1
|
Nanaumi Y, Yoshitani A, Onda M. Impact of interventions by a community pharmacist on care burden for people with dementia: development and randomized feasibility trial of an intervention protocol. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2022; 8:118. [PMID: 35655244 PMCID: PMC9161485 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-022-01071-7] [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: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditionally, the role of pharmacists has been to manage and monitor pharmacotherapy for patients with dementia. However, additional intervention by community pharmacists to collect and share patient information with other professionals may help reduce the care burden among caregivers. The aims of this study were to examine (1) the feasibility of a designed community pharmacist working procedure in dementia care and (2) the expected impact of pharmacist intervention on care burden. METHODS This was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group feasibility study, involving eight Nara City pharmaceutical association member pharmacies that provided consent to participate. These pharmacies were assigned to an intervention group or a control group at a 1:1 ratio. The subjects were patients with dementia and their primary caregivers that visited the participating pharmacies and provided consent to participate. Pharmacists in the intervention group actively collected information from the patients' family physicians and care managers and intervened to address medication-related problems, while those in the control group only performed their normal duties. The primary endpoint was a change in the caregiver's score on the Japanese version of Zarit Caregiver Burden interview (J-ZBI) from the baseline to after 5 months of follow-up. The changes in mean J-ZBI scores from the beginning to the end of the study period of the two groups were compared. RESULTS Obtaining consent from caregivers was certainly difficult, but possible. Pharmacists managed to fill out the survey form while practising pharmaceutical care. Totally, nine patients and nine caregivers in the intervention group and nine patients and eight caregivers in the control group completed the study. The changes in J-ZBI scores could be calculated for seven cases in the intervention group and five cases in the control group. The J-ZBI scores were found to decrease by 1.0 in the intervention group and increase by 3.0 in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The protocol presented was considered feasible, but, the intervention process needs to be simplified in order to conduct a large study. Also, improvements are needed in the various survey forms and in the explanatory documents for caregivers. Although the sample size was small, the effect sizes suggested that community pharmacist interventions for patient with dementia may reduce the care burden for caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION UMIN000039949 (registration date: 1 April 2020, retrospectively registered).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nanaumi
- Advance Pharma Research Office, 3-6-2 Ukyo, Nara, 631-0805, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yoshitani
- Nara City Pharmaceutical Association, 768, Kidera-cho, Nara, 630-8306, Japan
| | - Mitsuko Onda
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-20-1, Nasahara, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nguyen TA, Gilmartin-Thomas J, Tan ECK, Kalisch-Ellett L, Eshetie T, Gillam M, Reeve E. The Impact of Pharmacist Interventions on Quality Use of Medicines, Quality of Life, and Health Outcomes in People with Dementia and/or Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:83-96. [PMID: 31356204 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication use in people with dementia and/or cognitive impairment (PWD/CI) is challenging. As medication experts, pharmacists have an important role in improving care of this vulnerable population. OBJECTIVE Systematically review evidence for the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions on quality use of medicines, quality of life, and health outcomes of PWD/CI. METHODS A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED) and Cumulative index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases from conception to 20 March 2017. Full articles published in English were included. Data were synthesized using a narrative approach. RESULTS Nine studies were eligible for inclusion. All studies were from high-income countries and assessed pharmacist-led medication management services. There was great variability in the content and focus of services described and outcomes reported. Pharmacists were found to provide a number of cognitive services including medication reconciliation, medication review, and medication adherence services. These services were generally effective with regards to improving quality use of medicines and health outcomes for PWD/CI and their caregivers, and for saving costs to the healthcare system. Pharmacist-led medication and dementia consultation services may also improve caregiver understanding of dementia and the different aspects of pharmacotherapy, thus improving medication adherence. CONCLUSION Emerging evidence suggests that pharmacist-led medication management services for PWD/CI may improve outcomes. Future research should confirm these findings using more robust study designs and explore additional roles that pharmacists could undertake in the pursuit of supporting PWD/CI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Anh Nguyen
- Quality Use of Medicines & Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.,Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Ministry of Health of Vietnam
| | - Julia Gilmartin-Thomas
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Edwin Chin Kang Tan
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Pharmacy, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia.,Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa Kalisch-Ellett
- Quality Use of Medicines & Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Tesfahun Eshetie
- Quality Use of Medicines & Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Marianne Gillam
- Quality Use of Medicines & Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Emily Reeve
- NHMRC Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Geriatric Medicine Research and College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health Authority, NS, Canada.,College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wohlgemuth A, Michalowsky B, Wucherer D, Eichler T, Thyrian JR, Zwingmann I, Rädke A, Hoffmann W. Drug-Related Problems Increase Healthcare Costs for People Living with Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 73:791-799. [PMID: 31884468 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug-related problems (DRP) are common in the elderly population, especially in people living with dementia (PwD). DRP are associated with adverse outcomes that could result in increased costs. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to analyze the association between DRP and healthcare costs in PwD. METHODS The analysis was based on the cross-sectional data of 424 PwD. Compliance, adverse effects, and drug administration of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs taken were assessed. DRP were identified and classified by pharmacists using an adapted German version of "PIE-Doc®". Healthcare utilization was assessed retrospectively used to calculated costs from a public payer perspective using standardized unit costs. The associations between DRP and healthcare costs were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS 394 PwD (93%) had at least one DRP. An inappropriate drug choice was significantly associated with increased total costs (b = 2,718€; CI95% 1,448-3,988) due to significantly higher costs for hospitalization (b = 1,936€; 670-3,202) and for medications (b = 417€; 68-765). Problems with medication dosage and drug interactions were significantly associated with higher medication costs (b = 679€; 31-1,328; and b = 630€; 259-1,001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS DRP could significantly lead to adverse outcomes for PwD and healthcare payers, reflected by a higher hospitalization and costs, respectively. Further research is needed to clarify on interventions and approaches efficiently avoiding DRP and on the effect on patient-reported and economic outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Wohlgemuth
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Bernhard Michalowsky
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Diana Wucherer
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tilly Eichler
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jochen René Thyrian
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ina Zwingmann
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anika Rädke
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hoffmann
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institute for Community Medicine, Section Epidemiology of Health Care and Community Health, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lum ZK, Suministrado MSP, Venketasubramanian N, Ikram MK, Chen C. Medication compliance in Singaporean patients with Alzheimer's disease. Singapore Med J 2018; 60:154-160. [PMID: 29931376 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Singapore has a rapidly ageing population and an increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compliance to AD medications is associated with treatment effectiveness. We investigated compliance to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and treatment persistence among patients seen at the General Memory Clinic of National University Hospital, Singapore. We also identified the reasons for non-compliance. METHODS Patients seen at the General Memory Clinic between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014, who were prescribed AChEIs and NMDA receptor antagonist, were included in this retrospective cohort study. Non-compliance to medications was indirectly measured by failure to renew prescription within 60 days of the last day of medication supplied by the previous prescription. The reasons for non-compliance were identified. RESULTS A total of 144 patients were included. At one year, 107 patients were compliant to AD medications, while 37 patients were non-compliant. Around 60% of the non-compliant patients discontinued the use of AD medications within the first six months, and the mean persistent treatment period among this group of patients was 10.3 ± 3.5 months. The main reason for non-compliance was patients' and caregivers' perception that memory loss was of lower priority than other coexisting illnesses. Other reasons for non-compliance included side effects of medications (18.9%), perceived ineffectiveness of treatment (16.2%), inability to attend clinic (5.4%) and high cost of medications (2.7%). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the reasons for medication non-compliance can be identified early. Better compliance may be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach to patient education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Kang Lum
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ma Serrie P Suministrado
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Memory Ageing and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - N Venketasubramanian
- Memory Ageing and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore.,Raffles Neuroscience Centre, Raffles Hospital, Singapore
| | - M Kamran Ikram
- Departments of Neurology and Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdan, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Memory Ageing and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marvanova M, Henkel PJ. Community Pharmacists' Knowledge Regarding Donepezil Averse Effects and Self-Care Recommendations for Insomnia for Persons with AD. PHARMACY 2017; 5:pharmacy5030042. [PMID: 28970454 PMCID: PMC5622354 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy5030042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts millions of individuals worldwide. Since no cure is currently available, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are symptomatic therapy. This study assessed community pharmacists' knowledge regarding donepezil adverse effects (AEs) and self-care recommendations for insomnia management for persons with AD treated with rivastigmine. This is a cross-sectional, standardized telephone survey of community pharmacists (n = 862) in three study areas: West Virginia, North Dakota/South Dakota, and Southern Oregon/Northern California. Pharmacists' degree, sex, and pharmacists' AD-related knowledge were assessed. In-stock availability of donepezil and rivastigmine formulations was assessed. Analyses were performed using Stata 10.1. Only 31.4% pharmacists were able to name ≥2 donepezil AEs. Only four donepezil AEs were named by at least 13% of pharmacists: nausea (36.1%), dizziness (25.1%), diarrhea (15.0%), and vomiting (13.9%). All other AEs were named by fewer than 7% of respondents. Only 62.9% of pharmacists (n = 542) provided appropriate recommendations: melatonin (40.3%), referral to physician (22.0%), or sleep hygiene (0.6%). Over 12% of pharmacists (n = 107) provided inappropriate recommendations (anticholinergic agent or valerian root) and 21.5% of pharmacists were unable to provide any recommendation. We identified significant gaps in community pharmacists' knowledge regarding donepezil AEs and non-prescription insomnia recommendation needing significant improvement to ensure high-quality AD-related care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Marvanova
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy/College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Department 2650, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA.
| | - Paul Jacob Henkel
- Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, University of Eastern Finland, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|