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Etherton-Beer C, Page A, Criddle D, Somers G, Parkinson L, Clifford R, Mangin D. The Australian Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (AusTAPER) hospital study: effect of a collaborative medication review on the number of current regular medicines for older hospital inpatients. Intern Med J 2024. [PMID: 39207237 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16510] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Potentially harmful polypharmacy is a growing public health concern. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (AusTAPER) framework. METHODS We recruited patients at metropolitan hospitals for a randomised controlled trial with 12 months of follow-up. The intervention included a comprehensive medicines history, multidisciplinary meeting and medicines review prior to discharge, with engagement with the participants' general practitioner extending after discharge. The primary outcome was the change in the number of regular medicines used at 12 months from baseline. A cost consequence was performed to estimate costs per participant during the study period. RESULTS There were 98 participants enrolled in the study. The number of regular medicines was significantly reduced from baseline in both groups (-1.7 ± 4.3, t = 2.38, P = 0.02 in the control group vs -2.7 ± 3.6, t = 4.48, P = 0.0001 in the intervention group), although there was no statistical difference detected between the two groups (1.0 (SE 0.9), t = 1.03, P = 0.31). The intervention was estimated to cost AU$644.17 and was associated with cost savings of AU$552.53 per participant in sustained reduced medicines cost. Health outcomes and healthcare costs were similar in both groups. DISCUSSION Medicines were significantly reduced in both groups, with a trend to a larger reduction in medicines at 12 months in the intervention group. The intervention cost was approximately offset by sustained reduced medicines cost, although these results should be regarded cautiously because of the absence of significance in the differences in outcomes between groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy Page
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Deirdre Criddle
- Complex Needs Coordination Team, South Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - George Somers
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lynne Parkinson
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rhonda Clifford
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dee Mangin
- Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- General Practice, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Luke JN, Bessarab D, Smith K, LoGiudice D, Flicker L, Gilchrist L, Dow B, Temple J. Counting the Ways That Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Older People Participate in Their Communities and Culture. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2024; 79:gbae100. [PMID: 38818851 PMCID: PMC11234290 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae100] [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: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the proportion of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participating in cultural events and activities and determine the demographic and sociocultural characteristics associated with participation. METHODS The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (2014-2015) was used to measure the prevalence of participation in cultural events and activities. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to measure associations. Sociocultural factors were selected by matching survey items to the 12 sociocultural factors described in the Good Spirit Good Life Framework, a culturally validated quality-of-life tool for older people. RESULTS The majority (62.0%) of survey respondents 45 years and older participated in cultural events (e.g., ceremonies, funerals/sorry business, NAIDOC week activities, sports carnivals, festivals/carnivals) or were involved in organizations. Many (58.5%) also participated in activities (e.g., fishing, hunting, gathering wild plants/berries, arts/crafts, music/dance/theater, writing/telling of stories). In regression models including demographic and cultural variables, participation in cultural events was highest among people living remotely (odds ratio [OR] = 2.71), reporting recognition of homelands (OR = 2.39), identifying with a cultural group (OR = 3.56), and those reporting having a say in their communities (OR = 1.57), with similar odds seen for participation in activities. Participation was inversely proportional to increasing age, with a greater proportion of females participating in events and males in activities. DISCUSSION The social lives of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were characterized by widespread participation in cultural events and activities. These findings provide important insights into services as they support older people to live a good life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Nicole Luke
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dawn Bessarab
- Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Smith
- Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dina LoGiudice
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leon Flicker
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lianne Gilchrist
- Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Briony Dow
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeromey Temple
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Wang KN, Etherton-Beer CD, Sanfilippo F, Page AT. Development of a list of Australian potentially inappropriate medicines using the Delphi technique. Intern Med J 2024; 54:980-1002. [PMID: 38303674 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16322] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older people are at high risk of medicines-related harms. otentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) list has been developed to assist clinicians and researchers to identify medicines with risks that may potentially outweigh their benefits in order to improve medication management and safety. AIM To develop a list of PIMs for older people specific to Australia. METHODS The study obtained expert consensus through the utilisation of the Delphi technique in Australia. A total of 33 experts partook in the initial round, while 32 experts engaged in the subsequent round. The primary outcomes encompass medicines assessed as potentially inappropriate, the specific contexts in which their inappropriateness arises and potentially safer alternatives. RESULTS A total of 16 medicines or medicine classes had one or more medicines deemed as potentially inappropriate in older people. Up to 19 medicines or medicine classes had specific conditions that make them more potentially inappropriate, while alternatives were suggested for 16 medicines or classes. CONCLUSION An explicit PIMs list for older people living in Australia has been developed containing 19 drugs/drug classes. The PIMs list is intended to be used as a guide for clinicians when assessing medication appropriateness in older people in Australian clinical settings and does not substitute individualised treatment advice from clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate N Wang
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher D Etherton-Beer
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Frank Sanfilippo
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Centre, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amy T Page
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Page AT, Potter K, Lee G, Almutairi H, Lee K, Wang K, Ailabouni N, Etherton-Beer C. Medicines Regimens Charted for Older People Living in Residential Aged Care: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study Describing the Number of Medicines, Regimen Complexity, High-Risk Prescribing, and Potential Underprescribing. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:104944. [PMID: 38428832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore medicines regimens charted for older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). DESIGN Repeated cross-sectional study using routinely collected data sampled in a cross-sectional manner at 11 time points (day of admission, then at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days, and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post admission). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The cohort is set in 34 RACFs managed by a single Australasian provider. People aged ≥65 years admitted to permanent care between January 1, 2017, and October 1, 2021, with medicines charted on the date of admission. METHODS Medicines charted were evaluated for potentially suboptimal prescribing including number of medicines, high-risk prescribing (eg, potentially inappropriate medicines, anticholinergic burden), and potential underprescribing. RESULTS The 3802 residents in the final cohort had a mean age of 84.9 ± 7.2 years at admission. At least 1 example of suboptimal prescribing was identified in 3479 (92%) residents at admission increasing to 1410 (97%) at 24 months. The number of medicines charted for each resident increased over time from 6.0 ± 3.8 regular and 2.8 ± 2.7 as required medicines at admission to 8.9 ± 4.1 regular and 8.1 ± 3.7 as required medicines at 24 months. Anticholinergic drug burden increased from 1.6 ± 2.4 at admission to 3.0 ± 2.8 at 24 months. Half the residents (2173; 57%) used at least 1 potentially inappropriate medicine at admission, which rose to nearly three-quarters (1060; 73%) at 24 months admission. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The total number of medicines charted for older adults living in RACFs increases with length of stay, with charted as required medicines nearly tripling. Effective interventions to optimize medicines use in this vulnerable population are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Theresa Page
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | | | - Georgie Lee
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hend Almutairi
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kenneth Lee
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Wang
- School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nagham Ailabouni
- PACE, School of Pharmacy, Health and Behavioural Sciences Faculty, University of Queensland
| | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
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Holdaway M, Hyde Z, Hughson JA, Malay R, Stafford A, Fulford K, Radford K, Flicker L, Smith K, Pond D, Russell S, Atkinson D, Blackberry I, LoGiudice D. Medications and cognitive risk in Aboriginal primary care: a cross-sectional study. Intern Med J 2024; 54:897-908. [PMID: 38158855 DOI: 10.1111/imj.16323] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are ageing with high rates of comorbidity, yet little is known about suboptimal prescribing in this population. AIM The prevalence of potentially suboptimal prescribing and associated risk factors were investigated among older patients attending primary care through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs). METHODS Medical records of 420 systematically selected patients aged ≥50 years attending urban, rural and remote health services were audited. Polypharmacy (≥ 5 prescribed medications), potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) as per Beers Criteria and anticholinergic burden (ACB) were estimated and associated risk factors were explored with logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of polypharmacy, PIMs and ACB score ≥3 was 43%, 18% and 12% respectively. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, polypharmacy was less likely in rural (odds ratio (OR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.24-0.77) compared to urban patients, and more likely in those with heart disease (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.62-4.25), atrial fibrillation (OR = 4.25, 95% CI = 1.08-16.81), hypertension (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.34-3.44), diabetes (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.69-4.39) or depression (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.19-3.06). PIMs were more frequent in females (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.03-3.42) and less frequent in rural (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19-0.85) and remote (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.29-1.18) patients. Factors associated with PIMs were kidney disease (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.37-4.92), urinary incontinence (OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.02-8.83), depression (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.50-4.77), heavy alcohol use (OR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.39-5.75) and subjective cognitive concerns (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.31-5.52). High ACB was less common in rural (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.03-0.34) and remote (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.25-1.04) patients and more common in those with kidney disease (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.50-6.30) or depression (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.70-6.47). CONCLUSION Associations between potentially suboptimal prescribing and depression or cognitive concerns highlight the importance of considering medication review and deprescribing for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marycarol Holdaway
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zoë Hyde
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jo-Anne Hughson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roslyn Malay
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Stafford
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Fulford
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kylie Radford
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Leon Flicker
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Smith
- Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dimity Pond
- Department of General Practice, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Russell
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Atkinson
- Rural Clinical School, University of Western Australia, Broome, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Irene Blackberry
- La Trobe University, John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dina LoGiudice
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department Aged Care, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Collins JC, Hu J, McMillan SS, O'Reilly CL, El-Den S, Kelly F, Spinks J, Riley T, Wheeler AJ. Medication-related problems identified by community pharmacists: a descriptive case study of two Australian populations. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:133. [PMID: 37919809 PMCID: PMC10621197 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00637-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication-related problems (MRPs) contribute significantly to preventable patient harm and global healthcare expenditure. Vulnerable populations, including Indigenous Australians (please note that the use of the term 'Indigenous' in this paper includes all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and acknowledges their rich traditions and heterogenous cultures.) and people living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), may be at increased risk of MRPs. Pharmacist-led medication reviews can identify MRPs for targeted action. OBJECTIVE To characterize MRPs identified and recommendations made by community pharmacists during medication reviews conducted with Indigenous Australians and people living with SPMI. METHODS Participants were recruited through two Australian trials testing the feasibility and/or effectiveness of novel community pharmacist-led interventions, the Indigenous Medication Review Service (IMeRSe) feasibility study (June 2018-July 2019) and Bridging the Gap between Physical and Mental Illness in Community Pharmacy (PharMIbridge) randomized controlled trial (September 2020-December 2021). Trained community pharmacists conducted medication reviews responsive to the cultural and health needs of participants. MRPs, MRP severity and pharmacist recommendations were documented and classified using an established classification system (DOCUMENT). MRP severity was assessed by pharmacists and an independent assessor. Data were analysed descriptively, and paired t-tests were used to compare severity ratings. RESULTS Pharmacists identified 795 MRPs with 411 participants across both trials (n = 255 IMeRSe, n = 156 PharMIbridge). Non-adherence to medication was the most common (n = 157, 25.1%) and second-most common (n = 25, 14.7%) MRP in IMeRSe and PharMIbridge, respectively. Undertreatment was the second-most common MRP in the sample of Indigenous Australians (n = 139, 22.2%), and reports of toxicity/adverse reactions were most common in people living with SPMI (n = 41, 24.1%). A change in pharmacotherapy was the most frequent recommendation made by pharmacists (40.2% and 55.0% in IMeRSe and PharMIbridge, respectively). Severity ratings varied, with the majority being 'Mild' or 'Moderate' in both groups. Significant differences were found in the severity rating assigned by trial pharmacists and the independent assessor. CONCLUSIONS Community pharmacists identified a range of MRPs experienced by two at-risk populations, most commonly non-adherence and toxicity or adverse reactions, when conducting medication reviews and proposed diverse strategies to manage these, frequently recommending a change in pharmacotherapy. These findings highlight the opportunity for more targeted approaches to identifying and managing MRPs in primary care and tailored community pharmacist-led interventions may be of value in this space. TRAIL REGISTRATION Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry records (IMeRSe ACTRN12618000188235 registered 06/02/2018 & PharMIbridge ACTRN12620000577910 registered 18/05/2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack C Collins
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jie Hu
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Building N70, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Sara S McMillan
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Building N70, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Claire L O'Reilly
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarira El-Den
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Kelly
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Building N70, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Jean Spinks
- Centre for Business and Economics of Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Toni Riley
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Building N70, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda J Wheeler
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Building N70, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- Centre for Mental Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Page AT, Potter K, Naganathan V, Hilmer S, McLachlan AJ, Lindley RI, Coman T, Mangin D, Etherton-Beer C. Polypharmacy and medicine regimens in older adults in residential aged care. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 105:104849. [PMID: 36399891 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe medicines regimens used by older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study presents baseline data from a randomised controlled trial in seventeen Australian RACFs that recruited residents aged 65 years and older at the participating facilities. The main outcome measures were to evaluation of medicines utilisation, including the number of medicines, medicine regimen complexity, potential under-prescribing and high-risk prescribing (prescribing cascades, anticholinergic or sedative medicines or other potentially inappropriate medicines) with data analysed descriptively. RESULTS Medicines regimens were analysed for 303 residents (76% female) with a mean age of 85.0 ± 7.5 years, of whom the majority were living with dementia (72%). Residents were prescribed an average of 10.3 ± 4.5 regular medicines daily. Most participants (85%) had highly complex regimens. Most residents (92%) were exposed to polypharmacy (five or more medicines). Nearly all, 302 (98%) residents had at least one marker of potentially suboptimal prescribing. At least one instance of potential under-prescribing was identified in 86% of residents. At least one instance of high-risk prescribing was identified in 81% of residents including 16% of participants with at least one potential prescribing cascade. CONCLUSION(S) Potentially suboptimal prescribing affected almost all residents in this study, and most had highly complex medicines regimens. If generalisable, these findings indicate most older people in RACFs may be at risk of medicines-related harm from suboptimal prescribing, in addition to the burden of administration of complex medicines regimens for facility staff and residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Theresa Page
- Centre for Optimisation of Medicines, School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; WA Centre for Health and Ageing, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | | | - Vasi Naganathan
- Centre for Education and Research on Ageing (CERA), Department of Geriatric Medicine, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia; Concord Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarah Hilmer
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J McLachlan
- ydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard I Lindley
- University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia and the George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tracy Coman
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, University Drive Meadowbrook, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
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Lee GB, Etherton-Beer C, Hosking SM, Pasco JA, Page AT. The patterns and implications of potentially suboptimal medicine regimens among older adults: a narrative review. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2022; 13:20420986221100117. [PMID: 35814333 PMCID: PMC9260603 DOI: 10.1177/20420986221100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the context of an ageing population, the burden of disease and medicine use is
also expected to increase. As such, medicine safety and preventing avoidable
medicine-related harm are major public health concerns, requiring further
research. Potentially suboptimal medicine regimens is an umbrella term that
captures a range of indicators that may increase the risk of medicine-related
harm, including polypharmacy, underprescribing and high-risk prescribing, such
as prescribing potentially inappropriate medicines. This narrative review aims
to provide a background and broad overview of the patterns and implications of
potentially suboptimal medicine regimens among older adults. Original research
published between 1990 and 2021 was searched for in MEDLINE, using key search
terms including polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing, potentially
inappropriate medication lists, medication errors, drug interactions and drug
prescriptions, along with manual checking of reference lists. The review
summarizes the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of polypharmacy,
underprescribing and potentially inappropriate medicines. A synthesis of the
evidence regarding the longitudinal patterns of polypharmacy is also provided.
With an overview of the existing literature, we highlight a number of key gaps
in the literature. Directions for future research may include a longitudinal
investigation into the risk factors and outcomes of extended polypharmacy,
research focusing on the patterns and implications of underprescribing and
studies that evaluate the applicability of tools measuring potentially
inappropriate medicines to study settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgie B Lee
- Epi-Centre for Healthy Ageing, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, HERB-Building Level 3, C/- University Hospital Geelong, 285 Ryrie Street, P.O. Box 281, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | | | - Sarah M Hosking
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie A Pasco
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy T Page
- WA Centre for Health and Ageing, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
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A systematic review of the prevalence, determinants, and impact of potentially inappropriate prescribing in middle-aged adults. DRUGS & THERAPY PERSPECTIVES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40267-021-00884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Lee G, Lim JF, Page AT, Etherton-Beer C, Clifford R, Wang K. Applicability of explicit potentially inappropriate medication lists to the Australian context: A systematic review. Australas J Ageing 2022; 41:200-221. [PMID: 35025135 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine i) the similarity of potentially inappropriate medications specified in and between existing explicit lists and ii) the availability in Australia of medications included on existing lists to determine their applicability to the Australian context. METHODS This systematic review identified explicit potentially inappropriate medication lists that were published on EMBASE (1974 - April 2021), MEDLINE (1946 - April 2021) and Elsevier Scopus (2004 - April 2021). The reference lists of seven previously published systematic reviews were also manually reviewed. Lists were included if they were explicit, and the most recent version and the complete list were published in English. Lists based on existing lists were excluded if no new items were added. Potentially inappropriate medications identified on each list were extracted and compared to the medications available on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Schemes. RESULTS Thirty-five explicit published lists were identified. A total of 645 unique potentially inappropriate medications were extracted, of which 416 (64%) were available in Australia and 262 (41%) were subsided by the general Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Applicability of each explicit list ranged from 50-96% according to medications available in Australia and 25-83% according to medications available under subsidy. CONCLUSIONS Pooling data from different lists may help to identify potentially inappropriate medications that may be applicable to local settings. However, if selecting a list for use in the Australian context, consideration should also be given to the intended purpose and setting for application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgie Lee
- School of Medicine, IMPACT, Institute for Innovation in Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joy-Francesca Lim
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amy T Page
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,Pharmacy Department, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Etherton-Beer
- Western Australia Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rhonda Clifford
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Wang
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Why is the use of inappropriate medicines so high in Aboriginal Australians? Int Psychogeriatr 2022; 34:15-16. [PMID: 34758893 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610221002696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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12
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Use of tricyclic antidepressants and other anticholinergic medicines by older Aboriginal Australians: association with negative health outcomes. Int Psychogeriatr 2022; 34:71-78. [PMID: 32985391 DOI: 10.1017/s104161022000174x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have a relatively high prevalence of multimorbidity requiring treatment with medications. This study examines medication use and anticholinergic burden (ACB) among a cohort of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. METHOD This cross-sectional study involving five Aboriginal communities (two in metropolitan Sydney and three on the mid-north coast of New South Wales) used a structured interview process to assess cognition, depression, and activities of daily living for a cohort of older adults (aged 60 years and over). Participants also reported on their health status, medical history, and prescription medications during the interview. ACB was calculated, and its association with adverse health outcomes including cognitive impairment, falls, hospitalization, and depressive symptoms were examined. RESULTS Most participants (95%) were taking at least one regular medication with polypharmacy (≥5 medications) observed in 43% of participants; 12.2% had a significant ACB (≥3) with antidepressants being a major contributor. Anticholinergic medication use was associated with cognitive impairment, recent hospitalization (past 12 months), and depressive symptoms. After controlling for age, sex, and comorbidity, only the presence of depressive symptoms remained significantly associated with the use of anticholinergic medication (odds ratio 2.86; 95% confidence interval 1.48-5.51). CONCLUSIONS Clinically significant ACB was common in older Aboriginal Australians and was largely attributable to inappropriate use of tricyclic antidepressants. Greater awareness of medication-related risk factors among both health care professionals and Aboriginal communities can play an important role in improving health and quality of life outcomes.
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13
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Wong A, Hyde Z, Smith K, Flicker L, Atkinson D, Skeaf L, Malay R, LoGiudice D. Prevalence and sites of pain in remote-living older Aboriginal Australians, and associations with depressive symptoms and disability. Intern Med J 2021; 51:1092-1100. [PMID: 32359117 DOI: 10.1111/imj.14870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain is a growing public health problem associated with significant health and functional implications. Limited data exist for Aboriginal Australians. AIMS To describe the prevalence, severity and sites of pain, analgesic use and associated factors, including depression and disability, in remote-living Aboriginal Australians. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 263 Aboriginal Australians aged ≥45 years from six remote Indigenous communities and the town of Derby in the Kimberley region of Western Australia between 2011 and 2013. Pain was assessed using a culturally adapted pain scale. Factors associated with pain were investigated with binary logistic regression. RESULTS One hundred and seventy (64.6%) participants reported having pain and 53 (20.2%) reported persistent pain. Of those reporting pain, 61 (35.9%) rated it as moderate and 70 (41.2%) as severe. The most common sites of pain were back and knee, and 38 (22.4%) participants with pain indicated three or more sites of pain. Only 70 (41.2%) participants with pain were on some type of analgesic medication. After adjustment, poor vision (odds ratio (OR) = 2.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-4.00), hypertension (OR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.03-3.45) and heart problems (OR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.01-4.14) were associated with pain. Higher depression scores were associated with more persistent pain, but pain was not significantly associated with clinically relevant depressive symptoms, or requiring assistance with two or more personal and/or instrumental activities of daily living. CONCLUSION High levels of pain were reported, although the prevalence of persistent pain was comparable to the general population. Identifying risk factors, improving pain recognition and assessment and evaluating culturally tailored management approaches should be a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Wong
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zoë Hyde
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Smith
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Leon Flicker
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Atkinson
- Rural Clinical School of WA, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, Broome, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Linda Skeaf
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Roslyn Malay
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dina LoGiudice
- Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Aged Care, Melbourne Health and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Hikaka J, Jones R, Hughes C, Connolly MJ, Martini N. Ethnic Variations in the Quality Use of Medicines in Older Adults: Māori and Non-Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. Drugs Aging 2021; 38:205-217. [PMID: 33432516 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-020-00828-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), ethnic inequities in health outcomes exist. Non-Māori experience better access to healthcare than Māori, including access to the quality use of medicines. Quality medicines use requires that medicines provide maximal therapeutic benefit with minimal harm. As older adults are more at risk of harm from medicines, and, because inequities are compounded with age, Māori older adults may be at more risk of medicines-related harm than younger and non-Māori populations. This narrative review examined ethnic variation in the quality use of medicines, including medicines utilisation and associated clinical outcomes, between Māori and non-Māori older adult populations in NZ. The review was structured around prevalence of medicine utilisation by medicine class and in particular disease states; high-risk medicines; polypharmacy; prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP); and association between PIP and clinical outcomes. 22 studies were included in the review. There is ethnic variation in the access to medicines in NZ, with Māori older adults often having reduced access to particular medicine types, or in particular disease states, compared with non-Māori older adults. Māori older adults are less likely than non-Māori to be prescribed medicines inappropriately, as defined by standardised tools; however, PIP is more strongly associated with adverse outcomes for Māori than non-Māori. This review identifies that inequities in quality medicines use exist and provides a starting point to develop pro-equity solutions. The aetiology of inequities in the quality use of medicines is multifactorial and our approaches to addressing the inequitable ethnic variation also need to be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Hikaka
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Waitematā District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Rhys Jones
- Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Martin J Connolly
- Waitematā District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nataly Martini
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Couzos S, Smith D, Stephens M, Preston R, Hendrie D, Loller H, Tremlett M, Nugent A, Vaughan F, Crowther S, Boyle D, Buettner P, Biros E. Integrating pharmacists into Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (IPAC project): Protocol for an interventional, non-randomised study to improve chronic disease outcomes. Res Social Adm Pharm 2020; 16:1431-1441. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Fw Moulds
- Developing Countries Program, Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, Melbourne, VIC
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