fax: +47 35003785.
| | | | - Gløer Gløersen
- The Hospital Pharmacies, Vestfold, South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, Norway
| | | | | |
Collapse
|