Changes In Medication Prescriptions Research Articles

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on type 2 diabetes care and factors associated with care disruption in Kenya and Tanzania

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare delivery globally, impacting care access and delivery of essential services. Objectives We investigated the pandemic’s impact on care for patients with type 2 diabetes and factors associated with care disruption in Kenya and Tanzania. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults diagnosed with diabetes pre-COVID-19. Data were collected in February–April 2022 reflecting experiences at two time-points, three months before and the three months most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire captured data on blood glucose testing, changes in medication prescription and access, and healthcare provider access. Results We recruited 1000 participants (500/country). Diabetes care was disrupted in both countries, with 34.8% and 32.8% of the participants reporting change in place and frequency of testing in Kenya, respectively. In Tanzania, 12.4% and 17.8% reported changes in location and frequency of glucose testing, respectively. The number of health facility visits declined, 14.4% (p < 0.001) in Kenya and 5.6% (p = 0.001) in Tanzania. In Kenya, there was a higher likelihood of severe care disruption among insured patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI][1.05–2.34]; p = 0.029) and a lower likelihood among patients residing in rural areas (aOR, 0.35[95%CI, 0.22–0.58]; p < 0.001). Tanzania had a lower likelihood of severe disruption among insured patients (aOR, 0.51[95%CI, 0.33–0.79]; p = 0.003) but higher likelihood among patients with low economic status (aOR, 1.81[95%CI, 1.14–2.88]; p = 0.011). Conclusions COVID-19 disrupted diabetes care more in Kenya than Tanzania. Health systems and emergency preparedness should be strengthened to ensure continuity of service provision for patients with diabetes.

Cardiovascular and Renal Morbidity in Takayasu Arteritis: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study From the United Kingdom.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication and cause of mortality in Takayasu arteritis (TAK), but population-based controlled studies from the UK are lacking. We undertook the present study to investigate the frequency of morbidity and mortality related to CVD, as well as to cerebrovascular and kidney disease, among patients with TAK in the UK. Yearly cohort and cross-sectional studies were performed from 2000 to 2017 to estimate annual incidence and prevalence, respectively, of TAK. Using a UK primary care database (IQVIA Medical Research Data), an open retrospective matched cohort study was conducted to estimate risk of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular morbidity, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and all-cause mortality in TAK. Risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]) of the assessed comorbidities among patients with TAK compared to age- and sex-matched controls was estimated. Changes in medication prescription over time were examined in both groups. One hundred forty-two patients with TAK (median age 53.4 years [interquartile range 33.8-70.7]) and 1,371 matched controls were included. The annual incidence and prevalence of TAK were 0.8 per million and 7.5 per million respectively. All-cause mortality was increased in TAK (adjusted HR 1.88 [95% confidence interval 1.29-2.76]). Patients with TAK had an increased risk of developing ischemic heart disease, stroke/transient ischemic attack, combined CVD, and peripheral vascular disease compared to controls, but no increase in risk of hypertension, CKD, heart failure, or diabetes. Only ~50% of patients with TAK requiring secondary CVD prevention were prescribed statins or antiplatelet agents within 1 year after study entry. Cardiovascular morbidity was increased among patients with TAK receiving primary care services in the UK. Treatment with statins and antiplatelet agents in these patients was suboptimal.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 and Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Global Experience and Provisional Guidance (March 2020) from the Paediatric IBD Porto Group of European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:With the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, concerns have been raised about the risk to children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We aimed to collate global experience and provide provisional guidance for managing paediatric IBD (PIBD) in the era of COVID-19.Methods:An electronic reporting system of children with IBD infected with SARS-CoV-2 has been circulated among 102 PIBD centres affiliated with the Porto and Interest-group of ESPGHAN. A survey has been completed by major PIBD centres in China and South-Korea to explore management during the pandemic. A third survey collected current practice of PIBD treatment. Finally, guidance points for practice have been formulated and voted upon by 37 PIBD authors and Porto group members.Results:Eight PIBD children had COVID-19 globally, all with mild infection without needing hospitalization despite treatment with immunomodulators and/or biologics. No cases have been reported in China and South Korea but biologic treatment has been delayed in 79 children, of whom 17 (22%) had exacerbation of their IBD. Among the Porto group members, face-to-face appointments were often replaced by remote consultations but almost all did not change current IBD treatment. Ten guidance points for clinicians caring for PIBD patients in epidemic areas have been endorsed with consensus rate of 92% to 100%.Conclusions:Preliminary data for PIBD patients during COVID-19 outbreak are reassuring. Standard IBD treatments including biologics should continue at present through the pandemic, especially in children who generally have more severe IBD course on one hand, and milder SARS-CoV-2 infection on the other.Supplemental digital content:An infographic accompanying this article can be found at.

Outpatient Pharmacy Prescriptions During the First Year Following Serious Combat Injury: A Retrospective Analysis.

Limited research has analyzed the full range of outpatient medication prescription activity following serious combat injury. The objectives of this study were to describe (1) outpatient medication prescriptions and refills during the first 12months after serious combat injury, (2) longitudinal changes in medication prescriptions during the first-year postinjury, and (3) patient characteristics associated with outpatient prescriptions. This was a retrospective analysis of existing health and pharmacy data for a random sample of U.S. service members who sustained serious combat injuries in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, 2010-2013 (n=381). Serious injury was defined by an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 9 or greater. These patients typically participate in military rehabilitation programs (eg, amputation care) where prescription medications are essential. Data sources were the Expeditionary Medical Encounter Database for injury-specific data, the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service for outpatient medication prescriptions and refills, and the Military Health System Data Repository for diagnostic codes of pain and psychological disorders. Military trauma nurses reviewed casualty records to identify types of injuries. Using the American Hospital Formulary Service Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification system, clinicians identified 13 categories of prescription medications (eg, opioid, psychotherapeutic, immunologic) for analysis. Multivariable negative binomial and logistic regression analyses evaluated significant associations between independent variables (eg, blast injury, traumatic brain injury [TBI], ISS, limb amputation, diagnoses of chronic pain, or psychological disorders) and prescription measures (ie, number or category of medication prescriptions). We also describe longitudinal changes in prescription activity postinjury across consecutive quarterly intervals (91days) during the first-year postinjury. During the first-year postinjury, patients averaged 61 outpatient prescriptions, including all initial prescriptions and refills. They averaged eight different categories of medications, primarily opioid, immunologic, gastrointestinal/genitourinary, central nervous system (CNS), nonopioid analgesic, and psychotherapeutic medications (representing 82% of prescriptions) during the first year. Prescription activity generally declined across quarters. There was still substantial prescription activity during the fourth quarter, as 79% of patients had at least one prescription. From 39 to 49% of patients had fourth-quarter prescriptions for opioid, CNS, or psychotherapeutic medications. Longitudinally, we found that 24-34% of patients had an opioid, CNS, or psychotherapeutic prescription during each of the final three quarters. In multivariable analysis, ISS, limb amputation (particularly bilateral amputation), and diagnoses of chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with significantly higher counts of individual and multiple medication prescriptions. TBI was associated with significantly lower numbers of prescriptions for certain medications. This is one of the first studies to provide a systematic analysis of outpatient medication prescriptions following serious combat injury. The results indicate substantial prescription activity from multiple medication categories throughout the first-year postinjury. Diagnoses of chronic pain, PTSD, and limb amputation and ISS were associated with significantly higher counts of prescriptions overall and more prescription medication categories. This study provides initial evidence to better understand medication prescription activity following serious combat injury. The results inform future research on medication prescription practices and planning for rehabilitation.

High-risk medications in older patients with trauma: a cross-sectional study of risk mitigation

The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use inOlder Adults is a framework that can assess the nature of high-risk medication use. The objective of this study was to use the Beers Criteria to assess the prevalence and nature of polypharmacy, the magnitude of medication changes during the hospital stay and the impact of Beers Criteria medications on outcomes in older patients with trauma. We used the Alberta Trauma Registry to conduct a retrospective review of patients aged 65 years or older with major trauma (Injury Severity Score ≥ 12) who were admitted to a level 1 trauma centre between January 2013 and December 2014. We analyzed changes in medication prescriptions during the hospital stay using descriptive statistics and assessed the association between Beers Criteria medications and relevant outcomes using multivariable regression analysis. There was no significant change in the number of Beers Criteria medications prescribed before and after admission. The adjusted odds ratio for 30-day mortality for each additional Beers Criteria medication prescribed was 2.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–3.51) versus 1.24 (95% CI 1.04–1.59) for each additional medication of any type. The corresponding adjusted incidence rate ratios for length of stay were 1.15 (95% CI 1.03–1.30) versus 1.05 (95% CI 1.01–1.10). Beers Criteria medications were not discontinued during trauma admissions. Using the Beers Criteria as a process indicator for quality improvement in trauma care may provide interdisciplinary trauma teams an opportunity to audit patient medications and stop potentially harmful medications in a vulnerable population.

Medication prescribed by Australian paediatricians: Psychotropics predominate.

The aims of this study were to examine: (i) medications prescribed by Australian general and community paediatricians, (ii) predictors of prescribing (child age, gender) and (iii) changes in medication prescription between 2008 and 2013. Two patient-level practice national audits were conducted by the Australian Paediatric Research Network in 2008 and 2013. General and community paediatricians in outpatient clinics and private practices recorded demographic data, diagnoses and medications prescribed for all patients seen over a 2-week period. In 2008, 199 paediatricians submitted data on 8345 consultations, and in 2013, 180 paediatricians submitted data on 7102 consultations. The most frequently prescribed drug class was psychotropics, prescribed for 46.8% of patients with developmental-behavioural/mental health (DB/MH) diagnoses in 2008 and 49.8% in 2013 (P = 0.015). Within this class, in 2013, the stimulants were prescribed in 35.3% of DB/MH consultations, antidepressants in 7.8% and antipsychotics in 5.6%. The next most frequently prescribed drug classes were laxatives (4.6% of all consultations in 2013), asthma preventers (4.1%), melatonin (3.7%), asthma relievers (2.6%) and proton-pump inhibitors (2.2%), topical corticosteroids (1.8%) and antihistamines (1.4%). Medication prescription was predicted by patient age (P < 0.001, both audits) and male gender (P < 0.01, both audits) but not by measured prescriber variables. The rates of prescribing of psychotropics, melatonin, laxatives and enuresis medications increased between 2008 and 2013. Australian paediatricians prescribe mostly psychotropic medications, and the amount prescribed appears to be increasing. Paediatricians need good training and professional development in mental health diagnosis and management and the rational prescribing of psychotropic medications.

Prognostic differences between routine invasive and conservative strategies for the management of high-risk, non-ST segment acute coronary syndromes: Experience from two consecutive periods in a single center

Background The optimal revascularization strategy for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) remains controversial, especially in a real world context. The objective of this work was to assess differences at 1 year in all-cause mortality and the composite endpoint of mortality or acute myocardial infarction (MI) between two management strategies for NSTE-ACS: a conservative strategy (CS) versus a routine invasive strategy (RIS). Methods Of 799 consecutive patients admitted to our institution, 369 were treated with CS (from January 2001 to October 2002); 430 patients admitted with the same diagnosis were treated with RIS (from November 2002 to November 2004). A propensity score (PS) matched sample was created and included 694 patients (87% of the original population). The event rate was compared between each paired member of the PS-matched sample, one receiving RIS and the other CS, and their differences were tested by Cox proportional analysis. Results No significant differences in baseline characteristics were noted between the two management cohorts. By design, the rate of in-hospital catheterization and revascularization procedures increased in RIS compared with CS. The mortality rate was lower, but not significant, in RIS (HR: 0.76, 95% CI = 0.51–1.11; p = 0.155). For the composite of death or MI, RIS showed a relative risk reduction of 29% (HR: 0.71, 95% CI = 0.53–0.94); p = 0.018) compared with CS, differences that become non-significant ( p = 0.680) if we adjust for differences in rate of revascularization procedures and changes in medication prescription. Conclusions RIS was associated with a 1-year lower risk of the combined endpoint of all-cause death and MI in patients with NSTE-ACS, attributable to changes in frequency of revascularization procedures and in medical treatment.

Medical and Behavioral Symptoms as Potential Medication Side Effects in Adults With Developmental Disabilities

The incidence of medical and behavioral symptoms that could occur as side effects of psychotropic medication was assessed in a sample of 30 adults with developmental disabilities. Using a retrospective chart review method, we measured symptoms in six a priori classes of potential side effects over a 2-year period. The majority of side effects involved apparent effects of the psychotropic medications on behavior, mood, or sleep. Different patterns of changes in medication prescription, in relation to recorded side effects, were observed. Overall, there was a significant positive relation between the number of potential side effects recorded and the number of psychotropic medication changes made. Our findings suggest several patterns of side effects associated with psychotropic medication use.

Management of patients with asthma and COPD: monitoring quality of life and the relationship to subsequent GP interventions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of systematic monitoring of patients' quality of life and its relationship to GPs' interventions concerning management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A cross-sectional study on patients' self-reported quality of life in relation to GPs' subsequent interventions during consultation was performed. Fourteen GPs at six general practices in The Netherlands monitored 175 patients aged 18 years and older with asthma and COPD. Directly before each planned follow-up consultation, patients completed a self-report questionnaire (27 items, five dimensions) about their quality of life; GPs reviewed the monitoring scores during consultation and recorded their diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The relationship between patients' perceived quality of life and GPs' medication prescription, smoking cessation advice, patient education and counselling was analysed. During 15 months, 175 patients underwent 537 consultations. In 57% of the consultations, patients reported impairments in their quality of life. This information was significantly associated with subsequent GP interventions (chi-square = 0.05), especially with providing patient education and counselling. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that reported physical complaints were positively associated with changes in medication prescription [odds ratio (OR) 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-2.8] and with education about the control regimen (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.3). Reported emotional complaints were related to extra follow-up appointments (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.5-12.8) and to counselling (OR 7.3; 95% CI 2.9-18.3). In general, more advanced age was related to less patient education. Patients' and GPs' opinions about the quality of life monitoring were positive. Information about quality of life of patients, gathered systematically and routinely directly before consultation, could be integrated into a complex medical decision-making process; scores were related to various therapeutic interventions.

Calendar

Twenty-seven independent community pharmacies that were preferred providers for a health maintenance organization (HMO) were enrolled in a study to determine the effect of increased intervention activities on the cost of a drug benefit in a managed care environment. Pharmacists from nine pharmacies were trained to initiate changes in medication prescriptions to contain costs, to enhance communication with patients and prescribers, and to intervene in drug-related problems. Their intervention activities during the nine-month study period were compared w ith activities of nine pharmacies assigned to a control group and nine pharmacies assigned to a comparison group.Patients who visited the intervention pharmacies had a 6.5% lower prescription mean ingredient cost; a 6.0% higher generic substitution rate; an 8.3% lower average patient drug cost per month; and no difference in the days supply, the average number of prescriptions per patient, or the aggregate hospital admission rate. The pharmacists in the intervention group spent more time with patients before preparing prescriptions (2.4-fold increase); initiated more requests for prescribers to change prescriptions (2.5-fold increase); intervened more often to reduce the cost of drug therapy (3.7-fold increase); and suggested medication changes more often for better quality of care (1.9-fold increase).In this study, community pharmacists altered their practice procedures and settings to foster communication with patients and prescribers. Also, the prospective drug regimen review changed prescribing patterns: physicians permitted increased use of generic medications, which reduced monthly prescription expenditures.

Community Pharmacists Help HMO Cut Drug Costs: Pharmacists were trained and encouraged to provide prospective drug regimen reviews and interventions for group-model HMO members.

Twenty-seven independent community pharmacies that were preferred providers for a health maintenance organization (HMO) were enrolled in a study to determine the effect of increased intervention activities on the cost of a drug benefit in a managed care environment. Pharmacists from nine pharmacies were trained to initiate changes in medication prescriptions to contain costs, to enhance communication with patients and prescribers, and to intervene in drug-related problems. Their intervention activities during the nine-month study period were compared w ith activities of nine pharmacies assigned to a control group and nine pharmacies assigned to a comparison group.Patients who visited the intervention pharmacies had a 6.5% lower prescription mean ingredient cost; a 6.0% higher generic substitution rate; an 8.3% lower average patient drug cost per month; and no difference in the days supply, the average number of prescriptions per patient, or the aggregate hospital admission rate. The pharmacists in the intervention group spent more time with patients before preparing prescriptions (2.4-fold increase); initiated more requests for prescribers to change prescriptions (2.5-fold increase); intervened more often to reduce the cost of drug therapy (3.7-fold increase); and suggested medication changes more often for better quality of care (1.9-fold increase).In this study, community pharmacists altered their practice procedures and settings to foster communication with patients and prescribers. Also, the prospective drug regimen review changed prescribing patterns: physicians permitted increased use of generic medications, which reduced monthly prescription expenditures.