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Brisnik V, Vukas J, Jung-Sievers C, Lukaschek K, Alexander GC, Thiem U, Thürmann P, Schüle C, Fischer S, Baum E, Drey M, Harder S, Niebling W, Janka U, Krause O, Gensichen J, Dreischulte T. Deprescribing of antidepressants: development of indicators of high-risk and overprescribing using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. BMC Med 2024; 22:193. [PMID: 38735930 PMCID: PMC11089726 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03397-w] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antidepressants are first-line medications for many psychiatric disorders. However, their widespread long-term use in some indications (e.g., mild depression and insomnia) is concerning. Particularly in older adults with comorbidities and polypharmacy, who are more susceptible to adverse drug reactions, the risks and benefits of treatment should be regularly reviewed. The aim of this consensus process was to identify explicit criteria of potentially inappropriate antidepressant use (indicators) in order to support primary care clinicians in identifying situations, where deprescribing of antidepressants should be considered. METHODS We used the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to identify the indicators of high-risk and overprescribing of antidepressants. We combined a structured literature review with a 3-round expert panel, with results discussed in moderated meetings in between rounds. Each of the 282 candidate indicators was scored on a 9-point Likert scale representing the necessity of a critical review of antidepressant continuation (1-3 = not necessary; 4-6 = uncertain; 7-9 = clearly necessary). Experts rated the indicators for the necessity of review, since decisions to deprescribe require considerations of patient risk/benefit balance and preferences. Indicators with a median necessity rating of ≥ 7 without disagreement after 3 rating rounds were accepted. RESULTS The expert panel comprised 2 general practitioners, 2 clinical pharmacologists, 1 gerontopsychiatrist, 2 psychiatrists, and 3 internists/geriatricians (total N = 10). After 3 assessment rounds, there was consensus for 37 indicators of high-risk and 25 indicators of overprescribing, where critical reviews were felt to be necessary. High-risk prescribing indicators included settings posing risks of drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-age interactions or the occurrence of adverse drug reactions. Indicators with the highest ratings included those suggesting the possibility of cardiovascular risks (QTc prolongation), delirium, gastrointestinal bleeding, and liver injury in specific patient subgroups with additional risk factors. Overprescribing indicators target patients with long treatment durations for depression, anxiety, and insomnia as well as high doses for pain and insomnia. CONCLUSIONS Explicit indicators of antidepressant high-risk and overprescribing may be used directly by patients and health care providers, and integrated within clinical decision support tools, in order to improve the overall risk/benefit balance of this commonly prescribed class of prescription drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vita Brisnik
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate Program "POKAL - Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care", (DFG - GrK 2621), Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Vukas
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate Program "POKAL - Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care", (DFG - GrK 2621), Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Jung-Sievers
- Graduate Program "POKAL - Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care", (DFG - GrK 2621), Munich, Germany
- Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Karoline Lukaschek
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate Program "POKAL - Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care", (DFG - GrK 2621), Munich, Germany
| | - G Caleb Alexander
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ulrich Thiem
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Geriatrics, Albertinen-Haus, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Thürmann
- Chair of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health, Department of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
- Philipp Klee-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Cornelius Schüle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fischer
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Psychiatric Services Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Erika Baum
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Drey
- Department of Medicine IV, Geriatrics, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Harder
- Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Niebling
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Practice, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Janka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Krause
- Institute of General Practice and Palliative Medicine, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jochen Gensichen
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate Program "POKAL - Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care", (DFG - GrK 2621), Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Dreischulte
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Graduate Program "POKAL - Predictors and Outcomes in Primary Care Depression Care", (DFG - GrK 2621), Munich, Germany.
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Grimmsmann T, Himmel W. [Private Prescriptions In East And West Germany - A Secondary Data Analysis]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 85:1213-1219. [PMID: 38081175 PMCID: PMC10713339 DOI: 10.1055/a-2160-2679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are prescribed to a considerable extent as private prescription also for persons insured by a statutory health insurance (SHI), with formerly large differences between East and West Germany. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether these differences still exist today. METHOD This secondary data analysis used anonymized prescription data from general practitioners (GPs), community neurologists, and psychiatrists. SHI-insured patients with at least one prescription for a benzodiazepine or Z-substance between 2014 and 2020 were included. Differences between East and West Germany in the proportion of private prescriptions were the central outcome. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test whether the factors region (eastern vs. western Germany) and specialist group (GPs vs. neurologists/psychiatrists) were statistically significant predictors of the proportion of private prescriptions - taking into account the age and gender composition of patients in a practice. RESULTS From 867 practices, 2,200,446 prescriptions for Z-substances, benzodiazepine anxiolytics, and benzodiazepine hypnotics/sedatives were evaluated. More than 38% of these prescriptions were issued as private prescriptions: 53.6% in eastern Germany and 34.8% in western Germany. For Z-substances, the proportion of private prescriptions was particularly high (70.7% in eastern and 43.0% in western Germany). GPs issued private prescriptions far more frequently than neurologists and psychiatrists. The proportion of private prescriptions increased during the study period, comparatively strongly in the western states (from 33% to 39%) and slightly in the eastern states (from 53% to 54%). In the multivariate model, practice area (east/west) and specialist group were similarly strong predictors of the extent of private prescriptions, especially for Z-substances. CONCLUSION Contrary to a general alignment in life expectancy, morbidity risks, and health behaviour in East and West Germany, there is, despite convergence, still a significant difference in the proportion of private prescriptions for benzodiazepines and especially for Z-substances between the two regions. The groups of physicians who mainly prescribe these substances, namely neurologists and psychiatrists, on the one hand, and GPs, on the other, also differ considerably in the proportion of their private prescriptions for these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grimmsmann
- Referat Arzneimittel und Methoden, Medizinischer Dienst
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schwerin, Deutschland
| | - Wolfgang Himmel
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsmedizin
Göttingen, Gottingen, Deutschland
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Scala M, Fanelli G, De Ronchi D, Serretti A, Fabbri C. Clinical specificity profile for novel rapid acting antidepressant drugs. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:297-328. [PMID: 37381161 PMCID: PMC10373854 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Mood disorders are recurrent/chronic diseases with variable clinical remission rates. Available antidepressants are not effective in all patients and often show a relevant response latency, with a range of adverse events, including weight gain and sexual dysfunction. Novel rapid agents were developed with the aim of overcoming at least in part these issues. Novel drugs target glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, orexin, and other receptors, providing a broader range of pharmacodynamic mechanisms, that is, expected to increase the possibility of personalizing treatments on the individual clinical profile. These new drugs were developed with the aim of combining a rapid action, a tolerable profile, and higher effectiveness on specific symptoms, which were relatively poorly targeted by standard antidepressants, such as anhedonia and response to reward, suicidal ideation/behaviours, insomnia, cognitive deficits, and irritability. This review discusses the clinical specificity profile of new antidepressants, namely 4-chlorokynurenine (AV-101), dextromethorphan-bupropion, pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one (PH-10), pimavanserin, PRAX-114, psilocybin, esmethadone (REL-1017/dextromethadone), seltorexant (JNJ-42847922/MIN-202), and zuranolone (SAGE-217). The main aim is to provide an overview of the efficacy/tolerability of these compounds in patients with mood disorders having different symptom/comorbidity patterns, to help clinicians in the optimization of the risk/benefit ratio when prescribing these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Scala
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fanelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana De Ronchi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Fabbri
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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Mandelli L, Milaneschi Y, Hiles S, Serretti A, Penninx BW. Unhealthy lifestyle impacts on biological systems involved in stress response: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammation and autonomous nervous system. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:127-135. [PMID: 36730700 PMCID: PMC10063190 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
An unhealthy lifestyle has a critical role in the pathogenesis and course of several chronic disorders. It has been hypothesized that lifestyle may also impact biological systems involved in stress response. A global index of unhealthy lifestyle was calculated based on the cumulative presence of five self-reported lifestyle habits (smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug use, low physical activity and short sleep) in 2783 participants (18-65 years) from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. The functioning of biological stress systems was based on multiple physiological measures of cortisol, inflammatory cytokines and autonomic cardiac activity. The unhealthy lifestyle index was associated with hyperactivity of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased inflammation, indicating that with increasing unhealthy habits, the level of biological stress increases. No association with the autonomic nervous system activity was observed; however, the use of drugs increased parasympathetic cardiac activity and significantly impacted on ANS. Results were not impacted by a recent episode of depression or anxiety disorder. An unhealthy lifestyle may unfavorably impact on biological systems involved in stress response, which may underlie progression of several psychiatric as well as somatic chronic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mandelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah Hiles
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- School of Psychological Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Brenda W. Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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