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Winter JD, Kerns JW, Brandt N, Wastila L, Qato D, Sabo RT, Petterson S, Chung Y, Reves S, Winter C, Winter KM, Elonge E, Ewasiuk C, Fu YH, Funk A, Krist A, Etz R. Prescribing Trends and Associated Outcomes of Antiepileptic Drugs and Other Psychotropic Medications in US Nursing Homes: Proposal for a Mixed Methods Investigation. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e64446. [PMID: 39298758 PMCID: PMC11450359 DOI: 10.2196/64446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pilot data suggest that off-label, unmonitored antiepileptic drug prescribing for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia is increasing, replacing other psychotropic medications targeted by purposeful reduction efforts. This trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although adverse outcomes related to this trend remain unknown, preliminary results hint that harms may be increasing and concentrated in vulnerable populations. OBJECTIVE Using a mixed methods approach including both a retrospective secondary data analysis and a national clinician survey, this study aims to describe appropriate and potentially inappropriate antiepileptic and other psychoactive drug prescribing in US nursing homes (NHs), characteristics and patient-oriented outcomes associated with this prescribing, and how these phenomena may be changing under the combined stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressure of reduction initiatives. METHODS To accomplish the objective, resident-level, mixed-effects regression models and interrupted time-series analyses will draw on cohort elements linked at an individual level from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Minimum Data Set, Medicare Part D, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review, and Outpatient and Public Use Files. Quarterly cohorts of NH residents (2009-2021) will incorporate individual-level data, including demographics; health status; disease variables; psychotropic medication claims; comprehensive NH health outcomes; hospital and emergency department adverse events; and NH details, including staffing resources and COVID-19 statistics. To help explain and validate findings, we will conduct a national qualitative survey of NH prescribers regarding their knowledge and beliefs surrounding changing approaches to dementia care and associated outcomes. RESULTS Funding was obtained in September 2022. Institutional review board exemption approval was obtained in January 2023. The CMS Data Use Agreement was submitted in May 2023 and signed in March 2024. Data access was obtained in June 2024. Cohort creation is anticipated by January 2025, with crosswalks finalized by July 2025. The first survey was fielded in October 2023 and published in July 2024. The second survey was fielded in March 2024. The results are in review as of July 2024. Iterative survey cycles will continue biannually until December 2026. Multidisciplinary dissemination of survey analysis results began in July 2023, and dissemination of secondary data findings is anticipated to begin January 2025. These processes are ongoing, with investigation to wrap up by June 2027. CONCLUSIONS This study will detail appropriate and inappropriate antiepileptic drug use and related outcomes in NHs and describe disparities in long-stay subpopulations treated or not treated with psychotropics. It will delineate the impact of the pandemic in combination with national policies on dementia management and outcomes. We believe this mixed methods approach, including processes that link multiple CMS data sets at an individual level and survey-relevant stakeholders, can be replicated and applied to evaluate a variety of patient-oriented questions in diverse clinical populations. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/64446.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - J William Kerns
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Nicole Brandt
- Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Linda Wastila
- Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Danya Qato
- Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Roy T Sabo
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Stephen Petterson
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - YoonKyung Chung
- Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, Reston, VA, United States
| | - Sarah Reves
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Katherine M Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Eposi Elonge
- Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Craig Ewasiuk
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Yu-Hua Fu
- Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Adam Funk
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Alex Krist
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, Viginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Rebecca Etz
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, VA, United States
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Coe AB, Zhang T, Zullo AR, Gerlach LB, Daiello LA, Varma H, Lo D, Joshi R, Bynum JPW, Shireman TI. Association of nursing home antipsychotic reduction policies with antipsychotic use in community dwellers with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024. [PMID: 39242359 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antipsychotic and other psychotropic medication use is prevalent among community-dwelling older adults with dementia despite the potential for adverse effects. Two Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiatives, the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care ("the Partnership") and the Five Star Quality Rating System for antipsychotic use reporting, have been successful in reducing antipsychotic use in nursing home residents. We assessed if these initiatives had a spillover effect in antipsychotic and other psychotropic medication use among community dwellers with dementia due to potential overlap in prescribers across settings. METHODS Among community-dwelling older adults with dementia, we examined psychotropic medication class use (i.e., antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants/mood stabilizers, antidementia) in 2010-2017 Medicare fee-for-service claims using interrupted time series analyses across three periods ("Pre-Partnership": July 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012; "Post-Partnership": April 1, 2012 to January 31, 2015; "Five Star Quality Rating": February 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017). RESULTS We included 1,289,401 community dwellers with dementia contributing 26,609,697 person-months. The mean age was 80 years, most were female (70%), approximately 80% were non-Hispanic Whites, 10% were non-Hispanic Blacks, and 5% were Hispanic ethnicity. Antipsychotic use was declining pre-Partnership (β = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.08, -0.05) and post-Partnership (β = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.02, -0.01). Post-Five Star Quality Rating, antipsychotic use remained stable with a nearly flat slope (β = -0.01, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.00). Anticonvulsant and antidepressant use increased and anxiolytic and antidementia medication use decreased among community-dwelling older adults with dementia. CONCLUSIONS These two CMS policies on antipsychotic use for nursing home residents were not associated with a spillover effect to community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Strategies to monitor the appropriateness of psychotropic medication use may be warranted for community-dwellers with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette B Coe
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Andrew R Zullo
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Lauren B Gerlach
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lori A Daiello
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hiren Varma
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Derrick Lo
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Richa Joshi
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Julie P W Bynum
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Theresa I Shireman
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Harris DA, Maclagan LC, Pequeno P, Iaboni A, Austin PC, Rosella LC, Guan J, Maxwell CJ, Bronskill SE. Antipsychotic Discontinuation and New Trazodone Use in Ontario Nursing Homes: Evidence of Medication Substitution. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:105113. [PMID: 38944053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.105113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An unintended consequence of efforts to reduce antipsychotic medications in nursing homes is the increase in use of other psychotropic medications; however, evidence of substitution remains limited. Our objective was to measure individual-level prescribing patterns consistent with substitution of trazodone for antipsychotics. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Residents of Ontario nursing homes aged 66-105 years with an admission assessment between April 1, 2010, and March 31, 2019, who were receiving an antipsychotic and had no antidepressant medication use at admission to the nursing home. METHODS We used linked health administrative data to examine changes in medication use over three quarterly assessments following admission. Antipsychotic and trazodone use were measured at each assessment. The rate of trazodone initiation was compared between residents no longer dispensed an antipsychotic (discontinued) and those with an ongoing antipsychotic (continued) using discrete time survival analysis, controlling for baseline resident characteristics. RESULTS We identified 13,306 residents dispensed an antipsychotic with no antidepressant use at admission (mean age 84 years, 61.5% women, 82.8% with dementia). As of the first quarterly assessment, nearly 20% of residents no longer received an antipsychotic and 9% received a new trazodone medication. Over time, residents who discontinued antipsychotics had a rate of trazodone initiation that was 82% higher compared to residents who continued (adjusted hazard ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.66-2.00). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Residents admitted to a nursing home with antipsychotic use had a higher rate of trazodone initiation if they discontinued (vs continued) an antipsychotic. These findings suggest antipsychotic substitution with trazodone after entering a nursing home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Harris
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | | | - Andrea Iaboni
- KITE Research Institute-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Vector Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Colleen J Maxwell
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Schools of Pharmacy and Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Winter JD, Kerns JW, Winter KM, Winter C, Krist A, Etz RS. Lessons learned from CMS's National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care: a thematic synthesis of multiple stakeholder-engaged studies. Psychogeriatrics 2024; 24:1045-1050. [PMID: 38924586 PMCID: PMC11368649 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.13157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antipsychotic prescribing in United States nursing homes (NHs) has decreased since the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Service debuted the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes (NP); however, reductions have stalled. To help explain persistent antipsychotic use despite the NP's reduction efforts, the perspectives of diverse NP stakeholders were qualitatively assessed. This study aimed to re-evaluate these individual perspectives in combined thematic synthesis to discover NP improvement opportunities undetectable in single stakeholder assessments. METHODS Thematic synthesis. Through immersive crystallisation, original source coding results were organised into related descriptive themes. Similarities and differences were identified, and descriptive themes were regrouped into new, increasingly abstract, analytical themes. This cycle continued until variances were resolved and analytic themes sufficiently described and explained all initial descriptive themes. RESULTS Three analytic themes emerged regarding NP improvement opportunities. The NP's positive impacts would be augmented by: (i) a deeper and expanded appreciation of stakeholder perspectives; (ii) more urgent and rapid adaptation to unintended adverse outcomes; and (iii) greater recognition of the contextual and environmental factors influencing decisions to prescribe or not prescribe antipsychotic medications. Stakeholder groups described: perspectives they perceived as inadequately considered by the NP; insufficient NP engagement with the stakeholders capable of creating evidenced, affordable, and available non-pharmacologic therapies for dementia symptoms; recognition that dementia interventions effective for a specific individual at a specific time in a specific community may not generalise; and diverse ongoing undesirable outcomes from NP policies that could be mitigated by NP modifications. CONCLUSIONS The NP has done much to advance dementia care in NHs. Notwithstanding, these results suggest the NP would only be improved through increasingly comprehensive inclusion of stakeholder perspectives, enhanced incorporation of individual contextual factors, and a more decisive mechanism for ongoing and continual adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Winter
- VCU-Shenandoah Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - J William Kerns
- VCU-Shenandoah Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Alex Krist
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rebecca S Etz
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Winter JD, Kerns JW, Qato DM, Winter KM, Brandt N, Wastila L, Winter C, Krist AH, Reves SR, Etz RS. Understanding Long-Stay Gabapentin Use Increases: A National Nursing Home Clinician Survey on Prescribing Intent. Clin Gerontol 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39016302 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2379974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Explore the indications for long-stay gabapentin use and elucidate the factors spurring the rapid increase in gabapentin prescribing in nursing homes (NHs). METHODS National cross-sectional survey of NH prescribers distributed anonymously using SurveyMonkey. Sampling for convenience was obtained through crowdsourcing, leveraging collaborations with NH clinician organizations. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, pilot data/existing literature informed survey content. RESULTS A total of 131 surveys completed. Participants: 71% white, 52% female, 71% physicians. Off-label gabapentin prescribing was ubiquitous. Nearly every clinician used gabapentin for neuropathic pain, most for any form of pain. Many clinicians also prescribe gabapentin to moderate psychiatric symptoms and behaviors. Clinicians' prescribing was influenced by opioid, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic reduction policies because gabapentin was perceived as an unmonitored and safer alternative. CONCLUSIONS Off-label gabapentin increases are closely linked to opioid reduction efforts as more NH clinicians utilize gabapentin as an unmonitored opioid alternative. Our results highlight, however, the less recognized significance of long-stay prescribing for psychiatric symptoms and the similar contribution of psychotropic reduction initiatives, a phenomenon warranting further scrutiny. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians perceive gabapentin as safer than the drugs it is replacing. Whether this is true remains unclear; the individual- and population-level risks of increased gabapentin use are largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - J William Kerns
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Danya M Qato
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Nicole Brandt
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Linda Wastila
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Alex H Krist
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah R Reves
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rebecca S Etz
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Harnisch M, Barnett ML, Coussens S, Thomas KS, Olfson M, Berhane K, Sacarny A. Physician Antipsychotic Overprescribing Letters and Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physical Health Outcomes Among People With Dementia: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e247604. [PMID: 38662373 PMCID: PMC11046341 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Antipsychotics, such as quetiapine, are frequently prescribed to people with dementia to address behavioral symptoms but can also cause harm in this population. Objective To determine whether warning letters to high prescribers of quetiapine can successfully reduce its use among patients with dementia and to investigate the impacts on patients' health outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of overprescribing letters that began in April 2015 and included the highest-volume primary care physician (PCP) prescribers of quetiapine in original Medicare. Outcomes of patients with dementia were analyzed in repeated 90-day cross-sections through December 2018. Analyses were conducted from September 2021 to February 2024. Interventions PCPs were randomized to a placebo letter or 3 overprescribing warning letters stating that their prescribing of quetiapine was high and under review by Medicare. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome of this analysis was patients' total quetiapine use in days per 90-day period (the original trial primary outcome was total quetiapine prescribing by study PCPs). Prespecified secondary outcomes included measures of cognitive function and behavioral symptoms from nursing home assessments, indicators of depression from screening questionnaires in assessments and diagnoses in claims, metabolic diagnoses derived from assessments and claims, indicators of use of the hospital and other health care services, and death. Outcomes were analyzed separately for patients living in nursing homes and in the community. Results Of the 5055 study PCPs, 2528 were randomized to the placebo letter, and 2527 were randomized to the 3 warning letters. A total of 84 881 patients with dementia living in nursing homes and 261 288 community-dwelling patients with dementia were attributed to these PCPs. There were 92 874 baseline patients (mean [SD] age, 81.5 [10.5] years; 64 242 female [69.2%]). The intervention reduced quetiapine use among both nursing home patients (adjusted difference, -0.7 days; 95% CI, -1.3 to -0.1 days; P = .02) and community-dwelling patients (adjusted difference, -1.5 days; 95% CI, -1.8 to -1.1 days; P < .001). There were no detected adverse effects on cognitive function (cognitive function scale adjusted difference, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.03; P = .19), behavioral symptoms (agitated or reactive behavior adjusted difference, -0.2%; 95% CI -1.2% to 0.8% percentage points; P = .72), depression, metabolic diagnoses, or more severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death. Conclusions and Relevance This study found that overprescribing warning letters to PCPs safely reduced quetiapine prescribing to their patients with dementia. This intervention and others like it may be useful for future efforts to promote guideline-concordant care. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05172687.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Harnisch
- PhD Economics Programme, Department of Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael L. Barnett
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen Coussens
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Kali S. Thomas
- Center for Equity in Aging, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Kiros Berhane
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Adam Sacarny
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Shireman TI, Fashaw-Walters S, Zhang T, Zullo AR, Gerlach LB, Coe AB, Daiello L, Lo D, Strominger J, Bynum JPW. Federal Nursing Home Policies on Antipsychotics had Similar Impacts by Race and Ethnicity for Residents With Dementia. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023; 24:1283-1289.e4. [PMID: 37127131 PMCID: PMC10523862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.027] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Federal initiatives have been successful in reducing antipsychotic exposure in nursing home residents with dementia. We assessed if these initiatives were implemented equally across racial and ethnic minority groups. DESIGN Retrospective, cross-sectional trends study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS National long-stay nursing home residents with dementia from 2011 to 2017. METHODS We examined trends in psychotropic drug class exposures from the Minimum Data Set assessments for non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White (NHW) residents using interrupted time-series analyses with age-sex standardized quarterly outcomes and time points to denote the National Partnership (2012) and Five Star Rating changes (2015). RESULTS Initially, antipsychotic (33.0%) and sedative (6.8%) exposure was highest for Hispanic residents; antidepressant (59.8%) and anxiolytic (23.4%) exposure was highest for NHW residents; NHB residents had the lowest use of each. Antipsychotic use dropped at the time of the Partnership (β = -0.8807, P = .0023) and the slope declined further after the Partnership (β = -0.6611, P < .0001) for NHW. In comparison to NHW, the level and slope changes for NHB and Hispanics were not significantly different. The Five Star Rating change did not impact the level of antipsychotic use (β = 0.027, P = .9467), but the slope changed to indicate a slowed rate of decline (β = 0.1317, P = .4075) for NHW. As to the other psychotropic drug classes, there were few significant differences between trends seen in the racial and ethnic subgroups. The following exceptions were noted: antidepressant use decreased at a faster rate for NHB residents post-Partnership (β = -0.1485, P = .0371), and after the Five Star Rating change, NHB residents (β = -0.0428, P = .0312) and Hispanic residents (β = -0.0834, P < .0001) saw antidepressant use decrease faster than NHW. Sedative use in slope post-Partnership period (β = -0.086, P = .0275) and post-Five Star Rating (β = -0.0775, P < .0001) declined faster among Hispanic residents. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We found little evidence of clinically meaningful differences in changes to 4 classes of psychotropic medication use among racial and ethnic minority nursing home residents with dementia following 2 major federal initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa I Shireman
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Shekinah Fashaw-Walters
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Andrew R Zullo
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lauren B Gerlach
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Antoinette B Coe
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lori Daiello
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Derrick Lo
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Julie Strominger
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julie P W Bynum
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Chen AC, Grabowski DC. Nursing Homes Underreport Antipsychotic Use but Overreport Diagnoses Qualifying for Appropriate Use. HEALTH AFFAIRS SCHOLAR 2023; 1:qxad022. [PMID: 38322323 PMCID: PMC10846688 DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Antipsychotic drug use in U.S. nursing homes remains a priority concern, but less is understood about the characteristics associated with reporting. Using linked Medicare claims and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for long-stay nursing home residents from January 2018 to December 2019, we assessed the consistency of antipsychotic drug reporting and diagnosis of conditions (schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome, and Huntington's disease) which qualify as appropriate drug use across data sources by calculating reporting rates in facility-reported MDS and Medicare claims. The antipsychotic reporting outcome is conditional on claims reporting while the condition reporting outcomes are conditional on MDS reporting. We found underreporting (87% reporting rate) in facility-reported antipsychotic use relative to Medicare claims. In contrast, we found overreporting of the qualifying conditions with a number of facility-reported diagnoses unsupported by a corresponding claims diagnosis. Only 54.8% of schizophrenia, 46.5% of Tourette's syndrome, and 72.4% of Huntington's disease diagnoses reported in the MDS had a claims diagnosis. There was also variation in reporting odds for antipsychotic drug use by dual-eligibility status and race, with higher odds for dual-eligible and lower odds for Black residents These findings suggest CMS should continue investigating the source of reporting discrepancies in antipsychotic drug use and qualifying diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David C Grabowski
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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9
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Watt JA, Bronskill SE, Lin M, Youngson E, Ho J, Hemmelgarn B, Straus SE, Gruneir A. Comparative Risk of Harm Associated with Zopiclone or Trazodone Use in Nursing Home Residents: a Retrospective Cohort Study in Alberta, Canada. Can Geriatr J 2023; 26:9-22. [PMID: 36865408 PMCID: PMC9953503 DOI: 10.5770/cgj.26.622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is growing evidence of harm associated with trazodone and nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics (e.g., zopiclone); however, their comparative risk of harm is unknown. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study with linked health administrative data, which enrolled older (≥66 years old) nursing home residents living in Alberta, Canada, between December 1, 2009, and December 31, 2018; the last follow-up date was June 30, 2019. We compared the rate of injurious falls and major osteoporotic fractures (primary outcome) and all-cause mortality (secondary outcome) within 180 days of first prescription of zopiclone or trazodone with cause-specific hazard models and inverse probability of treatment weights to control for confounding; primary analysis was intention-to-treat and secondary analysis was per-protocol (i.e., residents censored if dispensed the other exposure drug). Results Our cohort included 1,403 residents newly dispensed trazodone and 1,599 residents newly dispensed zopiclone. At cohort entry, the mean resident age was 85.7 (standard deviation [SD] 7.4), 61.6% were female, and 81.2% had dementia. New zopiclone use was associated with similar rates of injurious falls and major osteoporotic fractures (intention-to-treat-weighted hazard ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-1.48; per-protocol-weighted hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.60-1.21) and all-cause mortality (intention-to-treat-weighted hazard ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.79-1.16; per-protocol-weighted hazard ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.66-1.23) compared to trazodone. Conclusions Zopiclone was associated with a similar rate of injurious falls, major osteoporotic fractures, and all-cause mortality compared to trazodone-suggesting one medication should not be used in lieu of the other. Appropriate prescribing initiatives should also target zopiclone and trazodone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Watt
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital-Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON,Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON,ICES, Toronto, ON,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Susan E. Bronskill
- ICES, Toronto, ON,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Meng Lin
- Data and Research Services, Alberta SPOR Support Unit and Provincial Research Data Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB
| | - Erik Youngson
- Data and Research Services, Alberta SPOR Support Unit and Provincial Research Data Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB
| | - Joanne Ho
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Kitchener, ON,Schlegel Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
| | - Brenda Hemmelgarn
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, WC Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Edmonton, AB
| | - Sharon E. Straus
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital-Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON,Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
| | - Andrea Gruneir
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
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Kales HC, Maust DT, Gitlin LN. Addressing Dementia-Related Behaviors Before, During, and After the Pandemic-Disrupting the Behavior-to-Prescribing Reflex. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80:199-201. [PMID: 36696134 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.4435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Kales
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, Sacramento
| | | | - Laura N Gitlin
- School of Nursing, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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11
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Harris DA, Maclagan LC, Pequeno P, Iaboni A, Austin PC, Rosella LC, Guan J, Maxwell CJ, Bronskill SE. Variation and Correlation of Potential Unintended Consequences of Antipsychotic Reduction in Ontario Nursing Homes Over Time. Med Care 2023; 61:173-181. [PMID: 36728617 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use has declined in nursing homes over the past decade; however, increases in the documentation of relevant clinical indications (eg, delusions) and the use of other psychotropic medications have raised concerns about diagnosis upcoding and medication substitution. Few studies have examined how these trends over time vary across and within nursing homes, information that may help to support antipsychotic reduction efforts. OBJECTIVE To jointly model facility-level time trends in potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use, antidepressant use, and the indications used to define appropriate antipsychotic use. RESEARCH DESIGN We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study of all nursing homes in Ontario, Canada between April 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019 using linked health administrative data (N=649). Each nursing home's quarterly prevalence of potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use, antidepressant use, and relevant indications were measured as outcome variables. With time as the independent variable, multivariate random effects models jointly estimated time trends for each outcome across nursing homes and the correlations between time trends within nursing homes. RESULTS We observed notable variations in the time trends for each outcome across nursing homes, especially for the relevant indications. Within facilities, we found no correlation between time trends for potentially inappropriate antipsychotic and antidepressant use ( r =-0.0160), but a strong negative correlation between time trends for potentially inappropriate antipsychotic use and relevant indications ( r =-0.5036). CONCLUSIONS Nursing homes with greater reductions in potentially inappropriate antipsychotics tended to show greater increases in the indications used to define appropriate antipsychotic use-possibly leading to unmonitored use of antipsychotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Harris
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
| | | | | | - Andrea Iaboni
- KITE Research Institute-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES.,Sunnybrook Research Institute.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.,ICES.,Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.,Vector Institute, Toronto
| | | | - Colleen J Maxwell
- ICES.,Schools of Pharmacy and Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.,ICES.,Sunnybrook Research Institute.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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12
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Mallick A, Biffi A. Diagnostic and Management Strategies for Common Neurobehavioral and Psychiatric Disturbances Among Patients with Cognitive Impairment and the Dementias. Clin Geriatr Med 2023; 39:161-175. [PMID: 36404029 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Neurobehavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals diagnosed with cognitive impairment or dementia and impact the quality of life for patients and caregivers alike. Diagnosis and management of these conditions (including primarily depression, anxiety, apathy, psychosis, agitation, and aggression) is crucial to optimal patient care outcomes in clinical practice. The present article provides a practical review of diagnostic approaches and management strategies for behavioral and neuropsychiatric disorders arising in patients with cognitive impairment, up to and including dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akashleena Mallick
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health, 100 Cambridge Street, Room 2054, Boston, MA 02144, USA
| | - Alessandro Biffi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Henry and Allison McCance Center for Brain Health, 100 Cambridge Street, Room 2054, Boston, MA 02144, USA.
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13
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Elo J, Tolppanen AM, Koponen M, Tiihonen M, Hartikainen S. Recent Hospitalization and Initiation of Antiepileptics Among Persons With Alzheimer's Disease. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023; 24:213-219.e6. [PMID: 36403662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are frequently prescribed for persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known on factors associated with AED initiation in this population. We investigated whether recent hospitalization is associated with AED initiation in persons with AD. DESIGN Nested case-control study in the nationwide register-based Medication use and Alzheimer's disease (MEDALZ) cohort. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS The MEDALZ cohort includes 70,718 persons diagnosed with AD during 2005-2011 in Finland. Altogether 6814 AED initiators and 6814 age-, sex-, and time since AD diagnosis-matched noninitiators were included in this study. Matching date was the date of AED initiation. METHODS AED purchases were identified from the Prescription Register and hospitalizations from the Care Register for Health Care. Recent hospitalization was defined as hospitalization ending within 2 weeks before the matching date. Association between recent hospitalization and AED initiation was assessed with conditional logistic regression. RESULTS The most frequently initiated AEDs were pregabalin (42.9%) and valproic acid (32.2%). A bigger proportion of AED initiators (36.9%) than noninitiators (5.3%) were recently hospitalized [odds ratio (OR) 10.5, 95% CI 9.22-11.9]. Dementia was the most frequent discharge diagnosis among AED initiators (29.1%) and noninitiators (27.9%). Among AED initiators, the next most frequent diagnosis was epilepsy (20.6%). Musculoskeletal diagnoses and use of analgesics including opioids was more common among gabapentinoid initiators compared with other AED initiators. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Recent hospitalization was significantly related to AED initiation. Initiations of AED might have been related to common symptoms in persons with AD like neuropathic pain, epilepsy, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Elo
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna-Maija Tolppanen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marjaana Koponen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Center for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Miia Tiihonen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sirpa Hartikainen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
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14
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Elefante C, Brancati GE, Torrigiani S, Amadori S, Ricciardulli S, Pistolesi G, Lattanzi L, Perugi G. Bipolar Disorder and Manic-Like Symptoms in Alzheimer's, Vascular and Frontotemporal Dementia: A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2516-2542. [PMID: 35794767 PMCID: PMC10616925 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220706110157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increased risk of manic episodes has been reported in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, but the clinical features of bipolar disorder (BD) in different subtypes of dementia have not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVES The main aim of this study is to systematically review clinical and therapeutic evidence about manic syndromes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Since manic-mixed episodes have been associated to negative outcomes in patients with dementia and often require medical intervention, we also critically summarized selected studies with relevance for the treatment of mania in patients with cognitive decline. METHODS A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to February 2022. Sixty-one articles on patients with AD, VaD, or FTD and BD or (hypo) mania have been included. RESULTS Manic symptoms seem to be associated to disease progression in AD, have a greatly variable temporal relationship with cognitive decline in VaD, and frequently coincide with or precede cognitive impairment in FTD. Overall, mood stabilizers, and electroconvulsive therapy may be the most effective treatments, while the benefits of short-term treatment with antipsychotic agents must be balanced with the associated risks. Importantly, low-dose lithium salts may exert neuroprotective activity in patients with AD. CONCLUSION Prevalence, course, and characteristics of manic syndromes in patients with dementia may be differentially affected by the nature of the underlying neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Elefante
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Emilio Brancati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Samuele Torrigiani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Amadori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Ricciardulli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pistolesi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lattanzi
- Psychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Perugi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Psychiatry Unit, Pisa, Italy
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Pisa, Italy
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Candon M, Strominger J, Gerlach LB, Maust DT. Antiepileptic prescribing to persons living with dementia residing in nursing homes: A tale of two indications. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:89-97. [PMID: 36349528 PMCID: PMC9870979 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiepileptics are commonly prescribed to nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) but there is little scientific support for their use in this population. It is unclear whether different antiepileptics are targeting different indications. METHODS Using the Minimum Data Set and Medicare data, including Part D pharmacy claims, we constructed annual cohorts of residents with ADRD with long-term stays in nursing homes from 2015 to 2019. For each year, we measured the proportion of residents with ADRD in nursing homes nationwide with at least one antiepileptic prescription. We also measured trends in valproic acid, gabapentin, antipsychotic, and opioid prescribing. Finally, we examined how prescribing rates differed based on whether residents with ADRD had disruptive behaviors or reported pain. RESULTS Our study sample includes 973,074 persons living with ADRD who had a long-term stay in a nursing home, which was defined as at least 3 months. The proportion of residents with ADRD with at least one antiepileptic prescription increased from 29.5% in 2015 to 31.3% in 2019, which was driven by increases in the rate of valproic acid and gabapentin prescribing. Conversely, antipsychotic prescribing rates declined from 32.1% to 27.9% and opioid prescribing rates declined from 39.8% to 31.7%. The risk of valproic acid prescribing was 10.9 percentage points higher among residents with ADRD with disruptive behaviors, while the risk of being prescribed gabapentin was 13.9 percentage points higher among residents with ADRD reporting pain. CONCLUSIONS Antiepileptic prescribing among nursing home residents with ADRD is increasing, while antipsychotic and opioid prescribing is declining. Examining antiepileptic prescribing to residents with ADRD who had disruptive behaviors and/or reported pain suggests that two of the most common antiepileptics, valproic acid and gabapentin, are being used in clinically distinct ways. Antiepileptic prescribing of questionable risk-benefit for dementia care warrants further scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Candon
- Penn Center for Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Health Care Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Julie Strominger
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Donovan T. Maust
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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16
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Coe AB, Zhang T, Zullo AR, Gerlach LB, Thomas KS, Daiello LA, Varma H, Lo D, Joshi R, Shireman TI, Bynum JP. Psychotropic medication prescribing in assisted living and nursing home residents with dementia after the National Partnership. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:3513-3525. [PMID: 35984088 PMCID: PMC9771901 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18004] [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: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes (the Partnership) to decrease antipsychotic use and improve care for nursing home (NH) residents with dementia. We determined whether the extent of antipsychotic and other psychotropic medication prescribing in AL residents with dementia mirrored that of long-stay NH (LSNH) residents after the Partnership. METHODS Using a 20% sample of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with Part D, we conducted a retrospective cohort study including AL and LSNH residents with dementia. The monthly prevalence of psychotropic medication prescribing (antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics, anticonvulsants/mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, and antidementia medications) was examined. We used an interrupted time-series analysis to compare medication prescribing before (July 1, 2010-March 31, 2012) and after (April 1, 2012-December 31, 2017) the Partnership in both settings. RESULTS We identified 107,931 beneficiaries with ≥1 month as an AL resident and 323,766 beneficiaries with ≥1 month as a LSNH resident with dementia, including 1,923,867 person-months and 4,984,405 person-months, respectively. Antipsychotic prescribing declined over the study period in both settings. After the launch of the Partnership, the rate of decline in antipsychotic prescribing slowed in AL residents with dementia (slope change = 0.03 [95% CLs: 0.02, 0.04]) while the rate of decline in antipsychotic prescribing increased in LSNH residents with dementia (slope change = -0.12 [95% CLs: -0.16, -0.08]). Antidepressants were the most prevalent medication prescribed, anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer prescribing increased, and anxiolytic/sedative-hypnotic and antidementia medication prescribing declined. CONCLUSIONS The federal Partnership to reduce antipsychotic prescribing in NH residents did not appear to affect antipsychotic prescribing in AL residents with dementia. Given the increase in the prescribing of mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants that occurred after the launch of the Partnership, monitoring may be warranted for all psychotropic medications in AL and NH settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette B. Coe
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA., Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Andrew R. Zullo
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA., Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA., Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA., Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Lauren B. Gerlach
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA., Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kali S. Thomas
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA., Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA., Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Lori A. Daiello
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA., Department of Neurology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hiren Varma
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Derrick Lo
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Richa Joshi
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Theresa I. Shireman
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Julie P.W. Bynum
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA., Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Gerlach LB, Maust DT, Kales HC, Chang M, Kim HM, Wiechers IR, Zivin K. Evaluation of Antipsychotic Reduction Efforts in Patients With Dementia in Veterans Health Administration Nursing Homes. Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:544-552. [PMID: 35615813 PMCID: PMC9349465 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21060591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) each created initiatives to reduce off-label use of antipsychotics in patients with dementia in nursing homes. Although CMS has reported antipsychotic reductions, the impact on prescribing of antipsychotic and other CNS-active medications in the VHA remains unclear. The authors evaluated national trends in antipsychotic and other CNS-active medication prescribing for nursing home patients with dementia in the VHA. METHODS The study sample was all veterans with dementia residing in VHA nursing homes for more than 30 days (N=35,742). Using an interrupted time-series design, the quarterly prevalences of antipsychotic, antidepressant, antiepileptic, anxiolytic, opioid, and memory medication prescribing were evaluated from FY2009 through FY2018. RESULTS Antipsychotic prescribing in VHA nursing homes declined from FY2009 to FY2018 (from 33.7% to 27.5%), with similar declines in anxiolytic prescribing (from 33.5% to 27.1%). During this period, prescribing of antiepileptics, antidepressants, and opioids increased significantly (antiepileptics: from 26.8% to 43.3%; antidepressants: from 56.8% to 63.4%; opioids: from 32.6% to 41.2%). Gabapentin served as the main driver of antiepileptic increases (from 11.1% to 23.5%). Increases in antidepressant prescribing included sertraline, mirtazapine, and trazodone. From FY2009 to FY2018, the overall prescribing of non-antipsychotic psychotropic medications grew from 75.0% to 81.1%. CONCLUSIONS Antipsychotic and anxiolytic prescribing for VHA nursing home residents with dementia declined, although overall prescribing of other psychotropic and opioid medications increased. Policies focused primarily on reducing antipsychotic use without considering use in the context of other medications may contribute to growth in alternative medication classes with even less evidence of benefit and similar risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Gerlach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Donovan T. Maust
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Helen C. Kales
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Myron Chang
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - H. Myra Kim
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Center for Statistical Consulting and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ilse R. Wiechers
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kara Zivin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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18
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Briesacher BA, Olivieri-Mui BL, Koethe B, Saczynski JS, Fick DM, Devlin JW, Marcantonio ER. Psychoactive medication therapy and delirium screening in skilled nursing facilities. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:1517-1524. [PMID: 35061246 PMCID: PMC9106820 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A positive delirium screen at skilled-nursing facility (SNF) admission can trigger a simultaneous diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia (AD/ADRD) and lead to psychoactive medication treatment despite a lack of evidence supporting use. METHODS This was a nationwide historical cohort study of 849,086 Medicare enrollees from 2011-2013 who were admitted to the SNF from a hospital without a history of dementia. Delirium was determined through positive Confusion Assessment Method screen and incident AD/ADRD through active diagnosis or claims. Cox proportional hazard models predicted the risk of receiving one of three psychoactive medications (i.e., antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics) within 7 days of SNF admission and within the entire SNF stay. RESULTS Of 849,086 newly-admitted SNF patients (62.6% female, mean age 78), 6.1% had delirium (of which 35.4% received an incident diagnosis of AD/ADRD); 12.6% received antipsychotics, 30.4% benzodiazepines, and 5.8% antiepileptics. Within 7 days of admission, patients with delirium and incident dementia were more likely to receive an antipsychotic (relative risk [RR] 3.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.99 to 3.20), or a benzodiazepine (RR 1.23; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.27) than patients without either condition. By the end of the SNF stay, patients with both delirium and incident dementia were more likely to receive an antipsychotic (RR 3.04; 95% CI 2.95 to 3.14) and benzodiazepine (RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.36) than patients without either condition. CONCLUSION In this historical cohort, a positive delirium screen was associated with a higher risk of receiving psychoactive medication within 7 days of SNF admission, particularly in patients with an incident AD/ADRD diagnosis. Future research should examine strategies to reduce inappropriate psychoactive medication prescribing in older adults admitted with delirium to SNFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky A. Briesacher
- Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy
| | | | - Benjamin Koethe
- Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy
| | - Jane S. Saczynski
- Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy
| | - Donna Marie Fick
- Penn State College of Nursing, Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
| | - John W. Devlin
- Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy
| | - Edward R. Marcantonio
- Harvard Medical School, Divisions of General Medicine and Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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19
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Ismail Z, Creese B, Aarsland D, Kales HC, Lyketsos CG, Sweet RA, Ballard C. Psychosis in Alzheimer disease - mechanisms, genetics and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:131-144. [PMID: 34983978 PMCID: PMC9074132 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00597-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Psychosis is a common and distressing symptom in people with Alzheimer disease, and few safe and effective treatments are available. However, new approaches to symptom assessment and treatment are beginning to drive the field forward. New nosological perspectives have been provided by incorporating the emergence of psychotic symptoms in older adults - even in advance of dementia - into epidemiological and neurobiological frameworks as well as into diagnostic and research criteria such as the International Psychogeriatric Association criteria for psychosis in neurocognitive disorders, the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) research criteria for psychosis in neurodegenerative disease, and the ISTAART criteria for mild behavioural impairment. Here, we highlight the latest findings in genomics, neuroimaging and neurobiology that are informing approaches to drug discovery and repurposing. Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are discussed, with a focus on safety and precision medicine. We also explore trial data for pimavanserin, a novel agent that shows promise for the treatment of psychosis in people with dementia, and discuss existing agents that might be useful but need further exploration such as escitalopram, lithium, cholinesterase inhibitors and vitamin D. Although the assessment and management of psychosis in people with dementia remain challenging, new opportunities are providing direction and hope to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahinoor Ismail
- Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, Community Health Sciences, and Pathology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Byron Creese
- University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Helen C Kales
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Constantine G Lyketsos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins Bayview, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Sweet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Clive Ballard
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
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20
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Potential Unintended Consequences of Antipsychotic Reduction in Ontario Nursing Homes. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022; 23:1066-1072.e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Watt
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
| | - Wade Thompson
- Women's College Research Institute, Toronto
- Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Deborah Brown
- Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
| | - Barbara Liu
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
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22
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McCreedy EM, Sisti A, Gutman R, Dionne L, Rudolph JL, Baier R, Thomas KS, Olson MB, Zediker EE, Uth R, Shield RR, Mor V. Pragmatic Trial of Personalized Music for Agitation and Antipsychotic Use in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022; 23:1171-1177. [PMID: 35038407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.12.030] [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: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the effect of a personalized music intervention on agitated behaviors and medication use among long-stay nursing home residents with dementia. DESIGN Pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial of a personalized music intervention. Staff in intervention facilities identified residents' early music preferences and offered music at early signs of agitation or when disruptive behaviors typically occur. Usual care in control facilities may include ambient or group music. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The study was conducted between June 2019 and February 2020 at 54 nursing homes (27 intervention and 27 control) in 10 states owned by 4 corporations. METHODS Four-month outcomes were measured for each resident. The primary outcome was frequency of agitated behaviors using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Secondary outcomes included frequency of agitated behaviors reported in the Minimum Data Set and the proportion of residents using antipsychotic, antidepressant, or antianxiety medications. RESULTS The study included 976 residents with dementia [483 treatment and 493 control; mean age = 80.3 years (SD 12.3), 69% female, 25% African American]. CMAI scores were not significantly different (treatment: 50.67, SE 1.94; control: 49.34, SE 1.68) [average marginal effect (AME) 1.33, SE 1.38, 95% CI -1.37 to 4.03]. Minimum Data Set-based behavior scores were also not significantly different (treatment: 0.35, SE 0.13; control: 0.46, SE 0.11) (AME -0.11, SE 0.10, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.08). Fewer residents in intervention facilities used antipsychotics in the past week compared with controls (treatment: 26.2, SE 1.4; control: 29.6, SE 1.3) (AME -3.61, SE 1.85, 95% CI -7.22 to 0.00), but neither this nor other measures of psychotropic drug use were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Personalized music was not significantly effective in reducing agitated behaviors or psychotropic drug use among long-stay residents with dementia. Barriers to full implementation included engaging frontline nursing staff and identifying resident's preferred music.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M McCreedy
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Anthony Sisti
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Roee Gutman
- Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Laura Dionne
- Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - James L Rudolph
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rosa Baier
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kali S Thomas
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Miranda B Olson
- Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Esme E Zediker
- Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Rebecca Uth
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Renée R Shield
- Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Vincent Mor
- Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; Center for Long-Term Care Quality & Innovation, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA; US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA
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23
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Banerjee S, High J, Stirling S, Shepstone L, Swart AM, Telling T, Henderson C, Ballard C, Bentham P, Burns A, Farina N, Fox C, Francis P, Howard R, Knapp M, Leroi I, Livingston G, Nilforooshan R, Nurock S, O'Brien J, Price A, Thomas AJ, Tabet N. Study of mirtazapine for agitated behaviours in dementia (SYMBAD): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2021; 398:1487-1497. [PMID: 34688369 PMCID: PMC8546216 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01210-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agitation is common in people with dementia and negatively affects the quality of life of both people with dementia and carers. Non-drug patient-centred care is the first-line treatment, but there is a need for other treatment when this care is not effective. Current evidence is sparse on safer and effective alternatives to antipsychotics. We assessed the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine, an antidepressant prescribed for agitation in dementia. METHODS This parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial-the Study of Mirtazapine for Agitated Behaviours in Dementia trial (SYMBAD)-was done in 26 UK centres. Participants had probable or possible Alzheimer's disease, agitation unresponsive to non-drug treatment, and a Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) score of 45 or more. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either mirtazapine (titrated to 45 mg) or placebo. The primary outcome was reduction in CMAI score at 12 weeks. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03031184, and ISRCTN17411897. FINDINGS Between Jan 26, 2017, and March 6, 2020, 204 participants were recruited and randomised. Mean CMAI scores at 12 weeks were not significantly different between participants receiving mirtazapine and participants receiving placebo (adjusted mean difference -1·74, 95% CI -7·17 to 3·69; p=0·53). The number of controls with adverse events (65 [64%] of 102 controls) was similar to that in the mirtazapine group (67 [66%] of 102 participants receiving mirtazapine). However, there were more deaths in the mirtazapine group (n=7) by week 16 than in the control group (n=1), with post-hoc analysis suggesting this difference was of marginal statistical significance (p=0·065). INTERPRETATION This trial found no benefit of mirtazapine compared with placebo, and we observed a potentially higher mortality with use of mirtazapine. The data from this study do not support using mirtazapine as a treatment for agitation in dementia. FUNDING UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sube Banerjee
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
| | - Juliet High
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Susan Stirling
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Lee Shepstone
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Ann Marie Swart
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Tanya Telling
- Joint Clinical Research Office, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Catherine Henderson
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Clive Ballard
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Peter Bentham
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Nicolas Farina
- Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Chris Fox
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Paul Francis
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Robert Howard
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martin Knapp
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Iracema Leroi
- Department of Psychiatry, Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gill Livingston
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Shirley Nurock
- Former Carer, Alzheimer's Society Research Network, University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - John O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Annabel Price
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alan J Thomas
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Naji Tabet
- Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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24
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Brandt N, Kales HC, Saffel D. Safe Management of Dementia-Related Psychosis in Long-Term Care: Empowering Consultant Pharmacists. Sr Care Pharm 2021; 36:1-25. [PMID: 34465414 DOI: 10.4140/tcp.s.2021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Brandt
- Executive Director, Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Helen C Kales
- Professor and Joe P. Tupin Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of California, Davis Health, Sacramento, California
| | - Dana Saffel
- Board Director, ASCP, President and CEO, PharmaCare Strategies, Inc, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
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25
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Gerlach LB, Kales HC. Pharmacological Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN PSYCHIATRY 2020; 7:489-507. [PMID: 33344107 PMCID: PMC7742723 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-020-00233-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neuropsychiatric symptoms are universal across all stages and types of dementia and can cause significant challenges for patients and caregivers. While there are currently no approved medications for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, a variety of psychotropic medications such as antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants are used off-label to treat these symptoms. This systematic review evaluated the available evidence for effectiveness and tolerability of pharmacologic treatments in addressing behavioral disturbances in dementia. RECENT FINDINGS Inclusion criteria were placebo-controlled, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) or meta-analyses; a total of 38 studies and 3 meta-analyses representing an additional 27 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Of the medication classes evaluated, atypical antipsychotics had the greatest available evidence for use, however, the treatment effect size was modest. Nine trials of antidepressants were included; 3 trials supported use in dementia. Eight trials of anticonvulsants were included; only one showed benefit. For benzodiazepines, 2 RCTs were included; only one trial of lorazepam showed improvement. Six trials of melatonin agonists were included; none showed efficacy outside of improved sleep measures. Evidence for effectiveness of pimavanserin and dextromethorphan-quinidine was limited to one study each, both of which showed benefit. SUMMARY Despite the widespread off-label use of psychotropic medications for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia, there are relatively few RCTs to evaluate their use with treatment effect sizes absent or modest for most medication classes. Of the medication classes reviewed, atypical antipsychotics have the best evidence for effectiveness, however, the overall magnitude of treatment effect is modest and must be balanced with risk of serious adverse events including death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Gerlach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Helen C. Kales
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, CA
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