Trends in commonly used and potentially inappropriate medications in older Korean patients with polypharmacy.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is a global public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and trends in the use of commonly used and potentially inappropriate medications among older Korean patients. METHODS: Individuals aged ≥ 65 years who were prescribed any medication between 2014 and 2018 were selected from the Korean National Health Information Database. Joinpoint regression analyses were used to determine trends in the age-adjusted polypharmacy rates by age group. The prescription rates of the most commonly used medications and the most commonly used potentially inappropriate medications were analysed by year or age group for patients with polypharmacy using the chi-square and proportion difference tests. RESULTS: This study included 1,849,968 patients, 661,206 (35.7%) of whom had polypharmacy. Age-adjusted polypharmacy rates increased significantly between 2014 and 2018 (P = 0.046). Among patients with polypharmacy, the most commonly prescribed medications were aspirin (100 mg), atorvastatin, metformin, glimepiride, and rosuvastatin. The most commonly prescribed and potentially inappropriate medications were alprazolam, diazepam, amitriptyline, zolpidem, and dimenhydrinate. There was a significant decrease in the prescription rates for each of these drugs in 2018 compared with 2014 among patients with polypharmacy (all P < 0.001), whereas there was a significant increase in alprazolam prescription among patients aged ≥ 85 years when analysed by age group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed an increasing prevalence of polypharmacy among older adults. Additionally, it highlighted that the utilisation of commonly prescribed potentially inappropriate medications, such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants, has remained persistent, particularly among patients aged ≥ 85 years who practiced polypharmacy. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for the development of robust polypharmacy management strategies to ensure medication safety among older adults.

Trends in Number and Appropriateness of Prescription Medication Utilization Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the United States: 2011-2020.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary data on the quantity and quality of medication use among older adults are lacking. This study examined recent trends in the number and appropriateness of prescription medication use among older adults in the United States. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and March 2020 were used, and 6 336 adult participants aged 65 and older were included. We examined the number of prescription medication, prevalence of polypharmacy (≥5 prescription drugs), use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), and use of recommended medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI]/angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs] plus beta-blockers among patients with heart failure and ACEI/ARBs among patients with albuminuria). RESULTS: There has been a slight increase in the prevalence of polypharmacy (39.3% in 2011-2012 to 43.8% in 2017-2020, p for trend = .32). Antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic medications, and antidepressants are the most commonly used medications. There was no substantial change in the use of PIM (17.0% to 14.7%). Less than 50% of older adults with heart failure received ACEI/ARBs plus beta-blockers (44.3% in 2017-2020) and approximately 50% of patients with albuminuria received ACEI/ARBs (54.0% in 2017-2020), with no improvement over the study period. Polypharmacy, older age, female, and lower socioeconomic status were generally associated with greater use of PIM but lower use of recommended medications. CONCLUSIONS: The medication burden remained high among older adults in the United States and the appropriate utilization of medications did not improve in the recent decade. Our results underscore the need for greater attentions and interventions to the quality of medication use among older adults.

Trends and concerns of potentially inappropriate medication use in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) is an alarming social risk factor in cardiovascular patients. PIM administration may result in iatrogenic disorders and adverse consequences may be attenuated by limiting PIM intake.Areas covered: The goal of this review article is to discuss the trends, risks, and concerns regarding PIM administration with focus on cardiovascular patients. To find data, we searched literature using electronic databases (Pubmed/Medline 1966-2021 and Web of Science 1975-2021). The data search terms were cardiovascular diseases, potentially inappropriate medication, potentially harmful drug-drug combination, potentially harmful drug-disease combination, drug interaction, deprescribing, and electronic health record.Expert opinion: Drugs for heart diseases are the most commonly prescribed medications in older individuals. Despite the availability of explicit and implicit PIM criteria, the incidence of PIM use in cardiovascular patients remains high ranging from 7 to 85% in different patient categories. Physician-induced disorders often occur when PIM is administered and adverse effects may be reduced by limiting PIM intake. Main strategies promising for addressing PIM use include deprescribing, implementation of systematic electronic records, pharmacist medication review, and collaboration among cardiologists, internists, geriatricians, clinical pharmacologists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals as basis of multidisciplinary assessment teams.

Trends and patterns in EU(7)-PIM prescribing to elderly patients in Germany.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore patterns and long-term development in prescribing potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) according to the EU(7)-PIM list to elderly patients in Germany. METHODS: We analysed anonymized German claims data. The study population comprised 6.0 million insured individuals at least 65 years old, including all their prescriptions reimbursed in 2019. For the analysis of long-term development, we used data for the years 2009-2019. Factors associated with PIM prescribing were considered from two perspectives: patient-oriented analysis was performed with logistic regression and prescriber-oriented analysis was performed with multiple linear regression. RESULTS: EU(7)-PIM prevalence was reduced from 56.9% in 2009 to 45.1% in 2019. Average annual volume (DDDs/insured) decreased from 145 in 2009 to 121 in 2019. These figures are substantially greater than those for the older PRISCUS list. The majority of investigated ATC level 2 groups with the highest EU(7)-PIM DDD volume exhibited substantial decreases; moderate increases were found for antihypertensive and urological drugs. Antithrombotics increased strongly with the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants. The most prevalent EU(7)-PIM medication was diclofenac; however, in the age group 85+ years, apixaban was twice as prevalent as diclofenac. Polypharmacy, female sex, age < 90 years, need for nursing care and living in Eastern regions were identified as risk factors. Prescriber specialty was the most marked factor in the prescriber-oriented analysis. CONCLUSION: Although the use of EU(7)-PIMs has been declining, regional differences indicate considerable room for improvement. The comparison with PRISCUS highlights the necessity of regular updates of PIM lists.

Outcomes of Medication Misadventure Among People With Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mortality and hospitalization outcomes associated with medication misadventure (including medication errors [MEs], such as the use of potentially inappropriate medications [PIMs], and adverse drug events [ADEs]) among people with cognitive impairment or dementia. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to December 2019. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Relevant studies using any study design were included. Reviewers independently performed critical appraisal and extracted relevant data. DATA SYNTHESIS: The systematic review included 10 studies that reported the outcomes of mortality or hospitalization associated with medication misadventure, including PIMs (n=5), ADEs (n=2), a combination of MEs and ADEs (n=2), and drug interactions (n=1). Five studies examining the association between PIMs and mortality/hospitalization were included in the meta-analyses. Exposure to PIMs was not associated with either mortality (odds ratio [OR]=1.36; 95%CI=0.79-2.35) or hospitalization (OR=1.02; 95%CI=0.83-1.26). In contrast, single studies indicated that ADEs with cholinesterase inhibitors were associated with mortality and hospitalization. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: Individuals with cognitive impairment or dementia are at increased risk of medication misadventure; based on relatively limited published data, this does not necessarily translate to increased mortality and hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, medication misadventure was not associated with mortality or hospitalization in people with cognitive impairment or dementia, noting the limited number of studies, difficulty in controlling potential confounding variables, and that most studies focus on PIMs.

Glyburide Use in Older Adults: Pharmacy Claims Data Analysis of a Regional Healthcare Organization.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Glyburide was added to the 2012 American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria® due to the risk of hypoglycemic events in older adults. The objective of this study was to evaluate trends of glyburide use in persons aged 65 and older with diabetes mellitus, type II, before, during, and after the 2012 AGS Beers Criteria® Update. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study comparing pharmacy claims data from four Sharp Rees-Stealy clinic regions over 5 years (2010-2015). SETTING: Pharmacy claims database. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3,005 patients with diabetes mellitus, type II, aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Prescription fill history of the sulfonylureas glyburide, glipizide, and glimepiride were collected along with comorbidity (Elixhauser) and demographic information. Odds of glyburide prescribing were stratified by year, clinic region, and by prescriber type. RESULTS: Glyburide use decreased across each study year (35.8%, 27.7%, and 4.2% in 2011, 2013, and 2015, respectively; P < .01). Adjusted odds of glyburide use indicated that regions A and D were 24% (P = .045) and 11% (P < .01) less likely to prescribe glyburide in 2011, regions A and D were 37% (P < .01) and 8% (P = .03) less likely to prescribe glyburide in 2013, respective to the overall average, whereas region B was 41% (P = .04) more likely. No significant regional site variations remained in 2015. Internists were 47% more likely to prescribe glyburide than family medicine providers in 2013; P < .01), but not in any other study years. CONCLUSION: Rates of glyburide use decreased after release of the 2012 AGS Beers Criteria® demonstrating successful adoption of evidence-based medicine at a large multiregional site. However, regional differences may affect timing of implementation. Education, system-level initiatives, and strong professional support may help enhance more uniform adoption. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2354-2358, 2020.

Using Deprescribing Practices and the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions Criteria to Reduce Harm and Preventable Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 98% of older Americans are simultaneously taking 5-or more-medications to manage at least 2 chronic conditions. Polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are a concern for older adults because they pose a risk for adverse drug events (ADEs), which are associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations and are an important patient safety priority. We sought to review the evidence of patient safety practices aimed at reducing preventable ADEs in older adults, specifically (i) deprescribing interventions to reduce polypharmacy and (ii) use of the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) to reduce PIMs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of literature published between 2008 and 2018 that studied examined the effect of these interventions to reduce preventable ADEs in older adults. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies and 1 systematic review were included (14 for deprescribing and 12 for STOPP and the systematic review). The deprescribing interventions involved decision support tools, educational interventions, and medication reviews by pharmacists and/or providers. Deprescribing studies primarily examined the effect of interventions on process outcomes and observed reductions in polypharmacy, often significantly. A few studies also examined clinical and economic outcomes. Studies of the use of the STOPP screening criteria most commonly reported changes in PIMs, as well as some economic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Deprescribing interventions and interventions using the STOPP criteria seem effective in reducing polypharmacy and PIMs in older adults, respectively. Future research on the effectiveness of these approaches on clinical outcomes, the comparative effectiveness of different multicomponent interventions using these approaches, and how to most effectively implement them to improve uptake and evidence-based care is needed.

Potentially inappropriate medications use and its association with health-related quality of life among elderly cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies identified alarming use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in Pakistani population but its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is still largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association between PIMs use and HRQoL among elderly cardiac outpatients. METHOD: A descriptive, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was carried out from June 2018 to September 2018 in two outpatient departments of tertiary-care hospitals in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. The population under study were patients aged ≥ 65 years with at least one cardiovascular condition taking at ≥ 1 prescribed medication. Patients with PIMs were identified by using Beers criteria. HRQoL was assessed using EuroQoL-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and EuroQoL-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). The association of PIMs with HRQoL was analyzed using χ2 tests, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA tests. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine how HRQoL varied by PIMs use after adjusting for patient-level covariates. RESULTS: Of 386 elderly cardiac patients, 260 (67.4%) patients were receiving at least one PIM. Mean EQ-5D scores were significantly lower among patients with PIMs (0.51) compared to patients without PIMs (0.65) (P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, increasing numbers of PIMs were significantly associated with lower EQ-5D scores [ß = - 0.040 (- 0.075, - 0.005), P < 0.001] and VAS scores [ß = - 1.686 (- 2.916, - 0.456), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that exposure to PIM was significantly associated with lower HRQoL. This indicates that guidelines recommendations should be followed to improve patient's quality of life.

Does potentially inappropriate prescribing predict an increased risk of admission to hospital and mortality? A longitudinal study of the 'oldest old'.

BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is associated with negative health outcomes, including hospitalisation and mortality. Life and Living in Advanced Age: a Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) is a longitudinal study of Maori (the indigenous population of New Zealand) and non-Maori octogenarians. Health disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous populations are prevalent internationally and engagement of indigenous populations in health research is necessary to understand and address these disparities. Using LiLACS NZ data, this study reports the association of PIP with hospitalisations and mortality prospectively over 36-months follow-up. METHODS: PIP, from pharmacist applied criteria, was reported as potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). The association between PIP and hospitalisations (all-cause, cardiovascular disease-specific and ambulatory-sensitive) and mortality was determined throughout a series of 12-month follow-ups using binary logistic (hospitalisations) and Cox (mortality) regression analysis, reported as odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs), respectively, and the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Full demographic data were obtained for 267 Maori and 404 non-Maori at baseline, 178 Maori and 332 non-Maori at 12-months, and 122 Maori and 281 non-Maori at 24-months. The prevalence of any PIP (i.e. ≥1 PIM and/or PPO) was 66, 75 and 72% for Maori at baseline, 12-months and 24-months, respectively. In non-Maori, the prevalence of any PIP was 62, 71 and 73% at baseline, 12-months and 24-months, respectively. At each time-point, there were more PPOs than PIMs; at baseline Maori were exposed to a significantly greater proportion of PPOs compared to non-Maori (p = 0.02). In Maori: PPOs were associated with a 1.5-fold increase in hospitalisations and mortality. In non-Maori, PIMs were associated with a double risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: PIP was associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation and mortality in this cohort. Omissions appear more important for Maori in predicting hospitalisations, and PIMs were more important in non-Maori in predicting mortality. These results suggest understanding prescribing outcomes across and between population groups is needed and emphasises prescribing quality assessment is useful.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in older patients with multiple myeloma, related to fall risk and autonomous neuropathy.

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma is a chronic, uncurable hematological cancer with the involvement of multiple organ systems. As a disease affecting older patients, the treatment of multiple myeloma should be based on individual patient characteristics. Polypharmacy is an increasing problem in the care of older patients and in patients with multiple myeloma, polypharmacy is almost inevitable. We aimed to evaluate the applicability of polypharmacy definitions and the relation of polypharmacy with disease outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma. METHODS: Eighty patients older than 65 years and diagnosed with multiple myeloma were retrospectively enrolled. Patient files, prescriptions, evaluations for polypharmacy were determined according to Beers and START/STOPP criteria. Outcomes were recorded from files in terms of fractures, autonomous neuropathy, and renal functions. RESULTS: Polypharmacy with ≥4 drugs was observed in 65 patients while polypharmacy with ≥5 drugs was observed in 51 patients. Autonomous neuropathy, polypharmacy with more than four or five medications, and use of multiple medications in the same category were related with poor ECOG performance status in women, while prolonged use of benzodiazepines and central nervous system (CNS) affecting drugs and inappropriate polypharmacy were more frequent in men with poor ECOG performance status. The majority of patients aged 75-84 years were observed to use inappropriate polypharmacy. Autonomous neuropathy and fall risk were observed to be significantly related with inappropriate polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Drugs affecting balance and perception should be reconsidered in patients with multiple myeloma.

Quality of prescribing predicts hospitalisation in octogenarians: life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ).

BACKGROUND: Prescribing for older people is complex, and many studies have highlighted that appropriate prescribing in this cohort is not always achieved. However, the long-term effect of inappropriate prescribing on outcomes such as hospitalisation and mortality has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the level of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) for participants of the Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) study at baseline and examine the association between PIP and hospitalisation and mortality at 12-months follow-up. METHODS: PIP was determined using STOPP/START. STOPP identified potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) prescribed, START identified potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). STOPP/START were applied to all LiLACS NZ study participants, a longitudinal study of ageing, which includes 421 Maori aged 80-90 years and 516 non-Maori aged 85 years. Participants' details (e.g. age, sex, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, physical functioning, medical conditions) were gathered by trained interviewers. Some participants completed a core questionnaire only, which did not include medications details. Medical conditions were established from a combination of self-report, review of hospital discharge and general practitioner records. Binary logistic regression, controlled for multiple potential confounders, was conducted to determine if either PIMs or PPOs were associated with hospital admissions and mortality (p < 0.05 was considered significant). RESULTS: Full data were obtained for 267 Maori and 404 non-Maori. The mean age for Maori was 82.3(±2.6) years, and 84.6(±0.53) years for non-Maori. 247 potentially inappropriate medicines were identified, affecting 24.3% Maori and 28.0% non-Maori. PIMs were not associated with 12-month mortality or hospitalisation for either cohort (p > 0.05; adjusted models). 590 potential prescribing omissions were identified, affecting 58.1% Maori and 49.0% non-Maori. PPOs were associated with hospitalisation (p = 0.001 for Maori), but were not associated with risk of mortality (p > 0.05) for either cohort within the 12-month follow-up (adjusted models). CONCLUSION: PPOs were more common than PIMs and were associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for Maori. This study highlights the importance of carefully considering all indicated medicines when deciding what to prescribe. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term effects of PIP on mortality and hospitalisation.

Joint effects of advancing age and number of potentially inappropriate medication classes on risk of falls in Medicare enrollees.

BACKGROUND: Injurious falls among older adults are both common and costly. The prevalence of falls is known to increase with age and with use of fall-risk drugs/potentially inappropriate medications (FRD/PIM). Little is known about the joint effects of these two risk factors. METHODS: Data for 2013-2015 were obtained from the Truven Health MarketScan® Medicare database comprising utilization and eligibility (enrollment) data for approximately 4 million enrollees annually. A case-control design was used to compare enrollees aged 65-99 years diagnosed with > 1 fall event (n = 110,625) with enrollees without falls (n = 1,567,412). An exploratory analysis of joint age-FRD/PIM effects on fall risks was based on number needed to harm (NNH) calculations for each FRD/PIM therapy class count (compared with 0 FRD/PIMs), stratified by age group. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and fracture history, measured in the 1 year prior to the fall date (cases) or a randomly assigned date (controls). RESULTS: For each FRD/PIM class count, NNH values decreased with older age (e.g., for 1 FRD/PIM class: from NNH = 333 for ages 65-74 years to NNH = 83 for ages 90-99 years; for 2 FRD/PIM classes: from NNH = 91 for ages 65-74 years to NNH = 38 for ages 90-99 years). NNH decreased to < 15 patients at > 6 classes for age 65-74 years, > 5 classes for age 75-84 years, and > 4 classes for age 85-99 years. Adjusted odds of falling were increased for age-FRD/PIM combinations with smaller NNH values: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.127 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.098-1.156) for NNH = 83-91; AOR = 1.427 (95% CI = 1.398-1.456) for NNH = 17-48; AOR = 1.983 (1.9034-2.032) for NNH < 15. CONCLUSION: FRD/PIM use and age appear to have joint effects on fall risk. Older adults at high risk, indicated by small NNH, may be appropriate for fall prevention initiatives, and clinicians may wish to consider decreasing the number of FRD/PIMs utilized by these patients.

Impact of Computer-Based and Pharmacist-Assisted Medication Review Initiated in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: Whether early medication reconciliation and integration can reduce polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. Polypharmacy and PIM have been recognized as significant causes of adverse drug events in older adults. Therefore, this pilot study was conducted to delineate this issue. DESIGN: An interventional study. SETTING: A medical center in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Older ED patients (aged ≥65 years) awaiting hospitalization between December 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018 were recruited in this study. A multidisciplinary team and a computer-based and pharmacist-assisted medication reconciliation and integration system were implemented. MEASUREMENTS: The reduced proportions of major polypharmacy (≥10 medications) and PIM at hospital discharge were compared with those on admission to the ED between pre- and post-intervention periods. RESULTS: A total of 911 patients (pre-intervention = 243 vs post-intervention = 668) were recruited. The proportions of major polypharmacy and PIM were lower in the post-intervention than in the pre-intervention period (-79.4% vs -65.3%; P < .001, and - 67.5% vs -49.1%; P < .001, respectively). The number of medications was reduced from 12.5 ± 2.7 to 6.9 ± 3.0 in the post-intervention period in patients with major polypharmacy (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Early initiation of computer-based and pharmacist-assisted intervention in the ED for reducing major polypharmacy and PIM is a promising method for improving geriatric care and reducing medical expenditures. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2298-2304, 2019.

Consequences of ignoring patient diagnoses when using the 2015 Updated Beers Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Beers Criteria are one of the best known explicit criteria to identify inappropriate medication in elderly that can be used in medication review. The access to patients' medical records may be different among healthcare professionals and settings and, subsequently, the identification of patients' diagnoses may be compromised. OBJECTIVE: To assess the consequences of ignoring patient diagnoses when applying 2015 Beers Criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). SETTING: Three nursing homes in Central Portugal. METHOD: Medical records of nursing home residents over 65 years old were appraised to identify medication profile and medical conditions. 2015 Beers Criteria were used with and without considering patients' diagnoses. To compare the number of PIM and PIM-qualifying criteria complied in these two judgements, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number of PIMs and number of PIM-qualifying criteria. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients with a mean age of 86.7 years (SD = 7.8) with a majority of female (70.3%) were studied. When assessing the patients with full access to the diagnoses, median number of PIMs was 4 (IQR 0-10) and number of PIM-qualifying criteria was 5 (IQR 0-15). When evaluating only patient current medication, median number of PIMs was 4 (IQR 0-10) and PIM-qualifying criteria was 4 (IQR 0-12). Statistical difference was found in the number of PIM-qualifying criteria identified (p < 0.001), but not in the number of PIMs per patient (p = 0.090). In 171 patients (92.4%) PIMs identified were identical when using or ignoring their medical diagnoses. However, in 80 patients (43.2%) the PIM-qualifying criteria complied were different with and without access to patient diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Although restricted access to patients' diagnoses may limit the judgement of Beers PIM-qualifying criteria, this limitation had no effect on the number of PIM identified.

The effect of SENATOR (Software ENgine for the Assessment and optimisation of drug and non-drug Therapy in Older peRsons) on incident adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in an older hospital cohort - Trial Protocol.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effect of SENATOR software on incident, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older, multimorbid, hospitalized patients. The SENATOR software produces a report designed to optimize older patients' current prescriptions by applying the published STOPP and START criteria, highlighting drug-drug and drug-disease interactions and providing non-pharmacological recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of incident delirium. METHODS: We will conduct a multinational, pragmatic, parallel arm Prospective Randomized Open-label, Blinded Endpoint (PROBE) controlled trial. Patients with acute illnesses are screened for recruitment within 48 h of arrival to hospital and enrolled if they meet the relevant entry criteria. Participants' medical history, current prescriptions, select laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, cognitive status and functional status are collected and entered into a dedicated trial database. Patients are individually randomized with equal allocation ratio. Randomization is stratified by site and medical versus surgical admission, and uses random block sizes. Patients randomized to either arm receive standard routine pharmaceutical clinical care as it exists in each site. Additionally, in the intervention arm an individualized SENATOR-generated medication advice report based on the participant's clinical and medication data is placed in their medical record and a senior medical staff member is requested to review it and adopt any of its recommendations that they judge appropriate. The trial's primary outcome is the proportion of patients experiencing at least one adjudicated probable or certain, non-trivial ADR, during the index hospitalization, assessed at 14 days post-randomization or at index hospital discharge if it occurs earlier. Potential ADRs are identified retrospectively by the site researchers who complete a Potential Endpoint Form (one per type of event) that is adjudicated by a blinded, expert committee. All occurrences of 12 pre-specified events, which represent the majority of ADRs, are reported to the committee along with other suspected ADRs. Participants are followed up 12 (+/- 4) weeks post-index hospital discharge to assess medication quality and healthcare utilization. This is the first clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of a software intervention on incident ADRs and associated healthcare costs during hospitalization in older people with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02097654 , 27 March 2014.

Solo «potencialmente» inadecuados / Only «potentially» inappropriate

No disponible

Multidisciplinary intervention to improve medication safety in nursing home residents: protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial (HIOPP-3-iTBX study).

BACKGROUND: Medication safety is an important health issue for nursing home residents (NHR). They usually experience polypharmacy and often take potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and antipsychotics. This, coupled with a frail health state, makes NHR particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events (ADE). The value of systematic medication reviews and interprofessional co-operation for improving medication quality in NHR has been recognized. Yet the evidence of a positive effect on NHR' health and wellbeing is inconclusive at this stage. This study investigates the effects of pharmacists' medication reviews linked with measures to strengthen interprofessional co-operation on NHR' medication quality, health status and health care use. METHODS: Pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial in nursing homes in four regions of Germany. A total of 760 NHR will be recruited. Inclusion: NHR aged 65 years and over with an estimated life expectancy of at least six months. Intervention with four elements: i) introduction of a pharmacist's medication review combined with a communication pathway to the prescribing general practitioners (GPs) and nursing home staff, ii) facilitation of change in the interprofessional cooperation, iii) educational training and iv) a "toolbox" to facilitate implementation in daily practice. ANALYSIS: primary outcome - proportion of residents receiving PIM and ≥ 2 antipsychotics at six months follow-up. Secondary outcomes - cognitive function, falls, quality of life, medical emergency contacts, hospital admissions, and health care costs. DISCUSSION: The trial assesses the effects of a structured interprofessional medication management for NHR in Germany. It follows the participatory action research approach and closely involves the three professional groups (nursing staff, GPs, pharmacists) engaged in the medication management. A handbook based on the experiences of the trial in nursing homes will be produced for a rollout into routine practice in Germany. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the German register of clinical studies (DRKS, study ID DRKS00013588 , primary register) and in the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (secondary register), both on 25th January 2018.

Potential inappropriate prescribing and associated factors among older persons in Nigeria and South Africa.

Background Potential inappropriate prescribing (PIP) among older persons is a global public health issue. However, trans-country data that can influence interventions on a global or regional level is scarce. Objectives To compare the prevalence of PIP and to determine the associated factors among older Nigerians and South Africans. Settings Nigerian and South African teaching hospitals. Method A retrospective evaluation of randomly selected medical charts of older persons was carried out in outpatient clinics of one University teaching hospital in both Nigeria and South Africa. Older persons aged ≥ 60 years who attended the hospitals' clinics between 1st January and 31st December 2016 and received medicine prescriptions were included. The PIP was evaluated using the 2015 American Geriatrics Society-Beers Criteria. The prevalence of PIP in both countries was compared and the associated factors for their occurrence determined using a binary logistic regression. Main outcome measure Prevalence of PIP and associated factors among older outpatients. Results A total of 680 participants were evaluated, 352 in Nigeria, mean age 69.03 (7.35) years, and 328 in South Africa, mean age 68.21 (7.42) years (95% CI - 0.28 to 1.94, p = 0.14). The PIP among Nigerian and South African participants were (124/352; 35.2%) versus (97/328; 29.6%) respectively (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.56-1.06, p = 0.12). Hypertension was significantly associated with PIP among the Nigerians (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.57-4.17, p = < 0.001) and South Africans (OR 3.11, 95% CI 1.17-8.24, p = 0.02) in a logistic regression. Conclusions The prevalence and pattern of PIP among Nigerian and South African participants were similar. Hypertension was an associated factor for PIP among the participants in both countries.

Potentially inappropriate medication use among hypertensive older African-American adults.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate use of medications, particularly among minority older adults with co-morbidity, remains a major public health concern. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) reports that Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) continues to be prescribed for older adults, despite evidence of poor outcomes. The main objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of PIM use among underserved non-institutionalized hypertensive older African-American adults. Furthermore, this study examines potential correlations between PIM use and the number and type of chronic conditions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is comprised of a convenience sample of 193 hypertensive non-institutionalized African-American adults, aged 65 years and older recruited from several senior housing units located in underserved areas of South Los Angeles. The updated 2015 AGS Beers Criteria was used to identify participants using PIMs. RESULTS: Almost one out of two participants had inappropriate medication use. While the average number of PIMs taken was 0.87 drugs, the range was from one to seven medications. Almost 23% of PIMs were due to drugs with potential drug-drug interactions. The most common PIM was the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and Central Nervous System (CNS) active agents. Nearly 56% of PIMs potentially increased the risk of falls and fall-associated bone fractures. The use of PIMs was significantly higher among participants who reported a higher number of chronic conditions. Nearly 70% of participants with PIM use reported suffering from chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: The major reason for high levels of polypharmacy, PIMs, and drug interactions is that patients suffer from multiple chronic conditions. But it may not be possible or necessary to treat all chronic conditions. Therefore, the goals of care should be explicitly reviewed with the patient in order to determine which of the many chronic conditions has the greatest impact on the life goals and/or functional priorities of the patient. Those drugs that have a limited impact on the patient's functional priorities and that may cause harmful drug-drug interactions can be reduced or eliminated, while the remaining medications can focus on the most important functional priorities of the patient.

Informal caregivers' perspectives on health of and (potentially inappropriate) medication for (relatively) independent oldest-old people - a qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND: Oldest-old persons frequently receive potentially inappropriate medication. Medication use takes place under the patients' informal caregivers' influence. We explored informal caregivers' perspectives on medication of (relatively) independent oldest-old persons to identify starting points for safer medication prescription/handling. METHODS: In this exploratory qualitative interview study we interviewed 45 informal caregivers of 45 oldest-old persons (23 with potentially inappropriate medication/22 without potentially inappropriate medication). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content analyzed (deductive/inductive coding). RESULTS: Interviewees had little knowledge about/influence on oldest-old persons' medication, but declared to monitor oldest-old persons' needs for assistance. They were unaware of the concept of potentially inappropriate medication but sometimes sensitive to substance dependency. Most informal caregivers were satisfied with the oldest-old persons' medication and viewed medication as increasing the patients' quality of life. Inadequate communication was found between informal caregivers and general practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: Influence of informal caregivers on (relatively) independent oldest-old persons' medication seems low. Stakeholders need to be aware that there is a transitional period where independency of oldest-old persons decreases and support needs increase which may be missed by (in-)formal caregivers or concealed by oldest-old persons. Monitoring patients' medication competencies; measures supporting communication between informal caregivers and health care professionals; provision of educational and support resources for informal caregivers and the acceptance of oldest-old persons' increasing assistance needs may increase medication safety.