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Etherton-Beer C, Page A, Criddle D, Somers G, Parkinson L, Clifford R, Mangin D. The Australian Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (AusTAPER) hospital study: effect of a collaborative medication review on the number of current regular medicines for older hospital inpatients. Intern Med J 2024. [PMID: 39207237 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16510] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Potentially harmful polypharmacy is a growing public health concern. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (AusTAPER) framework. METHODS We recruited patients at metropolitan hospitals for a randomised controlled trial with 12 months of follow-up. The intervention included a comprehensive medicines history, multidisciplinary meeting and medicines review prior to discharge, with engagement with the participants' general practitioner extending after discharge. The primary outcome was the change in the number of regular medicines used at 12 months from baseline. A cost consequence was performed to estimate costs per participant during the study period. RESULTS There were 98 participants enrolled in the study. The number of regular medicines was significantly reduced from baseline in both groups (-1.7 ± 4.3, t = 2.38, P = 0.02 in the control group vs -2.7 ± 3.6, t = 4.48, P = 0.0001 in the intervention group), although there was no statistical difference detected between the two groups (1.0 (SE 0.9), t = 1.03, P = 0.31). The intervention was estimated to cost AU$644.17 and was associated with cost savings of AU$552.53 per participant in sustained reduced medicines cost. Health outcomes and healthcare costs were similar in both groups. DISCUSSION Medicines were significantly reduced in both groups, with a trend to a larger reduction in medicines at 12 months in the intervention group. The intervention cost was approximately offset by sustained reduced medicines cost, although these results should be regarded cautiously because of the absence of significance in the differences in outcomes between groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy Page
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Deirdre Criddle
- Complex Needs Coordination Team, South Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - George Somers
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynne Parkinson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rhonda Clifford
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dee Mangin
- Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- General Practice, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Bogaerts JMK, Gussekloo J, de Jong-Schmit BEM, Le Cessie S, Mooijaart SP, van der Mast RC, Achterberg WP, Poortvliet RKE. Effects of the discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia (DANTON): a multicentre, open-label, blinded-outcome, randomised controlled trial. Age Ageing 2024; 53:afae133. [PMID: 38970547 PMCID: PMC11227112 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae133] [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: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the benefit-harm balance of antihypertensive treatment in older adults with dementia is unclear. OBJECTIVE To assess whether discontinuing antihypertensive treatment reduces neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) and maintains quality of life (QoL) in nursing home residents with dementia. DESIGN Open-label, blinded-outcome RCT. Randomisation 1:1, stratified by nursing home organisation and baseline NPS. Trial registration: NL7365. SUBJECTS Dutch long-term care residents with moderate-to-severe dementia and systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤160 mmHg during antihypertensive treatment. Exclusion criteria included heart failure NYHA-class-III/IV, recent cardiovascular events/procedures or life expectancy <4 months (planned sample size n = 492). MEASUREMENTS Co-primary outcomes NPS (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home [NPI-NH]) and QoL (Qualidem) at 16 weeks. RESULTS From 9 November 2018 to 4 May 2021, 205 participants (median age 85.8 [IQR 79.6-89.5] years; 79.5% female; median SBP 134 [IQR 123-146] mmHg) were randomised to either antihypertensive treatment discontinuation (n = 101) or usual care (n = 104). Safety concerns, combined with lacking benefits, prompted the data safety and monitoring board to advice a premature cessation of randomisation. At 16-week follow-up, no significant differences were found between groups for NPI-NH (adjusted mean difference 1.6 [95% CI -2.3 to 5.6]; P = 0.42) or Qualidem (adjusted mean difference - 2.5 [95% CI -6.0 to 1.0]; P = 0.15). Serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred in 36% (discontinuation) and 24% (usual care) of the participants (adjusted hazard ratio 1.65 [95% CI 0.98-2.79]). All 32-week outcomes favoured usual care. CONCLUSION Halfway through this study, a non-significant increased SAE risk associated with discontinuing antihypertensive treatment was observed, and an associated interim analysis showed that significant worthwhile health gain for discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment was unlikely. This unbeneficial benefit-harm balance shows that discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment in this context does not appear to be either safe or beneficial enough to be recommended in older adults with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M K Bogaerts
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacobijn Gussekloo
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bianca E M de Jong-Schmit
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia Le Cessie
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Datasciences, Section Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simon P Mooijaart
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Roos C van der Mast
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, The Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, S.033, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Wilco P Achterberg
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- University Network for the Care sector South Holland, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalinde K E Poortvliet
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
- LUMC Center for Medicine for Older People, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Liu BM, Redston MR, Fujita K, Thillainadesan J, Gnjidic D, Hilmer SN. The Impact of Deprescribing Interventions on the Drug Burden Index and Other Outcomes: A Systematic Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:105021. [PMID: 38763161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.105021] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Drug Burden Index (DBI) calculates a person's exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. We aimed to review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of deprescribing interventions that reported the DBI as an outcome, their characteristics, effectiveness in reducing the DBI, and impact on other outcomes. DESIGN Systematic review with meta-analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS RCTs of deprescribing interventions where the DBI was measured as a primary or secondary outcome in humans within any setting were included. METHODS Electronic databases, citation indexes, and gray literature were searched from April 1, 2007, to September 1, 2023. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. RESULTS Of 1721 records identified, 9 met the inclusion criteria. Six interventions were delivered by pharmacists and 3 were delivered by pharmacists/nurses or pharmacists/geriatricians. All interventions required at least intermediate-level skills and involved multiple components and target groups. Studies were conducted in the community (n = 5), nursing homes (n = 2), and hospitals (n = 2). The mean or median age was ≥75 years and most participants were women in all studies. Most (n = 6) studies were underpowered. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 12 months. Three studies reported a lower DBI in the intervention group compared with control: 1 pharmacist independent prescriber-delivered in nursing homes (adjusted rate ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.92), 1 pharmacist/nurse practitioner-delivered in hospital (adjusted mean difference (MD), -0.28; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.04), and 1 geriatrician/pharmacist-delivered in hospital (MD, -0.28; 95% CI, -0.52 to -0.04). Meta-analysis showed no difference in the change in DBI between control and intervention groups in the community including nursing homes (MD, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.01) or hospital setting (MD, -0.19; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.06). Interventions had inconsistent effects on cognition and no effect on other reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS RCTs of deprescribing interventions had no significant impact on reducing DBI or improving outcomes. Further suitably powered studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie M Liu
- Ageing and Pharmacology Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia; Aged Care Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Mitchell R Redston
- St George and Sutherland Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kenji Fujita
- Ageing and Pharmacology Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Janani Thillainadesan
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Concord Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Danijela Gnjidic
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah N Hilmer
- Ageing and Pharmacology Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia; Aged Care Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Clinical Pharmacology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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Page AT, Potter K, Lee G, Almutairi H, Lee K, Wang K, Ailabouni N, Etherton-Beer C. Medicines Regimens Charted for Older People Living in Residential Aged Care: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study Describing the Number of Medicines, Regimen Complexity, High-Risk Prescribing, and Potential Underprescribing. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:104944. [PMID: 38428832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.01.013] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore medicines regimens charted for older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). DESIGN Repeated cross-sectional study using routinely collected data sampled in a cross-sectional manner at 11 time points (day of admission, then at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days, and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post admission). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The cohort is set in 34 RACFs managed by a single Australasian provider. People aged ≥65 years admitted to permanent care between January 1, 2017, and October 1, 2021, with medicines charted on the date of admission. METHODS Medicines charted were evaluated for potentially suboptimal prescribing including number of medicines, high-risk prescribing (eg, potentially inappropriate medicines, anticholinergic burden), and potential underprescribing. RESULTS The 3802 residents in the final cohort had a mean age of 84.9 ± 7.2 years at admission. At least 1 example of suboptimal prescribing was identified in 3479 (92%) residents at admission increasing to 1410 (97%) at 24 months. The number of medicines charted for each resident increased over time from 6.0 ± 3.8 regular and 2.8 ± 2.7 as required medicines at admission to 8.9 ± 4.1 regular and 8.1 ± 3.7 as required medicines at 24 months. Anticholinergic drug burden increased from 1.6 ± 2.4 at admission to 3.0 ± 2.8 at 24 months. Half the residents (2173; 57%) used at least 1 potentially inappropriate medicine at admission, which rose to nearly three-quarters (1060; 73%) at 24 months admission. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The total number of medicines charted for older adults living in RACFs increases with length of stay, with charted as required medicines nearly tripling. Effective interventions to optimize medicines use in this vulnerable population are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Theresa Page
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | | | - Georgie Lee
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hend Almutairi
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kenneth Lee
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Wang
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nagham Ailabouni
- PACE, School of Pharmacy, Health and Behavioural Sciences Faculty, University of Queensland
| | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
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O'Leary CET, Wilkinson TJ, Hanger HC. A comparison of changes in drug burden index between older inpatients who fell and people who have not fallen: A case-control study. Australas J Ageing 2024. [PMID: 38770595 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.13333] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Older inpatients who fall are often frail, with multiple co-morbidities and polypharmacy. Although the causes of falls are multifactorial, sedating and delirium-inducing drugs increase that risk. The aims were to determine whether people who fell had a change in their sedative and anticholinergic medication burden during an admission compared to people who did not fall. A secondary aim was to determine the factors associated with change in drug burden. METHODS A retrospective, observational, case-control study of inpatients who fell. Two hundred consecutive people who fell were compared with 200 randomly selected people who had not fallen. Demographics, functional ability, frailty and cognition were recorded. For each patient, their total medications and anticholinergic and sedative burden were calculated on admission and on discharge, using the drug burden index (DBI). RESULTS People who fell were more dependent and cognitively impaired than people who did not fallen. People who fell had a higher DBI on admission, than people who had not fall (mean: .69 vs .43, respectively, p < .001) and discharge (.66 vs .38, p < .001). For both cohorts, the DBI decreased between admission and discharge (-.03 and -.05), but neither were clinically significant. Higher total medications and a higher number DBI medications on admission were both associated with greater DBI changes (p = .003 and <.001, respectively). However, the presence (or absence) of cognitive impairment, dependency, frailty and single vs multiple falls were not significantly associated with DBI changes. CONCLUSIONS In older people, DBI medications and falls are both common and have serious consequences, yet this study was unable to demonstrate any clinically relevant reduction in average DBI either in people who fell or people who had not fallen during a hospital admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E T O'Leary
- Older Persons Health, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand)-Waitaha, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Timothy J Wilkinson
- Older Persons Health, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand)-Waitaha, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - H Carl Hanger
- Older Persons Health, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand)-Waitaha, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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McDonald EG, Lundby C, Thompson W, Boyd C, Farrell B, Gagnon C, Herbin J, Khuong N, Moriarty F, Pierson T, Scott S, Scott IA, Silvius J, Spinewine A, Steinman MA, Tannenbaum C, Trimble J, Turner JP, Reeve E. Reducing potentially inappropriate polypharmacy at a national and international level: the impact of deprescribing networks. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:433-440. [PMID: 38739460 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2355270] [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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past decade, polypharmacy has increased dramatically. Measurable harms include falls, fractures, cognitive impairment, and death. The associated costs are massive and contribute substantially to low-value health care. Deprescribing is a promising solution, but there are barriers. Establishing a network to address polypharmacy can help overcome barriers by connecting individuals with an interest and expertise in deprescribing and can act as an important source of motivation and resources. AREAS COVERED Over the past decade, several deprescribing networks were launched to help tackle polypharmacy, with evidence of individual and collective impact. A network approach has several advantages; it can spark interest, ideas and enthusiasm through information sharing, meetings and conversations with the public, providers, and other key stakeholders. In this special report, the details of how four deprescribing networks were established across the globe are detailed. EXPERT OPINION Networks create links between people who lead existing and/or budding deprescribing practices and policy initiatives, can influence people with a shared passion for deprescribing, and facilitate sharing of intellectual capital and tools to take initiatives further and strengthen impact.This report should inspire others to establish their own deprescribing networks, a critical step in accelerating a global deprescribing movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G McDonald
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carina Lundby
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Hospital Pharmacy Funen, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Wade Thompson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cynthia Boyd
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology in the School of Medicine, the Center on Aging and Health, and the departments of Epidemiology and Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara Farrell
- Bruyère Research Institute, Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Camille Gagnon
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jennie Herbin
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ninh Khuong
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frank Moriarty
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tiphaine Pierson
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sion Scott
- School of Healthcare, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Ian A Scott
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jim Silvius
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Provincial Seniors Health & Continuing Care, Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael A Steinman
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cara Tannenbaum
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Johanna Trimble
- Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Justin P Turner
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily Reeve
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Melbourne, SA, Australia
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Thompson W, Lundby C, Bleik A, Waring H, Hong JA, Xi C, Hughes C, Salzwedel DM, McDonald EG, Pruskowski J, Scott S, Spinewine A, Kutner JS, Graabæk T, Elmi S, Moriarty F. Measuring Quality of Life in Deprescribing Trials: A Scoping Review. Drugs Aging 2024; 41:379-397. [PMID: 38709466 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-024-01113-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome to capture in clinical trials evaluating deprescribing interventions. OBJECTIVE We aimed to conduct a scoping review to examine how QoL has been measured in deprescribing trials among older people and identify potentially relevant QoL scales, to better inform QoL measurement in future deprescribing trials. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, Epistemonikos, ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists of eligible studies (from inception to October 2023). We included randomized and non-randomized comparative studies with a control group that evaluated deprescribing and polypharmacy reduction interventions in people ≥ 65 years of age and measured QoL as an outcome. We also included studies describing the development and validation of QoL scales related to deprescribing, polypharmacy, or medication burden in adults ≥ 18 years of age. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, then full texts. Two independent reviewers extracted data from 25% of eligible studies in order to verify agreement, then a single reviewer extracted data from the remaining studies, which a second reviewer cross-checked. We critically appraised scales based on the COSMIN checklist. RESULTS We retrieved 7290 articles, of which 52 were eligible for inclusion, including 44 deprescribing trials and eight scale development studies. From these studies, we found 21 scales that have been used in the context of deprescribing/polypharmacy (12 generic scales used in clinical trials and nine medication-specific scales). Variations of the generic EQ-5D were the most used scales. The measurement properties of scales for capturing changes in QoL from deprescribing were uncertain. Medication-specific QoL scales have not been employed in deprescribing clinical trials and thus, their performance in this context is also not clear. CONCLUSIONS Several existing QoL scales have been applied to the context of deprescribing/polypharmacy clinical trials, and new scales specific to the problem have been proposed. If deprescribing does impact QoL, our findings suggest it is uncertain whether existing QoL scales can practically and reliably capture such a change or whether any scale is best. However, this review compares various aspects of the scales that researchers and clinicians can consider in decisions about measuring QoL in deprescribing trials, and in planning future research. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION Open Science Framework: osf.io/aez6w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wade Thompson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada.
| | - Carina Lundby
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Hospital Pharmacy Funen, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Adam Bleik
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Harman Waring
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jung Ah Hong
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chris Xi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carmel Hughes
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Douglas M Salzwedel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada
| | - Emily G McDonald
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer Pruskowski
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh Veteran Affairs Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sion Scott
- School of Healthcare, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean S Kutner
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Trine Graabæk
- Hospital Pharmacy Funen, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Shahrzad Elmi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 317-2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada
| | - Frank Moriarty
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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Okafor CE, Keramat SA, Comans T, Page AT, Potter K, Hilmer SN, Lindley RI, Mangin D, Naganathan V, Etherton-Beer C. Cost-Consequence Analysis of Deprescribing to Optimize Health Outcomes for Frail Older People: A Within-Trial Analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:539-544.e2. [PMID: 38307120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.12.016] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The structured, clinically supervised withdrawal of medicines, known as deprescribing, is one strategy to address inappropriate polypharmacy. This study aimed to evaluate the costs and consequences of deprescribing in frail older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Australia. DESIGN A within-trial cost-consequence analysis of a deprescribing intervention-Opti-Med. The Opti-Med double-blind randomized controlled trial of deprescribing included 3 groups: blinded control, blinded intervention, and an open intervention group. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Seventeen RACFs in Western Australia and New South Wales. Participants were 303 older people living in participating RACFs from March 2014 to February 2019. METHODS Analysis was conducted from the health sector perspective. Health economic outcomes assessed include cost saved from deprescribed medicines and the incremental quality-adjusted life-years. Costs were presented in 2022 Australian dollars. RESULTS The total cost of the Opti-Med intervention was $239.13 per participant. The costs saved through deprescribed medicines over 12 months after adjusting for mortality within the trial period was $328.90 per participant in the blinded intervention group and $164.00 per participant in the open intervention group. On average, the cost of the intervention was more than offset by the cost saved from deprescribed medicines. Extrapolating these findings to the Australian population suggests a potential net cost saving of about $1 to $16 million per annum for the health system nationally. The incremental quality-adjusted life-years were very similar across the 3 groups within the trial period. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Deprescribing for frail older people living in RACFs can be a cost-saving intervention without reducing the quality of life. Systemwide implementation of deprescribing across RACFs in Australia has the potential to improve health care delivery through the cost savings, which could be reapplied to further optimize care within RACFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Okafor
- Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Syed Afroz Keramat
- Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tracy Comans
- Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amy T Page
- Western Australia Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Sarah N Hilmer
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard I Lindley
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Barangaroo, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dee Mangin
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; University of Otago, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Vasi Naganathan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Centre of Education and Research in Ageing, Concord Repatriation Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- Western Australia Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Hoffmann U. [Management of polypharmacy in older people with multimorbidity]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 65:9-16. [PMID: 38059997 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01630-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
If the individual diagnoses of older people with multimorbidity are treated according to guidelines and by different specialists, confusing medication plans are sometimes the consequence. Therefore, a regular and structured drug evaluation is essential. As the life goals of patients can be very different, especially in older age, certain preliminary considerations should be made when starting, prescribing or discontinuing medication, taking into account the individual situation, including geriatric aspects. Updated so-called positive and negative lists provide assistance as to which medications are suitable or unsuitable for older people. Discontinuing certain medications when the life expectancy is reduced certainly makes sense but undertreatment of symptoms that cause distress to people, such as pain, should definitely be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Hoffmann
- Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Geriatrie, Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder, Prüfeninger Str. 86, 93049, Regensburg, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Alterstraumatologie, Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder, Regensburg, Deutschland.
- Zentrum für Ernährungsmedizin, Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder, Regensburg, Deutschland.
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