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Chen Z, Liu Z, Zeng L, Huang L, Zhang L. Research on prescribing cascades: a scoping review. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1147921. [PMID: 37465527 PMCID: PMC10350531 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1147921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The concept of prescribing cascades has been proposed for more than 20 years, but the research progress and cognitive level varied in different countries. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the current status of relevant original research on prescribing cascades, and to provide references for further research and continuous improvement in clinical practice. Methods: We searched three English databases and four Chinese databases from inception until January 2022. Relevant studies about prescribing cascades meeting the eligibility criteria were extracted independently by two reviewers, and a descriptive analysis was conducted to compare the methods and outcomes of the included studies. Results: A total of 32 studies involving 7,075,200 patients in 11 countries were included, including 13 cross-sectional studies, 11 case reports, 7 cohort studies, and 1 case-control study. The target population was mainly elderly people (24 studies). The purpose of the included studies could be divided into three categories: prevention (4 studies), identification (17 studies), and resolution (11 studies) of prescribing cascades. 49 prescribing cascade routes were identified and mainly attributed to the cardiovascular system, most primary diseases of which were dementia, the initial medications of prescribing cascades were mainly calcium channel blockers, and two to six drugs were involved in the prescribing cascade routes. Conclusion: Prescribing cascades have attracted more attention internationally and current studies have mainly focused on the elderly and their cardiovascular diseases and nervous diseases, but still not yet formed integral research in other special populations of drug use, such as children and pregnant women. It is necessary to further conduct in-depth studies with a broader range, and to establish a series of effective measures to decrease the incidence of prescribing cascades in the high-risk group of drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Evidence-Based Pharmacy Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technical Research on Drug Products in Vitro and in Vivo Correlation, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Evidence-Based Pharmacy Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technical Research on Drug Products in Vitro and in Vivo Correlation, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Linan Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Evidence-Based Pharmacy Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technical Research on Drug Products in Vitro and in Vivo Correlation, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Evidence-Based Pharmacy Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technical Research on Drug Products in Vitro and in Vivo Correlation, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingli Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Evidence-Based Pharmacy Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technical Research on Drug Products in Vitro and in Vivo Correlation, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Abstract
Introduction: Combined antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV infection into a chronic disease thus people living with HIV (PLWH) live longer. As a result, the management of HIV infection is becoming more challenging as elderly experience age-related comorbidities leading to complex polypharmacy and a higher risk for drug-drug or drug-disease interactions. Furthermore, age-related physiological changes affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics thereby predisposing elderly PLWH to incorrect dosing or inappropriate prescribing and consequently to adverse drug reactions and the subsequent risk of starting a prescribing cascade. Areas covered: This review discusses the demographics of the aging HIV population, physiological changes and their impact on drug response as well as comorbidities. Particular emphasis is placed on common prescribing issues in elderly PLWH including drug-drug interactions with antiretroviral drugs. A PubMed search was used to compile relevant publications until February 2019. Expert opinion: Prescribing issues are highly prevalent in elderly PLWH thus highlighting the need for education on geriatric prescribing principles. Adverse health outcomes potentially associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing should promote interventions to prevent harm including medication reconciliation, medication review, and medication prioritization according to the risks/benefits for a given patient. A multidisciplinary team approach is recommended for the care of elderly PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Marzolini
- a Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Departments of Medicine and Clinical Research , University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland.,b Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology , University of Liverpool , Liverpool , UK
| | - Françoise Livio
- c Service of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Laboratories , University Hospital of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
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Brath H, Mehta N, Savage RD, Gill SS, Wu W, Bronskill SE, Zhu L, Gurwitz JH, Rochon PA. What Is Known About Preventing, Detecting, and Reversing Prescribing Cascades: A Scoping Review. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018; 66:2079-2085. [PMID: 30335185 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically describe the resources available on preventing, detecting, and reversing prescribing cascades using a scoping review methodology. MEASUREMENTS We searched Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Sociological Abstracts from inception until July 2017. Other searches (Google Scholar, hand searches) and expert consultations were performed for resources examining how to prevent, detect, or reverse prescribing cascades. We used these three categories along the prescribing continuum as an organizing framework to categorize and synthesize resources. RESULTS Of 369 resources identified, 58 met inclusion criteria; 29 of these were categorized as preventing, 20 as detecting, and 9 as reversing prescribing cascades. Resources originated from 14 countries and mostly focused on older adults. The goal of preventing resources was to educate and increase general awareness of the concept of prescribing cascades as a way to prevent inappropriate prescribing and to illustrate application of the concept to specific drugs (e.g., anticholinergics) and conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease). Detecting resources included original investigations or case reports that identified prescribing cascades using health administrative data, patient cohorts, and novel sources such as social media. Reversing prescribing cascade resources focused on the medication review process and deprescribing initiatives. CONCLUSION Prescribing cascades are a recognized problem internationally. By learning from the range of resources to prevent, detect, and reverse prescribing cascades, this review contributes to improving drug prescribing, especially in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2079-2085, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Brath
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nishila Mehta
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel D Savage
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sudeep S Gill
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei Wu
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynn Zhu
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jerry H Gurwitz
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Paula A Rochon
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Vouri SM, Chung JM, Binder EF. Successful intervention to mitigate an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-induced rhinorrhea prescribing cascade: a case report. J Clin Pharm Ther 2017; 42:370-371. [PMID: 28251653 DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE A prescribing cascade if often treated by discontinuing both medications. We describe an intervention to mitigate a prescribing cascade while continuing a clinically necessary medication without negatively impacting the patient. CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old women experienced probable acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-induced rhinorrhea and subsequently self-medicated with diphenhydramine which lead to worsening cognitive function. We reduced the dose of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and discontinued the diphenhydramine. The symptoms of rhinorrhea were subsequently reduced without negatively impacting cognition. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION This was the first published prescribing cascade intervention that did not require discontinuation of both medications, which may be emulated in future prescribing cascade cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Vouri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Center for Health Outcomes Research and Education, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J M Chung
- Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine and Geriatrics - Old Tesson, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - E F Binder
- Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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