Inappropriate Medications In Older Adults Research Articles

Insights into designing educational materials for persons living with dementia: a focus group study

BackgroundPersons living with dementia (PLWD) may experience communication difficulties that impact their ability to process written and pictorial information. Patient-facing education may help promote discontinuation of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults without dementia, but it is unclear how to adapt this approach for PLWD. Our objective was to solicit feedback from PLWD and their care partners to gain insights into the design of PLWD-facing deprescribing intervention materials and PLWD-facing education material more broadly.MethodsWe conducted 3 successive focus groups with PLWD aged ≥ 50 (n = 12) and their care partners (n = 10) between December 2022 and February 2023. Focus groups were recorded and transcripts were analyzed for overarching themes.ResultsWe identified 5 key themes: [1] Use images and language consistent with how PLWD perceive themselves; [2] Avoid content that might heighten fear or anxiety; [3] Use straightforward delivery with simple language and images; [4] Direct recipients to additional information; make the next step easy; and [5] Deliver material directly to the PLWD.ConclusionPLWD-facing educational material should be addressed directly to PLWD, using plain, non-threatening and accessible language with clean, straightforward formatting.

Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medications for the elderly according to beers, STOPP, START, and Chinese criteria.

Objective: Polypharmacy prevalence is increasing worldwide, and it is becoming more popular among the elderly. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using the Beers criteria (2019 edition), criteria for potentially inappropriate medications for older adults in China (Chinese criteria), Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP), and Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START) criteria and to identify risk factors associated with PIM use. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 276 inpatients aged ≥65 years old from January 2020 to June 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze PIMs based on the Beers (2019 edition), Chinese, STOPP, and START criteria. PIMs use was analysed based on four different criteria and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate independent factors associated with PIM use. Results: The mean number of medications used by the elderly population was nine (range, 0-28). A total of 252 patients (accounting for 91.30%) took five or more medications and 120 patients (accounting for 43.48%) took 10 or more medications. The prevalence rates of PIMs were 66.30% (183/276), 55.07% (152/276), 26.45% (73/276), and 64.13% (177/276) determined by the Beers, Chinese, STOPP, and START criteria, respectively. The top PIMs screened using the Beers, Chinese, and STOPP criteria were proton pump inhibitors, clopidogrel, and benzodiazepines, respectively. Missed use of ACEI in patients with systolic heart failure and/or coronary artery disease was found to be the most common potential prescription omission (PPOs) analyzed using the START criteria. Logistic regression analysis showed that the strongest predictor of PIMs, as determined by all four criteria, was an increased number of medications (p < 0.001). Age was another risk factor for PIMs based on the STOPP criteria in our study (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Polypharmacy and PIMs were common in our study, and the risk of PIMs correlated with polypharmacy. Application of the Beers, Chinese, STOPP, and START criteria is a useful tool for detecting PIM use.

Mapping potentially inappropriate medications in older adults using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system.

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older adults are medications in which risks often outweigh benefits and are suggested to be avoided. Worldwide, many distinct guidelines and tools classify PIMs in older adults. Collating these guidelines and tools, mapping them to a medication classification system, and creating a crosswalk will enhance the utility of PIM guidance for research and clinical practice. We used the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System, a hierarchical classification system, to map PIMs from eight distinct guidelines and tools (2019 Beers Criteria, Screening Tool for Older Person's Appropriate Prescriptions [STOPP], STOPP-Japan, German PRISCUS, European Union-7 Potentially Inappropriate Medication [PIM] list, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS] High-Risk Medication, Anticholinergic Burden Scale, and Drug Burden Index). Each PIM was mapped to ATC Level 5 (drug) and to ATC Level 4 (drug class). We then used the crosswalk (1) to compare PIMs and PIM drug classes across guidelines and tools to determine the number of PIMs that were index (drug-induced adverse event) or marker (treatment of drug-induced adverse event) drug of prescribing cascades, and (2) estimate the prevalence of PIM use in older adults continuously enrolled with fee-for-service Medicare in 2018 as use cases. Data visualization and descriptive statistics were used to assess guidelines and tools for both use cases. Out of 480 unique PIMs identified, only three medications-amitriptyline, clomipramine, and imipramine and two drug classes-N06AA (tricyclic antidepressants) and N06AB (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), were noted in all eight guidelines and tools. Using the crosswalk, 50% of classes of index drugs and 47% of classes of marker drugs of known prescribing cascades were PIMs. Additionally, 88% of Medicare beneficiaries were dispensed ≥1 PIM across the eight guidelines and tools. We created a crosswalk of eight PIM guidelines and tools to the ATC classification system and created two use cases. Our findings could be used to expand the ease of PIM identification and harmonization for research and clinical practice purposes.

Potentially inappropriate medications in older adults with Parkinson disease before and after hospitalization for injury

BackgroundParkinson disease (PD) patients are at increased risk of serious injury, such as fall-related fractures. Prescription medications are a modifiable factor for injury risk. ObjectivesTo determine the extent to which a serious injury requiring hospitalization affects prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among older adults with PD. MethodsWe conducted a quasi-experimental difference-in-difference (DID) study using 2013–2017 Medicare data. The cohort consisted of beneficiaries with PD hospitalized for injury versus for other reasons. PIMs were classified into PD and injury-relevant categories (CNS-active PIMs, PD motor symptom PIMs, PD non-motor symptom PIMs, PIMs that reduce bone mineral density). We estimated mean standardized daily doses (SDDs) of medications within each PIM category before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after hospitalization. We used generalized linear regression models to compare changes in mean SDDs for each PIM category between the injury and non-injury group at each timepoint, adjusting for biological, clinical and social determinants of health variables. ResultsBoth groups discontinued PIMs and/or reduced PIM doses after hospitalization. There were no between-group differences in mean SDD changes, after covariate adjustment, for any PIM category, except for the CNS-active PIMs category at 3 months (DID p-value = 0.00) and for the category of PIMs that reduce bone mineral density at all timepoints (DID p-values = 0.02, 0.04, 0.02 at 3, 6, and 12 months). ConclusionsSimilar patterns of PIM among persons with PD after hospitalization for serious injury versus for other reasons may represent a missed opportunity to deprescribe high-risk medications during care transitions.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Factors Related to Deprescribing Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Older Adults Receiving Dialysis.

Potentially inappropriate medications, or medications that generally carry more risk of harm than benefit in older adults, are commonly prescribed to older adults receiving dialysis. Deprescribing, a systematic approach to reducing or stopping a medication, is a potential solution to limit potentially inappropriate medications use. Our objective was to identify clinicians and patient perspectives on factors related to deprescribing to inform design of a deprescribing program for dialysis clinics. We conducted rapid qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews and focus groups with clinicians (dialysis clinicians, primary care providers, and pharmacists) and patients (adults receiving hemodialysis aged 65 years or older and those aged 55-64 years who were prefrail or frail) from March 2019 to December 2020. We interviewed 76 participants (53 clinicians [eight focus groups and 11 interviews] and 23 patients). Among clinicians, 24 worked in dialysis clinics, 18 worked in primary care, and 11 were pharmacists. Among patients, 13 (56%) were aged 65 years or older, 14 (61%) were Black race, and 16 (70%) reported taking at least one potentially inappropriate medication. We identified four themes (and corresponding subthemes) of contextual factors related to deprescribing potentially inappropriate medications: ( 1 ) system-level barriers to deprescribing (limited electronic medical record interoperability, time constraints and competing priorities), ( 2 ) undefined comanagement among clinicians (unclear role delineation, clinician caution about prescriber boundaries), ( 3 ) limited knowledge about potentially inappropriate medications (knowledge limitations among clinicians and patients), and ( 4 ) patients prioritize symptom control over potential harm (clinicians expect resistance to deprescribing, patient weigh risks and benefits). Challenges to integration of deprescribing into dialysis clinics included siloed health systems, time constraints, comanagement behaviors, and clinician and patient knowledge and attitudes toward deprescribing.

Hospitalization and emergency department visits associated with potentially inappropriate medication in older adults: self-controlled case series analysis.

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and resulting adverse health outcomes in older adults are a common occurrence. However, PIM prescriptions are still frequent for vulnerable older adults. Here, we sought to estimate the risk of hospitalization and emergency department (ED) visits associated with PIM prescriptions over different exposure periods and PIM drug categories. We used the National Health Insurance Service-Elderly Cohort Database (NHIS-ECDB) to construct the cohort and implemented a Self-Controlled Case Series (SCCS) method. Hospitalization or ED visits during the exposure and post-exposure periods were compared to those during the non-exposure period, and six PIM drug categories were evaluated. A conditional Poisson regression model was applied, and the risk of outcomes was presented as the incidence rate ratio (IRR). All potential time-varying covariates were adjusted by year. A total of 43,942 older adults aged ≥65 y who had at least one PIM prescription and the events of either hospitalization or ED visits between Jan 2016 and Dec 2019 were selected.. Mean days of each exposure period was 46 d (±123); risk was highest in exposure1 (1-7 d, 37.8%), whereas it was similar during exposure2 (15-28 d), and exposure3 (29-56 d) (16.6%). The mean number of total PIM drugs administered during the study period was 7.34 (±4.60). Both hospitalization and ED visits were significantly higher in both exposure (adjusted IRR 2.14, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):2.11-2.17) and post-exposure periods (adjusted IRR 1.41, 95% CI:1.38-1.44) in comparison to non-exposure period. The risk of adverse health outcomes was highest during the first exposure period (1-14 d), but decreased gradually over time. Among the PIM categories, pain medication was used the most, followed by anticholinergics. All PIM categories significantly increased the risk of hospitalization and ED visits, ranging from 1.18 (other PIM) to 2.85 (pain medication). Sensitivity analyses using the first incidence of PIM exposure demonstrated similar results. All PIM categories significantly increased the risk of hospitalization and ED visits, with the initial period of PIM prescriptions showing the highest risk. In subgroup analysis stratified by the number of medications, PIM effects on the risk of hospitalization and ED visits remained significant but gradually attenuated by the increased number of medications. Therefore, the development of deprescribing strategies to control PIM and polypharmacy collectively is urgent and essential.

Multidisciplinary DEprescribing review for Frail oldER adults in long-term care (DEFERAL): Implementation strategy design using behaviour science tools and stakeholder engagement

IntroductionDeprescribing is a strategy for reducing the use of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. Limited evidence exists on the development of strategies to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) deprescribing for frail older adults in long-term care (LTC). ObjectiveTo design an implementation strategy, informed by theory, behavioural science and consensus from HCPs, which facilitates deprescribing in LTC. MethodsThis study was consisted of 3 phases. First, factors influencing deprescribing in LTC were mapped to behaviour change techniques (BCTs) using the Behaviour Change Wheel and two published BCT taxonomies. Second, a Delphi survey of purposively sampled HCPs (general practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, geriatricians and psychiatrists) was conducted to select feasible BCTs to support deprescribing. The Delphi consisted of two rounds. Using Delphi results and literature on BCTs used in effective deprescribing interventions, BCTs which could form an implementation strategy were shortlisted by the research team based on acceptability, practicability and effectiveness. Finally, a roundtable discussion was held with a purposeful, convenience sample of LTC general practitioners, pharmacists and nurses to prioritise factors influencing deprescribing and tailor the proposed strategies for LTC. ResultsFactors influencing deprescribing in LTC were mapped to 34 BCTs. The Delphi survey was completed by 16 participants. Participants reached consensus that 26 BCTs were feasible. Following the research team assessment, 21 BCTs were included in the roundtable. The roundtable discussion identified lack of resources as the primary barrier to address. The agreed implementation strategy incorporated 11 BCTs and consisted of an education-enhanced 3-monthly multidisciplinary team deprescribing review, led by a nurse, conducted at the LTC site. ConclusionThe deprescribing strategy incorporates HCPs’ experiential understanding of the nuances of LTC and thus addresses systemic barriers to deprescribing in this context. The strategy designed addresses five determinants of behaviour to best support HCPs engaging with deprescribing.

Characteristics of Distress and Support Group Participation in Caregivers of Older Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients: A Single Institution Retrospective Review.

Older patients with hematologic malignancies are increasingly considered for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). However, older patients often have increased comorbidities and thus may require an increased level of post-transplant care. These factors can contribute to increased caregiver distress, which has been associated with worsened health outcomes for caregivers and patients. To examine predictors of caregiver distress and support group participation in caregivers of older allo-HCT patients, we retrospectively reviewed charts of 208 patients aged 60 and older who underwent their first allo-HCT at our institution from 2014 through 2016. We systematically characterized and identified the incidence of caregiver distress and attendance in a caregiver support group from the start of conditioning through 1 year post allo-HCT. Evidence of caregiver distress and support group participation was recorded by reviewing clinical and/or social work documentation. We found that 20 caregivers (10%) endorsed stress and 44 caregivers (21%) attended our support group at least once. A patient's prior history of psychiatric diagnosis (p = .046) or the use of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults (p = .046) was found to be associated with caregiver stress. Caregivers who were spouses or partners of patients (p = .048) or caregivers of married patients were more likely to attend the support group (p = .007). While limited by retrospective design and likely underreporting, this study reveals factors associated with caregiver distress in the older allo-HCT caregiver population. This information can help providers identify caregivers at risk for distress and improve caregiver resources, which may improve both caregiver and patient outcomes.

Primary Care Provider-Led Approach to Deprescribing Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Older Adults

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use increases the risk of adverse drug events in older adults and deprescribing has been shown to reduce these outcomes. This study assessed the feasibility of a provider-driven approach to deprescribe PIMs in an internal medicine clinic. Providers received education on the risks of select medications and benefits of deprescribing at an all-staff meeting in April 2021. Providers were asked to choose a deprescribing intervention. Chart reviews were completed at 3 and 6 months to evaluate changes in medication. Tests of binomial proportions were used to determine any significant differences. Thirty-two providers participated and interventions resulted in a 41.6% reduction in the reviewed PIMs (tapered or discontinued). A provider-driven approach may be a feasible and effective method of deprescribing PIMs in older adults.

The association between socioeconomic status and use of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults.

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is an important public health problem, particularly among older adults who may need multiple pharmacologic therapies for various chronic conditions. As socioeconomic status (SES) affects the quality of healthcare that individuals receive, SES may be associated with the use of PIM in older adults. This study aimed to determine whether low SES is associated with increased use of PIM. We studied 4927 participants (aged 66-90 years) who were on at least one medication at visit five (2011-2013) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. We created a cumulative SES score categorized as high (7-9), middle (3-6), and low (0-2) based on education, income, and area deprivation index. We use multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between SES and use of two or more PIM for older adults, defined by the 2019 Beers Criteria. A total of 31.0% and 6.9% of the participants used one or more PIM and two or more PIM, respectively. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and insurance type, low cumulative SES score was associated with significantly greater use of two or more PIM (odds ratio [OR]=1.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-2.86]), as was middle cumulative SES score (OR=1.40 [95% CI 1.06-1.83]), compared to high cumulative SES score. The results remained significant after further adjusting for comorbidities and medication burden for low cumulative SES score (OR=1.66 [95%CI 1.02-2.71]). We found that lower SES was associated with greater use of PIM among older adults independent of their medication burden and comorbidities, suggesting socioeconomic disparities in quality of medication management. Focused efforts targeting older adults with low SES to reduce PIM use may be needed to prevent adverse drug events.

Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications and association with comorbidities in older adults with diabetes in an outpatient visitation setting.

AimsPotentially inappropriate medications had been found associated with adverse drug events such as falls, emergency department admissions and hospital readmissions. There is lack of information about the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications and associated chronic conditions in older patients with diabetes in China. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults with diabetes in an outpatient visitation setting and the association with polypharmacy due to comorbidities.Materials and methodsThis was a 3-year repeated cross-sectional study which conducted in outpatient setting of 52 hospitals in Shenzhen, China, using 2019 Beers criteria. The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications, polypharmacy and comorbidities in older adults with diabetes in an outpatient setting was expressed as percentages. Logistic models were used to investigate the association between potentially inappropriate medication exposure and age, sex, polypharmacy and comorbidities.ResultsAmong the 28,484 older adults with diabetes in 2015, 31,757 in 2016 and 24,675 in 2017, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications was 43.2%, 44.88% and 42.40%, respectively. The top five potentially inappropriate medications were diuretics (20.56%), benzodiazepines (13.85%), androgens (13.18%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (12.94%) and sulfonylureas (6.23%). After adjustment for age and polypharmacy, the probability of potentially inappropriate medication exposure was associated with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, followed by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, tumor, dementia, chronic liver disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and hyperlipemia.ConclusionPotentially inappropriate medications were common in older patients with diabetes in an outpatient visitation setting. Higher probability of potentially inappropriate medication exposure was associated with the comorbidity chronic gastrointestinal diseases as well as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. To ensure that iatrogenic risks remain minimal for older adults with diabetes, the clinical comorbidities should be considered.

Assessing the quality of evidence on safety: specifications for application and suggestions for adaptions of the GRADE-criteria in the context of preparing a list of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults

BackgroundSystematic reviews that synthesize safety outcomes pose challenges (e.g. rare events), which raise questions for grading the strength of the body of evidence. This is maybe one reason why in many potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) lists the recommendations are not based on formalized systems for assessing the quality of the body of evidence such as GRADE.In this contribution, we describe specifications and suggest adaptions of the GRADE system for grading the quality of evidence on safety outcomes, which were developed in the context of preparing a PIM-list, namely PRISCUS.MethodsWe systematically assessed each of the five GRADE domains for rating-down (study limitations, imprecision, inconsistency, indirectness, publication bias) and the criteria for rating-up, considering if special considerations or revisions of the original approach were indicated. The result was gathered in a written document and discussed in a group-meeting of five members with various background until consensus. Subsequently, we performed a proof-of-concept application using a convenience sample of systematic reviews and applied the approach to systematic reviews on 19 different clinical questions.ResultsWe describe specifications and suggest adaptions for the criteria “study limitations”, imprecision, “publication bias” and “rating-up for large effect”. In addition, we suggest a new criterion to account for data from subgroup-analyses. The proof-of-concept application did not reveal a need for further revision and thus we used the approach for the systematic reviews that were prepared for the PRISCUS-list.We assessed 51 outcomes. Each of the proposed adaptions was applied. There were neither an excessive number of low and very low ratings, nor an excessive number of high ratings, but the different methodological quality of the safety outcomes appeared to be well reflected.ConclusionThe suggestions appear to have the potential to overcome some of the challenges when grading the methodological quality of harms and thus may be helpful for producers of evidence syntheses considering safety.

PHARMACOTHERAPY IN THE OLDER ADULT: CHARACTERIZATION, MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND POTENTIALLY INAPPROPRIATE MEDICATIONS

Introduction: Aging is a dynamic process in which biochemical and physiological changes are related to a higher frequency of pathological processes, which ultimately lead the human being to death. Part of these alterations and pathologies are improved using medicines, so older adults are great consumers of medicines. Several instruments have been used to evaluate the use of inappropriate medications in older adults, with Beers Criteria frequently used. The concept of medication adherence has undergone changes over time and represents the degree to which the patient’s behaviour corresponds and agrees with the recommendations of a doctor or other health professional. Medication non-adherence to entails a decrease in the quality of life of the patients and high costs for the health systems. Objectives: To characterize drug therapy in older adult users of a northern Portuguese community pharmacy, as well as to identify the presence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in the older adult and to assess medication adherence. Methods: Exploratory and descriptive study. The target population was older adult users of a community pharmacy in the municipality of Valpaços, Portugal. The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire applied in the form of a structured interview. The potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) identification was based on the most recent version of the Beers Criteria published in 2019. The MAT (Measurement of Adherence to Treatments) scale was used to evaluate medication adherence. The statistical treatment included the calculation of absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: 60 older adult people were interviewed, 53.3% of them women. The average age was 78.35 years. Among these, 55.0% were married/had a non-marital partner, 71.7% lived accompanied, 26.7% had primary school education, 40.0% received less than 300 Euros monthly and 95.0% lived in the municipality of Valpaços. Each older adult person consumes on average 6 different types of medication per day. Major polymerization was present in 66.7% of older adults, and 94.2% of the drugs being prescribed by the physician. In 34.7% of the cases, the medication had been used for at least 1 year and only 3.4% reported feeling adverse reactions. Of the total 326 drugs identified, the most prescribed pharmacotherapeutic groups were drugs acting in the cardiovascular system 27.2% and in the digestive system 24.2%. Additionally, 15 drugs classified as potentially inappropriate medication were identified in the older adult. Most of the older adults (76.7%) did not adhere to drug therapy, these being mainly females with primary education, living with a partner and less than 300 euros/month. Conclusion: Polymedication and the use of potentially inappropriate medications are common in older adults. Medication adherence is low.

Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medications in older patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit according to the 2019 Beers criteria, STOPP criteria version 2 and Chinese criteria.

Potential inappropriate medications (PIMs) can increase the risk of medication-induced harm. However, there are no studies regarding PIMs in older and critically ill patients with cardiovascular diseases in China. Therefore, studies evaluating PIMs in these patients can help in the implementation of more effective interventions to reduce the risk of drug use. Our objective was to analyse the prevalence of PIMs in elderly patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) comparing the 2019 Beers criteria (Beers criteria), Screening Tool of Older People's Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria version 2 (STOPP criteria) and criteria of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults in China (Chinese criteria); and analyse the factors influencing the PIMs. This cross-sectional and retrospective study was performed with elderly patients (≥65 years) admitted to the CICU of the Beijing Tongren Hospital in China from January 2019 to June 2020. The PIMs were identified based on the Chinese, STOPP and Beers criteria at admission and discharge. The three criteria were compared using the Kappa statistic. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors associated with PIMs. A total of 369 patients who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in this study. According to the three criteria used to evaluate the PIMs, the prevalence was 78.3% and 72.6% at admission and discharge, respectively. The prevalence rate of PIMs determined by the Chinese criteria was 62.1% at admission versus 56.6% at discharge (p=0.134); the Beers criteria was 53.9% at admission versus 46.9% at discharge (p=0.056); by the STOPP criteria was 20.6% at admission versus 13.8% at discharge (p=0.015). Moreover, 28.9% (STOPP criteria), 56.8% (Beers criteria) and 73.4% (Chinese criteria) of patients taking PIMs on admission still had the same problem at discharge. The most common PIMs screened by the Beers, STOPP and Chinese criteria were diuretics, benzodiazepines and clopidogrel, respectively. Besides, the three criteria showed poor agreement. Finally, the stronger predictor of PIMs was the increased number of medications (p < 0.05). The prevalence of PIMs in elderly patients admitted to the CICU was high. The Chinese, STOPP and Beers criteria are effective screening tools to detect PIMs, but the consistency between them was poor. The increased number of medications was a significant predictor of PIMs.

Drug Interactions With Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Older Adults Using Multiple Medications

This quality improvement study uses data from the MedSafer trial to evaluate drug-drug interactions between nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and maintenance medications to identify use of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults with polypharmacy.

Prescribing trends of proton pump inhibitors, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines of medicare part d providers

BackgroundProton pump inhibitors, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics are considered potentially inappropriate medications in older adults according to the American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria, and deprescribing algorithms have been developed to guide use of these drug classes. The objective of this study was to describe the number of beneficiaries prescribed these medications, provider specialty and regional trends in prescribing, and the aggregate costs for these claims in Medicare Part D.MethodsThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study using publicly available Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Part D Prescriber data for years 2013–2019. Descriptive statistics and the Cochrane-Armitage test were used to summarize the trends.ResultsOverall, 30.1%, 25.6%, 4.6% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries had a proton pump inhibitor, benzodiazepine, and antipsychotic claim in 2013, respectively. These rates decreased to 27.5%, 17.5%, 4.1% in 2019 (p-value < 0.0001). However, the number of standardized 30-day claims increased from 63 million in 2013 to 84 million in 2019 for proton pump inhibitors, remained steady for benzodiazepines and slightly increased (10 million to 13 million) for antipsychotics. Total aggregate costs decreased by almost $1.5 billion for proton pump inhibitor, $100 million for benzodiazepine, and $700 million for antipsychotic from 2013 to 2019 (p-value < 0.0001). Almost 93% of gastroenterologists prescribed a proton pump inhibitor, and 60% of psychiatrists prescribed benzodiazepines and antipsychotics all seven years. The Other region had the highest percentage of providers prescribing all three classes and the highest number of standardized 30-day benzodiazepine claims.ConclusionsThe overall rate of use of proton pump inhibitors, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics decreased from 2013–2019 among Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Despite the increase in raw number of standardized 30-day claims, the costs decreased which is likely due to generics made available. These prescribing trends may aid in identifying and targeting potential deprescribing interventions.

Number-dependent association of potentially inappropriate medications with clinical outcomes and expenditures among community-dwelling older adults: A population-based cohort study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prescribing and its number-dependent association (PIM = 1, 2, ≥3) with all-cause hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and medication expenditures in Beijing, China. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted to analyse PIM prescribing in community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years within the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Database (data from July to September 2016). The prevalence of PIMs was estimated based on the 2015 Beers Criteria. Logistic models were utilized to investigate the associations between PIM use and all-cause hospitalizations and ED visits. Generalized linear models with the logic link and gamma distribution were used to analyse associations between PIM use and medication expenditures. Among the 506 214 older adults, the prevalence of PIM was 38.07%. After adjusting for covariables, prescribing two and three or more PIMs was associated with increased risks of hospitalizations (PIM = 2: odds ratio [OR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-1.47; PIM ≥ 3: OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.32-1.63) and ED visits (PIM = 2: OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.12-1.48; PIM ≥ 3: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04-1.44). Exposures to two and three or more PIMs were associated with higher medication expenditures for inpatient visits (PIM = 2: incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16; PIM ≥ 3: IRR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28). Vasodilators were the most frequent PIM prescribing group among patients who were hospitalized or had to visit the ED. PIMs were prescribed at a high rate among community-dwelling older adults in Beijing. Two or more PIMs were associated with increased risks of hospitalizations, ED visits, and increased inpatient medication expenditures. Effective interventions are needed to target unnecessary and inappropriate medications in older adults.

Intervention Design With Cognitively Impaired Populations: The Optimize Deprescribing Intervention

Older adults with cognitive impairment and multiple other chronic conditions often have polypharmacy which increases their risks of medication related cognitive effects, adverse drug events, hospitalization and death and leads to higher health care costs. Deprescribing, the process of reducing or stopping potentially inappropriate medications may improve outcomes for those older adults with cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions. The OPTIMIZE trial examined whether a primary care-based, patient- and family-centered intervention educating and activating patients, family members, and clinicians about deprescribing reduces numbers of chronic medications and potentially inappropriate medications for older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions. We explored the mechanisms of intervention effectiveness through post hoc qualitative stakeholder interviews and surveys with 15 patients, 7 family caregivers, and 28 clinicians. All stakeholder groups endorsed the acceptability of the intervention. Success of the intervention was affected by contextual factors including prior knowledge and openness to deprescribing, cognition and prognosis. Positive outcomes included patients and care partners scheduling specific appointments to discuss deprescribing and providers remembering to consider deprescribing in cognitively impaired older adults. Recollection of intervention materials was inconsistent over time but highest shortly after intervention delivery. The time required to mail intervention materials to patients prior to a scheduled appointment limited the reach of the intervention by excluding persons with rapidly scheduled appointments. Our work identifies key learnings in intervention roll out which can guide future translation of our intervention to other settings and other pragmatic intervention studies in this vulnerable population.

173 SYSTEMATIC REVIEW-BASED FINDINGS TO GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT AND REPORTING OF CONSENSUS-BASED CRITERIA FOR INAPPROPRIATE PRESCRIBING IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Background Formal consensus development methods are widely employed to develop inappropriate medication assessment criteria for older adults. However, standards for conducting and reporting these methods are lacking. This study aims to summarise findings on consensus attainment across published explicit criteria. Methods A systematic literature review of criteria for assessing inappropriate medications in older adults was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and Scopus (1991 to 2020). Search terms pertained to the concepts of inappropriate prescribing, criteria development/validation, and older patients (aged 65 years or more). Articles were included for the current subanalysis if they represented a consensus based explicit list, assessing appropriateness of medications in older adults. Results From 73 tools identified in the systematic review, 58 tools (79%) had been developed and/or validated by formal consensus methods. 51 criteria sets were reported as having been developed using Delphi (n = 30) and modified Delphi (n = 21) methods. However, most (29/30) of the reported Delphi methodologies had actually been modified by introducing an initial literature-based questionnaire. The criteria for achieving consensus between experts were pre-specified for 42 criteria sets, while the remainder did not report or prespecify consensus definitions. Where available, consensus definitions varied considerably. Arbitrary levels of proximity to a central tendency (e.g. mean +/− 95% confidence interval, median +/− interquartile range) defined consensus in 22 criteria. Seven more criteria followed the RAND/UCLA consensus definition (i.e. three-point region containing the median) (1). Only one set addressed consistency of agreement between rounds. Likert scales or categories for ranking ranged from three-point to 100-point scales. Conclusion The development and reporting of formal consensus-based criteria varies substantially, particularly in distinguishing between Delphi methods and their modifications. This highlights the need for standards for conducting and reporting consensus attainment. 1. Fitch K, Bernstein SJ, Aguilar MD, et al. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User’s Manual: RAND Corporation, 2001.

Potentially inappropriate medications in older adults according to Beers criteria 2019: Prevalence and risk factors.

Older patients are more prone to receive potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) that are better to be avoided or dose adjusted to protect them from their unnecessary or harmful use. This study aims to detect the prevalence of PIMs among older patients discharged from Tawam hospital according to Beers criteria 2019. Moreover, the common risk factors of the older patients may subject them to PIMs use. A retrospective charts review study of older patients ≥65years who were prescribed 5 or more medications and were discharged from Tawam hospital from 1 October 2018 to 31 December 2018. Each patient's medical record was scanned to detect PIMs. (PIMs) were classified according to Beers criteria 2019, and the predictors of PIMs were also assessed. A total of 502 older patients (51.6% females and 48.4% males) medical charts were reviewed. The prevalence of PIMs among the study population was 34.7%. Antipsychotics (27.5%) and sulphonylurea's (16.8%) were among the most common avoided PIMs. Anticoagulants (40%) and ranitidine (35%) were the most PIMs based on the kidney function of the patient. Female gender [OR 1.8; 95% CI (1.22-2.66), P<.05] and increasing number of medications [OR 1.08; 95% CI (1.03-1.14), P<.05] were the independent predictors of PIMs. Based on the prevalence of PIMs among older patients, it is recommended to revise each patient's medications prescription to avoid inappropriate prescribing and hence decrease the prevalence of PIMs.