Exploring potential mortality reductions in 9 European countries by improving diet and lifestyle: A modelling approach

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) death rates have fallen across most of Europe in recent decades. However, substantial risk factor reductions have not been achieved across all Europe. Our aim was to quantify the potential impact of future policy scenarios on diet and lifestyle on CHD mortality in 9 European countries.

METHODS

We updated the previously validated IMPACT CHD models in 9 European countries and extended them to 2010-11 (the baseline year) to predict reductions in CHD mortality to 2020(ages 25-74years). We compared three scenarios: conservative, intermediate and optimistic on smoking prevalence (absolute decreases of 5%, 10% and 15%); saturated fat intake (1%, 2% and 3% absolute decreases in % energy intake, replaced by unsaturated fats); salt (relative decreases of 10%, 20% and 30%), and physical inactivity (absolute decreases of 5%, 10% and 15%). Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Under the conservative, intermediate and optimistic scenarios, we estimated 10.8% (95% CI: 7.3-14.0), 20.7% (95% CI: 15.6-25.2) and 29.1% (95% CI: 22.6-35.0) fewer CHD deaths in 2020. For the optimistic scenario, 15% absolute reductions in smoking could decrease CHD deaths by 8.9%-11.6%, Salt intake relative reductions of 30% by approximately 5.9-8.9%; 3% reductions in saturated fat intake by 6.3-7.5%, and 15% absolute increases in physical activity by 3.7-5.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Modest and feasible policy-based reductions in cardiovascular risk factors (already been achieved in some other countries) could translate into substantial reductions in future CHD deaths across Europe. However, this would require the European Union to more effectively implement powerful evidence-based prevention policies.

The impact of initial antidiabetic agent and use of monitoring agents on prescription costs in newly treated type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort analysis

AIMS

To measure the costs associated with the use of antidiabetic agents, monitoring materials and cardiovascular disease (CVD) agents in the management of newly treated type 2 diabetes, and to investigate the factors associated with these costs.

METHODS

A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Irish national pharmacy claims database. Newly treated patients were identified for 2012 and followed for one year post treatment initiation. Factors associated with costs were assessed using a generalised linear model with gamma family and log-link function. Cost ratios (CR) and 95% CIs were used to determine the contributors of prescription costs. Adjusted odd ratios (OR) and 95% CIs were used to investigate factors associated with high frequency self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

RESULTS

Mean prescription costs for the 12,941 subjects was €871, while total costs were €11 million. CVD agents accounted for 58% of total costs; 22% of costs were for SMBG; antidiabetic agents accounted for 17% of costs. SMBG resulted in costs that were 80% higher than those without, CR 1.80 (95% CI 1.76-1.84). No significant differences were observed between initiation on metformin or sulphonylureas and high frequency SMBG (OR 1.01 95% CI 0.97-1.04 vs reference). Initiation on newer antidiabetic agents was a significant positive predictors of prescription costs (CR 2.36 95% CI 2.21-2.51 vs metformin).

CONCLUSIONS

Type of initial antidiabetic agent, and SMBG were significant predictors of prescription costs. SMBG represent a major proportion of total costs; however, its use in combination with antidiabetic agents that do not cause hypoglycaemia is questionable.

Periconception HIV Risk Behavior Among Men and Women Reporting HIV-Serodiscordant Partners in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

HIV-infected men and women who choose to conceive risk infecting their partners. To inform safer conception programs we surveyed HIV risk behavior prior to recent pregnancy amongst South African, HIV-infected women (N = 209) and men (N = 82) recruited from antenatal and antiretroviral clinics, respectively, and reporting an uninfected or unknown-HIV-serostatus pregnancy partner. All participants knew their HIV-positive serostatus prior to the referent pregnancy. Only 11 % of women and 5 % of men had planned the pregnancy; 40 % of women and 27 % of men reported serostatus disclosure to their partner before conception. Knowledge of safer conception strategies was low. Around two-thirds reported consistent condom use, 41 % of women and 88 % of men reported antiretroviral therapy, and a third of women reported male partner circumcision prior to the referent pregnancy. Seven women (3 %) and two men (2 %) reported limiting sex without condoms to peak fertility. None reported sperm washing or manual insemination. Safer conception behaviors including HIV-serostatus disclosure, condom use, and ART at the time of conception were not associated with desired pregnancy. In light of low pregnancy planning and HIV-serostatus disclosure, interventions to improve understandings of serodiscordance and motivate mutual HIV-serostatus disclosure and pregnancy planning are necessary first steps before couples or individuals can implement specific safer conception strategies.

Antidepressant prescribing in Irish children: secular trends and international comparison in the context of a safety warning

BACKGROUND

In 2003, the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) warned against the treatment of childhood depression with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) due to increased risk of suicide. This study examined the effect of this warning on the prevalence of anti-depressants in Irish children and compared age and gender trends and international comparisons of prescription rates.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) pharmacy claims database for the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme for dispensed medication. Data were obtained for 2002-2011 for those aged ≤ 15 years. Prevalence of anti-depressants per 1000 eligible population, along with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated. A negative binomial regression analysis was used to investigate trends and compare rates across years, sex and age groups (0-4, 5-11, 12-15 years). International prescribing data were retrieved from the literature.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anti-depressants decreased from 4.74/1000 population (95% CI: 4.47-5.01) in 2002 to 2.61/1000 population (95% CI: 2.43-2.80) in 2008. SSRI rates decreased from 2002 to 2008. Prescription rates for contra-indicated SSRIs paroxetine, sertraline and citralopram decreased significantly from 2002 to 2005, and, apart from paroxetine, only small fluctuations were seen from 2005 onwards. Fluoxetine was the most frequently prescribed anti-depressant and rates increased between 2002 and 2011. Anti-depressant rates were higher for younger boys and older girls. The Irish prevalence was lower than the US, similar to the U.K. and higher than Germany and Denmark.

CONCLUSIONS

The direction and timing of these trends suggest that medical practitioners followed the IMB advice.

A Survey of GPs Awareness and Use of Risk Assessment Tools and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Guidelines

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to benchmark awareness and use of CVD risk assessment (RA) tools and prevention guidelines in Irish general practice. 493 (18%) Irish general practitioners (GPs) were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study in 2011. 213 (43%) GPs responded with most being male (n = 128, 58.2%) and aged ≥ 45 years (n = 124, 56.8%). While 197 (92.5%) GPs were aware of at least one RA tool, only 69 (32.4%) GPs reported frequent use. 187 (87.8%) GPs were aware of one or more CVD prevention guidelines with 115 (54.0%) GPs reporting frequent use of at least one guideline. No age or gender difference observed. Barriers to implementation of CVD prevention guidelines were lack of remuneration, too many CVD guidelines and time constraints. Most Irish GPs were aware of RA tools and CVD prevention guidelines with half reporting frequent use of guidelines.

Benzodiazepine prescribing in children under 15 years of age receiving free medical care on the General Medical Services scheme in Ireland

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and secular trends in benzodiazepine (BZD) prescribing in the Irish paediatric population. In addition, we examine coprescribing of antiepileptic, antipsychotic, antidepressant and psychostimulants in children receiving BZD drugs and compare BZD prescribing in Ireland to that in other European countries.

SETTING

Data were obtained from the Irish General Medical Services (GMS) scheme pharmacy claims database from the Health Service Executive (HSE)--Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS).

PARTICIPANTS

Children aged 0-15 years, on the HSE-PCRS database between January 2002 and December 2011, were included.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Prescribing rates were reported over time (2002-2011) and duration (≤ or >90 days). Age (0-4, 5-11, 12-15) and gender trends were established. Rates of concomitant prescriptions for antiepileptic, antipsychotics, antidepressants and psychostimulants were reported. European prescribing data were retrieved from the literature.

RESULTS

Rates decreased from 2002 (8.56/1000 GMS population: 95% CI 8.20 to 8.92) to 2011 (5.33/1000 GMS population: 95% CI 5.10 to 5.55). Of those children currently receiving a BZD prescription, 6% were prescribed BZD for >90 days. Rates were higher for boys in the 0-4 and 5-11 age ranges, whereas for girls they were higher in the 12-15 age groups. A substantial proportion of children receiving BZD drugs are also prescribed antiepileptic (27%), antidepressant (11%), antipsychotic (5%) and psychostimulant (2%) medicines. Prescribing rates follow a similar pattern to that in other European countries.

CONCLUSIONS

While BZD prescribing trends have decreased in recent years, this study shows that a significant proportion of the GMS children population are being prescribed BZD in the long term. This study highlights the need for guidelines for BZD prescribing in children in terms of clinical indication and responsibility, coprescribing, dosage and duration of treatment.

The Budget Impact of Hepatitis C Treatment in Ireland 2001-2012

Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) is estimated to infect 20,000 to 50,000 people in Ireland. National estimates of the number of patients who have been treated for HCV, their demographics and the cost associated with that treatment have not been published. Prescriptions for the treatment of HCV from 2000-2012 were established by interrogating the records of the High-Tech Drug Scheme and the pharmacy records of the Genitourinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases department of St. James Hospital. 2320 patients were initiated on treatment for HCV. Over €27 million was spent on HCV treatment. €25.5 million was spent on anti-viral therapy and €2 million was spent on haematological growth factor support for the management of adverse effects. The budget impact of HCV treatment has been significant in Ireland. New agents for HCV will have a greater budget impact but should require less spend on adverse event management.

Forget me not - the role of the general dental practitioner in dementia awareness

This paper examines the role of the general dental practitioner (GDP) in dementia awareness, using the close patient-practitioner relationship to spot the early signs and plan for future oral healthcare. Each and every member of the dental team plays an important role in the patient journey through their dental visit and helps address the barriers they face. The significance of promoting dementia friendly environments cannot be undervalued and the GDP has a key role in maintaining their patients' quality of life.

Trends in percutaneous coronary intervention and angiography in Ireland, 2004-2011: Implications for Ireland and Europe

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To study temporal trends in crude and age standardised rates of cardiac catheterisation and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Ireland, 2004-2011.

METHODS

Two data sources were used: a) a survey of publicly and privately funded hospitals with cardiac catheter laboratories to obtain the annual number of procedures performed and b) anonymised data from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) for angiography and PCI in acute publicly funded hospitals; age standardised rates were calculated to study trends over time.

RESULTS

From 2004 to 2011 the crude rate of angiography and PCI increased by 47.8% and 35.9% respectively, with rates of 6689 and 1825 per million population in 2011. Following age standardisation, however, PCI activity showed a non-significant decrease over time. The PCI to angiography ratio decreased from 30% to 27% and PCI was performed predominantly for stable coronary heart disease (54%) in 2011.

CONCLUSION

Angiography and PCI rates have increased in Ireland but PCI crude and age adjusted rates show divergent trends. While Ireland differs from USA and UK, with a higher proportion of PCI being performed for stable CHD in recent years, little systematic surveillance of cardiological interventions within Europe is available to benchmark improvements in Ireland.

A cohort study investigating aspirin use and survival in men with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Aspirin use has been associated with reduced mortality from cancer including prostate cancer in some studies. A number of anti-cancer mechanisms of aspirin have been proposed, including the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzymes, through which aspirin mediates both anti-platelet and anti-inflammatory activities. This cohort study examines associations between pre-diagnostic aspirin use (overall and by dose and dosing intensity) and mortality in men with localised prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Men with stage I-III prostate cancer were identified from Irish National Cancer Registry records, which have been linked to national prescribing data from the Irish General Medical Services scheme. Aspirin use in the year preceding prostate cancer diagnosis was identified from this linked prescription-claims data. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for associations between aspirin use and all-cause and prostate cancer-specific mortality. Associations between prescribed dose and dosing intensity were examined. The presence of effect modification by the type of treatment received and tumour characteristics was also assessed.

RESULTS

Two thousand nine hundred and thirty-six men with a diagnosis of stage I-III prostate cancer (2001-2006) were identified (aspirin users, n = 1131). The median duration of patient follow-up was 5.5 years. In adjusted analyses, aspirin use was associated with a small, but non-significant, reduced risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.67-1.15). In dose-response analyses, stronger associations with prostate cancer-specific mortality were observed in men with higher aspirin dosing intensity (HR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.51-1.05) and in men receiving >75 mg of aspirin (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-0.99). Analyses of effect modification by treatment type or tumour characteristics were non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with prior studies, aspirin use was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality in men with localised prostate cancer. Men receiving higher doses of aspirin had a statistically significant reduced risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality. These findings regarding an aspirin dose require further investigation.

Regional variation in medication-taking behaviour of new users of oral anti-hyperglycaemic therapy in Ireland

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated regional variation in medication-taking behaviour. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are regional differences in non-persistence and non-adherence to oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents in patients initiating therapy and examine if any association exists between different types of comorbidity in terms of medication-taking behaviour.

METHODS

The Irish Health Services Executive (HSE) pharmacy claims database was used to identify new users of metformin or sulphonylureas, aged ≥25 years, initiating therapy between June 2009 and December 2010. Non-persistence and non-adherence were examined up to 12 months post-initiation. Comorbidity was assessed using modified RxRisk and RxRisk-V indices, and classified as either concordant and/or discordant with diabetes. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for non-persistence were determined in relation to both HSE region and comorbidity type using Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for age, sex and initial OAH prescribed. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for these covariates, was used to determine the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for non-adherence for both HSE region and comorbidity type.

RESULTS

Results showed little overall difference between regions. The largest reduction for both non-persistence (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.80, 0.94) and non-adherence (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74, 0.93) was observed in the south. Any comorbidity was associated with a reduced risk of non-persistence and non-adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to optimise medication-taking in patients with T2DM should be implemented nationally to improve the overall level of adherence and persistence, especially in patients with no comorbidity.