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Lammila-Escalera E, Greenfield G, Aldakhil R, Zaman H, Neves AL, Majeed A, Wj Hayhoe B. Structured medication reviews for adults with multimorbidity and polypharmacy in primary care: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082825. [PMID: 38806416 PMCID: PMC11138296 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polypharmacy is common among individuals with multimorbidity, often leading to inappropriate medication use and is associated with an increased risk of frailty, hospitalisation and mortality. Structured medication reviews (SMRs) have emerged as a promising method for optimising medication use. However, research examining their efficacy is limited. This review aims to evaluate the impact of SMRs on improving outcomes for adults with multimorbidity and polypharmacy in primary care settings. Additionally, this review seeks to identify prevailing patterns and trends in the mode of delivery of SMRs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A systematic review will be conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL (1997-present). Primary outcomes will include medication-related measures such as dose, frequency and dosage form. Secondary outcomes under investigation will include physical, mental, functional and health service outcomes, as reported. Two independent reviewers will conduct the screening and data extraction, resolving disagreements through discussion. Once eligible studies are identified, the extracted data will be summarised in tabular format. The risk of bias in the articles will be assessed using either the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool or the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, depending on the design of the studies retrieved. Subgroup analysis will be performed using demographic variables and modes of delivery where the data supports. If appropriate, a meta-analysis of the data extracted will be conducted to determine the impact of the SMRs on reported outcomes. If a meta-analysis is not possible due to heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis approach will be adopted. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This proposed review is exempt from ethical approval as it aims to collate and summarise peer-reviewed, published evidence. This protocol and the subsequent review will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and patient-led lay summaries. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023454965.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Geva Greenfield
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Reham Aldakhil
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hadar Zaman
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Ana Luisa Neves
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Benedict Wj Hayhoe
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Kable A, Fraser S, Fullerton A, Hullick C, Palazzi K, Oldmeadow C, Pond CD, Searles A, Ling R, Bruce R, Murdoch W, Attia J. Evaluation of the Effect of a Safe Medication Strategy on Potentially Inappropriate Medications, Polypharmacy and Anticholinergic Burden for People with Dementia: An Intervention Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2771. [PMID: 37893845 PMCID: PMC10606387 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
People with dementia (PWD) are at risk for medication-related harm due to their impaired cognition and frequently being prescribed many medications. This study evaluated a medication safety intervention (including pharmacist medication reconciliation and review) for PWD during an unplanned admission to hospital. This article reports the effect of the intervention on polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and anticholinergic burden scores for PWD. A pre-post design using an intervention site and a control site was conducted in 2017-2019, in a regional area in New South Wales, Australia. Polypharmacy, PIMs, and anticholinergic burden were measured at admission, discharge, and three months after discharge. There were 628 participants including 289 at the control site and 339 at the intervention site. Polypharmacy was 95% at admission and 90% at discharge. PIMs at admission were 95-98% across timepoints and decreased significantly at discharge. The mean anticholinergic score decreased significantly between admission (2.40-3.15) and discharge (2.01-2.57). Reduced PIMs at discharge were correlated with reduced anticholinergic burden (rho = 0.48-0.55, p < 0.001). No significant differences were identified between the study and control sites for Polypharmacy, PIMs, and anticholinergic burden rates and scores. High rates of polypharmacy and PIMs in this study indicate a study population with multiple comorbidities. This intervention was feasible to implement but was limited due to difficulty recruiting participants and deaths during the study. Future multisite studies should be designed to recruit larger study samples to evaluate interventions for improving medication safety for PWD and improve outcomes for these vulnerable people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Kable
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Samantha Fraser
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; (S.F.); (A.F.); (C.H.); (R.B.); (W.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Anne Fullerton
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; (S.F.); (A.F.); (C.H.); (R.B.); (W.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Carolyn Hullick
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; (S.F.); (A.F.); (C.H.); (R.B.); (W.M.); (J.A.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (K.P.); (C.O.); (A.S.); (R.L.)
| | - Kerrin Palazzi
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (K.P.); (C.O.); (A.S.); (R.L.)
| | - Christopher Oldmeadow
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (K.P.); (C.O.); (A.S.); (R.L.)
| | - Constance Dimity Pond
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia;
| | - Andrew Searles
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (K.P.); (C.O.); (A.S.); (R.L.)
| | - Rod Ling
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (K.P.); (C.O.); (A.S.); (R.L.)
| | - Remia Bruce
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; (S.F.); (A.F.); (C.H.); (R.B.); (W.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Wendy Murdoch
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; (S.F.); (A.F.); (C.H.); (R.B.); (W.M.); (J.A.)
| | - John Attia
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW 2287, Australia; (S.F.); (A.F.); (C.H.); (R.B.); (W.M.); (J.A.)
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (K.P.); (C.O.); (A.S.); (R.L.)
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia;
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Mena S, Moullin JC, Schneider M, Niquille A. Implementation of interprofessional quality circles on deprescribing in Swiss nursing homes: an observational study. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:620. [PMID: 37789286 PMCID: PMC10548671 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04335-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are still frequent among older adults in nursing homes. Deprescribing is an intervention that has been shown to be effective in reducing their use. However, the implementation of deprescribing in clinical practice has not yet been widely evaluated. The Quality Circle Deprescribing Module (QC-DeMo) intervention has been trialled through an effectiveness-implementation hybrid type 2 design. The intervention consists of a quality circle workshop session between healthcare professionals HCPs (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) within a nursing home, in which they define a consensus to deprescribe specific PIMs classes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the QC-DeMo intervention in nursing homes. METHODS This observational study focuses on the implementation part of the QC-DeMo trial. Implementation was based on the Framework for Implementation of Pharmacy Services (FISpH). Questionnaires at baseline and follow-up were used to evaluate reach, adoption, implementation effectiveness, fidelity, implementation, maintenance and the implementation strategies. Other data were collected from the QC-DeMo trial and routine data collected as part of the integrated pharmacy service where the QC-Demo trial was embedded. Implementation strategies included training of pharmacists, integration of the intervention into an existing quality circle dynamic and definition of tailored strategies to operationalise the consensus by each nursing home. RESULTS The QC-DeMo intervention was successfully implemented in 26 nursing homes in terms of reach, fidelity, adoption, implementation and implementation effectiveness. However, the intervention was found to be implemented with low maintenance as none of the nursing homes repeated the intervention after the trial. Implementation strategies were well received by HCPs: training was adequate according to pharmacists. Pre-existing quality circle dynamic facilitated interprofessional collaboration as involvement and support of each HCP was rated as high. HCPs recognized a specific and important role for each HCP in the deprescribing process. The most relevant tailored strategies to implement the consensus defined by each nursing home were identification of the patients by the pharmacist and a systematic review of medication's patients. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of a Quality Circle on Deprescribing is feasible but its maintenance in practice remains challenging. This study explores multiple implementation outcomes to better inform future implementation efforts of these types of interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03688542 ), registered on 26.09.2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Mena
- Community Pharmacy, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Joanna C Moullin
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Curtin School of Population Health, Perth, Australia
| | - Marie Schneider
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anne Niquille
- Community Pharmacy, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
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Lion S, Evrard P, Foulon V, Spinewine A. Drug-drug interactions in nursing home residents: analysis from the COME-ON trial. Age Ageing 2023; 52:6974850. [PMID: 36633299 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND as a result of the high prevalence of polypharmacy in nursing homes (NHs), nursing home residents (NHRs) are exposed to numerous drug-drug interactions (DDIs) that can lead to adverse drug effects, and increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES to evaluate (i) the prevalence of DDIs among NHRs and its evolution over time, and (ii) factors associated with a favourable evolution. DESIGN posthoc analysis of the COME-ON study, a cluster-randomised controlled trial aiming at reducing potentially inappropriate prescriptions in NHs, through the implementation of a complex intervention. SETTING AND SUBJECTS 901 NHRs from 54 Belgian NHs. METHODS DDIs were identified using a validated list of 66 potentially clinically relevant DDIs in older adults. We defined a favourable evolution at 15 months as the resolution of at least one DDI present at baseline, without the introduction of any new DDI. Factors associated with a favourable evolution were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS at baseline, 475 NHRs (52.7%) were exposed to at least 1 DDI and 225 NHRs (25.0%) to more than one DDI. Most common DDI was 'Concomitant use of at least three central nervous system active drugs'. At 15 months, we observed a 6.3% absolute decrease in DDI prevalence in intervention group, and a 1.0% absolute increase in control group. The intervention, older age and private NH ownership were significantly associated with a favourable DDI evolution. CONCLUSION a high prevalence of DDI in Belgian NHs was observed, but the COME-ON intervention was associated with a favourable evolution over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lion
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Perrine Evrard
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Veerle Foulon
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Pharmacy Department, UCLouvain, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
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Valk-Draad MP, Bohnet-Joschko S. Nursing Home-Sensitive Hospitalizations and the Relevance of Telemedicine: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12944. [PMID: 36232255 PMCID: PMC9566431 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aging of society is increasing the number of hospitalizations of nursing home residents. Telemedicine might help reduce the frequency of these potentially risk-associated hospitalizations. This scoping review looked for evidence of a change in the rate of hospitalization and, if mentioned, any cost savings and/or staff acceptance of the use of telemedicine in a nursing home setting. To identify available evidence, the electronic databases PubMed, Livivo, EBSCO and JSTOR were searched (without time or regional constraints) for comparative primary research studies on this topic in peer-reviewed journals. A total of 1127 articles were retrieved and 923 titles and abstracts were screened, with 16 studies published between 2001 and 2022 being included. Telemedicine consultation reduced the hospitalization of nursing home residents in 14/16 and care costs in 8/11 articles. Staff satisfaction was mentioned positively in five studies. Most studies used telemedicine involving medical diagnostic technologies (10), (electronic) health records (9), specialists (9) and specialized nursing staff (11). Few studies had a higher level of evidence: only one randomized clinical trial was included. There is the need for high credibility studies, using guidelines on protocol and reporting, to better understand the hindering and facilitating factors of telemedicine provision in the healthcare of nursing home residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paula Valk-Draad
- Chair of Health Care Management and Innovation, Faculty of Management, Economics, and Society, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Str. 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
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Aguiar JP, Gama Marques J, Leufkens HGM, Alves da Costa F. Healthcare Professionals' Views on the Management of Medication Complexities in the Elderly With Mental Health Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:885216. [PMID: 35677869 PMCID: PMC9168079 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.885216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many challenges in elderly pharmacotherapy are identified, including the use of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) which may increase the odds of adverse events, especially in elderly patients with mental health disorders (e. g., behavioral, and psychological symptoms of dementia-BPSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). However, information on the knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) about this topic is still scarce. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken from July-October 2019. An online questionnaire was specifically designed and validated for this study. We sought HCPs (physicians, pharmacists, and nurses) worldwide, using (a) social media, via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; and (b) email contacts of the research team (convenience sample). Either way participants were asked to share on their social media or via e-mail the questionnaires with other HCPs (snowballing sample). The survey assessed two main domains: knowledge and practice. Knowledge was evaluated by self-report (perceived knowledge by a 5-item Likert confidence scale) and using three clinical cases, scored between 0 and 30 points (each one rated from 0 to 10 points; real knowledge). Barriers in clinical practice were evaluated using a 5-item Likert scale judging practitioners' opinion. Results A total of 165 questionnaires were collected. HCPs were mainly female (n = 114; 69.1%), with a mean age of 35.3 ± 11.3 years old. Seventy-two percent (n = 118) were pharmacists, 21.1% (n = 35) were physicians, and 7.3% (n = 12) nurses. There was a weak correlation, albeit significant, between perceived and real knowledge (r = 0.199; p = 0.001). The mean score of the clinical vignettes regarding elderly patients with dementia and bipolar disorder were 4.59 ± 4.08 and 4.86 ± 2.97 points, respectively. Most HCPs were classified as having an intermediate knowledge (n = 100; 60.6%) about medication complexities in the elderly with mental disorders. Most HCPs agreed that lack of time (81.6%; n = 138), lack of education and training on elderly pharmacotherapy (72.2%; n = 122), and lack of tools adapted to daily practice (61.8%; n = 105) were the main barriers. Conclusions Most of the HCPs felt confident to manage medication complexities in elder patients with mental disorders, but only a minority obtained a good score in the knowledge assessment test. The main barriers identified included structural barriers (tools unfit for practice) and process barriers (time).
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro Aguiar
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Caparica, Portugal
| | - João Gama Marques
- Serviço de Psiquiatria Geral e Transcultural, Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa (CHPL), Lisboa, Portugal
- Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa (FMUL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hubert G. M. Leufkens
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Filipa Alves da Costa
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMED.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz (IUEM), Caparica, Portugal
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Lexow M, Wernecke K, Sultzer R, Bertsche T, Schiek S. Determine the impact of a structured pharmacist-led medication review - a controlled intervention study to optimise medication safety for residents in long-term care facilities. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:307. [PMID: 35397527 PMCID: PMC8994296 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03025-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Medication reviews contribute to protecting long-term care (LTC) residents from drug related problems (DRPs). However, few controlled studies have examined the impact on patient-relevant outcomes so far.
Objective
We examined the impact of a one-time, pharmacist-led medication review on medication changes (primary endpoint) including discontinued medication, the number of chronic medications, hospital admissions, falls, and deaths (secondary endpoints).
Methods
A prospective, controlled intervention study was performed in three LTC facilities. In the intervention group (IG), after performing a medication review, a pharmacist gave recommendations for resolving DRPs to physicians, nurses and community pharmacists. The control group (CG) received usual care without a medication review. (i) We assessed the number of medication changes and the secondary endpoints in both groups before (t0) and after (t1, t2) the intervention. (ii) Additionally, the medication review was evaluated in the IG with regard to identified DRPs, the healthcare professional’s feedback on the forwarded pharmacist recommendations and whether DRPs were finally resolved.
Results
107 (IG) and 104 (CG) residents were enrolled. (i) More medication changes were identified in the IG than in the CG at t1 (p = 0.001). However, no significant difference was identified at t2 (p = 0.680). Mainly, medication was discontinued in those medication changes. Chronic medications increased in the CG (p = 0.005) at t2 while hospital admissions, falls, and deaths showed no differences. (ii) Overall, 1252 DRPs (median: 10; minimum-maximum: 2–39) were identified. Recommendations for 82% of relevant DRPs were forwarded to healthcare professionals, of which 61% were accepted or clarified. 22% were not accepted, 12% required further review and 6% remained without feedback. 51% of forwarded DRPs were finally resolved.
Conclusions
We found more medication changes in the IG compared to controls. Mostly, medication was discontinued. This suggests that our intervention was successful in discontinuing unnecessary medication. Other clinical outcomes such as falls, hospitalisations, and deaths were not improved due to the one-time intervention. The medication review further identified a high prevalence of DRPs in the IG, half of which were finally resolved.
Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00026120 (www.drks.de, retrospectively registered 07/09/2021).
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Hernández-Calle D, Martínez-Alés G, López-Cuadrado T. Suicidal and accidental drug poisoning mortality among older adults and working-age individuals in Spain between 2000 and 2018. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:114. [PMID: 35144558 PMCID: PMC8832785 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-02806-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although medication poisoning in older adults is considered an increasingly important, but preventable cause of death, it has received relatively little attention. We explored recent trends and correlates of suicidal and accidental fatal drug poisonings among older and working-age individuals using nationwide data from Spain. METHODS We identified all 15,353 fatal drug poisonings involving decedents aged ≥15 years in Spain between 2000 and 2018 and divided them by age into older adults (≥65 years) and working-age (15-64 years) individuals. For each age group, we analyzed time trends in suicidal and accidental fatal drug poisoning rates (overall and by ICD-10 drug categories) using joinpoint regressions. To understand the specific drugs classified as "Non-psychotropic/non-specified", we used 2018 data including substance-specific ICD-10 supplementary codes. We explored relevant sociodemographic correlates of suicidal and accidental fatal poisoning rates using multivariable negative binomial regressions. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2018, suicidal fatal poisonings increased faster among older (from 0.19 to 0.63 per 100,000 - average annual change: 7.7%) than working-age individuals (from 0.40 to 0.72 per 100,000 - average annual change: 3.8%). Accidental fatal poisonings increased among older adults (from 0.25 to 2.67 per 100,000 - average annual change: 16.2%) but decreased among working-age counterparts (from 2.38 to 1.42 per 100,000 - average annual change: - 1.9%). Anticoagulants and cardiac-stimulants glycosides accounted for 70% of the 223 accidental fatal poisonings due to non-psychotropic/non-specified drugs registered among older adults in 2018. Roles of gender and urban dwelling in suicidal and accidental poisonings were heterogeneous across age groups. CONCLUSION Increases in suicidal drug poisonings were faster among older than working-age individuals. Accidental fatal poisonings increased only among older adults. Our findings that (i) sociodemographic correlates were heterogeneous across age groups and (ii) anticoagulant and cardiac-stimulant glycosides were particularly salient drivers of accidental poisonings among older adults have implications for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gonzalo Martínez-Alés
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.,Mental Health Network Biomedical Research Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain.,Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
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Berard C, Di Mascio T, Montaleytang M, Couderc AL, Villani P, Honoré S, Daumas A, Correard F. Telemedication Reviews to Optimize Medication Prescription for Older People in Nursing Homes. Telemed J E Health 2021; 28:1225-1232. [PMID: 34958258 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Older people living in nursing homes (NH) are at a higher risk of preventable drug-related adverse events because of age-related physiological changes, polypathology, and polypharmacy. NH residents are particularly exposed to potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Many strategies have been developed to improve the quality and the safety of drug prescription in NH, including medication reviews (MRs). Methods: In the context of the application of telemedicine, we developed and are currently implementing a novel hospital expert-based MRs through tele-expertise (or "telemedication review," telemedication reviews hereafter [TMR]) in French NH residents. The impact of these TMR on unplanned hospitalizations 3 months after implementation is assessed. TMR consider all available sociodemographic, clinical, biological, and pharmaceutical data pertaining to the patient and are performed in accordance with their health care objectives. Results: The preliminary results for the 39 TMRs performed to date (September 2021) showed that a total of 402 PIMs were detected, and all residents had at least one PIM. We also present the feasibility and the usefulness of this novel TMR for NH, illustrating these preliminary results with two concrete TMR experiences. Among the 39 TMR performed, the average acceptance rate of expert recommendations made to general practitioners (GP) working in NH was ∼33%. Discussion and Conclusions: The success of this novel TMR depends on how the proposed prescription adjustments made by the hospital expert team are subsequently integrated into health care practices. The low acceptance rate by GP highlights the need to actively involve these professionals in the process of developing TMR, with a view to encouraging them to act on proposed adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Berard
- Pharmacy Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France.,Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Thomas Di Mascio
- Pharmacy Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France.,Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Maeva Montaleytang
- Pharmacy Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France.,Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Anne Laure Couderc
- Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Therapeutics Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Villani
- Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Therapeutics Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Stephane Honoré
- Pharmacy Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France.,Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Aurelie Daumas
- Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Therapeutics Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Florian Correard
- Pharmacy Department, AP-HM, Marseille, France.,Clinical Pharmacy Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
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Mahlknecht A, Wiedermann CJ, Sandri M, Engl A, Valentini M, Vögele A, Schmid S, Deflorian F, Montalbano C, Koper D, Bellmann R, Sönnichsen A, Piccoliori G. Expert-based medication reviews to reduce polypharmacy in older patients in primary care: a northern-Italian cluster-randomised controlled trial. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:659. [PMID: 34814835 PMCID: PMC8609829 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02612-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence regarding clinically relevant effects of interventions aiming at reducing polypharmacy is weak, especially for the primary care setting. This study was initiated with the objective to achieve clinical benefits for older patients (aged 75+) by means of evidence-based reduction of polypharmacy (defined as ≥8 prescribed drugs) and inappropriate prescribing in general practice. METHODS The cluster-randomised controlled trial involved general practitioners and patients in a northern-Italian region. The intervention consisted of a review of patient's medication regimens by three experts who gave specific recommendations for drug discontinuation. Main outcome measures were non-elective hospital admissions or death within 24 months (composite primary endpoint). Secondary outcomes were drug numbers, hospital admissions, mortality, falls, fractures, quality of life, affective status, cognitive function. RESULTS Twenty-two GPs/307 patients participated in the intervention group, 21 GPs/272 patients in the control group. One hundred twenty-five patients (40.7%) experienced the primary outcome in the intervention group, 87 patients (32.0%) in the control group. The adjusted rates of occurrence of the primary outcome did not differ significantly between the study groups (intention-to-treat analysis: adjusted odds ratio 1.46, 95%CI 0.99-2.18, p = 0.06; per-protocol analysis: adjusted OR 1.33, 95%CI 0.87-2.04, p = 0.2). Hospitalisations as single endpoint occurred more frequently in the intervention group according to the unadjusted analysis (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.03-2.51, p = 0.04) but not in the adjusted analysis (OR 1.39, 95%CI 0.95-2.03, p = 0.09). Falls occurred less frequently in the intervention group (adjusted OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.31-0.98; p = 0.04). No significant differences were found regarding the other outcomes. Definitive discontinuation was obtained for 67 (16.0%) of 419 drugs rated as inappropriate. About 6% of the prescribed drugs were PIMs. CONCLUSIONS No conclusive effects were found regarding mortality and non-elective hospitalisations as composite respectively single endpoints. Falls were significantly reduced in the intervention group, although definitive discontinuation was achieved for only one out of six inappropriate drugs. These results indicate that (1) even a modest reduction of inappropriate medications may entail positive clinical effects, and that (2) focusing on evidence-based new drug prescriptions and prevention of polypharmacy may be more effective than deprescribing. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials (ID ISRCTN: 38449870), date: 11/09/2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Mahlknecht
- Institute of General Practice and Public Health, College of Health Care Professions, Lorenz Böhler- Street 13, 39100, Bolzano, Italy. .,Institute of General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Christian J Wiedermann
- Institute of General Practice and Public Health, College of Health Care Professions, Lorenz Böhler- Street 13, 39100, Bolzano, Italy.,UMIT - Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology - Tyrol, Eduard-Wallnöfer-Zentrum 1, 6060, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Marco Sandri
- Big & Open Data Innovation Laboratory (BODaI-Lab), University of Brescia, Via S. Faustino 74/B, 25122, Brescia, Italy
| | - Adolf Engl
- Institute of General Practice and Public Health, College of Health Care Professions, Lorenz Böhler- Street 13, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Martina Valentini
- South Tyrolean Academy of General Practice, Wangergasse 18, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Anna Vögele
- South Tyrolean Academy of General Practice, Wangergasse 18, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Sara Schmid
- South Tyrolean Academy of General Practice, Wangergasse 18, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Felix Deflorian
- South Tyrolean Academy of General Practice, Wangergasse 18, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Carmelo Montalbano
- Genomedics S.r.L. Health Care Consultants, Via Sestese 61, 50141, Florence, Italy
| | - Dara Koper
- Salzburger Gesundheitsfonds, Sebastian Stief-Gasse 2, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Romuald Bellmann
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Unit, Division of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Anich- Street 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Sönnichsen
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15/I, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giuliano Piccoliori
- Institute of General Practice and Public Health, College of Health Care Professions, Lorenz Böhler- Street 13, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
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Abstract
The world population is aging due to increasing life expectancy. The rate of drug use increases, and inappropriate prescribing is frequently encountered with advancing age. In addition, misuse and abuse of prescription drugs is a serious problem in older adults. It is challenging to detect substance and drug abuse in older patients because it may have fewer consequences in social, legal, and occupational fields. However, there is not enough information about the screening, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of abuse. Therefore, the awareness of health care professionals and others involved in older patients' care should be raised about the misuse and abuse of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Ates Bulut
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Turan Isik
- Unit for Brain Aging and Dementia, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, 35340 Balcova, IZMIR, Turkey.
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Dowd LA, Cross AJ, Veal F, Ooi CE, Bell JS. A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve Analgesic Use and Appropriateness in Long-Term Care Facilities. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021; 23:33-43.e3. [PMID: 34710365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically review the effectiveness of interventions to improve analgesic use and appropriateness in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). DESIGN Systematic review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL Plus were searched from inception to June 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled and uncontrolled prospective interventions that included analgesic optimization, and reported postintervention change in analgesic use or appropriateness in LTCFs were included. METHODS Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 review authors. RESULTS Eight cluster RCTs, 2 controlled, and 6 uncontrolled studies comprising 9056 residents across 9 countries were included. The 16 interventions included education (n = 13), decision support (n = 7), system modifications (n = 6), and/or medication review (n = 3). Six interventions changed analgesic use or appropriateness, all of which included prescribers, 5 involved multidisciplinary collaboration, and 5 included a component of education. Education alone changed analgesic use and appropriateness in 1 study. Decision support was effective when combined with education in 3 interventions. Overall, 13 studies reported analgesic optimization as part of pain management interventions and 3 studies focused on medication optimization. Two pain management interventions reduced the percentage of residents reporting pain not receiving analgesics by 50% to 60% (P = .03 and P < .001, respectively), and 1 improved analgesic appropriateness (P = .03). One reduced nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (P < .001) and another resulted in 3-fold higher odds of opioid prescription in advanced dementia [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-8.7]. One medication optimization intervention reduced NSAID prescription (P = .036), and another reduced as-needed opioid (95% CI 8.6-13.8) and NSAID prescription (95% CI 1.6-4.2). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Interventions involving prescribers and enhanced roles for pharmacists and nurses, with a component of education, are most effective at changing analgesic use or appropriateness. Interventions combining education and decision support are also promising. Medication review interventions can change analgesic prescription, although there is currently minimal evidence in relation to possible corresponding improvements in resident-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Dowd
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Amanda J Cross
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Felicity Veal
- Unit for Medication Outcomes Research & Education (UMORE), School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Choon Ean Ooi
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J Simon Bell
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS), Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty and Healthy Ageing, Adelaide, South Australia
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Vaismoradi M, Fredriksen Moe C, Vizcaya-Moreno F, Paal P. Ethical Tenets of PRN Medicines Management in Healthcare Settings: A Clinical Perspective. PHARMACY 2021; 9:174. [PMID: 34707079 PMCID: PMC8552074 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy9040174] [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: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prescription and administration of pro re nata (PRN) medications has remained a poorly discussed area of the international literature regarding ethical tenets influencing this type of medication practice. In this commentary, ethical tenets of PRN medicines management from the clinical perspective based on available international literature and published research have been discussed. Three categories were developed by the authors for summarising review findings as follows: 'benefiting the patient', 'making well-informed decision', and 'follow up assessment' as pre-intervention, through-intervention, and post-intervention aspects, respectively. PRN medicines management is mainly intertwined with the ethical tenets of beneficence, nonmaleficence, dignity, autonomy, justice, informed consent, and error disclosure. It is a dynamic process and needs close collaboration between healthcare professionals especially nurses and patients to prevent unethical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Vaismoradi
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, 8049 Bodø, Norway;
| | | | - Flores Vizcaya-Moreno
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain;
| | - Piret Paal
- WHO Collaborating Centre, Institute of Nursing Science and Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
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Brühwiler LD, Niederhauser A, Fischer S, Schwappach DLB. Quality standards for safe medication in nursing homes: development through a multistep approach including a Delphi consensus study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e054364. [PMID: 34635533 PMCID: PMC8506865 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to develop quality standards reflecting minimal requirements for safe medication processes in nursing homes. DESIGN In a first step, relevant key topics for safe medication processes were deducted from a systematic search for similar guidelines, prior work and discussions with experts. In a second step, the essential requirements for each key topic were specified and substantiated with a literature-based rationale. Subsequently, the requirements were evaluated with a piloted, two-round Delphi study. SETTING Nursing homes in Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS Interprofessional panel of 25 experts from science and practice. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Each requirement was rated for its relevance for a safer and resident-oriented medication on a 9-point Likert-Scale based on the RAND/UCLA method. The requirements were considered relevant if, in the second round, the median relevance rating was ≥7 and the proportion of ratings ≥7 was ≥80%. RESULTS Five key topics with a total of 87 requirements were elaborated and rated in the Delphi study. After the second round (response rate in both rounds 100%), 85 requirements fulfilled the predefined criteria and were therefore included in the final set of quality standards. The five key topics are: (I) 'The medication is reviewed regularly and in defined situations', (II) 'The medication is reviewed in a structured manner', (III) 'The medication is monitored in a structured manner', (IV) 'All healthcare professionals are committed to an optimal interprofessional collaboration' and (V) 'Residents are actively involved in medication process'. CONCLUSIONS We developed normative quality standards for a safer and resident-oriented medication in Swiss nursing homes. Altogether, 85 requirements define the medication processes and the behaviour of healthcare professionals. A rigorous implementation may support nursing homes in taking a step towards safer and resident-oriented medication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - David L B Schwappach
- Swiss Patient Safety Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Ali S, Salahudeen MS, Bereznicki LRE, Curtain CM. Pharmacist-led interventions to reduce adverse drug events in older people living in residential aged care facilities: A systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 87:3672-3689. [PMID: 33880786 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS We aimed to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions to reduce adverse drug events (ADEs) in older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PsycINFO from their inceptions to July 2020. We investigated experimental study designs that employed a control group, or quasi-experimental studies conducted in RACFs. RESULTS We screened 3826 records and included 23 studies. We found seven single-component and 16 multicomponent pharmacist-led interventions to reduce ADEs in older people living in RACFs. The most frequent single-component pharmacist-led intervention was medication review. Medication review and education provision to healthcare professionals were the most common components in many pharmacist-led multicomponent interventions. Thirteen studies (56%) showed no effect, whereas ten studies (43%) reported significant reductions in ADEs following pharmacist-led interventions either as a sole intervention or as a part of a multi-component intervention. Many interventions focused on reducing the incidence of falls (39%). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review suggests that pharmacist-led interventions have the potential to reduce the incidence of ADEs in older people living in RACFs. Medication review and educational programmes, particularly academic detailing, either as a single component or as part of multicomponent interventions were the most common approaches to reducing drug-related harm in older people living in RACFs. The lack of a positive association between interventions and ADE in many studies suggests that targeted and tailored pharmacist-led interventions are required to reduce ADEs in older people in RACFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheraz Ali
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7005, Australia
| | - Mohammed S Salahudeen
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7005, Australia
| | - Luke R E Bereznicki
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7005, Australia
| | - Colin M Curtain
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7005, Australia
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16
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Epidemiology and associated factors of polypharmacy in older patients in primary care: a northern Italian cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:197. [PMID: 33743582 PMCID: PMC7981991 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02141-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A precondition for developing strategies to reduce polypharmacy and its well-known harmful consequences is to study its epidemiology and associated factors. The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence of polypharmacy (defined as ≥8 prescribed drugs), of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and major drug-drug interactions (DDIs) among community-dwelling general practice patients aged ≥75 years and to identify characteristics being associated with polypharmacy. Methods This cross-sectional study is derived from baseline data (patients’ demographic/biometric characteristics, diagnoses, medication-related data, cognitive/affective status, quality of life) of a northern-Italian cluster-RCT. PIMs and DDIs were assessed using the 2012 Beers criteria and the Lexi-Interact® database. Data were analysed using descriptive methods, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Fisher’s exact tests and Spearman correlations. Results Of the eligible patients aged 75+, 13.4% were on therapy with ≥8 drugs. Forty-three general practitioners and 579 patients participated in the study. Forty five point nine percent of patients were treated with ≥1 Beers-listed drugs. The most frequent PIMs were benzodiazepines/hypnotics (19.7% of patients) and NSAIDs (6.6%). Sixty seven point five percent of patients were exposed to ≥1 major DDI, 35.2% to ≥2 major DDIs. Antithrombotic/anticoagulant medications (30.4%) and antidepressants/antipsychotics (23.1%) were the most frequently interacting drugs. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with a higher number of major DDIs (Spearman’s rho 0.33, p < 0.001) and chronic conditions (Spearman’s rho 0.20, p < 0.001), higher 5-GDS scores (thus, lower affective status) (Spearman’s rho 0.12, p = 0.003) and lower EQ-5D-5L scores (thus, lower quality of life) (Spearman’s rho − 0.14, p = 0.001). Patients’ age/sex, 6-CIT scores (cognitive status), BMI or PIM use were not correlated with the number of drugs. Conclusions The prevalence of polypharmacy, PIMs and major DDIs was considerable. Results indicate that physicians should particularly observe their patients with multiple conditions, reduced health and affective status, independently from other patients’ characteristics. Careful attention about indication, benefit and potential risk should be paid especially to patients on therapy with specific drug classes identified as potentially inappropriate or prone to major DDIs in older persons (e.g., benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, protonic pump inhibitors, antithrombotics/anticoagulants, antidepressants/antipsychotics). Trial registration The cluster-RCT on which this cross-sectional analysis is based was registered with Current Controlled Trials Ltd. (ID ISRCTN: 38449870) on 2013-09-11.
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Kardas P, Urbański F, Lichwierowicz A, Chudzyńska E, Czech M, Makowska K, Kardas G. The Prevalence of Selected Potential Drug-Drug Interactions of Analgesic Drugs and Possible Methods of Preventing Them: Lessons Learned From the Analysis of the Real-World National Database of 38 Million Citizens of Poland. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:607852. [PMID: 33536918 PMCID: PMC7849760 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.607852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Drug-drug interactions may lead to poor health outcomes, as well as increased costs and utilization of healthcare services. Unfortunately, real-world data continuously prove high prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) worldwide. Among identified drivers, ageing, multimorbidity and polypharmacy play a very important role. With these factors being widespread, the need for implementation of strategies minimizing the burden of pDDIs becomes an urgency. This, however, requires a better understanding of the prevalence of pDDIs and the underlying causative factors. Aim of study: To assess the real-world prevalence of pDDIs and its characteristics in the general population of Poland, using analgesic drugs as a model, and to find out whether pDDIs are caused by prescribing coming from the very same prescribers (co-prescribing). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the 2018 dispensation data of the National Health Fund (NHF) - the only Polish public healthcare payer organization with nationwide coverage. We searched for selected pDDIs of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with antihypertensives, other NSAIDs (double use), oral glucocorticoids, oral anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and antiplatelet drugs; as well as opioides with SSRIs, SNRIs, gabapentinoids, and benzodiazepines. A pDDI was deemed present if two drugs standing in a possible conflict were dispensed within the same calendar month. Results: Out of 38.4 million citizens of Poland, 23.3 million were dispensed prescribed drugs reimbursed by NHF in 2018. In this cohort, we have identified 2,485,787 cases of analgesic drug pDDIs, corresponding with 6.47% of the Polish population. Out of these, the most prevalent pDDI was caused by “NSAIDs + antihypertensives” (1,583,575 cases, i.e., 4.12% of the Polish population), followed by “NSAIDs + NSAIDs” (538,640, 1.40%) and “NSAIDs + glucocorticoids” (213,504, 0.56%). The most persistent pDDIs among those studied were caused by “Opioids + Gabapentinoids” (2.19, 95%CI: 2.16–2.22 months). On average, 76.63% of all cases of pDDIs were caused by drugs prescribed by the very same prescribers. Conclusion: Based on high-quality, nationwide data, we have found a high prevalence of analgesic drugs-related pDDIs in Poland. Over ¾ of the identified pDDIs were caused by co-prescribing, i.e., prescriptions issued by the same prescribers. The significance of the problem, illustrated with our findings on analgesic drugs-related pDDIs in Poland, deserves much more scientific and policymaker attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Kardas
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Marcin Czech
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Grzegorz Kardas
- Department of Internal Diseases, Asthma and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
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A New Care Model Reduces Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Long-Term Care. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020; 22:141-147. [PMID: 33221164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assess the impact of a new pharmaceutical care model on (1) polypharmacy and (2) potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). DESIGN Pragmatic quasi-experimental study with a control group. This multifaceted model enables pharmacists and nurses to increase their professional autonomy by enforcing laws designed to expand their scope of practice. It also involves a strategic reorganization of care, interdisciplinary training, and systematic medication reviews. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Two LTCFs exposed to the model (409 residents) were compared to 2 control LTCFs (282 residents) in Quebec, Canada. All individuals were aged 65 years or older and residing in included LTCFs. MEASURES Polypharmacy (≥10 medications) and PIM (2015 Beers criteria) were analyzed throughout 12 months between March 2017 and June 2018. Groups were compared before and after implementation using repeated measures mixed Poisson or logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS Over 12 months, for regular medications, polypharmacy decreased from 42% to 20% (exposed group) and from 50% to 41% (control group) [difference in differences (DID): 13%, P < .001]. Mean number of PIMs also decreased from 0.79 to 0.56 (exposed group) and from 1.08 to 0.90 (control group) (DID: 0.05, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Compared with usual care, this multifaceted model reduced the probability of receiving ≥10 medications and the mean number of PIMs. Greater professional autonomy, reorganization of care, training, and medication review can optimize pharmaceutical care. As the role of pharmacists is expanding in many countries, this model shows what could be achieved with increased professional autonomy of pharmacists and nurses in LTCFs.
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Prasanna SMS, Cader TSB, Sabalingam S, Shanika LGT, Samaranayake NR. Are medications safely used by residents in elderly care homes? - A multi-centre observational study from Sri Lanka. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233486. [PMID: 32497110 PMCID: PMC7272092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most residents in elderly care homes in Sri Lanka do not receive formal, on-site, patient care services. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the appropriateness of prescribing, dispensing, administration, and storage practices of medication used by residents in selected elderly care homes in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. METHODOLOGY This was a prospective, cross-sectional, multi-center study of 100 residents with chronic, non-communicable diseases, who resided in nine selected elderly care homes in Sri Lanka. Medication histories were obtained from each resident/caregiver and the appropriateness of medications in their current prescription was reviewed using standard treatment guidelines. Prescriptions were cross-checked against respective dispensing labels to identify dispensing errors. Medication administration was directly observed on two separate occasions per resident for accuracy of administration, and matched against the relevant prescription instructions. Medication storage was also observed in terms of exposure to temperature and sunlight, the suitability of container, and adequacy of separation if using multiple medications. RESULTS The mean age of residents was 70±10.5 years and the majority were women (72%). A total of 168 errors out of 446 prescriptions were identified. The mean number of prescribing errors per resident was 1.68±1.23 [median, 2.00 (1.00-3.00)]. Inappropriate dosing frequencies were the highest (37.5%;63/168), followed by missing or inappropriate medications (31.5%;53/168). The mean number of dispensing errors per resident was 15.9±13.1 [median, 14.0 (6.00-22.75)] with 3.6 dispensing errors per every medication dispensed. Mean administration errors per resident was 0.95±1.5 [median, 0.00 (0.00-1.00)], with medication omissions being the predominant error (50.5%;48/95). Another lapse was incorrect storage of medications (143 storage errors), and included 83 medications not properly separated from each other (58.0%). CONCLUSION Multiple errors related to prescribing, dispensing, administration, and storage were identified amongst those using medication in elderly care homes. Services of a dedicated consultant pharmacist could improve the quality of medication use in elderly care homes in Sri Lanka.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. M. S. Prasanna
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - T. S. B. Cader
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - S. Sabalingam
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - L. G. T. Shanika
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - N. R. Samaranayake
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
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