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Tampaki M, Livada A, Fourka MN, Lazaridou E, Kotsani M, Benetos A, Sfikakis PP, Kravvariti E. Inappropriate prescribing in geriatric rural primary care: impact on adverse outcomes and relevant risk factors in a prospective observational cohort study. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:1901-1907. [PMID: 37428424 PMCID: PMC10460359 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several tools have revealed an association between potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and adverse outcomes, but the one most fitted for the rural population has not been determined. AIMS We investigated the performance of the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to the Right Treatment (START) in identifying inappropriate prescribing and its association with adverse outcomes among older rural primary health care users. METHODS A cohort of consenting outpatients aged ≥ 65 years in a rural Greek primary care center was assessed for PIM and potential prescribing omissions (PPO) using the START/STOPP version 2 criteria. Medications, comorbidities, functional status, and laboratory data were recorded along with 6-month incidence of emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death prospectively. RESULTS Among 104 participants (median age 78 years, 49.1% women, receiving a median of 6 drugs), PPO was found in 78% and PIMs in 61%. PIM was multivariately correlated with multimorbidity (p = 0.029) and polypharmacy (p < 0,001), while drug-PPO was only associated with multimorbidity (p = 0.039). The number of PIM predicted emergency department visits and hospitalizations at 6-month follow-up (p value 0.011), independent of age, sex, frailty, comorbidities, and total medication number. DISCUSSION The START/STOPP tool is useful in identifying inappropriate prescribing patterns leading to increased utilization of acute care services in older adults followed at a rural primary care setting. CONCLUSION Inappropriate prescribing as identified by the START/STOPP criteria is prevalent among older adults with multimorbidity in rural primary care, and independently associated with future acute care visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tampaki
- Postgraduate Medical Studies in Geriatric Syndromes and Physiology of Aging, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Livada
- Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Niki Fourka
- Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece
| | - Elli Lazaridou
- Primary Medical Care Unit of Marmari, S. Evia, General Hospital of Karystos, Karystos, Greece
| | - Marina Kotsani
- Pôle « Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie Et Soins Palliatifs », Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, Nancy, France
- Hellenic Society for the Study and Research of Aging, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanase Benetos
- Pôle « Maladies du Vieillissement, Gérontologie Et Soins Palliatifs », and INSERM DCAC u1116, Université de Lorraine, CHRU-Nancy, 54000, Nancy, France
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias St., Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Evrydiki Kravvariti
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias St., Goudi, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Perpétuo C, Plácido AI, Aperta J, Figueiras A, Herdeiro MT, Roque F. Potentially Inappropriate Medication at Admission and at Discharge: A Geriatric Study in an Internal Medicine Service in Portugal. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4955. [PMID: 36981864 PMCID: PMC10048997 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and polypharmacy, and with the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). This study aimed to analyze the variation in PIMs from hospital admission to discharge. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on inpatients of an internal medicine service. According to the Beers criteria, 80.7% of the patients had been prescribed at least one PIM at admission and 87.2% at discharge; metoclopramide was the most-prescribed PIM from admission to discharge, and acetylsalicylic acid was the most-deprescribed one. According to the STOPP criteria, 49.4% of patients had been prescribed at least one PIM at admission and 62.2% at discharge; quetiapine was the most-prescribed PIM from admission to discharge, and captopril was the most-deprescribed one. According to the EU(7)-PIM list, 51.3% of patients had been prescribed at least one PIM at admission and 70.3% at discharge, and bisacodyl was the most-prescribed PIM from admission to discharge and propranolol the most-deprescribed one. It was found that the number of PIMs at discharge was higher than at admission, suggesting the need to develop a guide with adapted criteria to be applied in an internal medicine service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Perpétuo
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI/IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
- Local Health Unit of Guarda, 6300-035 Guarda, Portugal
| | - Ana I. Plácido
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI/IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
| | - Jorge Aperta
- Local Health Unit of Guarda, 6300-035 Guarda, Portugal
- Sociedade Portuguesa de Farmacêuticos dos Cuidados de Saúde (SPFCS), Rua D. Manuel I, 74 1° Piso, 3030-320 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Adolfo Figueiras
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15786 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15786 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- Sociedade Portuguesa de Farmacêuticos dos Cuidados de Saúde (SPFCS), Rua D. Manuel I, 74 1° Piso, 3030-320 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED-UA), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fátima Roque
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic of Guarda (UDI/IPG), 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal
- Health Science Research Center (CICS/UBI), University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
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DAL Ş, UÇAR N, ALTIPARMAK Ö, SANCAR M, OKUYAN B. Medication Review in Turkish Older Adults at Community Pharmacy: A Pilot Study by Using Medication Appropriateness Index. CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1012114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate medication review in older adults (≥65 years) at a community pharmacy by identifying the prevalence of potentiality inappropriate medication and calculating medication appropriateness index.
Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in a community pharmacy for six months. The older adults (≥65 years) using one or more medications were included. During clinical pharmacist-led medication review; the medication appropriateness index was calculated for each medication of older adults. Potentially inappropriate medications were evaluated according to the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria®.
Result: Among a hundred older adults, 46.0% were female. The median age of the patients was 75.5 (IQR, 68.0-78.8). The median number of medications was 9.0 (7.0-10.0). Polypharmacy has been detected in 97.0% of the patients. At least one potentially inappropriate medication was detected in 63.0% of them. The median score of medication appropriateness index score was 53.0 (IQR: 38.6-67.9).
Conclusion: To best our knowledge, this is the first study of clinical pharmacist-led medication review by calculating the medication appropriateness index carried out at a community pharmacy in Turkey. There was a high rate of potentially inappropriate medication with a higher score of medication appropriateness in older adults. This study highlights the importance of medication review led by the clinical pharmacist at community pharmacy to optimize medication usage in older adults.
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Ambulatory Medication Safety in Primary Care: A Systematic Review. J Am Board Fam Med 2022; 35:610-628. [PMID: 35641040 PMCID: PMC9730343 DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.03.210334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To review the literature on medication safety in primary care in the electronic health record era. METHODS Included studies measured rates and outcomes of medication safety in patients whose prescriptions were written in primary care clinics with electronic prescribing. Four investigators independently reviewed titles and analyzed abstracts with dual-reviewer review for eligibility, characteristics, and risk of bias. RESULTS Of 1464 articles identified, 56 met the inclusion criteria. Forty-three studies were noninterventional and 13 included an intervention. The majority of the studies (30) used their own definition of error. The most common outcomes were potentially inappropriate prescribing/medications (PIPs), adverse drug events (ADEs), and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). Most of the studies only included high-risk subpopulations (39), usually older adults taking > 4 medications. The rate of PIPs varied widely (0.19% to 98.2%). The rate of ADEs was lower (0.47% to 14.7%). There was poor correlation of PIP and PPO with documented ADEs leading to physical harm. CONCLUSIONS This literature is limited by its inconsistent and highly variable outcomes. The majority of medication safety studies in primary care were in high-risk populations and measured potential harms rather than actual harms. Applying algorithms to primary care medication lists significantly overestimates rate of actual harms.
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Rodrigues DA, Plácido AI, Mateos-Campos R, Figueiras A, Herdeiro MT, Roque F. Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Older Patients: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:777655. [PMID: 35140603 PMCID: PMC8819092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.777655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Age-related multiple comorbidities cause older adults to be prone to the use of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM) resulting in an increased risk of adverse events. Several strategies have emerged to support PIM prescription, and a huge number of interventions to reduce PIM have been proposed. This work aims to analyze the effectiveness of PIM interventions directed to older adults. Methods: A systematic review was performed searching the literature in the MEDLINE PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane scientific databases for interventional studies that assessed the PIM interventions in older adults (≥65 years). Results: Forty-seven articles were included, involving 52 to 124,802 patients. Various types of interventions were analyzed such as medication review, educational strategies, clinical decision support system, and organizational and multifaceted approaches. In the hospital, the most successful intervention was medication review (75.0%), while in primary care, the analysis of all included studies revealed that educational strategies were the most effective. However, the analysis of interventions that have greater evidence by its design was inconclusive. Conclusion: The results obtained in this work suggested that PIM-setting-directed interventions should be developed to promote the wellbeing of the patients through PIM reduction. Although the data obtained suggested that medication review was the most assertive strategy to decrease the number of PIM in the hospital setting, more studies are necessary. Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021233484], identifier [PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021233484].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A. Rodrigues
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Guarda, Portugal
| | - Ana I. Plácido
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Guarda, Portugal
| | - Ramona Mateos-Campos
- Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Adolfo Figueiras
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health-CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Herdeiro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fátima Roque
- Research Unit for Inland Development, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (UDI-IPG), Guarda, Portugal
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior (CICS-UBI), Covilhã, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Fátima Roque,
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Baré M, Lleal M, Ortonobes S, Gorgas MQ, Sevilla-Sánchez D, Carballo N, De Jaime E, Herranz S. Factors associated to potentially inappropriate prescribing in older patients according to STOPP/START criteria: MoPIM multicentre cohort study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:44. [PMID: 35016636 PMCID: PMC8751453 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02715-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of the present analyses are to estimate the frequency of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) at admission according to STOPP/START criteria version 2 in older patients hospitalised due to chronic disease exacerbation as well as to identify risk factors associated to the most frequent active principles as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). METHODS A multicentre, prospective cohort study including older patients (≥65) hospitalized due to chronic disease exacerbation at the internal medicine or geriatric services of 5 hospitals in Spain between September 2016 and December 2018 was conducted. Demographic and clinical data was collected, and a medication review process using STOPP/START criteria version 2 was performed, considering both PIMs and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). Primary outcome was defined as the presence of any most frequent principles as PIMs, and secondary outcomes were the frequency of any PIM and PPO. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted on all outcomes and multilevel logistic regression analysis, stratified by participating centre, was performed on the primary outcome. RESULTS A total of 740 patients were included (mean age 84.1, 53.2% females), 93.8% of them presenting polypharmacy, with a median of 10 chronic prescriptions. Among all, 603 (81.5%) patients presented at least one PIP, 542 (73.2%) any PIM and 263 (35.5%) any PPO. Drugs prescribed without an evidence-based clinical indication were the most frequent PIM (33.8% of patients); vitamin D supplement in older people who are housebound or experiencing falls or with osteopenia was the most frequent PPO (10.3%). The most frequent active principles as PIMs were proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and benzodiazepines (BZDs), present in 345 (46.6%) patients. This outcome was found significantly associated with age, polypharmacy and essential tremor in an explanatory model with 71% AUC. CONCLUSIONS PIMs at admission are highly prevalent in these patients, especially those involving PPIs or BZDs, which affected almost half of the patients. Therefore, these drugs may be considered as the starting point for medication review and deprescription. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02830425.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Baré
- Institutional Committee for the Improvement of Clinical Practice Adequacy, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Parc Taulí 1, 08208, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain. .,Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Sabadell, Spain.
| | - Marina Lleal
- Institutional Committee for the Improvement of Clinical Practice Adequacy, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Parc Taulí 1, 08208, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sara Ortonobes
- Pharmacy Department, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Maria Queralt Gorgas
- Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC), Sabadell, Spain.,Pharmacy Department, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | | | - Nuria Carballo
- Pharmacy Department, Consorci Parc de Salut MAR, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Susana Herranz
- Acute Geriatric Unit, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
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Bai I, Isenor JE, Reeve E, Whelan AM, Martin-Misener R, Burgess S, Kennie-Kaulbach N. Using the behavior change wheel to link published deprescribing strategies to identified local primary healthcare needs. Res Social Adm Pharm 2021; 18:3350-3357. [PMID: 34895842 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy is a major global problem. Evidence in primary care shows deprescribing can be beneficial. Behaviour change theories such as the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) can help develop successful implementation of deprescribing initiatives. OBJECTIVES To link locally identified deprescribing influencers with components of successfully trialed deprescribing strategies, with the aim of informing the development of local deprescribing initiatives. METHODS Two background studies were completed. A qualitative study of interviews and focus groups identified influencers of deprescribing from local primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. Transcripts were coded using the TDF and mapped to the Intervention Functions of the BCW. A scoping review identified studies that investigated primary care deprescribing strategies, which were mapped to the BCW Intervention Functions and the Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs). For this analysis, six main TDF domains from the qualitative study were linked to the BCTs identified in the scoping review through the Intervention Functions of the BCW. RESULTS Within the BCW component Capability, one TDF domain identified in the qualitative study, Memory, Attention and Decision Process, was linked to strategies like academic detailing from the scoping review. For the Opportunity component, two TDF domains, Social Influences and Environmental Context and Resources, were linked to strategies such as pharmacist medication reviews, providing patient information leaflets, and evidence-based deprescribing tools. For the Motivation component, three TDF domains, Social/Professional Role and Identity, Intentions, and Beliefs about Consequences, were linked to strategies such as sending deprescribing information to prescribers, using tools to identify eligible patients, and having patients report adverse events of medications. CONCLUSIONS This analysis identified deprescribing strategies that can be used to address influencers related to behaviour change from the perspective of primary care providers, and to assist with future deprescribing initiative development and implementation in the local context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Bai
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Ave, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jennifer E Isenor
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Emily Reeve
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada; Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Geriatric Medicine Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Anne Marie Whelan
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Ruth Martin-Misener
- School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, 5869 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sarah Burgess
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada; Pharmacy Department, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Gangannagaripalli J, Porter I, Davey A, Ricci Cabello I, Greenhalgh J, Anderson R, Briscoe S, Hughes C, Payne R, Cockcroft E, Harris J, Bramwell C, Valderas JM. STOPP/START interventions to improve medicines management for people aged 65 years and over: a realist synthesis. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr09230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Drug-related problems and potentially inappropriate prescribing impose a huge burden on patients and the health-care system. The most widely used tools for appropriate prescription in older adults in England and in other European countries are the Screening Tool of Older People’s Prescriptions (STOPP)/Screening Tool to Alert to the Right Treatment (START) tools. STOPP/START tools support medicines optimisation for older adults.
Objectives
To identify, test and refine the programme theories underlying how interventions based on the STOPP/START tools are intended to work, for whom, in what circumstances and why, as well as the resource use and cost requirements or impacts.
Design
A realist synthesis.
Setting
Primary care, hospital care and nursing homes.
Patients
Patients aged ≥ 65 years.
Interventions
Any intervention based on the use of the STOPP/START tools.
Review methods
Database and web-searching was carried out to retrieve relevant evidence to identify and test programme theories about how interventions based on the use of the STOPP/START tools work. A project reference group made up of health-care professionals, NHS decision-makers, older people, carers and members of the public was set up. In phase 1 we identified programme theories about STOPP/START interventions on how, for whom, in what contexts and why they are intended to work. We searched the peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify documents relevant to the research questions. We interviewed experts in the field in our reference group to gain input on our list of candidate context–mechanism–outcome configurations, to identify additional context–mechanism–outcome configurations and to identify additional literature and/or relevant concepts. In phase 2 we reviewed and synthesised relevant published and unpublished empirical evidence and tested the programme theories using evidence from a larger set of empirical studies.
Results
We developed a single logic model structured around three key mechanisms: (1) personalisation, (2) systematisation and (3) evidence implementation. Personalisation: STOPP/START-based interventions are based on shared decision-making, taking into account patient preferences, experiences and expectations (mechanisms), leading to increased patient awareness, adherence, satisfaction, empowerment and quality of life (outcomes). Systematisation: STOPP/START tools provide a standardised/systematic approach for medication reviews (mechanisms), leading to changes in professional and organisational culture and burden/costs (outcomes). Evidence implementation: delivery of STOPP/START-based interventions is based on the implementation of best evidence (mechanisms), reducing adverse outcomes through appropriate prescribing/deprescribing (outcomes). For theory testing, we identified 40 studies of the impact of STOPP/START-based interventions in hospital settings, nursing homes, primary care and community pharmacies. Most of the interventions used multiple mechanisms. We found support for the impact of the personalisation and evidence implementation mechanisms on selected outcome variables, but similar impact was achieved by interventions not relying on these mechanisms. We also observed that the impact of interventions was linked to the proximity of the selected outcomes to the intervention in the logic model, resulting in a clearer benefit for appropriateness of prescribing, adverse drug events and prescription costs.
Limitations
None of the available studies had been explicitly designed for evaluating underlying causal mechanisms, and qualitative information was sparse.
Conclusions
No particular configuration of the interventions is associated with a greater likelihood of improved outcomes in given settings.
Study registration
This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42018110795.
Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 23. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian Porter
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Antoinette Davey
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Ignacio Ricci Cabello
- Gerència d’Atenció Primària de Mallorca, Fundació Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Illes Balears – IdISBa, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Joanne Greenhalgh
- School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rob Anderson
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- Evidence Synthesis & Modelling for Health Improvement (ESMI) Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Simon Briscoe
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Carmel Hughes
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Rupert Payne
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Emma Cockcroft
- National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for the South West Peninsula, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Jim Harris
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Charlotte Bramwell
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Jose M Valderas
- Health Services and Policy Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
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The appropriateness of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drug prescriptions in hospitalized patients in an internal medicine ward. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:2849-2855. [PMID: 31667796 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy increases the risk of potentially inappropriate prescribing. STOPP&START criteria identify a group of drugs representing inappropriate medication and a group of drugs representing potential prescribing omissions. AIMS To evaluate the appropriateness of prescription of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in a sample of patients admitted to an internal medicine ward and their impact on three different outcomes: length of hospitalization, intra-hospital death, and risk of re-admission in the hospital. METHODS We analyzed a cohort of 485 inpatients followed for 1 year after discharge from the hospital. RESULTS The study sample had a mean age of 70.4 ± 17.6 years, and 48.9% were female. Clinical indication for antiplatelet was not appropriate in 41.2% of the subjects. Anticoagulant therapy was not appropriate in 22.8% of the subjects: there was incorrect clinical indication in 5/33 and inappropriate dosing in 28/33. START criteria for antiplatelet drug, but neither STOPP criteria for antiplatelet nor for anticoagulant was positively associated with the length of hospitalization (t = 3.08, p < 0.01). START criteria for anticoagulant medication were associated with greater odds of intra-hospital mortality (OR 5.16, 95% CI 1.92-13.85, p < 0.0001) and with lower odds of re-admission to the hospital within 12 months (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.18-0.80, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION The non-prescription of antiplatelet is associated with longer length of hospitalization. The presence of START criteria for anticoagulant is associated with increased risk of intra-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS The appropriateness of prescription is a global burden especially in older subjects, while it increases the risk of fatal and non-fatal complications, side effects, and, consequently, higher health-care costs.
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Pala E, Ersoy S, Engin VS, Benli AR. Effectiveness of STOPP/START criteria in primary prevention of polypharmacy and under-treatment in older patients. Therapie 2021; 77:361-369. [PMID: 34454744 DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2021.07.003] [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: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY STOPP/START criteria appear to be a useful tool to curb inappropriate prescribing (IP), which encompasses errors of both, over and under-treatment. This study aimed to find out whether application of STOPP/START reduces the IP effectively in primary care. METHODS This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in two family health centers (FHCs) in Istanbul. All older adults who applied to FHCs between 01-07-2018 and 01-07-2020 were enrolled. The potential inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescription omissions (PPOs) were identified according to STOPP/START version 2 criteria. Mean drug consumptions before and after STOPP/START were compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS Among 1023 participants there were 626 females and 397 males. The mean age was 73.33±7.30 years. The number of the patients seen at FHCs was 657 (64.2%) while 366 (35.8%) of them were visited at home. Of the patients, 383 (37.8) were 75 years old or older and 631 (62.2%) of them were under 75. Overall number of drugs consumed per patient was 5.49±3.93 while it was 6.01±3.71 and 4.55±4.138 for outpatients and home patients respectively (p<0.001). By application of STOPP criteria, among the 5616 medications consumed by the overall patients, 881(%15.6) of them were found to be potentially inappropriate. 424 (41.4%) patients were using at least one PIM. This ratio was 354 (53.8%) in outpatients and 70 (19%) in home patients. START criteria identified 380 (%7.4) PPOs. There were 246 (24.0%) patients with at least with one PPO; 155 (42.3%) of whom were home patients and 91 (13.8%) were outpatients. Regarding the age groups; PIM ratio was 35.5% in patients under 75 and 52.1% over 75 whereas PPO ratio was 22.5% under 75 and 26.8% over 75. CONCLUSION This study supports the data reporting the effectiveness of STOPP/START criteria in primary care units in implementing appropriate prescription criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emin Pala
- University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Ersoy
- University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, 34668 Istanbul, Turkey.
| | | | - Ali Ramazan Benli
- Karabuk University, Medical Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, 55900 Karabuk, Turkey
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11
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Ie K, Aoshima S, Yabuki T, Albert SM. A narrative review of evidence to guide deprescribing among older adults. J Gen Fam Med 2021; 22:182-196. [PMID: 34221792 PMCID: PMC8245739 DOI: 10.1002/jgf2.464] [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: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Potentially inappropriate prescription and polypharmacy are well‐known risk factors for morbidity and mortality among older adults. However, recent systematic reviews have failed to demonstrate the overall survival benefits of deprescribing. Thus, it is necessary to synthesize the current evidence to provide a practical direction for future research and clinical practice. This review summarizes the existing body of evidence regarding deprescribing to identify useful intervention elements. There is evidence that even simple interventions, such as direct deprescribing targeted at risky medications and explicit criteria‐based approaches, effectively reduce inappropriate prescribing. On the other hand, if the goal is to improve clinical outcomes such as hospitalization and emergency department visits, patient‐centered multimodal interventions such as a combination of medication review, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient education are likely to be more effective. We also consider the opportunities and challenges for deprescribing within the Japanese healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Ie
- Division of General Internal Medicine Department of Internal Medicine St. Marianna University School of Medicine Kawasaki Japan.,Division of General Internal Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Kawasaki Municipal Tama Hospital Kawasaki Japan.,Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Pittsburgh PA USA
| | | | - Taku Yabuki
- Department of Internal Medicine Tochigi Medical Center Tochigi Japan
| | - Steven M Albert
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Pittsburgh PA USA
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12
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Using Deprescribing Practices and the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions Criteria to Reduce Harm and Preventable Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults. J Patient Saf 2021; 16:S23-S35. [PMID: 32809998 PMCID: PMC7447181 DOI: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objectives Approximately 98% of older Americans are simultaneously taking 5—or more—medications to manage at least 2 chronic conditions. Polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are a concern for older adults because they pose a risk for adverse drug events (ADEs), which are associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations and are an important patient safety priority. We sought to review the evidence of patient safety practices aimed at reducing preventable ADEs in older adults, specifically (i) deprescribing interventions to reduce polypharmacy and (ii) use of the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) to reduce PIMs. Methods We conducted a systematic review of literature published between 2008 and 2018 that studied examined the effect of these interventions to reduce preventable ADEs in older adults. Results Twenty-six studies and 1 systematic review were included (14 for deprescribing and 12 for STOPP and the systematic review). The deprescribing interventions involved decision support tools, educational interventions, and medication reviews by pharmacists and/or providers. Deprescribing studies primarily examined the effect of interventions on process outcomes and observed reductions in polypharmacy, often significantly. A few studies also examined clinical and economic outcomes. Studies of the use of the STOPP screening criteria most commonly reported changes in PIMs, as well as some economic outcomes. Conclusions Deprescribing interventions and interventions using the STOPP criteria seem effective in reducing polypharmacy and PIMs in older adults, respectively. Future research on the effectiveness of these approaches on clinical outcomes, the comparative effectiveness of different multicomponent interventions using these approaches, and how to most effectively implement them to improve uptake and evidence-based care is needed.
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13
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Isenor JE, Bai I, Cormier R, Helwig M, Reeve E, Whelan AM, Burgess S, Martin-Misener R, Kennie-Kaulbach N. Deprescribing interventions in primary health care mapped to the Behaviour Change Wheel: A scoping review. Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 17:1229-1241. [PMID: 32978088 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use are an increasing concern. Deprescribing may improve medication use through planned and supervised dose reduction or stopping of medications. As most medication management occurs in primary health care, which is generally described as the first point of access for day-to-day care, deprescribing in primary health care is the focus on this review. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to identify and characterize strategies for deprescribing in primary health care and map the strategies to the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW). METHODS A scoping review was conducted that involved searches of six databases (2002-2018) and reference lists of relevant systematic reviews and included studies. Studies that described and evaluated deprescribing strategies in primary health care were eligible. Two independent reviewers screened articles and completed data charting with charting verified by a third. Deprescribing strategies were mapped to the intervention functions of the BCW and linked to specific Behaviour Change Techniques (BCT). RESULTS Searches yielded 6871 citations of which 43 were included. Nineteen studies were randomized, 24 were non-randomized. Studies evaluated deprescribing in terms of medication changes, feasibility, and prescriber/patient perspectives. Deprescribing strategies involved various professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses), as well as patients and were generally multifaceted. A wide range of intervention functions were identified, with 41 BCTs mapped to Environmental restructuring, 38 BCTs mapped to Enablement, and 34 BCTs mapped to Persuasion. CONCLUSIONS Deprescribing strategies in primary health care have used a variety of BCTs to address individual professionals (e.g. education) as well as strategies that addressed the practice setting, including support from additional team members (e.g. pharmacists, nurses and patients). Further research is warranted to determine comparative effectiveness of different BCTs, which can help facilitate implementation of deprescribing strategies, thereby reducing polypharmacy, in primary health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Isenor
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Isaac Bai
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Rachel Cormier
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Melissa Helwig
- W.K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Emily Reeve
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada; Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Geriatric Medicine Research, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Anne Marie Whelan
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, 5968 College Street, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sarah Burgess
- Pharmacy Department, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Ruth Martin-Misener
- School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, 5869 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, Canada
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14
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Lee JQ, Ying K, Lun P, Tan KT, Ang W, Munro Y, Ding YY. Intervention elements to reduce inappropriate prescribing for older adults with multimorbidity receiving outpatient care: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e039543. [PMID: 32819958 PMCID: PMC7440708 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Polypharmacy occurs in approximately 30% of older adults aged 65 years or more, particularly among those with multimorbidity. With polypharmacy, there is an associated risk of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP). The aims of this scoping review were to (1) identify the intervention elements that have been adopted to reduce PIP in the outpatient setting and (2) determine the behaviour change wheel (BCW) intervention functions performed by each of the identified intervention elements. DESIGN Scoping review DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases, grey literature sources, six key geriatrics journals and the reference lists of review papers. STUDY SELECTION All studies reporting an intervention or strategy that addressed PIP in the older adult population (age ≥65) with multimorbidity in the outpatient setting and in which the primary prescriber is the physician. DATA EXTRACTION Data extracted from the included studies can be broadly categorised into (1) publication details, (2) intervention details and (3) results. This was followed by data synthesis and analysis based on the BCW framework. RESULTS Of 8195 studies yielded, 80 studies were included in the final analysis and 14 intervention elements were identified. An average of two to three elements were adopted in each intervention. The three most frequently adopted intervention elements were medication review (70%), training (26.3%) and tool/instrument(s) (22.5%). Among medication reviews, 70% involved pharmacists. The 14 intervention elements were mapped onto five intervention functions: 'education', 'persuasion', 'training', 'environmental restructuring' and 'enablement'. CONCLUSION PIP is a multifaceted problem that involves multiple stakeholders. As such, interventions that address PIP require multiple elements to target the behaviour of the various stakeholders. The intervention elements and their corresponding functions identified in this scoping review will serve to inform the design of complex interventions that aim to reduce PIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Qi Lee
- Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Kate Ying
- Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Penny Lun
- Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Singapore
| | - Keng Teng Tan
- Department of Pharmacy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wendy Ang
- Department of Pharmacy, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yasmin Munro
- Medical Library, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore
| | - Yew Yoong Ding
- Geriatric Education and Research Institute, Singapore
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
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Baré M, Herranz S, Jordana R, Gorgas MQ, Ortonobes S, Sevilla D, De Jaime E, Ibarra O, Martín C. Multimorbidity patterns in chronic older patients, potentially inappropriate prescribing and adverse drug reactions: protocol of the multicentre prospective cohort study MoPIM. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e033322. [PMID: 31988230 PMCID: PMC7044922 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multimorbidity is a major challenge for current healthcare systems and professionals. From the different approaches that have been proposed to analyse this issue, the hypothesis of the existence of association patterns of different chronic conditions is gaining visibility. In addition, multimorbidity can be associated to polypharmacy, which can lead to a higher risk of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) and consequently to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The general objective of this novel study is to identify the association between PIP, multimorbidity patterns, polypharmacy and the presence of ADRs in older patients admitted for exacerbation of chronic diseases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The MoPIM (morbidity, potentially inappropriate medication) study is a multicentre prospective cohort study of an estimated sample of 800 older (≥65 years) patients admitted to five general hospitals in Spain due to an exacerbation of a chronic disease. Patients referred to home hospitalisation, admitted due to an acute process or with a fatal outcome expected at the time of admission are excluded. Sociodemographic data, chronic morbidities and geriatric syndromes, number of chronic prescribed medications, PIP at admission to hospital and on discharge, according to the newest screening tool of older screening tool of older person's potentially inappropriate prescriptions/screening tool to alert doctors to right treatment criteria, and ADRs during hospitalisation are being collected. Multimorbidity patterns will be identified using cluster analyses techniques, and the frequency of polypharmacy, PIP and ADRs will be calculated. Finally, the possible relationship between those indicators will be identified through bivariate and multivariate analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The project has been approved by the clinical research ethics committees of each centre: Comité Ético de investigación Clínica del Parc Taulí, Comitè Ètic d'Investigació Clínica Osona per a la Recerca i Educació Sanitàries (FORES), Comité de Ètica de la Investigación con Medicamentos (CEIm)-Parc de Salut MAR, Comité Ético de Investigación Clínica de Euskadi, Comité de Ética de Investigación del Hospital Universitario de Canarias. The results will be actively and mainly disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and communications in scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02830425.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Baré
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Screening, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Susana Herranz
- Internal Medicine Department, Acute Care Geriatric Unit, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rosa Jordana
- Internal Medicine Department, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Maria Queralt Gorgas
- Pharmacy Department, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sara Ortonobes
- Pharmacy Department, Consorci Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Daniel Sevilla
- Pharmacy Department, Consorci Hospitalari de Vic, Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Elisabet De Jaime
- Geriatrics Department, Consorci Parc de Salut MAR de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Olatz Ibarra
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Galdakao-Usansolo, Galdacano, País Vasco, Spain
| | - Candelaria Martín
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Canarias, Spain
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Katsimpris A, Linseisen J, Meisinger C, Volaklis K. The Association Between Polypharmacy and Physical Function in Older Adults: a Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med 2019; 34:1865-1873. [PMID: 31240604 PMCID: PMC6712133 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced physical function and polypharmacy (PPha) are two highly prevalent negative effects of aging, which are expected to increase more, since demographic aging is expected to grow rapidly within the next decades. Previous research suggests that polypharmacy (PPha) is a predictor of poor physical function and vice versa in older adults and therefore we conducted a systematic review of the literature to summarize and critically analyze the relationship between physical function and PPha and vice versa in older adults, in order to provide recent scientific evidence. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and Embase from their inception to 19th October 2018 for English-language observational studies or trials assessing the effect of PPha on physical function and vice versa in older adults. Two investigators independently extracted study data and assessed the quality of the studies, after having screened the available studies from the literature search. Any disagreement was resolved by consensus. RESULTS Eighteen observational studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies assessed the impact of physical function on PPha and ten studies assessed the impact of PPha on physical function. Regarding the studies with PPha measurements as the outcome, all of them, except for one, found that better physical function is associated with lower risk of PPha. Likewise, all the studies with physical function measurements as the outcome, except for one, suggested that PPha is associated with lower physical function. DISCUSSION Evidence examining the effect of PPha on physical function and vice versa in older adults suggests a strong bidirectional association between these two factors and clinicians should be aware of this strong relationship. The limitations of our study include the high variability in PPha definitions and physical function measures, and the treatment of PPha and physical function as constant instead of time-varying variables in the studies' analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Katsimpris
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, UNIKA-T Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Jacob Linseisen
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, UNIKA-T Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christa Meisinger
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, UNIKA-T Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Volaklis
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, UNIKA-T Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- 7FIT, Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Augsburg, Germany
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