Role of vitamin D serum levels in prevention of primary and recurrent melanoma.

Patients afflicted with melanoma show lower vitamin D serum levels (VDSL) than the healthy population. This hypothesis agrees with its well-known antiproliferative features. An observational study was carried out to collect VDSL in patients suffering from melanoma. Our aim was to identify a potential connection between low VDSL and the risk to incur melanoma. Furthermore, we studied the association between VDSL at the diagnosis of melanoma and other germane prognostic factors. The population held in regard was composed of 154 patients with a diagnosis of melanoma between 2016 and 2019. These patients were retrospectively collected from our follow-up storage. We compared VDSL to clinical and pathological parameters (age, sex, tumour location, Breslow's depth, Clark's level, histological subtype, ulceration, et aliqua). Moreover, we recruited a control group with negative melanoma history. Mean and median of VDSL were significantly lower in the melanoma group. Instead, we found a negative association between melanoma and VDSL > 30 ng/L (OR 0.11; p < 0.0001). No correlation between VDSL and both Breslow's depth and Clark's level was discovered, but the VDSL comparison between thin (depth ≤ 1 mm) and thick tumours (depth > 1 mm) revealed a statistically significant difference (21.1 ± 8.2 ng/L vs 17.8 ± 8.1; p = 0.01). Moreover, VDSL were significantly lower in melanomas with mitotic rate ≥ 1/mm2 (22.1 ± 8.3 ng/L; p < 0007). Nevertheless, no connection was found between VDSL and both ulceration and positive sentinel nodes (p = 0.76; p = 0.74). Besides, our study revealed no association between VDSL and histological subtype (p = 0.161). Lower VDSL correlate with thick and high mitotic rate tumours. Future prospective studies would investigate if appropriate upkeep of suitable VDSL can decrease the risk of primary and recurrent melanoma diagnosis.

Use and prescription appropriateness of drugs for peptic ulcer and gastrooesophageal reflux disease in hospitalized older people.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of use and prescription appropriateness of drugs for peptic ulcer and gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at hospital admission and discharge. METHODS: Patients aged 65 years or more hospitalized from 2010 to 2016 in 101 Italian internal medicine and geriatric wards in the context of the REPOSI register were scrutinized to assess if they were prescribed with drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD at hospital admission and discharge. Appropriateness of prescription was assessed considering the presence of specific conditions (i.e., history of peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal hemorrhages, advanced age, Helicobacter Pylori) or gastro-toxic drug combinations, according to the criteria provided by the reimbursement rules of the Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (NOTA 1 and 48). RESULTS: Among 4715 enrolled patients, 3899 were discharged alive. At hospital discharge, 2412 (61.9%, 95%CI: 60.3-63.4%) patients were prescribed with drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD, a 12% of increase from hospital admission. Almost half of the patients (N = 1776, 45.6%, 95%CI: 44.0-47.1%) were inappropriately prescribed or not prescribed: among the drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD users, about 60% (1444/2412) were overprescribed, and among nonusers, 22% (332/1487) were underprescribed. Among patients newly prescribed at hospital discharge, 60% (392/668) were inappropriately prescribed. The appropriateness of drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD therapy decreased by 3% from hospital admission to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization missed the opportunity to improve the quality of prescription of this class of drug.

Inappropriate prescription of benzodiazepines in acutely hospitalized older patients.

Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are widely prescribed in older people. The aims of the study are to assess the prevalence of inappropriate prescription of BZDs and the associated factors in acutely hospitalized older patients. Patients aged 65 years or more hospitalized from 2010 to 2017 in more than 100 Italian internal medicine and geriatric wards in the frame of the REPOSI register were included if prescribed with BDZs at hospital admission or discharge. Appropriateness of prescription was assessed according to the 2015 Beers criteria and their modified French and German versions. Among 4681 patients discharged from hospital, 15% (N = 710) were discharged with BDZs, and 62% of them (N = 441, 95% CI: 58.5%-65.6%) were inappropriately prescribed, being prescribed with BDZ to be always avoided in the elderly (45%), at higher doses than recommended (31%) or with no appropriate clinical conditions (19%). From admission to discharge the prevalence of inappropriate BDZ prescription decreased by 4%, but 62% of patients inappropriately prescribed at admission were still inappropriately prescribed at discharge. Among the 179 patients first prescribed at the time of discharge, half were inappropriately prescribed. Being female (OR 1.32, 95%CI 0.95-1.85), enrolled in REPOSI during the years 2016 and 2017 (OR 1.94, 95%CI 1.10-3.39; OR 1.57, 95%CI 0.95-2.58) and living in nursing homes (OR 2.04, 95%CI 0.95-4.37) were associated with an increased risk to be inappropriately prescribed. This study shows a high prevalence of inappropriate use of BDZ in acutely hospitalized older patients both at hospital admission and discharge.

Antibiotic use and associated factors in a large sample of hospitalised older people.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess (i) the prevalence of antibiotic use, (ii) factors associated with their use and (iii) the association with in-hospital mortality in a large sample of hospitalised older people in Italy. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2010-2017 REPOSI register held in more than 100 internal medicine and geriatric wards in Italy. Patients aged ≥65 years with at least one antibiotic prescription during their hospitalisation were selected. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with antibiotic use. RESULTS: A total of 5442 older patients were included in the analysis, of whom 2786 (51.2%) were prescribed antibiotics during their hospitalisation. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic class was ß- lactams, accounting for 50% of the total prescriptions. Poor physical independence, corticosteroid use and being hospitalised in Northern Italy were factors associated with a higher likelihood of being prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotic use was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio=2.52, 95% confidence interval 1.82-3.48) also when accounting for factors associated with their use. CONCLUSION: Hospitalised older people are often prescribed antibiotics. Factors related to poor physical independence and corticosteroid use are associated with increased antibiotic use. Being prescribed antibiotics is also associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death. These results demand the implementation of specific stewardship programmes to improve the correct use of antibiotics in hospital settings and to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

HIDRAdisk: validation of an innovative visual tool to assess the burden of hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful inflamed nodules, recurrent abscesses and fistulas located in apocrine gland-bearing body sites. The negative impact of HS on patient's quality of life (QoL) has been reported to be greater than other dermatologic conditions as psoriasis and atopic eczema, and its improvement is an important goal in disease management. Nowadays, there are no specific validated QoL instruments available for HS and generic dermatologic questionnaires are used. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of HIDRAdisk, a new innovative tool designed for rapid assessment of HS burden and, at the same time, an intuitive graphic visualization of the measurement outcome. METHODS: A multicentre, longitudinal, observational study was conducted to validate the HIDRAdisk compared with other validated questionnaires [Skindex-16, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-General Health (WPAI:GH)] and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity in Italian patients with any degree of HS severity, as measured by Hurley stage and HS Physician Global Assessment (HS-PGA). RESULTS: A total of 140 patients (59% women; mean age 34.9 ± 11.0 years) were enrolled in 27 dermatologic centres. HIDRAdisk showed a strong correlation with Skindex-16 and DLQI, and a good one with WPAI:GH (correlation coefficient: 0.7568, 0.6651 and 0.5947, respectively) and a statistically significant correlation with both Hurley stage and HS-PGA. Very good internal consistency (Cronbach coefficient >0.80; intraclass correlation coefficient >0.6), with correlation between the 10 items, good test-retest reliability (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.8331; P < 0.0001) and responsiveness to changes were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that HIDRAdisk, a short and innovative visual HS QoL instrument, has been psychometrically validated in Italian language and it may help improve the management of HS once implemented in routine clinical practice.

Implementation of the Frailty Index in hospitalized older patients: Results from the REPOSI register.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to stressors, associated to poor health outcomes. The aim of this study was to design and introduce a Frailty Index (FI; according to the age-related accumulation of deficit model) in a large cohort of hospitalized older persons, in order to benefit from its capacity to comprehensively weight the risk profile of the individual. METHODS: Patients aged 65 and older enrolled in the REPOSI register from 2010 to 2016 were considered in the present analyses. Variables recorded at the hospital admission (including socio-demographic, physical, cognitive, functional and clinical factors) were used to compute the FI. The prognostic impact of the FI on in-hospital and 12-month mortality was assessed. RESULTS: Among the 4488 patients of the REPOSI register, 3847 were considered eligible for a 34-item FI computation. The median FI in the sample was 0.27 (interquartile range 0.21-0.37). The FI was significantly predictive of both in-hospital (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.38-1.87) and overall (HR 1.46, 95%CI 1.32-1.62) mortality, also after adjustment for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The FI confirms its strong predictive value for negative outcomes. Its implementation in cohort studies (including those conducted in the hospital setting) may provide useful information for better weighting the complexity of the older person and accordingly design personalized interventions.

Pattern of in-hospital changes in drug use in the older people from 2010 to 2016.

PURPOSE: To assess the pattern of in-hospital changes in drug use in older patients from 2010 to 2016. METHODS: People aged 65 years or more acutely hospitalized in those internal medicine and geriatric wards that did continuously participate to the REgistro POliterapie Società Italiana di Medicina Interna register from 2010 to 2016 were selected. Drugs use were categorized as 0 to 1 drug (very low drug use), 2 to 4 drugs (low drug use), 5 to 9 drugs (polypharmacy), and 10 or more drugs (excessive polypharmacy). To assess whether or not prevalence of patients in relation to drug use distribution changed overtime, adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) was estimated with log-binomial regression models. RESULTS: Among 2120 patients recruited in 27 wards continuously participating to data collection, 1882 were discharged alive and included in this analysis. The proportion of patients with very low drug use (0-1 drug) at hospital discharge increased overtime, from 2.7% in 2010 to 9.2% in 2016. Results from a log-logistic adjusted model confirmed the increasing PR of these very low drug users overtime (particularly in 2014 vs 2012, PR 1.83 95% CI 1.14-2.95). Moreover, from 2010 to 2016, there was an increasing number of patients who, on polypharmacy at hospital admission, abandoned it at hospital discharge, switching to the very low drug use group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in internal medicine and geriatric wards continuously participating to the REgistro POliterapie Società Italiana di Medicina Interna register, the proportion of patients with a very low drug use at hospital discharge increased overtime, thus reducing the therapeutic burden in this at risk population.

Long-term prognosis of epilepsy, prognostic patterns and drug resistance: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Seizures in most people with epilepsy remit but prognostic markers are poorly understood. There is also little information on the long-term outcome of people who fail to achieve seizure control despite the use of two antiepileptic drugs (drug resistance). METHODS: People with a validated diagnosis of epilepsy in whom two antiepileptic drugs had failed were identified from primary care records. All were registered with one of 123 family physicians in an area of northern Italy. Remission (uninterrupted seizure freedom lasting 2 years or longer) and prognostic patterns (early remission, late remission, remission followed by relapse, no remission) were determined. RESULTS: In all, 747 individuals (381 men), aged 11 months to 94 years, were followed for 11 045.5 person-years. 428 (59%) were seizure-free. The probability of achieving 2-year remission was 18% at treatment start, 34% at 2 years, 45% at 5, 52% at 10 and 67% at 20 years (terminal remission, 60%). Epilepsy syndrome and drug resistance were the only independent predictors of 2- and 5-year remission. Early remission was seen in 101 people (19%), late remission in 175 (33%), remission followed by relapse in 85 (16%) and no remission in 166 (32%). Treatment response was the only variable associated with differing prognostic patterns. CONCLUSION: The long-term prognosis of epilepsy is favourable in most cases. Early seizure remission is not invariably followed by terminal remission and seizure outcome varies according to well-defined patterns. Prolonged seizure remission and prognostic patterns can be predicted by broad syndromic categories and the failure of two antiepileptic drugs.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Use of QT-Prolonging Drugs in Hospitalized Older People.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the prescription of QT-prolonging drugs at hospital admission and discharge and the risk factors associated with their use in older people (aged 65 years and older). METHODS: Data were obtained from the REPOSI (REgistro POliterapie SIMI [Società Italiana di Medicina Interna]) registry, which enrolled 4035 patients in 2008 (n = 1332), 2010 (n = 1380), and 2012 (n = 1323). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors independently associated with QT-prolonging drug use. QT-prolonging drugs were classified by the risk of Torsades de Pointes (TdP) (definite, possible, or conditional) according to the Arizona Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics (AzCERT) classification. Specific drug combinations were also assessed. RESULTS: Among 3906 patients prescribed at least one drug at admission, 2156 (55.2%) were taking at least one QT-prolonging drug. Risk factors independently associated with the use of any QT-prolonging drugs were increasing age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), multimorbidity (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.33-3.10), hypokalemia (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.32-5.89), atrial fibrillation (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.40-1.98), and heart failure (OR 3.17, 95% CI 2.49-4.05). Furosemide, alone or in combination, was the most prescribed drug. Amiodarone was the most prescribed drug with a definite risk of TdP. Both the absolute number of QT-prolonging drugs (2890 vs. 3549) and the number of patients treated with them (2456 vs. 2156) increased at discharge. Among 1808 patients not prescribed QT-prolonging drugs at admission, 35.8% were prescribed them at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their risk, QT-prolonging drugs are widely prescribed to hospitalized older persons. The curriculum for both practicing physicians and medical students should be strengthened to provide more education on the appropriate use of drugs in order to improve the management of hospitalized older people.

Brain and kidney, victims of atrial microembolism in elderly hospitalized patients? Data from the REPOSI study.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with a higher risk of stroke, and new evidence links AF to cognitive impairment, independently from an overt stroke (CI). Our aim was to investigate, assuming an underlying role of atrial microembolism, the impact of CI and CKD in elderly hospitalized patients with AF. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data collected on elderly patients in 66 Italian hospitals, in the frame of the REPOSI project. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with AF and different degrees of CI. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to explore the relationship between variables and mortality. RESULTS: Among the 1384 patients enrolled, 321 had AF. Patients with AF were older, had worse CI and disability and higher rates of stroke, hypertension, heart failure, and CKD, and less than 50% were on anticoagulant therapy. Among patients with AF, those with worse CI and those with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) had a higher mortality risk (odds ratio 1.13, p=0.006). Higher disability levels, older age, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher eGFR were related to lower probability of oral anticoagulant prescription. Lower mortality rates were found in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly hospitalized patients with AF are more likely affected by CI and CKD, two conditions that expose them to a higher mortality risk. Oral anticoagulant therapy, still underused and not optimally enforced, may afford protection from thromboembolic episodes that probably concur to the high mortality.

RNA/DNA co-analysis from human skin and contact traces--results of a sixth collaborative EDNAP exercise.

The European DNA profiling group (EDNAP) organized a sixth collaborative exercise on RNA/DNA co-analysis for body fluid/tissue identification and STR profiling. The task was to identify skin samples/contact traces using specific RNA biomarkers and test three housekeeping genes for their suitability as reference genes. Eight stains, a skin RNA dilution series and, optionally, bona fide or mock casework samples of human or non-human origin were analyzed by 22 participating laboratories using RNA extraction or RNA/DNA co-extraction methods. Two sets of previously described skin-specific markers were used: skin1 pentaplex (LCE1C, LCE1D, LCE2D, IL1F7 and CCL27) and skin2 triplex (LOR, KRT9 and CDSN) in conjunction with a housekeeping gene, HKG, triplex (B2M, UBC and UCE). The laboratories used different chemistries and instrumentation. All laboratories were able to successfully isolate and detect mRNA in contact traces (e.g., human skin, palm-, hand- and fingerprints, clothing, car interiors, computer accessories and electronic devices). The simultaneous extraction of RNA and DNA provides an opportunity for positive identification of the tissue source of origin by mRNA profiling as well as a simultaneous identification of the body fluid donor by STR profiling. The skin markers LCE1C and LOR and the housekeeping gene marker B2M were detected in the majority of contact traces. Detection of the other markers was inconsistent, possibly due to the low amounts and/or poor quality of the genetic material present in shed skin cells. The results of this and the previous collaborative RNA exercises support RNA profiling as a reliable body fluid/tissue identification method that can easily be combined with current STR typing technology.

Changed epidemiology of ICU acquired bloodstream infections over 12 years in an Italian teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: We compared the etiology of 203 ICU-acquired laboratory confirmed bloodstream infections (LC-BSI) prospectively collected between January 2000-December 2007 (first period) with 83 LC-BSI recorded between January 2010-December 2012 (second period), after the diffusion in 2008 of K. pneumoniae expressing carbapenem-resistance due to K. pneumoniae carbapenemases production (KPC-CR-Kp). METHODS: In the general ICU of teaching hospital "Umberto I" in Rome, all ICU-acquired LC-BSI episodes occurring in patients admitted to ICU≥48h were included. Baseline characteristics, clinical features, antimicrobial resistance and outcome were recorded. All isolated strains multidrug resistance (MDR) were evaluated according to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) guidelines. RESULTS: Overall the study included 329 isolates, 214 in 2000-2007 and 115 in 2010-2012. In the second period we registered a Gram-positive reduction (55.1% vs. 26.9%; P<0.01) and Gram-negative increase (40.2% vs. 69.6%; P<0.01). In 2000-2007 staphylococci were responsible for 45.8% LC-BSI's, whereas 18.3% during 2010-2012. Enterobacteriaceae increased dramatically (15.4% vs. 39.2%; P<0.01), especially Klebsiella spp. (5.6% vs. 31.3%; P<0.01). LC-BSI associated mortality decreased among Gram-positive (56.8% vs. 51.6%), but increased in Gram-negative (41.9% vs. 60.0%; P<0.03), especially in Enterobacteriaceae (RR 2.13; 95% CI 1.21 - 3.73; P<0.01). MDR increased remarkably among Enterobacetriaceae (51.5% vs. 73.3%). The study highlighted the associated mortality for Enterobacteriaceae when comparing MDR to non-MDR microorganisms. CONCLUSION: ICU-acquired LC-BSI etiology shifted from Gram-positive to Gram-negative during the study period in our ICU. Also associated mortality decreased among the former, whereas it increased in the latter. Last MDR increased enormously among Enterobacteriaceae with the diffusion of KPC (75% of strains), adding significantly to associated mortality (RR 2.17; 1.16-4.05; P<0.01).

Inappropriate prescription of allopurinol and febuxostat and risk of adverse events in the elderly: results from the REPOSI registry.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors prescription at admission and discharge in elderly hospital in-patients, to analyze the appropriateness of their use in relation to evidence-based indications, to evaluate the predictors of inappropriate prescription at discharge and the association with adverse events 3 months after hospital discharge. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, based upon a prospective registry, was held in 95 Italian internal medicine and geriatric hospital wards. The sample included 4035 patients aged 65 years or older at admission and 3502 at discharge. The prescription of XO inhibitors was considered appropriate in patients with diagnosis of gout, gout nephropathy, uric acid nephrolithiasis, tophi, and chemotherapy-induced hyperuricemia. In order to evaluate the predictors of inappropriate prescription of XO inhibitors, we compared the characteristics of patients considered inappropriately treated with those appropriately not treated. RESULTS: Among the 4035 patients eligible for the analysis, 467 (11.6 %) were treated with allopurinol or febuxostat at hospital admission and 461 (13.2 %) among 3502 patients discharged. At admission, 39 (8.6 %) of patients receiving XO inhibitors and 43 (9.4 %) at discharge were appropriately treated. Among those inappropriately treated, hyperuricemia, polytherapy, chronic renal failure, diabetes, obesity, ischemic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and cardiac dysrhythmias were associated with greater prescription of XO inhibitors. Prescription of XO inhibitors was associated with a higher risk of adverse clinical events in univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of inappropriate prescription of XO inhibitors remained almost the same at admission and discharge. Inappropriate use of these drugs is principally related to treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia and various cardiovascular diseases.

Gender-differences in disease distribution and outcome in hospitalized elderly: data from the REPOSI study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Women live longer and outnumber men. On the other hand, older women develop more chronic diseases and conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and depression, leading to a greater number of years of living with disabilities. The aim of this study was to describe whether or not there are gender differences in the demographic profile, disease distribution and outcome in a population of hospitalized elderly people. METHODS: Retrospective observational study including all patients recruited for the REPOSI study in the year 2010. Analyses are referred to the whole group and gender categorization was applied. RESULTS: A total of 1380 hospitalized elderly subjects, 50.5% women and 49.5% men, were considered. Women were older than men, more often widow and living alone or in nursing homes. Disease distribution showed that malignancy, diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more frequent in men, but hypertension, osteoarthritis, anemia and depression were more frequent in women. Severity and comorbidity indexes according to the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS-s and CIRS-c) were higher in men, while cognitive impairment evaluated by the Short Blessed Test (SBT), mood disorders by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and disability in daily life measured by Barthel Index (BI) were worse in women. In-hospital and 3-month mortality rates were higher in men. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a gender dimorphism in the demographic and morbidity profiles of hospitalized elderly people, emphasizing once more the need for a personalized process of healthcare.

Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications and risk of adverse clinical outcome in a cohort of hospitalized elderly patients: results from the REPOSI Study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Inappropriate prescribing is highly prevalent for older people and has become a global healthcare concern because of its association with negative health outcomes including ADEs, hospitalization and resource utilization. Beers' criteria are widely utilized for evaluating the appropriateness of medications, and an up-to-date version has recently been published. To assess the prevalence of patients exposed to PIMs at hospital discharge according to the 2003 and 2012 versions of Beers' criteria and to evaluate the risk of adverse clinical events, re-hospitalization and all-cause mortality at 3-month follow-up. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was held in 66 Italian internal medicine and geriatric wards. The sample included 1380 inpatients aged 65 years or older. Prescriptions of PIM were analysed at hospital discharge. We considered all patients with complete 3-month follow-up. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prevalence of patients receiving at least one PIM was 20·1% and 23·5% according to the 2003 and 2012 versions of the Beers' criteria, respectively. The 2012 Beers' criteria identified more patients with at least one PIM than the 2003 version, although a high percentage of those patients (72·2%) were also identified by the criteria updated in 2003. The main difference in the prevalence of patients receiving a PIM according to the two versions of Beers' criteria involved prescriptions of benzodiazepines for insomnia or agitation, chronic use of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, prescription of antipsychotics in people with dementia and oral iron at dosage higher than 325 mg/day. Prescription of PIMs was not associated with a higher risk of adverse clinical events, re-hospitalization and all-cause mortality at 3-month follow-up in both univariate and multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, sex and CIRS comorbidity index. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: This study found no significant effect of inappropriate drug use according to Beers' criteria on health outcomes among older adults 3 month after discharge. Even though these criteria have been suggested as helpful in promoting appropriate prescribing, reducing drug-related adverse events and associated healthcare costs, to date there is no clear evidence that their application can achieve objective and quantifiable improvements in clinical outcomes. A possible explanation is that both versions of the Beers' criteria have several recognized limitations, one of the main ones being the restricted availability of some drugs in Europe or their limited prescription in everyday clinical practice.

Medication non-adherence among elderly patients newly discharged and receiving polypharmacy.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence may have a major impact on clinical outcome, contributing to substantial worsening of disease, increased health care costs and even death. With increasing numbers of medications, low adherence is a growing concern, seriously undermining the benefits of current medical care. Little is known about medication adherence among older adults living at home and requiring complex medication regimens. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe adherence to drug prescriptions in a cohort of elderly patients receiving polypharmacy, discharged from an internal medicine ward. METHODS: A sample of elderly patients (65 years of age or older) discharged from an internal medicine ward in Italy throughout 2012 were enrolled. They were followed for 3 months after discharge with a structured telephone interview to collect information on drug regimens and medication adherence 15-30 days (first follow-up) and 3 months (second follow-up) after discharge. Demographic variables including age, sex, marital status and caregiver were collected. RESULTS: Among 100 patients recruited, information on medication adherence was available for, respectively, 89 and 79 patients at the first and second follow-ups. Non-adherence was reported for 49 patients (55.1 %) at the first follow-up and for 55 (69.6 %) 3 months from discharge. Voluntary withdrawal of a drug and change of dosage without medical consultation were the main reasons for non-adherence at both follow-ups. The number of drugs prescribed at discharge was related to medication non-adherence at both follow-up interviews. No association was found between age and non-adherence. Only 25 patients (28.1 %) at the first follow-up and 20 (25.3 %) at the second understood the reasons for their medications. CONCLUSIONS: Low medication adherence is a real, complex problem for older patients receiving polypharmacy. We found that the increasing number of drugs prescribed at hospital discharge is correlated to non-adherence and a high percentage of patients did not understand the purpose of their medications. Simplification of drug regimens and reduction of pill burdens as well as better explanations of the reason for the medications should be targets for intervention.