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Strassl I, Windhager A, Machherndl-Spandl S, Buxhofer-Ausch V, Stiefel O, Weltermann A. TOP-PIC: a new tool to optimize pharmacotherapy and reduce polypharmacy in patients with incurable cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:7113-7123. [PMID: 36877279 PMCID: PMC10374723 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04671-9] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Polypharmacy is a significant problem in patients with incurable cancer and a method to optimize pharmacotherapy in this patient group is lacking. Therefore, a drug optimization tool was developed and tested in a pilot test. METHODS A multidisciplinary team of health professionals developed a "Tool to Optimize Pharmacotherapy in Patients with Incurable Cancer" (TOP-PIC) for patients with a limited life expectancy. The tool consists of five sequential steps to optimize medications, including medication history, screening for medication appropriateness and drug interactions, a benefit-risk assessment using the TOP-PIC Disease-based list, and shared decision-making with the patient. For pilot testing of the tool, 8 patient cases with polypharmacy were analyzed by 11 oncologists before and after training with the TOP-PIC tool. RESULTS TOP-PIC was considered helpful by all oncologists during the pilot test. The median additional time required to administer the tool was 2 min per patient (P < 0.001). For 17.4% of all medications, different decisions were made by using TOP-PIC. Among possible treatment decisions (discontinuation, reduction, increase, replacement, or addition of a drug), discontinuation of medications was the most common. Without TOP-PIC, physicians were uncertain in 9.3% of medication changes, compared with only 4.8% after using TOP-PIC (P = 0.001). The TOP-PIC Disease-based list was considered helpful by 94.5% of oncologists. CONCLUSIONS TOP-PIC provides a detailed, disease-based benefit-risk assessment with recommendations specific for cancer patients with limited life expectancy. Based on the results of the pilot study, the tool seems practicable for day-to-day clinical decision-making and provides evidence-based facts to optimize pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Strassl
- Division of Hematology With Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ordensklinikum Linz, Fadingerstrasse 1, 4020 Linz and Seilerstätte 4, 4010, Linz, Austria.
- Doctoral Programme MedUni Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria.
| | - Armin Windhager
- Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Kepler University Hospital Linz, Krankenhausstrasse 9, 4021, Linz, Austria
| | - Sigrid Machherndl-Spandl
- Division of Hematology With Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ordensklinikum Linz, Fadingerstrasse 1, 4020 Linz and Seilerstätte 4, 4010, Linz, Austria
- Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria
| | - Veronika Buxhofer-Ausch
- Division of Hematology With Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ordensklinikum Linz, Fadingerstrasse 1, 4020 Linz and Seilerstätte 4, 4010, Linz, Austria
- Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria
| | - Olga Stiefel
- Division of Hematology With Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ordensklinikum Linz, Fadingerstrasse 1, 4020 Linz and Seilerstätte 4, 4010, Linz, Austria
- Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria
| | - Ansgar Weltermann
- Division of Hematology With Stem Cell Transplantation, Hemostaseology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ordensklinikum Linz, Fadingerstrasse 1, 4020 Linz and Seilerstätte 4, 4010, Linz, Austria
- Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria
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Disentangling concepts of inappropriate polypharmacy in old age: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:245. [PMID: 36739368 PMCID: PMC9899389 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15013-2] [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: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polypharmacy is a common concern, especially in the older population. In some countries more that 50% of all individuals over 60 receive five or more drugs, most often due to multimorbidity and increased longevity. However, polypharmacy is associated with multiple adverse events, and more medication may not always be the answer. The terms "appropriate" and "inappropriate" are often used to distinguish between "much" and "too much" medications in relation to polypharmacy in research and practice, but no explicit definition exists to describe what these terms encompass. The aim of this review is to unfold the different understandings of and perspectives on (in)appropriate polypharmacy and suggest a framework for further research and practice. METHOD A scoping review was conducted using the framework of Arksey and O'Malley and Levac et al. Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane database, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for references in English, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish using the search string "Polypharmacy" AND "Appropriate" OR "Inappropriate". Data was extracted on author information, aims and objectives, methodology, study population and setting, country of origin, main findings and implications, and all text including the words "appropriate," "inappropriate," and "polypharmacy." Qualitative meaning condensation analysis was used and data charted using descriptive and thematic analysis. RESULTS Of 3982 references, a total of 92 references were included in the review. Most references were from 2016-2021, from fields related to medicine or pharmacy, and occurred within primary and secondary healthcare settings. Based on the qualitative analysis, a framework were assembled consisting of Context, three domains (Standardization, Practices and Values & Concerns) and Patient Perspective. CONCLUSION Inappropriate polypharmacy is a concept loaded by its heterogeneity and the usefulness of a single definition is doubtful. Instead, the framework suggested in this article representing different dimensions of inappropriate polypharmacy may serve as an initial strategy for focusing research and practice on polypharmacy in old age.
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Gloor Y, Czarnetzki C, Curtin F, Gil-Wey B, Tramèr MR, Desmeules JA. Genetic Susceptibility Toward Nausea and Vomiting in Surgical Patients. Front Genet 2022; 12:816908. [PMID: 35173765 PMCID: PMC8842269 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.816908] [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: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are frequently occurring adverse effects following surgical procedures. Despite predictive risk scores and a pallet of prophylactic antiemetic treatments, it is still estimated to affect around 30% of the patients, reducing their well-being and increasing the burden of post-operative care. The aim of the current study was to characterize selected genetic risk factors of PONV to improve the identification of at risk patients. We genotyped 601 patients followed during the first 24 h after surgery for PONV symptoms in the absence of any antiemetic prophylaxis. These patients were recruited in the frame of a randomized, placebo controlled clinical study aiming to test the efficacy of dexamethasone as a treatment of established PONV. We examined the impact of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located around 13 different genes and the predicted activity of 6 liver drug metabolizing enzymes from the cytochromes P450 family (CYP) on the occurrence and recurrence of PONV. Our genetic study confirms the importance of genetic variations in the type 3B serotonin receptor in the occurrence of PONV. Our modelling shows that integration of rs3782025 genotype in preoperative risk assessments may help improve the targeting of antiemetic prophylaxis towards patients at risk of PONV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Gloor
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Czarnetzki
- Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland.,Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - François Curtin
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland.,Personalized Health Programs, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Béatrice Gil-Wey
- Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martin R Tramèr
- Division of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jules A Desmeules
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
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