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Lord L, Wark P, Hew M, Blakeley B, Steeper M, Kirsa S, Ilomäki J. Prevalence of psychotropic medication dispensing to people living with cystic fibrosis in Australia: 2013-2022. J Psychosom Res 2024; 186:111877. [PMID: 39178579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People living with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are at increased risk of mental health conditions. There is little evidence addressing psychotropic medication use in PwCF. This study aimed to estimate the dispensing prevalence of antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, psychostimulant, and hypnotic/sedative medication in PwCF in Australia between 2013 and 2022. METHOD A 10% random sample of Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data was used to identify PwCF and their medications between 2013 and 2022. Annual prevalence of psychotropic medication dispensing was estimated using a 3-year rolling average, stratified by sex, age, and medication class. RESULTS Psychotropic medications were dispensed to 206/478 (41.3%) PwCF. Antidepressant and anxiolytic dispensing prevalence was highest in adult females, increasing from 201 5 by 50% to their peak in 2021 (antidepressants 36.8%; anxiolytics 12.3%). Psychostimulant prevalence was highest in adolescent males and increased over three-fold during the study period from 3.6% to 13.2%. The prevalence of antipsychotic medication was lower than other classes with adult females having the highest prevalence (3.1% and 5.8% in 201 5 and 2022 respectively). Hypnotic/sedative medications remained consistently low or decreased in all groups except male children, where it increased from 0.6% to 2.8% from 201 5 to 2022. CONCLUSION Psychotropic medication use is higher among Australian PwCF compared to the general population, with varying prevalence across age and sex groups. This is of interest due to complexities with CF comorbidities and potential medication influences and interactions. Future studies should investigate the reasons for psychotropic use disparities within PwCF with the aim to establish targeted guidelines and optimize outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Lord
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia; Pharmacy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Peter Wark
- Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Service, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Mark Hew
- Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Service, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Brooke Blakeley
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Michelle Steeper
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sue Kirsa
- Monash Health, Pharmacy Department, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Jenni Ilomäki
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Camacho X, Schaffer AL, Brett J, Pratt N, Buckley NA, Henry D, Pearson SA. Quality use of publicly subsidised tapentadol in Australia: a population-based analysis. Intern Med J 2024; 54:941-950. [PMID: 38299430 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sustained-release (SR) tapentadol was listed on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2014 for chronic severe pain requiring long-term opioid treatment. Dispensings have increased since listing despite declining trends in other PBS-listed opioids. Preferential prescribing of SR opioids may increase the risk of dependence and accidental overdose, particularly when used to treat acute pain. AIMS To explore the quality use of publicly subsidised tapentadol in Australia. METHODS We examined annual initiation rates and patterns of use of tapentadol (SR) in the dispensing records of a 10% random sample of PBS-eligible Australians (2014-2021). We used national tapentadol sales data to assess the proportion of sales attributable to the PBS. RESULTS Tapentadol initiation increased from 2014, peaking at 7.5/1000 adult population in 2019 before declining to 5.3/1000 in 2021. We identified 63 766 new users between 2014 and 2020, of whom 92.8% discontinued in the first year following initiation, 58.0% had only a single dispensing and 34.3% had no other opioids dispensed in the 3 months before or after initiation. 27.8% of new users were dispensed tapentadol on the same day as potentially interacting medicines. There was a sustained drop in the proportion of sales attributable to the PBS from June 2020 onwards, from an average of 69.1%, to 63.9% of pack sales. CONCLUSIONS Patterns of use suggest tapentadol (SR) is generally used for short duration. Although most tapentadol sold in Australia is subsidised, there is evidence of a shift towards private sales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Camacho
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrea L Schaffer
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jonathan Brett
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Pratt
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Buckley
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Henry
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Medicines Intelligence, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Hughes GA, Inacio MC, Rowett D, Lang C, Jorissen RN, Corlis M, Sluggett JK. National Trends in Antidepressant Use in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities (2006-2019). J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:104957. [PMID: 38432647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.01.026] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antipsychotics have been the focus of reforms for improving the appropriateness of psychotropic medicine use in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Comprehensive evaluation of antidepressant use in RACFs is required to inform policy and practice initiatives targeting psychotropic medicines. This study examined national trends in antidepressant use among older people living in RACFs from 2006 to 2019. DESIGN National repeated cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Individuals aged 65 to 105 years who were permanent, long-term (≥100 days) residents of Australian RACFs between January 2006 and December 2019 were included. METHODS Annual age- and sex-adjusted antidepressant prevalence rates and defined daily doses (DDDs) supplied per 1000 resident-days from 2006 to 2019 were determined. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rate ratios (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson and negative binomial regression models. RESULTS A total of 779,659 residents of 3371 RACFs were included (786,227,380 resident-days). Overall, antidepressant use increased from 46.1% (95% CI, 45.9-46.4) in 2006 to 58.5% (95% CI, 58.3-58.8) of residents in 2019 (aRR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.02-1.02). Mirtazapine use increased from 8.4% (95% CI, 8.2-8.5) to 20.9% (95% CI, 20.7-21.1) from 2006 to 2019 (aRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.07-1.07). Antidepressant use increased from 350.3 (95% CI, 347.6-353.1) to 506.0 (95% CI, 502.8-509.3) DDDs/1000 resident-days (aRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.03-1.03), with mirtazapine utilization increasing by 6% annually (aRR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.06-1.06). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This nationwide study identified a substantial increase in antidepressant use among residents of Australian RACFs, largely driven by mirtazapine. With nearly 3 in every 5 residents treated with an antidepressant in 2019, findings highlight potential off-label use and suggest that interventions to optimize care are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina A Hughes
- University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Maria C Inacio
- Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; University of South Australia, UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Debra Rowett
- University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical & Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Drug and Therapeutics Information Service, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine Lang
- Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert N Jorissen
- Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; University of South Australia, UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Megan Corlis
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA Branch, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Janet K Sluggett
- Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; University of South Australia, UniSA Allied Health and Human Performance, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Almeida OP, Page A, Sanfilippo FM, Preen DB, Etherton-Beer C. Observational evidence linking psychotropic medicines to the dispensing of opioid agents in later life. Psychogeriatrics 2024; 24:665-674. [PMID: 38561326 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.13123] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of opioid medicines is common in developed countries, particularly among older adults and those with mental health disorders. It is unclear if the association between mental disorders and opioid medicines is causal, or is due to reverse causality or confounding. METHODS We used a 10% random sample of the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (years 2012-2022) to examine the cross-sectional, case-control and longitudinal association between the dispensing of antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics, antipsychotics and lithium, and opioid medicines. We used logistic regression, structural equation models (SEM), and Cox regression to analyze the data. Analyses were adjusted for age (years), sex, and number of non-psychotropic medicines dispensed during the year. RESULTS The 2022 file contained 804 334 individuals aged 50 years or over (53.1% women), of whom 181 690 (22.6%) received an opioid medicine. The adjusted odds ratio of being dispensed opioid medicines was 1.44 (99% CI = 1.42-1.46) for antidepressants, 1.97 (99% CI = 1.92-2.03) for anxiolytics, 1.55 (99% CI = 1.51-1.60) for hypnotics, 1.32 (99% CI = 1.27-1.38) for antipsychotics, and 0.60 (99% CI = 0.53-0.69) for lithium. Similar associations were noticed when we compared participants who were or not dispensed opioid medicines in 2022 for exposure to psychotropic agents between 2012 and 2021. SEM confirmed that this association was not due to reverse causality. The dispensing of antidepressants was associated with increased adjusted hazard (HR) of subsequent dispensing of opioid medicines (HR = 1.29, 99% CI = 1.27-1.30). Similar associations were observed for anxiolytics, hypnotics and antipsychotics, but not lithium. CONCLUSIONS The dispensing of opioid medicines is higher among older individuals exposed to antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and antipsychotics than those who are not. These associations are not due to reverse causality or study design. Preventive strategies seeking to minimise the risk of inappropriate use of opioid medicines in later life should consider targeting this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo P Almeida
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia
| | - Amy Page
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Frank M Sanfilippo
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Centre, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - David B Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Tiger M, Castelpietra G, Wesselhoeft R, Lundberg J, Reutfors J. Utilization of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:175. [PMID: 38575574 PMCID: PMC10995182 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02894-z] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns over the mental health impact of COVID-19. This is a review of the utilization of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared on March the 11th 2020. A number of reports so far have been based on large prescription databases for administrative use at the national or regional level, but mainly in high-income countries. We found studies reporting increased prescription rates of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics during March 2020, which has been interpreted as hoarding of such medications. In the following months, most studies of antidepressant prescription rates did not display a clear pattern of change compared with prepandemic trends. In later phases of the pandemic small increases in utilization of antidepressants, with higher than predicted prescription rates, have been the most consistent finding, especially in youth. In most high-income countries, there were increasing trends in utilization of antidepressants also before 2020, which needs to be considered when estimating utilization during the pandemic, whereas for anxiolytics and hypnotics, the prepandemic patterns of prescriptions were more varying. Overall, after March 2020 we could not find any distinct changes in the utilization of anxiolytics and hypnotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most studies did not contain information about the prevalence of indicated psychiatric disorders in the studied populations. More studies are needed about the long-term effects of COVID-19, particularly regarding utilization of antidepressants. Research relating antidepressant utilization with the prevalence of major depression and anxiety disorders would promote a better understanding of how well antidepressant prescription rates reflect the needs of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Tiger
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Giulio Castelpietra
- Outpatient and Inpatient Care Service, Central Health Directorate, Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trieste, Italy
- Department Adult 2, Centre Neuchâteloise de Psychiatrie, Marin-Epagnier, Préfargier, Switzerland
| | - Rikke Wesselhoeft
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute for Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Lundberg
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Reutfors
- Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Almeida OP, Page A, Sanfilippo FM, Etherton-Beer C. Prospective Association Between the Dispensing of Antidepressants and of Medications to Treat Osteoporosis in Older Age. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:349-357. [PMID: 37919102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.10.004] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is a common condition associated with fragility fractures, especially in older individuals and women. Antidepressants have emerged as a potential risk factor, but their association with bone fragility remains uncertain because the results of past studies are difficult to generalize. We aimed to investigate the association between antidepressant exposure and subsequent treatment for osteoporosis in a nationally representative sample of Australians. METHODS Cohort study using a 10% random sample of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data for 2012, that included 566,707 individuals aged older than or equal to 50 years not dispensed osteoporosis medications. The effect of exposure to antidepressants during 2012 (prevalent or incident) or later (up to 2022) was examined using Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities and other psychotropic medications. RESULTS Over 10 years, 73,360 (12.94%) received osteoporosis medications; 16,216 (22.10%) had been dispensed antidepressants in 2012. The hazard of osteoporosis medication dispensing was higher among those exposed to antidepressants (HR = 1.16, 99% CI = 1.14-1.18; average duration of follow up: 8.0 ± 3.1 years, range: 1-10 years). The hazard of osteoporosis medication diminished with increasing age, and the effect of antidepressants was 37%-76% more pronounced among men in the 50s and 60s. Different classes of antidepressants had a similar risk profile. CONCLUSION The dispensing of antidepressants in older age is associated with higher hazard of subsequent dispensing of medications for osteoporosis, and this association is more marked for young older adults, particularly men. Clinicians should monitor the bone health of older individuals treated with antidepressants in order to decrease the morbidity associated with fragility fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osvaldo P Almeida
- Medical School (OPA, CE-B), University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
| | - Amy Page
- School of Allied Health (AP), University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Frank M Sanfilippo
- School of Population and Global Health (FMS), University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Wallis KA, Dikken PJS, Sooriyaarachchi P, Bohnen AM, Donald M. Lessons from the Netherlands for Australia: cross-country comparison of trends in antidepressant dispensing 2013-2021 and contextual factors influencing prescribing. Aust J Prim Health 2024; 30:NULL. [PMID: 38056885 DOI: 10.1071/py23168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is concern internationally about increasing antidepressant use. Most antidepressants are prescribed in general practice. The aim of this study was to compare trends in antidepressant dispensing in Australia and the Netherlands over the 9years from 2013 to 2021, and to explore reasons for differences. METHODS A convergent mixed methods study including analysis of publicly available antidepressant dispensing data obtained from Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics and a search of relevant literature to compare contextual factors influencing prescribing were undertaken. RESULTS In 2013, antidepressant dispensing rates in Australia were nearly twice as high as those in the Netherlands (82.5 versus 44.3DDD/1000/day) and increased to be more than twice as high by 2021 (115.6 versus 48.8DDD/1000/day). Antidepressant dispensing increased by 40% in Australia over the nine study years, but by only 10% in the Netherlands. Our scan of the literature confirms that while population factors, health system structure, and clinical guideline recommendations are largely consistent across the two countries, a multifaceted approach in the Netherlands involving improved access to non-pharmacological alternatives, initiatives targeting safer antidepressant prescribing, and tight regulation of pharmaceutical industry influence on prescribers, has successfully curtailed increasing antidepressant use. CONCLUSIONS Australia may learn from the Netherlands' approach to redress increasing antidepressant use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A Wallis
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Medical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Pieter J S Dikken
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Medical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia; and Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piumika Sooriyaarachchi
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Medical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia
| | - Arthur M Bohnen
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Donald
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Medical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia
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Niu D, Li C, Yan X, Qu H, Zheng Y. The relationship between antidepressants and breast cancer: evidence from Mendelian randomization. Cancer Causes Control 2024; 35:55-62. [PMID: 37540479 PMCID: PMC10764580 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01766-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of antidepressants has increased over the years, but the relationship between antidepressant use and the risk of breast cancer is not uniform because of confounding factors. We aimed to assess the effect of antidepressants on breast cancer risk using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.stet METHODS: Secondary data analysis was performed on pooled data from genome-wide association studies based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms that were highly correlated with antidepressants, SSRI drugs, and serotonin and prolactin levels were selected as instrumental variables to evaluate the association between antidepressants and SSRI drugs and prolactin levels with breast cancer and ER+/ER- breast cancer. We then performed a test of the hypothesis that SSRI drugs elevate prolactin concentrations. We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses using inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median methods, respectively. RESULTS There was no significant risk association between antidepressant and SSRI use and the development of breast cancer, ER-positive or ER-negative breast cancer (P > 0.05), and serotonin concentration was not associated with breast cancer risk (P > 0.05). There was a positive causal relationship between prolactin levels and breast cancer (IVW, P = 0.02, OR = 1.058) and ER-positive breast cancer (Weighted median, P = 0.043, OR = 1.141; IVW, P = 0.009, OR = 1.125). Results in SSRI medication and prolactin levels showed no association between SSRI analogs and prolactin levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Large MR analysis showed that antidepressants as well as SSRI drugs were not associated with breast cancer risk and the SSRI-prolactin-breast cancer hypothesis did not hold in our analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Niu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenchen Li
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yan
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haoran Qu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuling Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
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9
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Power CJ, Fox JL, Elliott-Sale KJ, Bender AM, Dalbo VJ, Scanlan AT. Waking Up to the Issue! Research Inattention and Sex-Related Differences Warrant More Sleep Studies in Female Athletes. Sports Med 2023:10.1007/s40279-023-01963-5. [PMID: 37989830 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01963-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding sleep patterns and behaviors of athletes is essential for developing targeted sleep-based interventions for implementation in practice. However, more than double the number of sleep studies have examined male athletes compared with female athletes, making the current understanding of sleep patterns, behaviors, and interventions among athletes disproportionately indicative of men. Consequently, this review demonstrates the need for more female-specific sleep data among athlete populations due to research inattention and sex-related differences. Specifically, this review identifies variations in sleep patterns and behaviors between male and female athletes, as well as physiological and lifestyle factors that potentially affect sleep patterns and behaviors across the lifespan, specifically in female athletes. In this regard, evidence suggests some female athletes experience longer sleep durations and better objective sleep quality, but similar or worse subjective sleep quality compared with male athletes. Additionally, scheduling training in the morning or throughout the day may benefit sleep in some female athletes. Considering sleep disorders, women may be at greater risk for insomnia and restless legs syndrome compared with men, which may be attributed to pregnancy, as well as a higher prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, iron deficiency without anemia, and use of psychotropic medication among women. Finally, the menstrual cycle, menstrual disorders, oral contraceptive use, and the postpartum period have been shown to exert detrimental effects on sleep patterns and behaviors and should theoretically be considered when monitoring and managing sleep in female athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J Power
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jordan L Fox
- Rural Clinical School, The University of Queensland, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Kirsty J Elliott-Sale
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Amy M Bender
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Absolute Rest, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Vincent J Dalbo
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Aaron T Scanlan
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
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Roberts B, Cooper Z, Lu S, Stanley S, Majda BT, Collins KRL, Gilkes L, Rodger J, Akkari PA, Hood SD. Utility of pharmacogenetic testing to optimise antidepressant pharmacotherapy in youth: a narrative literature review. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1267294. [PMID: 37795032 PMCID: PMC10545970 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1267294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacogenetics (PGx) is the study and application of how interindividual differences in our genomes can influence drug responses. By evaluating individuals' genetic variability in genes related to drug metabolism, PGx testing has the capabilities to individualise primary care and build a safer drug prescription model than the current "one-size-fits-all" approach. In particular, the use of PGx testing in psychiatry has shown promising evidence in improving drug efficacy as well as reducing toxicity and adverse drug reactions. Despite randomised controlled trials demonstrating an evidence base for its use, there are still numerous barriers impeding its implementation. This review paper will discuss the management of mental health conditions with PGx-guided treatment with a strong focus on youth mental illness. PGx testing in clinical practice, the concerns for its implementation in youth psychiatry, and some of the barriers inhibiting its integration in clinical healthcare will also be discussed. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge and application for PGx in psychiatry and summarises the capabilities of genetic information to personalising medicine for the treatment of mental ill-health in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Roberts
- The Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Zahra Cooper
- The Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Stephanie Lu
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Susanne Stanley
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | | | - Khan R. L. Collins
- Western Australian Department of Health, North Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lucy Gilkes
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia
- Divison of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Jennifer Rodger
- The Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - P. Anthony Akkari
- The Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- Division of Neurology, Duke University Medical Centre, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Sean D. Hood
- Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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11
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Lin J, Pearson SA, Greenfield JR, Park KH, Havard A, Brieger D, Day RO, Falster MO, de Oliveira Costa J. Trends in use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) in Australia in the era of increased evidence of their cardiovascular benefits (2014-2022). Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2023; 79:1239-1248. [PMID: 37449993 PMCID: PMC10427543 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-023-03539-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate trends in SGLT2i and GLP-1RA use in Australia in the era of increased evidence of their cardiovascular benefits. METHODS We used national dispensing claims for a 10% random sample of Australians to estimate the number of prevalent and new users (no dispensing in the prior year) of SGLT2i or GLP-1RA per month from January 2014 to July 2022. We assessed prescriber specialty and prior use of other antidiabetic and cardiovascular medicines as a proxy for evidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular conditions, respectively. RESULTS We found a large increase in the number of prevalent users (216-fold for SGLT2i; 11-fold for GLP-1RA); in July 2022 approximately 250,000 Australians were dispensed SGLT2i and 120,000 GLP-1RA. Most new users of SGLT2i or GLP-1RA had evidence of both T2D and cardiovascular conditions, although from 2022 onwards, approximately one in five new users of SGLT2i did not have T2D. The proportion of new users initiating SGLT2i by cardiologists increased after 2021, reaching 10.0% of initiations in July 2022. Among new users with evidence of cardiovascular conditions, empagliflozin was the most commonly prescribed SGLT2i, while dulaglutide or semaglutide was the most common GLP-1RA. CONCLUSION SGLT2i and GLP-1RA use is increasing in Australia, particularly in populations with higher cardiovascular risk. The increased use of SGLT2i among people without evidence of T2D suggests that best-evidence medicines are adopted in Australia across specialties, aligning with new evidence and expanding indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Lin
- Medicines Intelligence Research Program, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sallie-Anne Pearson
- Medicines Intelligence Research Program, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jerry R Greenfield
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Clinical Diabetes, Appetite and Metabolism, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Kyeong Hye Park
- Medicines Intelligence Research Program, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Health Insurance Ilsan Hospital, Goyang-shi, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Alys Havard
- Medicines Intelligence Research Program, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Brieger
- Department of Cardiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard O Day
- St Vincent's Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael O Falster
- Medicines Intelligence Research Program, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Juliana de Oliveira Costa
- Medicines Intelligence Research Program, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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12
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Wood SJ, Ilomäki J, Gould J, Tan GS, Raven M, Jureidini JN, Grzeskowiak LE. Dispensing of psychotropic medications to Australian children and adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2013-2021: a retrospective cohort study. Med J Aust 2023. [PMID: 37182907 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine longitudinal patterns of dispensing of antidepressant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, psychostimulant, and hypnotic/sedative medications to children and adolescents in Australia during 2013-2021. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study; analysis of 10% random sample of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dispensing data. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING People aged 18 years or younger dispensed PBS-subsidised psychotropic medications in Australia, 2013-2021. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Population prevalence of dispensing of psychotropic medications to children and adolescents, by psychotropic class, gender, and age group (0-6, 7-12, 13-18 years). RESULTS The overall prevalence of psychotropic dispensing to children and adolescents was 33.8 per 1000 boys and 25.2 per 1000 girls in 2013, and 60.0 per 1000 boys and 48.3 per 1000 girls in 2021. The prevalence of psychotropic polypharmacy was 5.4 per 1000 boys and 3.7 per 1000 girls in 2013, and 10.4 per 1000 boys and 8.3 per 1000 girls in 2021. Prevalent dispensing during 2021 was highest for psychostimulants (boys, 44.0 per 1000; girls, 17.4 per 1000) and antidepressants (boys, 20.4 per 1000; girls, 33.8 per 1000). During 2021, the prevalence of dispensing was higher than predicted by extrapolation of 2013-2019 data for many classes, including antidepressants (boys: +6.1%; 95% CI, 1.1-11.1%; girls: +22.2%; 95% CI, 17.4-26.9%), and psychostimulants (boys: +14.5%; 95% CI, 8.0-21.1%; girls: +27.7%; 95% CI, 18.9-36.6%). The increases were greatest for girls aged 13-18 years (antidepressants: +20.3%; 95% CI, 16.9-23.7%; psychostimulants: +39.0%; 95% CI, 27.9-50.0%). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of both psychotropic dispensing and psychotropic polypharmacy for children and adolescents were twice as high in 2021 as in 2013. The reasons and appropriateness of the marked increases in psychotropic dispensing during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to adolescent girls, should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Wood
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Jenni Ilomäki
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Jacqueline Gould
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA
| | - George Sq Tan
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Melissa Raven
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA
| | - Jon N Jureidini
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA
| | - Luke E Grzeskowiak
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA
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13
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Schetz D, Scott TE, Waldman W, Sein Anand J, Wiergowski M, Kocić I. Reports analysis of psychotropic drugs related adverse reactions in Australia and Poland during the COVID 19 pandemic. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114681. [PMID: 37058823 PMCID: PMC10080277 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114681] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes to the global health care system AIMS: It is unknown whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADR) of antidepressive agents, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics plus mood stabilizers (AaMS). The study was designed in order to compare the incidence of ADR during the COVID-19 pandemic with the period preceding the pandemic in Poland and Australia, different in terms of their COVID-19 prevention strategy. METHOD We analysed ADR from the three surveyed pharmacological groups of drugs observed in Poland and Australia in the period prior to, and during the COVID-19 pandemic RESULTS: In Poland, a noticeable increase in the reported ADR of the assessed drug groups was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest was for antidepressive agents, but the reporting of ADR for benzodiazepines and AaMS drugs also increased significantly. In the case of ADR in Australian patients, the increase in the number of reported ADR for antidepressive agents was modest compared to that seen in Poland, but still noticeable, and there was a significant increase in ADR for benzodiazepines CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the incidence of ADR reported among both Polish and Australian patients but the modality of this was different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Schetz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Tara Elizabeth Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Waldman
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences with the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jacek Sein Anand
- Division of Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Health Sciences with the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marek Wiergowski
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ivan Kocić
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
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14
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Wang Y, Ge F, Wang J, Yang H, Han X, Ying Z, Hu Y, Sun Y, Qu Y, Aspelund T, Hauksdóttir A, Zoega H, Fang F, Valdimarsdóttir UA, Song H. Trends in incident diagnoses and drug prescriptions for anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: an 18-month follow-up study based on the UK Biobank. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:12. [PMID: 36653375 PMCID: PMC9849101 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02315-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Serious concerns have been raised about the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on population psychological well-being. However, limited data exist on the long-term effects of the pandemic on incident psychiatric morbidities among individuals with varying exposure to the pandemic. Leveraging prospective data from the community-based UK Biobank cohort, we included 308,400 participants free of diagnosis of anxiety or depression, as well as 213,757 participants free of anxiolytics or antidepressants prescriptions, to explore the trends in incident diagnoses and drug prescriptions for anxiety and depression from 16 March 2020 to 31 August 2021, compared to the pre-pandemic period (i.e., 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019) and across populations with different exposure statuses (i.e., not tested for COVID-19, tested negative and tested positive). The age- and sex-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by month which indicated an increase in incident diagnoses of anxiety or depression among individuals who were tested for COVID-19 (tested negative: SIR 3.05 [95% confidence interval 2.88-3.22]; tested positive: 2.03 [1.76-2.34]), especially during the first six months of the pandemic (i.e., March-September 2020). Similar increases were also observed for incident prescriptions of anxiolytics or antidepressants (tested negative: 1.56 [1.47-1.67]; tested positive: 1.41 [1.22-1.62]). In contrast, individuals not tested for COVID-19 had consistently lower incidence rates of both diagnoses of anxiety or depression (0.70 [0.67-0.72]) and prescriptions of respective psychotropic medications (0.70 [0.68-0.72]) during the pandemic period. These data suggest a distinct rise in health care needs for anxiety and depression among individuals tested for COVID-19, regardless of the test result, in contrast to a reduction in health care consumption for these disorders among individuals not tested for and, presumably, not directly exposed to the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Fenfen Ge
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Junren Wang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huazhen Yang
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Han
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiye Ying
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yao Hu
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yajing Sun
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qu
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Thor Aspelund
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Arna Hauksdóttir
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Helga Zoega
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Unnur A Valdimarsdóttir
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Huan Song
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Med-X Center for Informatics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland.
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15
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Rachidi M, Hatem G, Hatem M, Zein S, Rachidi S, Awada S. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the consumption patterns of psychotropic drugs and predictors of limited access to medication. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE ACCESS 2023; 7:27550834231163706. [PMID: 37051188 PMCID: PMC10086612 DOI: 10.1177/27550834231163706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Despite the efforts of the health system to improve access to medications during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, such as online consultations, encouraging generic prescriptions, and other measures to limit the storage of medication, psychotropic patients faced significant challenges in accessing their medications. Objectives This study aimed (1) to compare the consumption of psychotropics before and during the pandemic, (2) to assess the association between having difficulties finding the medications and the general characteristics of the patients, and (3) to assess the predictors of these difficulties. Design A case-control study was performed in which 128 patients (cases) were recruited during the pandemic (July-October 2021), and 256 patients (controls) using psychotropics before the pandemic were matched for age and sex. Methods Data were collected using a uniform survey given to patients using psychotropics and filled out at their time and place preferences. Results More patients used antipsychotics and anti-anxiety medications before the pandemic, while antidepressants were used more during the pandemic. Almost half of the patients reported facing difficulties finding their medications in both time frames. Before the pandemic, these difficulties were noted per increase in age and being employed and were less faced if patients had medical assistance or lived in the north of Lebanon. However, more patients reported having difficulties accessing their medication during the pandemic, with no significant differences. Conclusion The consumption of psychotropic drugs was higher among cases. All patients faced challenges in accessing their medication throughout the pandemic, while older and employed patients had more limitations before the pandemic. Further investigations exploring viable solutions are recommended in order to maintain sustainable access to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Rachidi
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Georges Hatem
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Georges Hatem, Faculty of medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Melissa Hatem
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, El-Koura, Lebanon
| | - Salam Zein
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Samar Rachidi
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
| | - Sanaa Awada
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
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16
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Schaffer AL, Chia J, Brett J, Pearson S, Falster MO. A nationwide study of multimedicine use in people treated with cardiovascular medicines in Australia. Pharmacotherapy 2022; 42:828-836. [PMID: 36239072 PMCID: PMC9828398 DOI: 10.1002/phar.2735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Multimorbidity and multimedicine use are common in people with cardiovascular disease and can lead to harms, such as prescribing errors and drug interactions. We quantified multimedicine use in people treated with cardiovascular medicines in a national sample of Australians. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. DATA SOURCE Pharmaceutical dispensing claims for a 10% random sample of Australians. PATIENTS Australian adults dispensed any cardiovascular medicine between June and August 2019. INTERVENTION None. MEASUREMENTS We quantified the number and type of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular medicines dispensed during the study period, and the number of unique prescribers, by age and sex. MAIN RESULTS We identified 493,081 people dispensed any cardiovascular medicine (median age = 67 years, 50.2% women). The population prevalence of cardiovascular medicine dispensing increased from 1.7% (n = 10,503) in people 18-34 years to 80.1% (n = 99,271) in people 75-84 years. Cardiovascular medicine dispensing varied by sex; women 18-34 years were more likely to be dispensed any cardiovascular medicine than men (male:female prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.81-0.87), whereas the prevalence of cardiovascular medicine dispensing was higher in men 35-44 years (PR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.24-1.30) and 45-54 years (PR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.22-1.26) and was similar between sexes in people ≥65 years. Overall, both women and men were dispensed a median of 2.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1.0-3.0) cardiovascular medicines. Two-thirds of people ≥65 years (73.5%; n = 208,524) were dispensed ≥2 cardiovascular medicines, with 16.6% (n = 6736) of people ≥85 years dispensed five or more. Women and men were dispensed a median of 2.0 (IQR = 1.0-5.0) and 2.0 (IQR = 0.0-4.0) non-cardiovascular medicines, respectively, to treat comorbid conditions, commonly gastroesophageal reflux disease medicines (32.2% of women and 26.6% of men), antibiotics (28.7% of women and 22.4% of men), and antidepressants (26.3% of women and 15.9% of men). One quarter of both sexes had multiple prescribers for their cardiovascular medicines alone, whereas 54.5% (n = 134,939) of women and 49.9% (n = 122,706) of men had multiple prescribers for all medicines. CONCLUSION Multimedicine use is common in people treated with cardiovascular medicines and presents a risk for inappropriate prescribing. Understanding the comorbid conditions commonly treated concurrently with cardiovascular disease can help improve co-prescribing guidelines and develop a person-centered approach to multimorbidity treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Schaffer
- Centre for Big Data Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Joel Chia
- Centre for Big Data Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jonathan Brett
- Centre for Big Data Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia,St Vincent's Clinical SchoolUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Sallie‐Anne Pearson
- Centre for Big Data Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia,Menzies Centre for Health PolicyThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael O. Falster
- Centre for Big Data Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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17
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Woodman RJ, Horwood C, Kunnel A, Hakendorf P, Mangoni AA. Using electronic admission data to monitor temporal trends in local medication use: Experience from an Australian tertiary teaching hospital. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:888677. [PMID: 36313311 PMCID: PMC9614045 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.888677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Medication usage varies according to prescribing behavior, professional recommendations, and the introduction of new drugs. Local surveillance of medication usage may be useful for understanding and comparing prescribing practices by healthcare providers, particularly in countries such as Australia that are in the process of enhancing nationwide data linkage programs. We sought to investigate the utility of electronic hospital admission data to investigate local trends in medication use, to determine similarities and differences with other Australian studies, and to identify areas for targeted interventions. Methods: We performed a retrospective longitudinal analysis using combined data from a hospital admissions administrative dataset from a large tertiary teaching hospital in Adelaide, South Australia and a hospital administrative database documenting medication usage matched for the same set of patients. All adult admissions over a 12-year period, between 1 January 2007 and 31st December 2018, were included in the study population. Medications were categorized into 21 pre-defined drug classes of interest according to the ATC code list 2021. Results: Of the 692,522 total admissions, 300,498 (43.4%) had at least one recorded medication. The overall mean number of medications for patients that were medicated increased steadily from a mean (SD) of 5.93 (4.04) in 2007 to 7.21 (4.98) in 2018. Results varied considerably between age groups, with the older groups increasing more rapidly. Increased medication usage was partly due to increased case-complexity with the mean (SD) Charlson comorbidity index increasing from 0.97 (1.66) in 2007-to-2012 to 1.17 (1.72) in 2013-to-2018 for medicated patients. Of the 21 medication classes, 15 increased (p < 0.005), including antithrombotic agents; OR = 1.18 [1.16–1.21], proton pump inhibitors; OR = 1.14 [1.12–1.17], statins; OR = 1.12; [1.09–1.14], and renin-angiotensin system agents; OR = 1.06 [1.04–1.08], whilst 3 decreased (p < 0.005) including anti-inflammatory drugs (OR = 0.55; 99.5% CI = 0.53–0.58), cardiac glycosides (OR = 0.81; 99.5% CI = 0.78–0.86) and opioids (OR = 0.82; 99.5% CI = 0.79–0.83). The mean number of medications for all admissions increased between 2007 and 2011 and then declined until 2018 for each age group, except for the 18-to-35-year-olds. Conclusion: Increased medication use occurred in most age groups between 2007 and 2011 before declining slightly even after accounting for increased comorbidity burden. The use of electronic hospital admission data can assist with monitoring local medication trends and the effects of initiatives to enhance the quality use of medicines in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Woodman
- Centre of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Chris Horwood
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Aline Kunnel
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Paul Hakendorf
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Arduino A. Mangoni
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Flinders Medical Centre, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Arduino A. Mangoni,
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