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van Poelgeest E, Seppala L, Bahat G, Ilhan B, Mair A, van Marum R, Onder G, Ryg J, Fernandes MA, Cherubini A, Denkinger M, Eidam A, Egberts A, Gudmundsson A, Koçak FÖK, Soulis G, Tournoy J, Masud T, Wehling M, van der Velde N. Optimizing pharmacotherapy and deprescribing strategies in older adults living with multimorbidity and polypharmacy: EuGMS SIG on pharmacology position paper. Eur Geriatr Med 2023; 14:1195-1209. [PMID: 37812379 PMCID: PMC10754739 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00872-0] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Inappropriate polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults and presents a significant healthcare concern. Conducting medication reviews and implementing deprescribing strategies in multimorbid older adults with polypharmacy are an inherently complex and challenging task. Recognizing this, the Special Interest Group on Pharmacology of the European Geriatric Medicine Society has compiled evidence on medication review and deprescribing in older adults and has formulated recommendations to enhance appropriate prescribing practices. The current evidence supports the need for a comprehensive and widespread transformation in education, guidelines, research, advocacy, and policy to improve the management of polypharmacy in older individuals. Furthermore, incorporating deprescribing as a routine aspect of care for the ageing population is crucial. We emphasize the importance of involving geriatricians and experts in geriatric pharmacology in driving, and actively participating in this transformative process. By doing so, we can work towards achieving optimal medication use and enhancing the well-being of older adults in the generations to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline van Poelgeest
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Lotta Seppala
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gülistan Bahat
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Birkan Ilhan
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Liv Hospital Vadistanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alpana Mair
- Effective Prescribing and Therapeutics, Health and Social Care Directorate, Scottish Government, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rob van Marum
- Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Graziano Onder
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Jesper Ryg
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marília Andreia Fernandes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Antonio Cherubini
- Geriatria Accettazione geriatrica e Centro di Ricerca per l'invecchiamento IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michael Denkinger
- Agaplesion Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Institute for Geriatric Research, Ulm University, Geriatric Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Annette Eidam
- Center for Geriatric Medicine, Heidelberg University Hospital, AGAPLESION Bethanien Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelique Egberts
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, Schiedam, The Netherlands
| | - Aðalsteinn Gudmundsson
- Faculty of Medicine, Landspitali University Hospital, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Fatma Özge Kayhan Koçak
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - George Soulis
- Outpatient Geriatric Assessment Unit, Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens, Greece
- Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece
| | - Jos Tournoy
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven Gasthuisberg Campus, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven Biomedical Sciences Group, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tahir Masud
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Martin Wehling
- Clinical Pharmacology Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nathalie van der Velde
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kosirova S, Urbankova J, Klimas J, Foltanova T. Assessment of potentially inappropriate medication use among geriatric outpatients in the Slovak Republic. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:567. [PMID: 37715169 PMCID: PMC10504736 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04260-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is a highly prevalent problem among older people, making it challenging to improve patient safety. The aim of this study was to assess the use of PIMs among geriatric outpatients (OUTs) in the Slovak Republic according to the EU(7) PIM list and to identify the differences in PIM prescriptions among general practitioners (GPs), internists (INTs) and geriatricians (GERs). METHODS In total, 449 patients (65 years and older) from 4 medical centres who were in the care of GPs (32.5%), INTs (22.7%) or GERs (44.8%) were included in this retrospective analysis. Data were collected from 1.12.2019-31.3.2020. PIMs were identified according to the EU(7) PIM list from patients' records. PIM prescriptions by GPs, INTs and GERs were assessed. All obtained data were statistically analysed. RESULTS Polypharmacy (68.8% of patients), and PIM use (73% of patients) were observed. The mean number of all prescribed drugs was 6.7 ± 0.2 drugs per day/patient. The mean number of prescribed PIMs was 1.7 ± 0.1 PIMs per day/patient. Drugs from Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classes C, N and A accounted for the greatest number of PIMs. Significantly higher numbers of prescribed drugs as well as PIMs were prescribed by GPs than INTs or GERs. There were 4.2 times higher odds of being prescribed PIMs by GPs than by GERs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Polypharmacy and overprescription of PIMs were identified among geriatric patients in our study. We found a positive relationship between the number of prescribed drugs and PIMs. The lowest odds of being prescribed PIMs were observed among those who were in the care of a geriatrician. The absence of geriatricians and lack of information about PIMs among general practitioners leads to high rates of polypharmacy and overuse of potentially inappropriate medications in geriatric patients in the Slovak Republic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislava Kosirova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojarov 10, Bratislava, 83104, Slovak Republic
| | - Jana Urbankova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojarov 10, Bratislava, 83104, Slovak Republic
| | - Jan Klimas
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojarov 10, Bratislava, 83104, Slovak Republic
| | - Tatiana Foltanova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojarov 10, Bratislava, 83104, Slovak Republic.
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Urbańczyk K, Guntschnig S, Antoniadis V, Falamic S, Kovacevic T, Kurczewska-Michalak M, Miljković B, Olearova A, Sviestina I, Szucs A, Tachkov K, Tiszai Z, Volmer D, Wiela-Hojeńska A, Fialova D, Vlcek J, Stuhec M, Hogg A, Scott M, Stewart D, Mair A, Ravera S, Lery FX, Kardas P. Recommendations for wider adoption of clinical pharmacy in Central and Eastern Europe in order to optimise pharmacotherapy and improve patient outcomes. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1244151. [PMID: 37601045 PMCID: PMC10433912 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1244151] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical pharmacy as an area of practice, education and research started developing around the 1960s when pharmacists across the globe gradually identified the need to focus more on ensuring the appropriate use of medicines to improve patient outcomes rather than being engaged in manufacturing and supply. Since that time numerous studies have shown the positive impact of clinical pharmacy services (CPS). The need for wider adoption of CPS worldwide becomes urgent, as the global population ages, and the prevalence of polypharmacy as well as shortage of healthcare professionals is rising. At the same time, there is great pressure to provide both high-quality and cost-effective health services. All these challenges urgently require the adoption of a new paradigm of healthcare system architecture. One of the most appropriate answers to these challenges is to increase the utilization of the potential of highly educated and skilled professionals widely available in these countries, i.e., pharmacists, who are well positioned to prevent and manage drug-related problems together with ensuring safe and effective use of medications with further care relating to medication adherence. Unfortunately, CPS are still underdeveloped and underutilized in some parts of Europe, namely, in most of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. This paper reviews current situation of CPS development in CEE countries and the prospects for the future of CPS in that region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Urbańczyk
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- Regional Specialist Hospital in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Sonja Guntschnig
- Tauernklinikum Zell am See, Zell am See, Austria
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland
| | | | - Slaven Falamic
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tijana Kovacevic
- Pharmacy Department, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Branislava Miljković
- Department of Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anna Olearova
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bratislava—Hospital Ruzinov, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Inese Sviestina
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
- Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Attila Szucs
- Pharmacy Department, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Konstantin Tachkov
- Department of Organization and Economy of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Zita Tiszai
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Daisy Volmer
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anna Wiela-Hojeńska
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Daniela Fialova
- Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, First Faculty of Medicine in Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Vlcek
- Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pharmacy, Teaching Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Králové, Czechia
| | - Matej Stuhec
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Maribor, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Ormoz Psychiatric Hospital, Ormoz, Slovenia
| | - Anita Hogg
- Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Antrim Hospital, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Scott
- Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, Antrim Hospital, Antrim, United Kingdom
| | - Derek Stewart
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- European Society of Clinical Pharmacy, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alpana Mair
- Effective Prescribing and Therapeutics, Health and Social Care Directorate, Scottish Government, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Ravera
- European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - François-Xavier Lery
- European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - Przemysław Kardas
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Krustev T, Milushewa P, Tachkov K, Mitov K, Petrova G. Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medication in older patients with cardiovascular diseases-STOPP/START-based study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1023171. [PMID: 36620233 PMCID: PMC9813954 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1023171] [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: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to evaluate the use of STOPP/START criteria in the identification of Potentially inappropriate medication and potential prescribing omissions in older patients with cardiovascular diseases in Bulgaria. Excessive morbidity and mortality has been linked to drug-related problems and increased use of healthcare services and is an understudied problem for Bulgaria. Materials and methods A prospective, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 543 older patients across 25 pharmacies in Bulgaria. Socio-demographic characteristic, disease profile, symptoms, and medication data were collected. The questionnaire was developed for the purposes of the EUROAGEISM project. Out of all 543 patients, only those with documented cardio-vascular diseases were extracted and the medication profile per patient was evaluated for Potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs) and potentially prescribing omissions (PPOs) using STOPP/START criteria version 2. In addition, several risks for potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIPs), PPOs and PIMs were calculated with the focus being on the Odds and Risks to develop a PIP. Results Four hundred and twenty eight from 531 patients with known therapy for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were included in the analysis of PIP (40.52% aged 65-69 years, 61.88% female, 64% had up to 6 comorbidities, and 21.72% presenting with polypharmacy). A total of 71 PIMs in 64 patients with polypharmacy were identified during applying STOPP criteria. 56% of patients taking above five medicines daily had PIMs. The majority of PIMs (31%) were related to CVDs treatment, followed by PIMs in the treatment of endocrine diseases (22.54%), duplication of medicines (8.46%) and prolonged treatment with benzodiazepines (8.46%). Forty four PPOs were identified with START criteria. 22.72% were related to lack of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the presence of gastroesophageal disorders, and the same percentage was for lack of Calcium-vitamin D supplementation in osteoporosis. Applying the methodology of risks calculation the sample risk for PPO was 2.1% and for PIM 3.4%. At sample level the relative risk for PPO was 62% out of the risk for PIM and at population level varied between 42.8 and 89.8% and it is statistically significant. The number needed to treat for the event to happen is 77.5, meaning that at every 78 prescriptions there is a chance to appear PIP. Conclusion Application of methodologies for detection of potentially inappropriate prescribing is not part of routine clinical practice in Bulgaria. Our study demonstrates a high percentage of potentially inappropriate medication among older patients with polypharmacy. Along with the aging population in Bulgaria, economic burden of polypharmacy and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, it is especially important to address potentially inappropriate medication use in cardiovascular patients. There is a considerable necessity for implementation of measures for early detection of potentially inappropriate medication and potentially prescribing omission as a part of de-prescribing strategies in older patients.
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Strategies and Tools for Supporting the Appropriateness of Drug Use in Older People. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15080977. [PMID: 36015125 PMCID: PMC9412319 DOI: 10.3390/ph15080977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Through this structured review of the published literature, we aimed to provide an up-to-date description of strategies (human-related) and tools (mainly from the digital field) facilitating the appropriateness of drug use in older adults. The evidence of each strategy and tool’s effectiveness and sustainability largely derives from local and heterogeneous experiences, with contrasting results. As a general framework, three main steps should be considered in implementing measures to improve appropriateness: prescription, acceptance by the patient, and continuous monitoring of adherence and risk-benefit profile. Each step needs efforts from specific actors (physicians, patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals) and dedicated supporting tools. Moreover, how to support the appropriateness also strictly depends on the particular setting of care (hospital, ambulatory or primary care, nursing home, long-term care) and available economic resources. Therefore, it is urgent assigning to each approach proposed in the literature the following characteristics: level of effectiveness, strength of evidence, setting of implementation, needed resources, and issues for its sustainability.
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Bobrova V, Fialová D, Desselle S, Heinämäki J, Volmer D. Identifying Potential Drug-Related Problems Among Geriatric Patients With Use of an Integrated Clinical Decision Support Tool. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:761787. [PMID: 35418859 PMCID: PMC8995559 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.761787] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) which arise from potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are a common problem in older people with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy. Aim: To develop an integrated PIM clinical decision support tool for identification of DRPs in geriatric multi-morbid polypharmacy patients, using the EU(7)-PIM and EURO-FORTA lists, with a focus on high-risk medications. Methods: The integrated PIM tool used the information on PIMs in both databases—the EU(7)-PIM and EURO-FORTA. PIMs were classified into four color groups based on risk profile: high-risk PIMs (should be avoided in older patients) as red, moderate-risk PIMs (require dose and/or treatment duration adjustment) as yellow, low-risk PIMs (low DRP risk) as green, and questionable PIMs (incomplete/missing information) as grey. Results: The summarized list of the high-risk (red and some grey) PIMs contained 81 active substances and medication classes. According to the ATC classification, most of the high-risk PIMs (n = 60, 74.1%) belong to the A, C, and N medication groups and 50.6% (n = 41) of the high-risk PIMs have currently marketing authorization in Estonia. The preliminary list of the moderate- and low-risk (yellow, green, and other grey) PIMs contained 240 active substances and medication classes, but sub-classification of this category into one or another group depends mainly on an individual patient´s clinical characteristics in a concrete analyzed study sample and needs further research. Conclusion: The integrated clinical decision support tool based on the EU(7)-PIM and EURO-FORTA criteria addresses the need for more efficient identification of DRPs. It can be applied to identify PIMs and geriatric prescribing problems in different health care settings, and also in a context of little clinical information available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veera Bobrova
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Daniela Fialová
- Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.,Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Shane Desselle
- Touro University California College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA, United States
| | - Jyrki Heinämäki
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Daisy Volmer
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Abstract
Polypharmacy characterizes ongoing prescription of multiple medications in a patient. Following the demographic change and growing number of elderly patients, polypharmacy is of major concern due to the associated risks and even mortality. Many causes made this geriatric syndrome more common in the past decade. First, the management of comorbidities is often lacking in disease-specific guidelines. Second, multimorbidity is rising due to the ageing population. Third, deprescribing methods are sparse, and results are conflicting. This mini review integrates the effects of polypharmacy on mortality and morbidity, the causes and confounders of polypharmacy, and presents a practical stepwise manual of deprescribing. The work is based on a literature search for randomized control trials and reviews in English and German from 2015 onwards in the PubMed database, with integration of relevant citations as a result of this search.
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Ierodiakonou D, Theodorou E, Sifaki-Pistolla D, Bouloukaki I, Antonopoulou M, Poulorinakis I, Tsakountakis N, Voltiraki F, Chliveros K, Tsiligianni I. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of polypharmacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A cross-sectional study from Crete, Greece. THE CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2021; 15:1310-1319. [PMID: 34425633 DOI: 10.1111/crj.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Polypharmacy and multimorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are highly prevalent, with potential associations with worse COPD outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of polypharmacy, investigate the relationship of polypharmacy with health status and exacerbations and assess the prevalence of inappropriate medication (PIM), risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug-to-drug interactions in COPD patients. METHODS A total of 245 COPD patients were enrolled from primary care in Crete, Greece. Patients completed a questionnaire and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more comorbidities and polypharmacy was defined as taking five or more drugs per day. RESULTS Most of COPD patients (77.0%) and the majority (83.6%) of elderly (≥65 years) had multimorbidity, while polypharmacy was evident in 55.2% of all patients and 62.4% in elderly. After adjustments for age, gender and pack-years, polypharmacy was associated with CAT ≥ 10, multimorbidity, several cardiometabolic diseases, cancer and depression-anxiety and prostate disorders (all p values > 0.05). PIMs were found in 9.6% of subjects aged ≥65 years and were mainly mental health medication. Due to coadministration of medications, 22.3% of the population were at cumulative risk for falls, 17% for constipation and 12.8% for cardiovascular events. Finally, 15 pairs of drug-to-drug interactions were identified in 11.5% of patients. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that polypharmacy is highly prevalent and associated with worse health status and prescription risks in COPD patients. These findings potentially introduce an additional challenge on effective management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despo Ierodiakonou
- Health Planning Unit, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Erotokritos Theodorou
- Health Planning Unit, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | - Dimitra Sifaki-Pistolla
- Health Planning Unit, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
- Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Filothei Voltiraki
- Primary Care, 4th Public Primary Care Unit of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Ioanna Tsiligianni
- Health Planning Unit, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece
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Trends and patterns in EU(7)-PIM prescribing to elderly patients in Germany. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 77:1553-1561. [PMID: 33938975 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-021-03148-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to explore patterns and long-term development in prescribing potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) according to the EU(7)-PIM list to elderly patients in Germany. METHODS We analysed anonymized German claims data. The study population comprised 6.0 million insured individuals at least 65 years old, including all their prescriptions reimbursed in 2019. For the analysis of long-term development, we used data for the years 2009-2019. Factors associated with PIM prescribing were considered from two perspectives: patient-oriented analysis was performed with logistic regression and prescriber-oriented analysis was performed with multiple linear regression. RESULTS EU(7)-PIM prevalence was reduced from 56.9% in 2009 to 45.1% in 2019. Average annual volume (DDDs/insured) decreased from 145 in 2009 to 121 in 2019. These figures are substantially greater than those for the older PRISCUS list. The majority of investigated ATC level 2 groups with the highest EU(7)-PIM DDD volume exhibited substantial decreases; moderate increases were found for antihypertensive and urological drugs. Antithrombotics increased strongly with the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants. The most prevalent EU(7)-PIM medication was diclofenac; however, in the age group 85+ years, apixaban was twice as prevalent as diclofenac. Polypharmacy, female sex, age < 90 years, need for nursing care and living in Eastern regions were identified as risk factors. Prescriber specialty was the most marked factor in the prescriber-oriented analysis. CONCLUSION Although the use of EU(7)-PIMs has been declining, regional differences indicate considerable room for improvement. The comparison with PRISCUS highlights the necessity of regular updates of PIM lists.
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Nastyukha Y, Kostyana K, Maksymovych M, Boretska O. The role of the State Drug Formulary of Ukraine in providing rational pharmacotherapy for elderly patients. PHARMACIA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/pharmacia.67.e57794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Applying the Classification for Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (V 9.00, 2019) allowed to systematize the information on the use of drugs in elderly patients given in the Annex of the State Drug Formulary of Ukraine. As a result of this work, special warnings and recommendations of the State Drug Formulary were presented together with the possible causes for potential DRPs, which they allow to prevent. The lists of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for the elderly (n = 98), drugs the dosage of which in patients of this age group should be adjusted (n = 127), and drugs that need monitoring (n = 108) were formed. The obtained results can serve as a basis for the development of a specialized geriatric tool to ensure rational pharmacotherapy, in particular in the provision of pharmaceutical care.
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Marinović I, Bačić Vrca V, Samardžić I, Marušić S, Grgurević I. Potentially inappropriate medications involved in drug-drug interactions at hospital discharge in Croatia. Int J Clin Pharm 2020; 43:566-576. [PMID: 33001315 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-020-01164-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Background The potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can significantly affect patient safety in the elderly, especially at transition of health care. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate PIMs involved in potentially clinically significant DDIs in prescribed pharmacotherapy of elderly patients at hospital discharge. Setting Internal Medicine Clinic of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia. Method During a 16-month period, the pharmacotherapy data were assessed using Lexicomp Online screening software to identify category C (monitor drug therapy), D (consider therapy modification) and X (avoid combination) DDIs. The European Union (EU)(7)-PIM criteria were applied to detect inappropriately prescribed medications involved in DDIs. Clinical pharmacists obtained data from patients' medical records and patient/caregiver interviews. Main outcome measure The incidence of PIMs involved in potentially clinically significant DDIs. Results A total of 364 consecutive elderly patients were enrolled in the study. The mean number of prescription medications at discharge was 9.3. Overall, 2833 potentially clinically significant DDIs were identified: 2445 (86.3%) of them were category C, 347 (12.3%) category D and 41 (1.4%) were category X interactions. A total of 1164 PIMs were involved in 31.2% of category C interactions, 60.2% of category D interactions and 43.9% of category X interactions. The most frequent PIMs involved in potentially clinically significant DDIs were tramadol, benzodiazepines, moxonidine, vildagliptin and metoclopramide. Conclusion A very high incidence of DDIs in elderly patients and a high incidence of PIMs involved in DDIs was determined at hospital discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Marinović
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Vesna Bačić Vrca
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Samardžić
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Srećko Marušić
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivica Grgurević
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
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