Effects of a clinical medication review focused on personal goals, quality of life, and health problems in older persons with polypharmacy: A randomised controlled trial (DREAMeR-study)

The value of deprescribing in older adults with dementia: a narrative review

Introduction:Mitigating the burden of unnecessary polypharmacy or multiple medication use in people living with dementia has been recognized as a key priority internationally. One approach to reducing inappropriate polypharmacy is through medication withdrawal or deprescribing.Area covered:Non-systematic searches of key databases including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were conducted from inception to 28 February 2021 for articles that assessed the safety and/or efficacy of deprescribing in older adults living with dementia. Personal reference libraries were also utilized. Information on current clinical trials was found in clinicaltrial.gov.Expert Opinion: There is limited direct evidence to inform deprescribing in older adults with dementia specifically. This review identified nineteen studies that have assessed the impact of deprescribing interventions to reduce inappropriate polypharmacy or direct deprescribing of specific medications. However, the current evidence is limited in scope as most studies focused on medication-related outcomes (e.g. discontinuation of high-risk medications) rather than patient-centered outcomes in individuals living with dementia. Furthermore, most studies focused on addressing inappropriate polypharmacy in older adults with dementia living in long-term care facilities, and interventions did not involve the person and their carer. Further evidence on the impact of deprescribing in this population across clinical settings is needed.

Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based medication therapy management programme: A study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial with an embedded qualitative study

Objectives

The main objectives are: to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a community-pharmacy based medication therapy management programme; to explore patients’ experiences and views towards medication therapy management service delivered by community pharmacists.

Research design and methods

A mixed-methods research design consisting of a pilot randomized controlled trial embedded with qualitative study will be used in this study. The study consists of two phases: a 6-month follow-up pilot randomized control trial (quantitative approach) to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a community pharmacy-based medication therapy management programme. The primary outcome is HbA1C and secondary outcomes include: clinical and health services utilization and process measures, medication adherence, diabetes distress as well as satisfaction with care. Phase two consists of an embedded qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore patients’ experiences and views with the medication therapy management programme. Study data collection will be collected between April 2021 and December 2021.

Ethics consideration

The study has been approved by institutional review boards from Princess Nourah bent Abdulrahman University (Approval # 20–0240), King Fahad Medical City (Approval # 20-388E) and Birmingham University (Approval # ERN_20-0768).

Does drug dispensing improve the health outcomes of patients attending community pharmacies? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Drug dispensing is a clinical pharmacy service that promotes access to medicines and their rational use. However, there is a lack of evidence for the impact of drug dispensing on patients' health outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of drug dispensing on the clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes of patients attending community pharmacies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in April 2021 using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, and Open Thesis. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles according to the eligibility criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the literature was synthesized narratively.

RESULTS

We retrieved 3,685 articles and included nine studies that presented 13 different outcomes. Regarding the design, they were cross-sectional (n = 4), randomized clinical trials (n = 4), and quasi-experimental (n = 1). A positive influence of drug dispensing on health outcomes was demonstrated through six clinical, four humanistic and three economic outcomes. Eight studies (88,9 %) used intermediate outcomes. The assessment of methodological quality was characterized by a lack of clarity and/or lack of information in primary studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Most articles included in this review reported a positive influence of drug dispensing performed by community pharmacists on patients' health outcomes. The findings of this study may be of interest to patients, pharmacists, decision makers, and healthcare systems, since they may contribute to evidence-based decision-making, strengthening the contribution of community pharmacists to health care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020191701 .

Community pharmacists' perceptions on providing fall prevention services: a mixed-methods study

Background Pharmacists may contribute to fall prevention particularly by identifying and deprescribing fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) in patients with high fall risk. Objective To assess community pharmacists’ perceptions on providing fall prevention services, and to identify their barriers and facilitators in offering these fall prevention services including deprescribing of FRIDs. Setting A mixed-methods study was conducted with Dutch pharmacists. Method Quantitative (ranking statements on a Likert scale, survey) and qualitative data (semi-structured interviews) were collected. Out of 466 pharmacists who were invited to participate, 313 Dutch pharmacists ranked statements, about providing fall prevention, that were presented during a lecture, and 205 completed a survey. To explore pharmacists’ perceptions in-depth, 16 were interviewed. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The capability opportunity motivation-behaviour model was applied to interpret and analyse the findings of qualitative data. Main outcome measure Community pharmacists’ views on providing fall prevention. Results Pharmacists stated that they were motivated to provide fall prevention. They believed they were capable of providing fall prevention by FRID deprescribing. They perceived limited opportunities to contribute. Major barriers included insufficient multidisciplinary collaboration, patient unwillingness to deprescribe FRIDs, and lack of time. Facilitators included goal-setting behaviour, financial compensation, and skilled communication. Conclusion Despite the complex decision-making process in medication-related fall prevention, community pharmacists are motivated and feel capable of providing fall prevention. Opportunities for pharmacists to provide fall prevention services should be enhanced, for example by implementing multidisciplinary agreements.

Feasibility of a pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention for community-dwelling Māori older adults

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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A medicines review model developed with and for older Māori was feasible to deliver.

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Medicines reviews led to medicine and non-medicine related recommendations.

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Almost 10 recommendations were made per participant with high prescriber acceptance.

Impact of community-pharmacist-led medication review programmes on patient outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The role of pharmacists has evolved over the past few decades from being product-oriented to being service-oriented. Community-pharmacist-led medication review programmes have been commissioned in different countries under different names. The services provided by general pharmacists can have a positive impact on patient health, but the impact of the services offered by community pharmacists is relatively unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of community-pharmacist-based medication review programmes among patients with long-term conditions.

METHODS

The electronic databases Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Embase were searched from their inception until January 2020 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in the English language assessing the effectiveness of community-pharmacist-led medication review programmes on patients' clinical and healthcare utilisation outcomes. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool data statistically, where applicable. The study protocol was published in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020165693).

RESULTS

Forty-two reports of 40 RCTs were included in the systematic review, and 12 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to the control, a significant improvement was noted in the community-pharmacist-based medication review group for the following outcomes: blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes (mean difference [MD] in systolic blood pressure [SBP]: 6.82 [95% CI -11.33, -2.32]; MD in diastolic blood pressure [DBP]: 2.13 [95% CI -3.35, -0.92]) and in the hypertension patients (MD in SBP: 6.21 [95% CI -13.26, 0.85]; MD in DBP: 2.11 [95% CI -6.47, 2.26]), HbA1c in patients with diabetes (MD -0.61; 95% CI -0.96, -0.25), and total cholesterol (TC) in patients with hyperlipidaemia (MD -0.18; 95% CI -0.32, -0.05).

CONCLUSION

Community-pharmacist-led medication review can improve certain clinical and healthcare utilisation outcomes in patients with long-term conditions.

Patient-centred innovation for multimorbidity care: a mixed-methods, randomised trial and qualitative study of the patients' experience

Background

Patient-centred interventions to help patients with multimorbidity have had mixed results.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a provider-created, patient-centred, multi-provider case conference with follow-up, and understand under what circumstances it worked, and did not work.

Design and setting

Mixed-methods design with a pragmatic randomised trial and qualitative study, involving nine urban primary care sites in Ontario, Canada.

Method

Patients aged 18–80 years with ≥3 chronic conditions were referred to the Telemedicine IMPACT Plus intervention; a nurse and patient planned a multi-provider case conference during which a care plan could be created. The patients were randomised into an intervention or control group. Two subgroup analyses and a fidelity assessment were conducted, with the primary outcomes at 4 months being self-management and self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes were mental and physical health status, quality of life, and health behaviours. A thematic analysis explored the patients’ experiences of the intervention.

Results

A total of 86 patients in the intervention group and 77 in the control group showed no differences, except that the intervention improved mental health status in the subgroup with an annual income of ≥C$50 000 (β-coefficient 11.003, P = 0.006). More providers and follow-up hours were associated with poorer outcomes. Five themes were identified in the qualitative study: valuing the team, patients feeling supported, receiving a follow-up plan, being offered new and helpful additions to their treatment regimen, and experiencing positive outcomes.

Conclusion

Overall, the intervention showed improvements only for patients who had an annual income of ≥C$50 000, implying a need to address the costs of intervention components not covered by existing health policies. Findings suggest a need to optimise team composition by revising the number and type of providers according to patient preferences and to enhance the hours of nurse follow-up to better support the patient in carrying out the case conference’s recommendations.

Effect of the OPTIMAL programme on self-management of multimorbidity in primary care: a randomised controlled trial

Background

Effective primary care interventions for multimorbidity are needed.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based, 6-week, occupational therapy-led self-management support programme (OPTIMAL) for patients with multimorbidity.

Design and setting

A pragmatic parallel randomised controlled trial across eight primary care teams in Eastern Ireland with 149 patients with multimorbidity, from November 2015 to December 2018. Intervention was OPTIMAL with a usual care comparison.

Method

Primary outcomes were health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3L) and frequency of activity participation (Frenchay Activities Index [FAI]). Secondary outcomes included independence in activities of daily living, occupational performance and satisfaction, anxiety and depression, self-efficacy, and healthcare utilisation. Complete case linear regression analyses were conducted. Age (<65/≥65 years) and the number of chronic conditions (<4/≥4) were explored further.

Results

A total of 124 (83.2%) and 121 (81.2%) participants had complete data at immediate and 6-month post-intervention follow-up, respectively. Intervention participants had significant improvement in EQ-VAS (visual analogue scale) at immediate follow-up (adjusted mean difference [aMD] = 7.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.92 to 14.80) but no difference in index score (aMD = 0.04; 95% CI = −0.06 to 0.13) or FAI (aMD = 1.22; 95% CI = −0.84 to 3.29). At 6-month follow-up there were no differences in primary outcomes and mixed results for secondary outcomes. Pre-planned subgroup analyses suggested participants aged <65 years were more likely to benefit.

Conclusion

OPTIMAL was found to be ineffective in improving health-related quality of life or activity participation at 6-month follow-up. Existing multimorbidity interventions tend to focus on older adults; preplanned subgroup analyses results in the present study suggest that future research should target younger adults (<65 years) with multimorbidity.

Systematic review of pragmatic randomised control trials assessing the effectiveness of professional pharmacy services in community pharmacies

BACKGROUND

Implementation of Professional Pharmacy Services (PPSs) requires a demonstration of the service's impact (efficacy) and its effectiveness. Several systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials (RCT) have shown the efficacy of PPSs in patient's outcomes in community pharmacy. There is, however, a need to determine the level of evidence on the effectiveness of PPSs in daily practice by means of pragmatic trials. To identify and analyse pragmatic RCTs that measure the effectiveness of PPSs in clinical, economic and humanistic outcomes in the community pharmacy setting.

METHODS

A systematic search was undertaken in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and SCIELO. The search was performed on January 31, 2020. Papers were assessed against the following inclusion criteria (1) The intervention could be defined as a PPS; (2) Undertaken in a community pharmacy setting; (3) Was an original paper; (4) Reported quantitative measures of at least one health outcome indicator (ECHO model); (5) The design was considered as a pragmatic RCT, that is, it fulfilled 3 predefined attributes. External validity was analyzed with PRECIS- 2 tool.

RESULTS

The search strategy retrieved 1,587 papers. A total of 12 pragmatic RCTs assessing 5 different types of PPSs were included. Nine out of the 12 papers showed positive statistically significant differences in one or more of the primary outcomes (clinical, economic or humanistic) that could be associated with the following PPS: Smoking cessation, Dispensing/Adherence service, Independent prescribing and MTM. No paper reported on cost-effectiveness outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited available evidence on the effectiveness of community-based PPS. Pragmatic RCTs to evaluate clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes of PPS are needed.

The Effect of a Comprehensive, Interdisciplinary Medication Review on Quality of Life and Medication Use in Community Dwelling Older People with Polypharmacy

Background: We conducted a comprehensive medication review at the patients’ home, using data from electronic patient records, and with input from relevant specialists, general practitioners and pharmacists formulated and implemented recommendations to optimize medication use in patients aged 60+ years with polypharmacy. We evaluated the effect of this medication review on quality of life (QoL) and medication use. Methods: Cluster randomized controlled trial (stepped wedge), randomly assigning general practices to one of three consecutive steps. Patients received usual care until the intervention was implemented. Primary outcome was QoL (SF-36 and EQ-5D); secondary outcomes were medication changes, medication adherence and (instrumental) activities of daily living (ADL, iADL) which were measured at baseline, and around 6- and 12-months post intervention. Results: Twenty-four general practices included 360 women and 410 men with an average age of 75 years (SD 7.5). A positive effect on SF-36 mental health (estimated mean was stable in the intervention, but decreased in the control condition with −6.1, p = 0.009,) was found with a reduced number of medications at follow-up compared to the control condition. No significant effects were found on other QoL subscales, ADL, iADL or medication adherence. Conclusion: The medication review prevented decrease of mental health (SF36), with no significant effects on other outcome measures, apart from a reduction in the number of prescribed medications.

Guidance for appropriate use of psychotropic drugs in older people

Psychotropic drugs are widely prescribed in older people although their use is associated with important risks. In this position paper, we discuss the appropriateness of using these medications in older people in terms of different aspects such as indications, contraindications, dosing, adverse drug reactions, interactions and duration of therapy. Consequently, we discuss different strategies to increase the appropriateness of therapy while formulating some practical recommendations to keep in mind when (de)prescribing psychotropic drugs in older people.

Frailty and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome - Findings from the Healthy Older People Everyday (HOPE) Study

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and frailty are both associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Frailty is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL) but association of QoL with MetS have produced mixed results suggesting that other factors such as disease burden, obesity and depression may have a more significant influence. We aim to investigate the demographics of frail participants with MetS, and relationship between frailty and QoL in MetS.

METHODS

Cross-sectional population study involving 292 older adults ≥ 65 years with MetS. MetS was defined using the Modified ATP III for Asians which requires the presence of 3 or more of the following 5 components 1) waist circumference ≥ 90cm for males or ≥ 80cm for females, 2) TG ≥ 150mg/dL, 3) HDLc < 40mg/dL in males or < 50mg/dL in females, 4) blood pressure ≥ 130/85mmHg or use of anti-hypertensive medication, and 5) fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100mg/dL or use of pharmacological treatment for diabetes mellitus. Data were collected on demographics, frailty (FRAIL), QoL (Euroqol-5D), perceived health, functional status, cognition, Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG), and hand-grip strength (HGS).

RESULTS

40.4% of the participants were pre-frail (MetSprefrail) and 7.2% were frail (MetSfrail). MetSfrail were significantly older, had lower education level, higher polypharmacy burden and higher prevalence of diabetes. The prevalence of at least 1 activity of daily living impairment was 4 times higher, and depression 9 times higher than their robust counterparts. MetSfrail also had longer TUG, higher prevalence of poor grip strength and poor perceived health. After adjusting for age, gender and education, MetSfrail was significantly associated with much higher odds of EQ-5D moderate to extreme problems with mobility (Odds Ratio (OR) =10.99, CI 2.62-46.14), usual activities (OR=37.82, CI 3.77-379.04) and pain (OR=10.79, CI 3.18-36.62). EQ-5D Index Value and Perceived Health improved by 0.1 (Mean Difference (MD) =0.07, CI 0.04-0.10) and 6.0 (MD=6.01, CI 3.29-8.73) respectively as frailty status improved.

CONCLUSION

Frailty in MetS is associated with depression, polypharmacy, greater functional impairment, poorer QoL and perceived health. Frailty screening and personalized management is crucial in MetS as frailty may be a mediator for negative outcomes in MetS, and frailty may be reversible.

For which patient subgroups are there positive outcomes from a medication review? A systematic review

Background:

A medication review is a possibility to assess and optimise a patient’s medicine. A model that includes a medication review and a follow-up seem to provide the best results. However, it is not known whether specific subgroups of patients benefit more from a medication review than others.

Objective:

This literature review summarises the evidence that is available on which patient subgroups exist positive outcomes from a medication review carried out in a primary care setting.

Methods:

We performed a PICO analysis to identify keywords for setting, medication review and effect. We then conducted a search using the PubMed database (2004 to 2019) to identify studies relevant for our investigation. A screening process was carried out based on either title or abstract, and any study that matched the aim and inclusion criteria was included. All matching studies were obtained and read, and were included if they met predefined criteria such as study design, medication review and primary care. The studies were divided into subgroups. First, each subgroup was divided according to the studies’ own definition. Secondly, each subgroup was allocated as either risk patients if the subgroup described a specific patient subgroup or risk medication, if the subgroup was defined as using a specific type of medication. This was done after discussion in the author group.

Results:

28 studies from a total of 935 studies were included. Identified studies were divided into either risk patients; frail, recently discharged or multimorbid patients, or risk medication; heart medication, antithrombotic medication, blood pressure lowering medication, antidiabetic medication, anti-Parkinson medication or medication increasing the risk of falls. The subgroups identified from a medication review in primary care were defined as being frail, recently discharged from hospital or multimorbid (risk patients), or defined as patients using anticoagulant or blood pressure lowering medication (risk medication). Most of the medication reviews in the studies that showed an economic effect included at least one follow-up and were delivered by a pharmacist.

Conclusions:

The literature review demonstrates that medication reviews delivered by pharmacists to specific subgroups of patients are a way of optimising the economic effect of medication reviews in primary care. This is obtained by reducing health-related costs or the number of contacts with primary or secondary health care services.

Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analysis of a clinical medication review focused on personal goals in older persons with polypharmacy compared to usual care: Economic evaluation of the DREAMeR study

AIMS

The ageing society may lead to increasing healthcare expenditure. A clinical medication review (CMR) could potentially reduce costs. The aim of this study is to perform a cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective of a patient-centred CMR.

METHODS

A trial-based cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analysis was performed as part of the DREAMeR study, a pragmatic controlled trial that randomised patients aged ≥70 years using at least seven drugs to either CMR or usual care. Over six months, healthcare consumption and drug use were collected to estimate costs, and effects were collected in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) measured with EQ-5D-5 L and EQ-VAS and as reduced health-related complaints with impact on patients' daily lives.

RESULTS

The total mean costs per patient (n = 588) over six months were €4,189 ± 6,596 for the control group (n = 294) and €4,008 ± 6,678 for the intervention group (n = 294), including estimated intervention costs of €199 ± 67, which resulted in a mean incremental total cost savings of €181 for the intervention group compared to the control group. Compared to the control group, for the intervention group, the mean incremental QALYs over six months were: -0.00217 measured with EQ-5D and 0.003 measured with EQ-VAS. The incremental effect of reduced health-related complaints with impact was -0.34. There was a likelihood of >90% that the intervention was cost-saving.

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of a patient-centred CMR were inconsistent with no benefits on HR-QoL measured with EQ-5D-5 L and small benefits on HR-QoL measured with EQ-VAS and health-related complaints with impact on patients' daily lives. Additionally, a CMR could potentially be cost saving from a societal perspective.

Evaluation of the General Practice Pharmacist (GPP) intervention to optimise prescribing in Irish primary care: a non-randomised pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Limited evidence suggests integration of pharmacists into the general practice team could improve medicines management for patients, particularly those with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. This study aimed to develop and assess the feasibility of an intervention involving pharmacists, working within general practices, to optimise prescribing in Ireland.

DESIGN

Non-randomised pilot study.

SETTING

Primary care in Ireland.

PARTICIPANTS

Four general practices, purposively sampled and recruited to reflect a range of practice sizes and demographic profiles.

INTERVENTION

A pharmacist joined the practice team for 6 months (10 hours/week) and undertook medication reviews (face to face or chart based) for adult patients, provided prescribing advice, supported clinical audits and facilitated practice-based education.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Anonymised practice-level medication (eg, medication changes) and cost data were collected. Patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) data were collected on a subset of older adults (aged ≥65 years) with polypharmacy using patient questionnaires, before and 6 weeks after medication review by the pharmacist.

RESULTS

Across four practices, 786 patients were identified as having 1521 prescribing issues by the pharmacists. Issues relating to deprescribing medications were addressed most often by the prescriber (59.8%), compared with cost-related issues (5.8%). Medication changes made during the study equated to approximately €57 000 in cost savings assuming they persisted for 12 months. Ninety-six patients aged ≥65 years with polypharmacy were recruited from the four practices for PROM data collection and 64 (66.7%) were followed up. There were no changes in patients' treatment burden or attitudes to deprescribing following medication review, and there were conflicting changes in patients' self-reported quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

This non-randomised pilot study demonstrated that an intervention involving pharmacists, working within general practices is feasible to implement and has potential to improve prescribing quality. This study provides rationale to conduct a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of this intervention.

Simplifying Medication Regimens for People Receiving Community-Based Home Care Services: Outcomes of a Non-Randomized Pilot and Feasibility Study

Purpose

Being able to manage a complex medication regimen is key to older people continuing to live at home. This study determined the feasibility of a multi-component intervention to simplify medication regimens for people receiving community-based home care services.

Patients and Methods

Research nurses recruited people receiving community-based home care services to participate in this non-randomized pilot and feasibility study (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001130257). Participants received a one-off clinical pharmacist intervention comprising medication reconciliation, assessment of capacity to self-manage medications, and application of a structured 5-step tool to identify medication simplification opportunities. A mixed-methods feasibility assessment with an explanatory design was undertaken to assess recruitment, protocol adherence and stakeholder acceptability. Data from interviews with 12 stakeholders were thematically analyzed. Secondary outcome measures, including medication discrepancies, and changes in number of medication administration times per day, quality of life, medication adherence and health service utilization, were determined over a 4-month follow-up.

Results

Twenty-five out of the target 50 participants were recruited. Initial recruitment was impacted by apparent uncertain role responsibilities in medication management, with some clients who declined to participate perceiving they would be unlikely to benefit or being reluctant to change regimens. However, with few exceptions, participants who received intervention did so with a high degree of protocol adherence and acceptability. Stakeholders valued the intervention and supported wider implementation. Discrepancies between the baseline medication history from the general medical practitioner and the pharmacist-compiled “best possible medication history” were identified for all participants’ regimens (median of 6 per participant), with one-third resolved at follow-up. Simplification was possible for 14 participants (56%) and implemented for 7 (50%) at follow-up. No significant changes in other secondary outcomes were observed.

Conclusion

The intervention was delivered as planned, and valued by stakeholders. Recruitment barriers should be addressed before wider implementation.

Association between polypharmacy and health-related quality of life among US adults with cardiometabolic risk factors

PURPOSE

There are known associations between cardiometabolic risk factors and polypharmacy; however, there is no evidence about how polypharmacy among adults with cardiometabolic risk factors impacts their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The main objective of this study was to assess the association between polypharmacy and HRQoL among adults with cardiometabolic risk factors living in the USA.

METHODS

Individuals age ≥ 18 years with at least one of the three cardiometabolic risk factors (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) were identified from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2015 data. We defined polypharmacy as use of at least five classes of prescription medications. Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were obtained from the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 to measure HRQoL. We conducted adjusted ordinary least-square regressions to determine the association between polypharmacy and HRQoL.

RESULTS

We identified 7621 (weighted N = 80 million) adults with at least one cardiometabolic risk factors of whom 46.9% reported polypharmacy. Polypharmacy was noted in 29.7% of those with hypertension, whereas 82.4% of those with all the three cardiometabolic risk factors had polypharmacy. The unadjusted mean PCS and MCS scores for those with polypharmacy were lower than those without polypharmacy. In the multivariable regressions, we found that adults with polypharmacy had significantly lower PCS scores (β = - 4.27, p < 0.0001) compared to those without polypharmacy, while the MCS scores between those with and without polypharmacy were no longer significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Surveillance of use of concurrent prescription medications is warranted so as to improve physical functioning in this vulnerable group.