Drugs For Acid-related Disorders Research Articles

Adverse drug effect in the context of drug shortage: the CIRUPT prospective study from the French pharmacovigilance network

ObjectivesDrug shortages are of increasing concern to worldwide public health. The consequences of drug shortages for patient safety have been little studied, especially from a pharmacovigilance point of view. In...

A comprehensive study of prescribing, administering and drug handling medication errors in ten wards of a university hospital after implementation of electronic prescribing, clinical pharmacists or medication reconciliation.

Background and aim: Medication errors lead to preventable risks. Preventing strategies such as e-prescribing, clinical pharmacists and medication reconciliation have been implemented in recent years. However, information on long-term medication error rates in routine procedures is missing. Investigations: We aimed to identify predefined medication errors in ten wards of a university hospital where e-prescribing, clinical pharmacists and medication reconciliation have been partially implemented. Patient files were reviewed and routine processes were monitored for drug prescription errors (missing, unclear, outdated information), administration errors (wrong dispensed drugs) and drug handling errors (no light-, moisture-protection, wrong splitting, no separation of drugs, which ought to be taken by an empty stomach). Results: We analyzed 959 prescriptions with 933 solid peroral drugs for 182 patients (98 female, median age 66.5 years [Q25-Q75: 56-78 years]; the median number of drugs was 5 [Q25-Q75: 3-7]). The most frequent prescription error was a not specified drug form (91.1%). The most common administration error was a not adequately provided release dose formulation (72.7%). The lack of light protection for observed photosensitive drugs was the most frequent drug handling error (100%). We found a significantly higher amount of complete drug prescriptions with one of the implemented measurements e-prescribing, medication reconciliation and clinical pharmacists (Fisher's exact test two tailed, each p<0.001; CI 95%). Drug administration errors and drug handling errors were not significantly improved. Among the most frequently involved drug were drugs for acid-related disorders, immunosuppressant, and antineoplastic drugs. Conclusions: In the nearly 1,000 prescriptions and drugs analyzed, medication errors were still common. Various preventive strategies had been implemented in recent years, positively influencing the predefined errors rates.

Drug-induced QT prolongation and torsade de pointes: a real-world pharmacovigilance study using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database.

Introduction: Drug-induced QT prolongation and (or) Torsade de Pointes (TdP) is a well-known serious adverse reaction (ADR) for some drugs, but the widely recognized comprehensive landscape of culprit-drug of QT prolongation and TdP is currently lacking. Aim: To identify the top drugs reported in association with QT prolongation and TdP and provide information for clinical practice. Method: We reviewed the reports related to QT prolongation and TdP in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2022, and summarized a potential causative drug list accordingly. Based on this drug list, the most frequently reported causative drugs and drug classes of QT prolongation and TdP were counted, and the disproportionality analysis for all the drugs was conducted to in detect ADR signal. Furthermore, according to the positive-negative distribution of ADR signal, we integrated the risk characteristic of QT prolongation and TdP in different drugs and drug class. Results: A total of 42,713 reports in FAERS database were considered to be associated with QT prolongation and TdP from 2004 to 2022, in which 1,088 drugs were reported as potential culprit-drugs, and the largest number of drugs belonged to antineoplastics. On the whole, furosemide was the most frequently reported drugs followed by acetylsalicylic acid, quetiapine, citalopram, metoprolol. In terms of drug classes, psycholeptics was the most frequently reported drug classes followed by psychoanaleptics, analgesics, beta blocking agents, drugs for acid related disorders. In disproportionality analysis, 612 drugs showed at least one positive ADR signals, while citalopram, ondansetron, escitalopram, loperamide, and promethazine were the drug with the maximum number of positive ADR signals. However, the positive-negative distribution of ADR signals between different drug classes showed great differences, representing the overall risk difference of different drug classes. Conclusion: Our study provided a real-world overview of QT prolongation and TdP to drugs, and the presentation of the potential culprit-drug list, the proportion of reports, the detection results of ADR signals, and the distribution characteristics of ADR signals may help understand the safety profile of drugs and optimize clinical practice.

Polypharmacy and pattern of medication use among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: results from Pars Cohort study

BackgroundGastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common chronic condition. Its chronic nature may affect the pattern of medication use. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and patterns of polypharmacy and medication use among GERD patients in southwestern Iran.MethodsWe used data from the Pars Cohort Study. We classified drugs using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system. The Lexicomp® database was used to assess potential drug-drug interactions. Multivariable Poisson regression was applied. Adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated.ResultsA total of 9262 participants were included. Among 2,325 patients with GERD, age-standardized prevalence of polypharmacy was 9.5% (95% CI: 7.5%, 11.6%) in males, and 19.3% (95% CI: 17.2%, 21.4%) in females. The PR of experiencing Polypharmacy by GERD patients compared to non-GERD patients was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.61, 2.05%). Multimorbidity (PR: 3.33; CI: 2.66, 4.15), gender (PR: 1.68; CI: 1.30, 2.18), and metabolic syndrome (PR: 1.77; CI: 1.45, 2.15) were associated with polypharmacy among GERD patients. Drugs for acid-related disorders were the most common used drugs among men, women and elders. We found that 13.9%, 4.2%, and 1.1% of GERD patients had type C, D and X drug interactions, respectively.ConclusionGERD is correlated with a higher prevalence of polypharmacy. Among GERD patients, females, those with multi-morbidities, and those with metabolic syndrome may be affected more by polypharmacy. Considering the fairly high rate of interactions identified, a review of the medication list is essential when approaching GERD patients, and physicians must check for medications that may worsen GERD.

Post-COVID condition: dispensation of drugs and diagnostic tests as proxies of healthcare impact.

With the goal to increase knowledge on the healthcare impact of the post-COVID-19 condition we exploited the administrative claims database of Lombardy, the largest Italian region and the first after China to be heavily hit by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in February-May 2020. We chose to employ the dispensation of drugs and diagnostic tests as proxies of the impact of the post-COVID condition in 46,574 cases who recovered from COVID-19 and were negative at PCR testing within June 20, 2020. Data were obtained throughout the 18-month post-negativization period until December 2021 and results on the use of drugs and diagnostic tests were compared with those accrued in the same cases during the pre-COVID period in July-December 2019. After an increase in the first semester after SARS-CoV-2 negativization (July-December 2020), trends in the dispensation of drugs according to the broad ATC classes and of diagnostic tests decreased or remained substantially stable. However, dispensation of drugs for acid related disorders (A02), diabetes (A10), heparins (B01AB), direct oral anticoagulants (B01AP), antipsychotics (N05A), antidepressants (N06A) and for obstructive airways diseases (R03) was still higher than in the pre-COVID period. These findings, based upon drug and diagnostic test dispensation as proxies of the healthcare impact of the post-COVID condition, show that in a substantial proportion of recovered cases the post-COVID condition is active and clinically relevant 18months after the acute disease. The findings also provide indirect evidence of the body organs and systems more compromised in the post-COVID period.

Prevalence and Correlates of Polypharmacy, and Drug Utilization Pattern in a Semi-urban Population: Results from the Pars Cohort Study.

Although polypharmacy is considered a major predictor of irrational use of drugs, little is known about polypharmacy in developing regions. We aimed to indicate the prevalence and correlates of polypharmacy and to determine the medication profile at the population level in southern Iran. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from participants of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) (aged above 40 years, N=9269). Polypharmacy was defined as using five or more medications concurrently. A Poisson multivariable model was applied to estimate the adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) of various risk factors. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system was used for classifying medications. Prevalence of polypharmacy was 10.4%, (95% CI: 9.75; 11.08) and it was higher among females (15.0%), older adults (age≥65 years) (16.0%), and individuals with more than two chronic conditions (31%). Being female, educated, married, and not having a low socio-economic class were independently associated with a higher likelihood of polypharmacy. The most prevalent medications among female participants were sex hormones and modulators of the genital system (58.4%), drugs for acid-related disorders (14.6%), and anti-anemic preparations (13.6%,). On the other hand, males were using acid-related disorders (14.6%), anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic products (7.8%), and beta-blocking agents (6.3%). The prevalence of polypharmacy in our sample was relatively low, especially among males. Cardiovascular drugs, acid suppressants, hormonal contraceptives, and anti-anemic preparations are drug classes with the highest contribution to polypharmacy.

Identification of Prescribing Patterns in Hemodialysis Outpatients Taking Multiple Medications

We investigated the relationship between multidrug administration and the characteristics, pathophysiology, and drug class in outpatients with hemodialysis. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Saitama Medical University Hospital in October 2018. Multidrug administration was defined as receiving either more than six drugs or more than the median number of drugs. The drugs used were represented by their anatomical classification codes in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemistry Classification System (ATC classification). A latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify clusters at risk of receiving multiple medications. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to select ATC classifications prone to being involved in multidrug administration. As of October 2018, 98 outpatients with hemodialysis were enrolled in the study. In the LCA, when diabetes was the main primary disease, oral hypoglycemic agents available to dialysis patients were limited, but the number of drugs administered was large. Old age, poor nourishment, a long history of dialysis, and chronic nephritis were associated with multidrug administration among nondiabetic patients. In the second level of the ATC classification, the drugs frequently used were coded A02 (drugs for acid-related disorders), A07 (antidiarrheal agents, intestinal anti-inflammatory/anti-infective agents), B01 (antithrombotic agents), and N05 (psycholeptics). The prescribing patterns for either diabetic patients or nondiabetic elderly patients were identified in outpatients with hemodialysis taking multiple medications, and drugs for acid-related disorders, antidiarrheal agents, intestinal anti-inflammatory/anti-infective agents, antithrombotic agents, and psycholeptics are frequently used in those patients.

Mortality Prediction of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients Using the 2020 Diagnosis Procedure Combination Administrative Database of Japan.

Objectives Numerous people have died from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Identifying crucial predictive biomarkers of disease mortality is critical to support decision-making and logistic planning in healthcare systems. This study investigated the association between mortality and medical factors and prescription records in 2020 in Japan, where COVID-19 prevalence and mortality remain relatively low. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed anonymous administrative data from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database in Japan. Results A total of 22,795 patients were treated in DPC hospitals in 2020 in Japan, and of these, 5,980 patients over 50 years old were hospitalized, with 299 (5.0%) dying. There were 2,399 severe patients among 11,440 total hospitalized patients (all ages). The results of a logistic model analysis revealed that an older age, male sex, Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and chronic kidney diseases were risk factors for mortality. A machine learning analysis identified an older age, male sex (mortality), pneumonia, drugs for acid-related disorders, analgesics, anesthesia, upper respiratory tract disease, drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders, drugs for obstructive airway diseases, topical products for joint and muscular pain, diabetes, lipid-modifying agents, calcium channel blockers, drugs for diabetes, and agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system as risk factors for a severe status. Conclusions This COVID-19 mortality risk tool is a well-calibrated and accurate model for predicting mortality risk among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Japan, which is characterized by a relatively low COVID-19 prevalence, aging society, and high population density. This COVID-19 mortality prediction model can assist in resource utilization and patient and caregiver education and be useful as a risk stratification instrument for future research trials.

Analysis of Medication Errors Reported by Community Pharmacists in the Republic of Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectives: We aimed to describe medication-related incidents or medication errors (MEs) reported by community pharmacists and analyze the prevalent medications involved. Materials and Methods: We extracted ME reports from databases comprising patient safety incidents reported to the Korean Pharmaceutical Association between January 2013 and June 2021. Medications were analyzed according to the second (therapeutic subgroup) and fifth (chemical substance) levels of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Results: A total of 9046 MEs were identified, most of which were near miss reports (88.3%). Among the errors that reached the patients (521 cases), harmful incidents accounted for 76.8%. Most MEs occurred during prescription (89.5%), while harmful MEs occurred mainly during dispensing (73.3%). In the prescription step, wrong drugs (44.8%), dosing errors (27.0%), and wrong durations (14.0%) were common. Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic products (M01), drugs for acid-related disorders (A02), and antihistamines for systemic use (R06) were the most frequently reported medication classes involved. Harmful incidents were most common for dosing errors (31.0%) and wrong drugs (26.8%) and were common with warfarin, levothyroxine, and glimepiride. Conclusions: The MEs reported by community pharmacists were mainly prescribing errors, most of which were rectified before reaching patients. The prevalent medications involved in harmful errors include anti-diabetic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-inflammatory agents.

Prescription Rates, Polypharmacy and Prescriber Variability in Swiss General Practice-A Cross-Sectional Database Study.

Purpose: The frequency of medication prescribing and polypharmacy has increased in recent years in different settings, including Swiss general practice. We aimed to describe patient age- and sex-specific rates of polypharmacy and of prescriptions of the most frequent medication classes, and to explore practitioner variability in prescribing. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study based on anonymized electronic medical records data of 111 811 adult patients presenting to 116 Swiss general practitioners in 2019. We used mixed-effects regression analyses to assess the association of patient age and sex with polypharmacy (≥5 medications) and with the prescription of specific medication classes (second level of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System). Practitioner variability was quantified in terms of the random effects distributions. Results: The prevalence of polypharmacy increased with age from 6.4% among patients aged 18–40 years to 19.7% (41–64 years), 45.3% (65–80 years), and 64.6% (81–92 years), and was higher in women than in men, particularly at younger ages. The most frequently prescribed medication classes were antiinflammatory and antirheumatic products (21.6% of patients), agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system (19.9%), analgesics (18.7%), and drugs for acid related disorders (18.3%). Men were more often prescribed agents targeting the cardiovascular system, whereas most other medications were more often prescribed to women. The highest practitioner variabilities were observed for vitamins, for antiinflammatory and antirheumatic products, and for mineral supplements. Conclusion: Based on practitioner variability, prevalence, and risk potential, antiinflammatory drugs and polypharmacy in older patients appear to be the most pressing issues in current drug prescribing routines.

The Increased Burden of Sickle Cell Disease in Italy: Findings from the Greatalys (Generating Real world Evidence Across ITALy In SCD) Study

Introduction. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an evolving public health issue with a significant impact on patient survival, quality of life and costs for health systems also in Italy, a multiethnic country where epidemiology has deeply changed. We present final results from the GREATalyS study that aimed to better understand the SCD burden in Italy in terms of prevalence, clinical features, treatments and resource consumption in the clinical practice setting.Methods. Retrospective observational analysis of administrative databases for health resources consumption from a representative sample of Region/Local Health Units in Italy, covering approximately 15.3 million inhabitants. All patients with ≥1hospitalization (outside Emergency Room, ER) with main or secondary discharge diagnosis of SCD (with/without crisis) identified by ICD-9-CM codes were included between January-2010 to December-2017 (up to December 2018 for epidemiologic analysis). Prevalence of SCD in 2018 was projected to the Italian population. Patients were followed-up from the first diagnosis identified within the inclusion period (index date) to death or end of data availability. Treatments and healthcare resource consumption were evaluated on patients with at least 1 year of data availability before and after index date. SCD treatments were classified as SCD-specific, SCD-related, SCD-complication-related. Both day hospitals and ordinary hospitalizations were evaluated. Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOCs) (identified by hospitalization discharge diagnosis for SCD with crisis) and main SCD organ complications were assessed during follow-up. Mean annual healthcare resource costs were analyzed during follow-up according to the NHS perspective in terms of overall treatments, all-cause hospitalizations and out-patients services.Results. SCD prevalence in 2018 was 13 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Prevalence projected to Italian population estimated in total 7,977 SCD patients in Italy in 2018 (of whom 1,690 and 6,287 were <18 and ≥18 years, respectively, figure 1): 1,279 were estimated with crisis, 5,894 without crisis and 804 unspecified. The study population included in the analysis comprised 1,816 patients (mean age 43.8 years, 58.4% female). Of them, 74.3% were without diagnosis of crisis, 16.1% with crisis, and 9.6% unspecified. Hematology and general medicine were the most frequent admission/discharge hospital departments for a subcohort of patients for which these data were available. During the first year of follow-up (index date included), 50.7% of patients had one all-cause hospitalization, 27.8% had 2, 10.4% had 3 and 11.1% had ≥4, in the second year 44% had at least one hospitalization, while in the third and fourth years 38.2% and 35.8%, respectively (table 1). During the available follow-up period (mean years±SD: 4.9±2.2) the average length of hospitalization stays (table 2) was around 8 days (ordinary hospitalizations) and 130 days (day hospitals). Proportion of patients with a VOC or one SCD complication was 3.7% and 15.2%, with 2 was 2.3% and 6.2% and with ≥3 was 7.7% and 12.8%, respectively. The mean annual number of SCD specific drugs was 0.6±2.7, of SCD related drugs was 3.2±4.5 and of SCD-complications-related drugs was 8.6±10.5. Antibacterials were the more frequently prescribed drugs (53-63%), followed by drugs for acid related disorders (35-48%) and antithrombotic agents (25-34%). Considering all available follow-up, mean annual number of all drugs was 14.9, of hospitalizations was 1.1 and of outpatient specialist services 5.3. Total mean annual cost per patient was €7,917 (€2,201 for prescribed drugs, €3,320 for hospitalizations, and €2,397 for outpatient specialist services, figure 2).Conclusions. This Italian real-world study may have revealed a SCD sub-population probably not noticed yet to SCD centers of reference, and still probably underestimated since ER flows were not present. Similarly, also VOC could be underestimated as only most severe episodes requiring hospitalization were captured. Proportion of patients with antithrombotic agents might be an indicator of the underlying multiorgan complications. The present data describe an SCD population with high resource utilization and heavy economic burden and warrants further efforts to increase an earlier patient identification that could lead to a timely and comprehensive treatment with less SCD-related complications. [Display omitted] DisclosuresForni: Bluebirdbio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Castiglioni: Novartis Farma SpA: Current Employment. Condorelli: Novartis Farma SpA: Current Employment. Valsecchi: Novartis Farma SpA: Current Employment. Premoli: Novartis Farma SpA: Current Employment. Fiocchi: Novaris Farma SpA: Current Employment.

Comorbidities and concomitant medications in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receiving second-generation direct-acting antiviral regimens in Belgium: an observational study.

To describe comorbidities and concomitant medications in patients initiating treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens in Belgium. This was a noninterventional, observational, multicenter study of data from patient charts. Adult patients with HCV infection receiving second-generation DAA therapy were included. Comorbidities were assessed at the time of HCV treatment initiation. Concomitant medications were recorded at the time of diagnosis and at treatment initiation. Potential clinically relevant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were assessed based on information available at www.hep-druginteractions.org. The primary objective was to describe concomitant medication use ; secondary objectives were to describe modifications in concomitant therapies and comorbidities. 405 patients were included. A total of 956 comorbidities were reported by 362 patients (median, 2 ; range, 0-15). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (27.2%) ; HIV coinfection (22.5%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (14.3%). Overall, 1455 concomitant medications were being taken by 365 patients (90.1% ; median, 3 ; range 0-16). The most common concomitant medications were psycholeptics (28.6%), antiviral agents (24.2%), and medications for acid-related disorders (21.0%) Overall, 74/365 (20.3%) patients receiving a concomitant medication required an adaptation to their concomitant medication. The medications that most frequently required change were drugs for acid-related disorders (n = 14) and antiviral drugs (n = 5) ; those that were most frequently stopped were lipid-modifying drugs (n = 25) and drugs for acid-related disorders (n = 13). Physicians are aware of the potential for DDIs with DAAs, but improved alignment between clinical practice and theoretical recommendations is required.

Manipulation of Medicinal Products for Oral Administration to Paediatric Patients at a German University Hospital: An Observational Study.

Pharmacotherapy in children requires medicinal products in age-appropriate dosage forms and flexible dose strengths. Healthcare professionals often encounter a lack of licensed and commercially available formulations, which results in the need for manipulation. This study aimed to investigate the nature, frequency and preventability of the manipulation of medicinal products before oral drug administration to paediatric inpatients in Germany. A prospective, direct observational approach was used. Two thousand and three medication preparation processes (MPP) in 193 patients were included in the analysis. Medicines were manipulated in 37% of oral administrations, affecting 57% of the patients. The percentage of manipulations was highest in infants/toddlers (42%) and lowest in adolescents (31%). Antiepileptics were most frequently manipulated (27%), followed by vitamins (20%) and drugs for acid-related disorders (13%). Fifty-six per cent of all manipulations were off-label. In 71% of these, no alternative appropriate medicinal product was commercially available. These results demonstrate that the manipulation of medicinal products before oral administration is common in paediatric wards in Germany. About half of the manipulations were off-label, indicating that no suitable formulation was available. Evidence-based guidelines for manipulations are required, with the overall aim of improving the safety of paediatric drug therapy.

Off-label prescribing during pregnancy inFrance: the NéHaVi cohort .

To describe the off-label medication use in a cohort of pregnant women. We performed a multicenter prospective longitudinal observational study in the Haute-Vienne department (France) called the NéHaVi cohort ("Né en Haute-Vienne" meaning "born in Haute-Vienne"). Women who had given birth to a viable baby in one of three maternity wards in the Haute-Vienne were included in the study after giving their informed consent. Data on the progress and outcome of pregnancies, childbirth, and drug or toxic exposure during pregnancy were collected. Drugs were classified, according to the labeling of the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) regarding the use in pregnancy, as follows: on-label, off-label at risk, and off-label contra-indicated. During their pregnancy, the 397 included women gave birth to 400 viable babies (209 boys, 191 girls, 3 sets of twins). All women had used at least 1 health product: 3,533 (92%) drugs, 298 (7.5%) homeopathic products, and 18 (0.5%) herb derivatives. The mean number of different drugs taken was 8.9±5.3 (min 1, max 31). All pregnant women used at least 1 drug either with a license or considered as safe to take during pregnancy. Among the 2,538 (71.6%) on-label drugs, the most frequently used were analgesics (n=611, 24.1%) (acetaminophen (n=566)), antianemia preparations (n=528, 20.8%), drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorder (n=269, 10.6%), vitamins (n=192, 7.5%), drugs for acid-related disorders (n=148, 5.8%), and antibacterials (n=118, 4.6%). In total, 321 (80.9%, 95% CI: 77.0-84.7) pregnant women used at least 1 off-label drug; and more precisely, 285 (71.8%, 95% CI: 67.4-76.2) used at least 1 off-label high-risk drug, and 189 (47.6%, 95% CI: 42.7-52.5) at least 1 contra-indicated drug. Among the 995 off-label drugs (28.2%), 760 (21.5%) were considered high-risk, including vasoprotectives (n=156, 20.5%) (treatment of hemorrhoids (n=147)), antithrombotic agents (n=91, 11.6%) (heparins (n=88)), and calcium channel blockers (n=88, 11.6%). Lastly, 235 (6.7%) off-label drugs used were contraindicated medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the 3rd trimester (n=231)). Five babies were born with malformations not related to the drugs used during pregnancy. We showed for the first time the magnitude of off-label prescription during pregnancy in France. Women and health professionals should be made more aware of the potential drug-induced risk during pregnancy. Drug adverse effects during pregnancy should be evaluated through an improved notification in pharmacovigilance and appropriate pharmacoepidemiologic studies in order to change SmPC labelings as early as possible, when necessary.

Barriers and enablers for deprescribing among older, multimorbid patients with polypharmacy: an explorative study from Switzerland

BackgroundPolypharmacy is an increasing problem, leading to increased morbidity and mortality, especially in older, multimorbid patients. Consequently, there is a need for reduction of polypharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes, beliefs, and concerns towards deprescribing among older, multimorbid patients with polypharmacy who chose not to pursue at least one of their GP’s offers to deprescribe.MethodsExploratory study using telephone interviews among patients of a cluster-randomized study in Northern Switzerland. The interview included a qualitative part consisting of questions in five pre-defined key areas of attitudes, beliefs, and concerns about deprescribing and an open explorative question. The quantitative part consisted of a rating of pre-defined statements in these areas.ResultsTwenty-two of 87 older, multimorbid patients with polypharmacy, to whom their GP offered a drug change, did not pursue all offers. Nineteen of these 22 were interviewed by telephone. The 19 patients were on average 76.9 (SD 10.0) years old, 74% female, and took 8.9 (SD 2.6) drugs per day. Drugs for acid-related disorders, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs were the three most common drug groups where patient involvement and the shared-decision-making (SDM) process led to the joint decision to not pursue the GPs offer. Eighteen of 19 patients fully trusted their GP, 17 of 19 participated in SDM even before this study and 8 of 19 perceived polypharmacy as a substantial burden. Conservatism/inertia and fragmented medical care were the main barriers towards deprescribing. No patient felt devalued as a consequence of the deprescribing offer. Our exploratory findings were supported by patients’ ratings of predefined statements.ConclusionWe identified patient involvement in deprescribing and coordination of care as key issues for deprescribing among older multimorbid patients with polypharmacy. GPs concerns regarding patients’ devaluation should not prevent them from actively discussing the reduction of drugs.Trial registrationISRCTN16560559.

Burden of drug use for gastrointestinal symptoms and functional gastrointestinal disorders in France: a national study using reimbursement data for 57 million inhabitants

Background:Gastrointestinal therapeutic drugs (GTDs) are extensively prescribed. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of GTD use in a large population: the French general health scheme beneficiaries (87% of the 66 million inhabitants) in 2016.Methods:The national health data system was used to identify individual characteristics, diseases and GTD classes reimbursed, together with the costs, using anatomical therapeutic chemical class.Results:Among the 57.5 million individuals included, 45% received at least one reimbursement among the 130 million prescriptions reimbursed (90% prescribed by a general practitioner): proton-pump inhibitors (PPI; A02BC: 24%), drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders (A03: 20%), drugs for constipation (A06: 10%), antidiarrheals, intestinal anti-inflammatory/anti-infective agents (A07: 10%), antiemetics and antinauseants (A04: 7%), other drugs for acid-related disorders (A02X: 6%), other drugs for peptic ulcer and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (A02BX: 4.5%), antacids (A02A: 1.5%). The overall cost of reimbursed GTDs was €707 million and the mean cost per user was €28. Marked variations were observed according to age, sex, and disease. The rates of at least one reimbursement among infants were A07: 28%, A03: 17%, A02BX: 9%, A02X: 7%, A02BC: 6% and A06: 5%. Women more frequently received a reimbursement than men for each GTD class. Reimbursement rates also varied according to health status (end-stage renal disease A02BC: 66%, pregnancy A03: 53%, A04: 11%), treatments (people with at least six reimbursements for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 2016 A02BC: 62%). Chronic GTD use (>10 reimbursements/year) was observed in 19% of people with at least one A02BC reimbursement, A02BX: 11%, A03: 7%, A04: 2%, A06: 17% and A07: 3%.Conclusions:This study demonstrates extensive and chronic use of GTD in France, raising the question of their relevance according to current guidelines. They must be disseminated to general practitioners, who are the main prescribers of these drugs.

PGI11 - HIGH LEVELS OF REIMBURSED COST AND USE OF GASTROENTEROLOGICAL DRUGS IN FRANCE

The purpose of this national study is to describe the use and reimbursed cost of therapeutic classes of gastrointestinal drugs in 2016. Population study consisted of beneficiaries of the general scheme (86% of the 66 million inhabitants) and information from the French National Health Data System (SNDS) to identify use, associated cost, individuals’ characteristics and pathologies. The therapeutic classes (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical: ATC) selected were: A02A (antacids), A02B (peptic ulcer and gastro-esophageal reflux), A02X (other drugs for acid related disorders), A03 (functional gastrointestinal disorders), A04 (antiemetic), A06 (constipation) and A07 (antidiarrheal, intestinal anti-inflammatory). Of 57.5 million insured people, 45% had at least one reimbursement of a drug of the selected classes and the overall cost was 707 million euros: A02A: 1.5% (2.6M€), A02B: 25.7% (442M€), A02X: 5.7% (8.2M€), A03: 20% (47.4M€), A04: 7.2% (59M€), A06: 10.2% (71.7M€), A07: 10.1% (76M€). Frequencies of use by women were more markedly highest than by men for A03 (24% vs 15%), A02B (28% vs 23%) and A06 (12% vs 8%). For A02B, use frequency had a wide range from 13% for people without disease to 67% for people with end-stage renal disease. In the presence of other drug class refunded in 2016 it was 64% for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and 54% for psychotropic drug. A chronic use (11 refunds or more) was found for 21% of people treated with A02B drugs, 17% for A06, 7% for A03 and 8% for A02A. The frequency of use for A02A, A02X and A03 groups was relatively stable according to the age, but decreased for A04 and A07 group, and increased for A02B and A06 groups. Gastrointestinal drugs are intensively used in France. There are differences in the use of classes selected according to the age, sex and pathologies. These drugs represent high expenses for the Health Insurance.

Does consumer medicines interest reflect medicines use? An observational study comparing medicines call center queries with medicines use.

Consumers have questions about their medication but the nature of these concerns and how they reflect medication use is unknown. To determine the characteristics and medicines interests of callers to an Australian medicines call center and whether the medicines interest of callers corresponds with medicines utilization. Data from consumers who contacted a national medicines call center between September 2002 and June 2010 were analyzed. Patterns of consumer medicines interest were described. Medicines were class-matched by Anatomical Therapeutic Classification, and compared with dispensed use (January 2006-June 2010). In total 125,951 calls were received between 2002 and 2010. Callers were mainly female (76.8%), median age 48 years, calling for themselves (71.7%). Motivation to call related to safety (34.7%), efficacy (24.1%) and interactions (14.9%). For the comparison with medicines utilization, 85,416 calls with 124,177 individual medicine counts were analyzed (2006 and 2010). There were 976 unique 'medicines of interest'. Half (49.4%) of these questions involved just fifty unique medicines. Nervous system medicines (antiepileptics, psycholeptics, analgesics) and antibacterials consistently ranked highest for interest compared with use. Conversely, agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system, statins and drugs for acid related disorders ranked low for interest despite widespread use. Consumer questions about medicines correlate poorly with overall medicines utilization. To promote quality health outcomes, clinicians should target their education to the relatively small number of medicines of real concern to patients.

Polysubstance abuse: the overlooked factor of benzodiazepines in opioid overdose in harris county

Consumers have questions about their medication but the nature of these concerns and how they reflect medication use is unknown.To determine the characteristics and medicines interests of callers to an Australian medicines call center and whether the medicines interest of callers corresponds with medicines utilization.Data from consumers who contacted a national medicines call center between September 2002 and June 2010 were analyzed. Patterns of consumer medicines interest were described. Medicines were class-matched by Anatomical Therapeutic Classification, and compared with dispensed use (January 2006–June 2010).In total 125,951 calls were received between 2002 and 2010. Callers were mainly female (76.8%), median age 48 years, calling for themselves (71.7%). Motivation to call related to safety (34.7%), efficacy (24.1%) and interactions (14.9%). For the comparison with medicines utilization, 85,416 calls with 124,177 individual medicine counts were analyzed (2006 and 2010).There were 976 unique ‘medicines of interest’. Half (49.4%) of these questions involved just fifty unique medicines. Nervous system medicines (antiepileptics, psycholeptics, analgesics) and antibacterials consistently ranked highest for interest compared with use. Conversely, agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system, statins and drugs for acid related disorders ranked low for interest despite widespread use.Consumer questions about medicines correlate poorly with overall medicines utilization. To promote quality health outcomes, clinicians should target their education to the relatively small number of medicines of real concern to patients.

Evaluating factors affecting provider acceptance rate of pharmacist-recommended interventions for HIV-infected patients

Consumers have questions about their medication but the nature of these concerns and how they reflect medication use is unknown.To determine the characteristics and medicines interests of callers to an Australian medicines call center and whether the medicines interest of callers corresponds with medicines utilization.Data from consumers who contacted a national medicines call center between September 2002 and June 2010 were analyzed. Patterns of consumer medicines interest were described. Medicines were class-matched by Anatomical Therapeutic Classification, and compared with dispensed use (January 2006–June 2010).In total 125,951 calls were received between 2002 and 2010. Callers were mainly female (76.8%), median age 48 years, calling for themselves (71.7%). Motivation to call related to safety (34.7%), efficacy (24.1%) and interactions (14.9%). For the comparison with medicines utilization, 85,416 calls with 124,177 individual medicine counts were analyzed (2006 and 2010).There were 976 unique ‘medicines of interest’. Half (49.4%) of these questions involved just fifty unique medicines. Nervous system medicines (antiepileptics, psycholeptics, analgesics) and antibacterials consistently ranked highest for interest compared with use. Conversely, agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system, statins and drugs for acid related disorders ranked low for interest despite widespread use.Consumer questions about medicines correlate poorly with overall medicines utilization. To promote quality health outcomes, clinicians should target their education to the relatively small number of medicines of real concern to patients.