Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations in the treatment of the elderly patient with hypertension

Drug Utilisation Review among Geriatric Patients with Noncommunicable Diseases in a Primary Care Setting in Malaysia

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to analyse the drugs prescribed to the elderly population with noncommunicable diseases and to determine the polypharmacy at a primary care clinic in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The study was conducted for 6 months at the primary care clinic of Gemas. Geriatric patients above the age of 65 and diagnosed with noncommunicable diseases were included upon providing written informed consent. The majority of the geriatric patients were between 65 and 69 years (mean: 69.72 ± 2.85) and prescribed 4 or more medications (mean: 5.18 ± 0.64, p = 0.007). More than 95% (n = 295) of the geriatrics were found to have multimorbidity, in which around 45% (n = 139) had type-2 diabetes together with hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Combination therapy was prescribed to more than 97% (n = 302) of the elderly, whereas cardiovascular and endocrine medications were the most commonly prescribed. Ten prescriptions were found to have drug-related problems, prescribing cascade (80%), lack of medicine optimisation (10%), and inappropriate prescription (10%). In this study, the majority of the elderly had multimorbidity; polypharmacy was commonly seen among geriatric patients. Polypharmacy is the biggest threat to the elderly population, as it increases the chances of falls and fall-related injuries. Medicine optimisation and deprescribing will reduce the chances of drug-related problems and morbidity and mortality associated with polypharmacy and over-consumption of medications. Hence, the study recommends the health fraternity look for medication optimisation and deprescribing to reduce the future complications associated with polypharmacy.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Frail Patients with Heart Failure: Clinical Experience of a Heart Failure Unit

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the difference in tolerance for sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors between patients with heart failure classified as frail according to the FRAIL questionnaire, compared to those with heart failure without frailty.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed between 2021 and 2022 that included patients with heart failure at a heart failure unit in Bogotá who were being treated with a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor. Clinical and laboratory data were collected during an initial visit and 12-48 weeks after that. The FRAIL questionnaire was applied to all participants through a phone call or during the follow-up visit. The primary outcome was the adverse effect rate and as a secondary outcome we compared the estimated glomerular filtration rate change between frail and non-frail patients.

RESULTS

One hundred and twelve patients were included in the final analysis. Frail patients had a more than twice increased risk of having adverse effects (95% confidence interval 1.5-3.9). Age was also a risk factor for the appearance of these.  The estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease was inversely correlated with the age, left ventricular ejection fraction, and renal function before the use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

When prescribing in heart failure, it is important to remember that frail patients are more likely to have adverse effects with the use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, of which the most common are those related to osmotic diuresis. Nonetheless, these do not appear to increase the risk of discontinuation or abandonment of therapy in this population.

Adverse drug reactions and associated patient characteristics in older community-dwelling adults: a 6-year prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

To date, research on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) has focused on secondary care, and there is a paucity of studies that have prospectively examined ADRs affecting older adults in general practice.

AIM

To examine the cumulative incidence and severity of ADRs and associated patient characteristics in a sample of community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective cohort study of older adults (aged ≥70 years, N = 592) recruited from 15 general practices in the Republic of Ireland.

METHOD

Manual review of the participant's general practice electronic medical record, linked to the national dispensed prescription medicine database, and a detailed, self-reported patient postal questionnaire. The primary outcomes were ADR occurrence and severity over a 6-year period (2010-2016). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models examined potential associations between patient characteristics and ADR occurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 211 ADRs were recorded for 159 participants, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 26.9% over 6 years. The majority of ADRs detected were mild (89.1%), with the remainder classified as moderate (10.9%). Eight moderate ADRs, representing 34.8% of moderate ADRs and 3.8% of all ADRs, required an emergency hospital admission. ADRs were independently associated with female sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17 to 2.85; P = 0.008), polypharmacy (5-9 drug classes) (adjusted OR 1.81, 95% CI = 1.17 to 2.82; P = 0.008), and major polypharmacy (≥10 drug classes) (adjusted OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.62 to 6.85; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This prospective cohort study of ADRs in general practice shows that over one-quarter of older adults experienced an ADR over a 6-year period. Polypharmacy is independently associated with ADR risk in general practice and older adults on ≥10 drug classes should be prioritised for regular medication review.

Feasibility of a protocol for deprescribing antihypertensive medication in older patients in Dutch general practices

BACKGROUND

Older patients using antihypertensive medication may experience Adverse Drug Events (ADEs), and thus benefit from deprescribing. The lack of a practical protocol may hamper deprescribing. Therefore, we aimed to develop a deprescribing protocol, based on a review of literature, combined with a feasibility test in a small number of patients.

METHODS

A deprescribing protocol for general practitioners was drafted and tested in older patients using multiple antihypertensive medication in a single arm intervention. Patients were included if they were 75 years or older, were using two or more antihypertensives, had at least one ADE linked to antihypertensive medication and deprescribing was considered to be safe by their general practitioner. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients for whom one or more antihypertensive drugs were stopped or reduced in dose after 12 months of follow up while maintaining safe blood pressures. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients reporting no ADEs after 12 months and the number of deprescribed antihypertensives. Patient's opinions on deprescribing and enablers and barriers for study participation were also collected.

RESULTS

Nine general practitioners included 14 patients to deprescribe antihypertensive medication using the deprescribing protocol. After 12 months antihypertensive drug use was lowered in 11 patients (79%). These patients had a mean systolic blood pressure increase of 16 mmHg and a mean diastolic blood pressure increase of 8 mmHg. Nine patients (64%) reported experiencing no ADEs anymore after twelve months. The mean number of deprescribed antihypertensives was 1.1 in all patients and 1.4 (range: 0.5 to 3.5) in patients who successfully lowered their medication. At baseline, being able to use less medication was the most frequently mentioned enabler to participate in this study. The most frequently mentioned positive experience at the end of the study was using less medication, which was in line with the most mentioned enabler to participate in this study.

CONCLUSION

A protocol for deprescribing antihypertensives in older patients was considered feasible, as it resulted in a substantial degree of safe deprescribing in this pilot study. Larger studies are needed to demonstrate the effect and safety of deprescribing antihypertensives in older patients.

An Up-to-Date Article Regarding Particularities of Drug Treatment in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Since the prevalence of heart failure (HF) increases with age, HF is now one of the most common reasons for the hospitalization of elderly people. Although the treatment strategies and overall outcomes of HF patients have improved over time, hospitalization and mortality rates remain elevated, especially in developed countries where populations are aging. Therefore, this paper is intended to be a valuable multidisciplinary source of information for both doctors (cardiologists and general physicians) and pharmacists in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality of heart failure patients. We address several aspects regarding pharmacological treatment (including new approaches in HF treatment strategies [sacubitril/valsartan combination and sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors]), as well as the particularities of patients (age-induced changes and sex differences) and treatment (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in drugs; cardiorenal syndrome). The article also highlights several drugs and food supplements that may worsen the prognosis of HF patients and discusses some potential drug-drug interactions, their consequences and recommendations for health care providers, as well as the risks of adverse drug reactions and treatment discontinuation, as an interdisciplinary approach to treatment is essential for HF patients.

DiffErenCes in AntihypertenSive Drug Blood Levels in Patients with HypertensiON (DECISION): Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study Comparing Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Between Young and Elderly Patients

Adequate controlled blood pressure decreases the risk of cardiovascular events. However, the elderly are more vulnerable and thereby more prone to side effects of antihypertensive drugs. A lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies in older patients makes specific and tailored advices towards antihypertensive drug therapy difficult. The aim of our study, DiffErenCes In antihypertenSive drug levels In patients with hypertensiON (DECISION), is to fill in this PK/PD knowledge gap and move towards precision dosing. DECISION is a prospective observational PK/PD study set up to determine the difference in exposure to the antihypertensive drugs, losartan and perindopril, measured by drug levels in blood. The area under the curve (AUC; PK) and furthermore the association between the AUC and the effect on blood pressure (PD) will be compared between elderly and younger patients.

Improvement in Hypertension Management with Pharmacological and Non- Pharmacological Approaches: Current Perspectives

PURPOSE

Improving hypertension management is still one of the biggest challenges in public health worldwide. Existing guidelines do not reach a consensus on the optimal Blood Pressure (BP) target. Therefore, how to effectively manage hypertension based on individual characteristics of patients, combined with the pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach, has become a problem to be urgently considered.

METHODS

Reports published in PubMed that covered Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Approaches in subjects taking hypertension management were reviewed by the group independently and collectively. Practical recommendations for hypertension management were established by the panel.

RESULTS

Pharmacological mechanism, action characteristics, and main adverse reactions varied across different pharmacological agents, and patients with hypertension often require a combination of antihypertensive medications to achieve the target BP range. Non-pharmacological treatment provides an additional effective method for improving therapy adherence and long-term BP control, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and slowing down the progression of the disease.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the available literature on the most convincing guideline principles, pharmacological treatment, biotechnology interference, interventional surgical treatment, managing hypertension with technical means of big data, Artificial Intelligence and Behavioral Intervention, as well as providing future directions, for facilitating Current and Developing knowledge into clinical implementation.

Hypertension in older persons: why one size does not fit all

Over recent years, managing hypertension in older people has gained increasing attention, with particular reference to very old, frailer individuals. In these patients, hypertension treatment may be challenging due to a higher risk of hypotension-related adverse events which commonly overlaps with a higher cardiovascular risk. Additionally, frailer older adults rarely satisfy inclusion criteria of randomized clinical trials, which determines a substantial lack of scientific data. Although limited, available evidence suggests that the association between blood pressure and adverse outcomes significantly varies at advanced age according to frailty status. In particular, the negative prognostic impact of hypertension seems to attenuate or even revert in individuals with older biological age, e.g. patients with disability, cognitive impairment, and poor physical performance. Consequently, one size doesn't fit all and personalized treatment strategies are needed, customized to individuals' frailty and functional status. Similar to other cardiovascular diseases, hypertension management in older people should be characterized by a geriatric approach based on biological rather than chronological age and a geriatric comprehensive evaluation including frailty assessment is required to provide the most appropriate treatment, tailored to patients' prognosis and health care goals. This review illustrates the importance of a patient-centered geriatric approach to hypertension management in older people with the final purpose to promote a wider implementation of frailty assessment in routine practice.

Plasma Trough Concentrations of Antihypertensive Drugs for the Assessment of Treatment Adherence: A Meta-Analysis

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Biochemical drug screening by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in plasma is an accurate method for the quantification of plasma concentrations of antihypertensive medications in patients with hypertension. Trough concentrations could possibly be used as drug-specific cutoff values in the biochemical assessment of (non-)adherence. We performed a literature review and meta-analysis of pharmacokinetic studies to determine plasma trough concentrations of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan. PubMed was searched for pharmacokinetic studies up to September 2020. Eligible studies reported steady-state mean trough concentration and their variance. Pooled trough concentrations were estimated using a three-level random effects meta-analytic model. Moderator analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. One thousand three hundred eighteen potentially relevant articles were identified of which 45 were eligible for inclusion. The pooled mean trough concentration was 9.2 ng/mL (95% CI, 7.5–10.8) for amlodipine, 41.0 ng/mL (95% CI, 17.4–64.7) for hydrochlorothiazide, and 352.9 ng/mL (95% CI, 243.5–462.3) for valsartan. Substantial heterogeneity was present for all 3 pooled estimates. Moderator analyses identified dosage as a significant moderator for the pooled trough concentration of amlodipine (β₁=0.9; P<0.05), mean age, and mean body weight for the mean trough concentration of hydrochlorothiazide (β₁=2.2, P<0.05, respectively, β₁=−4.0, P<0.05) and no significant moderators for valsartan. Plasma trough concentrations of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan, measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, are highly heterogeneous over the different studies. Use of the pooled trough concentration as a cutoff in the biochemical assessment of adherence can result in inaccurate diagnosis of (non-)adherence, which may seriously harm the patient-physician relationship, and is therefore not recommended.

Hypertension management in frail older adults: a gap in evidence

Hypertension management is challenging in frail older adults. The balance between treatment risks and benefits may be difficult to achieve due to an increased vulnerability to treatment-related adverse events, and limited evidence is available to support clinical decisions. The effects of frailty on blood pressure are unclear, as well as its impact on antihypertensive treatment benefits. Appropriate blood pressure targets in frail patients are debated and the frailty measure which best inform clinical decisions in hypertensive patients has yet to be identified. Therefore, hypertension management in frail older adults still represents a 'gap in evidence'. Knowledge of currently available literature is a fundamental prerequisite to develop future research and may help to implement frailty assessment and improve hypertension management in this vulnerable population. Given these premises, we present a narrative review illustrating the most relevant issues that are a matter of debate and that should be addressed in future studies.

Medication Management in Frail Older People: Consensus Principles for Clinical Practice, Research, and Education

Frailty is a geriatric condition associated with increased vulnerability to adverse drug events and medication-related harm. Existing clinical practice guidelines rarely provide medication management recommendations specific to frail older people. This report presents international consensus principles, generated by the Optimizing Geriatric Pharmacotherapy through Pharmacoepidemiology Network, related to medication management in frail older people. This consensus comprises 7 principles for clinical practice, 6 principles for research, and 4 principles for education. Principles for clinical practice include (1) perform medication reconciliation and maintain an up-to-date medication list; (2) assess and plan based on individual's capacity to self-manage medications; (3) ensure appropriate prescribing and deprescribing; (4) simplify medication regimens when appropriate to reduce unnecessary burden; (5) be alert to the contribution of medications to geriatric syndromes; (6) regularly review medication regimens to align with changing goals of care; and (7) facilitate multidisciplinary communication among patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams. Principles for research include (1) include frail older people in randomized controlled trials; (2) consider frailty status as an effect modifier; (3) ensure collection and reporting of outcome measures important in frailty; (4) assess impact of frailty on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; (5) encourage frailty research in under-researched settings; and (6) utilize routinely collected linked health data. Principles for education include (1) provide undergraduate and postgraduate education on frailty; (2) minimize low-value care related to medication management; (3) improve health and medication literacy; and (4) incorporate evidence in relation to frailty into clinical practice guidelines. These principles for clinical practice, research and education highlight different considerations for optimizing medication management in frail older people. These principles can be used in conjunction with existing best practice guidelines to help achieve optimal health outcomes for this vulnerable population. Implementation of the principles will require multidisciplinary collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, organizational leaders, and policymakers.