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Abdulrahman S, Al-Balushi N, Holdcroft-Long J, Khan U, Ravindran B, Das S, Rajkumar AP. Correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 among older people with psychiatric illness - a mixed methods study. Int J Psychiatry Med 2023; 58:493-509. [PMID: 37528759 PMCID: PMC10111158 DOI: 10.1177/00912174231171220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE COVID-19 may lead to a range of clinical outcomes among older people with psychiatric and medical conditions. Evidence guiding management of future outbreaks among this vulnerable population in psychiatric hospital settings are sparse. In this study, we examined the correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 and explored the perspectives of COVID-19 survivors hospitalized in psychiatry settings. METHOD The correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 were examined using a retrospective chart review of 81 older people hospitalized in psychiatry settings. Correlates of clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. In addition, the perspectives of 10 COVID-19 survivors were explored by qualitative interviews. The qualitative data was subject to thematic analysis. RESULTS Although 25.9% (n = 21) participants were asymptomatic, there was high COVID-19 related mortality (14.8%; n = 12). Vitamin-D deficiency, anticholinergic burden, and isolation policies within psychiatric wards were significantly (p < 0.05) related to COVID-19 related deaths. In qualitative interviews, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening local support networks and making vaccination centers more accessible. CONCLUSIONS Reducing anticholinergic prescriptions and improving isolation policies may help to mitigate poor clinical outcomes. Future research investigating the impact of vitamin-D supplementation on COVID-19 related outcomes is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naser Al-Balushi
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khod, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | | | - Uzma Khan
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bipin Ravindran
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sujata Das
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anto P Rajkumar
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences Academic Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Michael HU, Enechukwu O, Brouillette MJ, Tamblyn R, Fellows LK, Mayo NE. The Prognostic Utility of Anticholinergic Burden Scales: An Integrative Review and Gap Analysis. Drugs Aging 2023; 40:763-783. [PMID: 37462902 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticholinergic drugs are commonly prescribed, especially to older adults. Anticholinergic burden scales (ABS) have been used to evaluate the cumulative effects of multiple anticholinergics. However, studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the association between anticholinergic burden assessed with ABS and adverse clinical outcomes such as cognitive impairment, functional decline, and frailty. This review aims to identify gaps in research on the development, validation, and evaluation of ABS, and provide recommendations for future studies. METHOD A comprehensive search of five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, CENTRAL) was conducted for relevant studies published from inception until 25 May 2023. Two reviewers screened for eligibility and assessed the quality of studies using different tools based on the study design and stage of the review framework. Research evidence was evaluated, and gaps were identified and grouped into evidence, knowledge, and methodological gaps, using evidence tables to summarize data. RESULTS Several evidence, knowledge, and methodological gaps in existing development, validation, and evaluation studies of ABS were identified. There is no universally accepted scale, and there is a need to define a clinically relevant threshold for measuring total anticholinergic burden. The current evidence has limitations, underrepresenting low- and middle-income countries, younger individuals, and populations with cognitive disabilities. The impact of anticholinergic burden on frailty is also understudied. Existing evaluation studies provide limited evidence on the benefit of reducing anticholinergic burden on clinical outcomes or the safety of anticholinergic deprescribing. There is also uncertainty regarding optimal reduction, clinically significant anticholinergic burden thresholds, and cost effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS Future research recommendations to bridge knowledge gaps include developing a risk assessment framework, refining ABS scales, establishing a standardized consensus scale, and creating a longitudinal measure of cumulative anticholinergic risk. Strategies to minimize bias, consider frailty, and promote multidisciplinary and multinational collaborations are also necessary to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Ukachukwu Michael
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Centre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), 5252 de Maisonneuve, 2B:43, Montréal, QC, H4A 3S5, Canada.
| | | | - Marie-Josée Brouillette
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, MUHC-RI, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Robyn Tamblyn
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lesley K Fellows
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nancy E Mayo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), 5252 de Maisonneuve, 2B:43, Montréal, QC, H4A 3S5, Canada
- School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Bishara D. Managing drugs with anticholinergic activity. Drug Ther Bull 2023; 61:135-139. [PMID: 37648260 DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2022.000066] [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] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, considerable data have emerged on an association between drugs with anticholinergic activity and serious adverse effects in older people. Well-recognised anticholinergic adverse effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and urinary retention. Of particular concern is the potential impact on cognitive function with several studies showing that long-term use of medicines with anticholinergic activity is associated with worsening of cognitive function, increased incidence of dementia and increased mortality. This article gives an overview of the evidence, discusses some of the tools used to identify high-risk drugs and highlights issues to consider when prescribing drugs with anticholinergic activity with a view to reducing potential risks in older people and those at highest risk of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Bishara
- Mental Health of Older Adults and Dementia, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Richardson S, Lawson RA, Price A, Taylor JP. Challenges in diagnosis and management of delirium in Lewy body disease. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2022; 147:475-480. [PMID: 36281704 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delirium is an acute onset and fluctuating impairment of cognition, attention and arousal, often precipitated by acute illness. Lewy body disease (LBD) is an umbrella term for a range of clinical conditions, including Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). People living with LBD seem to be more susceptible to delirium than those with other subtypes of dementia. AIM To describe the challenges in clinical diagnosis and management of LBD. METHODS A systematic review of published literature on diagnosis and management of delirium in LBD. RESULTS Delirium is particularly challenging to diagnose in LBD as many of the clinical characteristics which define delirium such as inattention, fluctuating arousal, complex visual hallucinations and delusions, are also common to LBD. Distinguishing delirium from LBD can be very difficult clinically especially in the prodromal stages. Both under and over diagnosis of delirium, and under and over treatment of the symptoms have the potential to compromise the care and safety of people with a diagnosed or undiagnosed LBD. Clinicians are currently working with an extremely limited set of evidence-based management options for those with delirium in the context of a LBD diagnosis. For patients with LBD and their families this is an area of clinical practice that needs focused research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Richardson
- AGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachael A Lawson
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Annabel Price
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Davis KAS, Bishara D, Molokhia M, Mueller C, Perera G, Stewart RJ. Aspirin in people with dementia, long-term benefits, and harms: a systematic review. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 77:943-954. [PMID: 33483830 PMCID: PMC8184554 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-021-03089-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE People with dementia may have indications for aspirin prescription and clinicians are asked to balance the potential risks against benefits. This review examines the evidence for the risk and benefit of long-term aspirin use in people with dementia aged over 65 years, including randomised controlled trials and observational studies. METHODS We searched three databases for research published between 2007 and 2020. Each eligible article was assessed for risk of bias, and confidence in findings was rated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS Four papers met inclusion criteria: one randomised controlled trial, two cohort studies, and one with pooled data. All looked only at dementia of Alzheimer's type, and none addressed myocardial or cerebral infarction as outcomes. Dementia progression was reported by two studies, with conflicting results. The trial found no significant effect of aspirin on mortality (odds ratio aspirin vs. no aspirin 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.58-1.97) but found more events of severe bleeding with aspirin (OR aspirin vs. no aspirin 6.9, 1.5-31.2). An excess in intracranial haemorrhage in the aspirin group was judged plausible based on two non-randomised studies. CONCLUSIONS The review findings are limited because studies include only people with Alzheimer's-type dementia and lack confirmatory studies, although an increased risk of bleeding events is recognised. Further research that addresses the benefits and risks of aspirin in more representative groups of people with dementia is needed to guide prescribing decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina A S Davis
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Delia Bishara
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariam Molokhia
- King's College London Population Health Sciences, London, UK
| | - Christoph Mueller
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gayan Perera
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Robert J Stewart
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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