Polypharmacy and medication regimen complexity in older patients with hemophilia or von willebrand disease: the M'HEMORRH-AGE study.

BACKGROUND: In older patients, multiple chronic conditions lead topolypharmacy which is associated with a higher risk of adverse drug events. Nowadays, the medication exposure of older patients with bleeding disorders has been poorly explored. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy and the medication regimen complexity in older community-dwelling patients with hemophilia or von Willebrand Disease (VWD). METHOD: The M'HEMORRH-AGE study (Medication in AGEd patients with HEMORRHagic disease) is a multicenter prospective observational study. Community-dwelling patients over 65 years with hemophilia or VWD were included in the study. The rate of polypharmacy (use of 5 to 9 drugs daily) and excessive polypharmacy (use of 10 or more medications daily) was assessed. The complexity of prescribed medication regimens was assessed using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). RESULTS: Overall, 142 older community-dwelling patients with hemophilia (n = 89) or VWD (n = 53) were included (mean age: 72.8 (5.8) years). Prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were 40.8% and 17.6%, respectively. The mean MRCI score was 16.9 (6.1). The mean MRCI score related to bleeding disorders medications was 6.9 (1.1). There was no significant difference between older hemophilia patients and VWD patients. CONCLUSION: The M'HEMORRH-AGE study showed that more than half of older community-dwelling patients were affected by polypharmacy. In addition, the high medication regimen complexity in this older population suggests that interventions focusing on medication review and deprescribing should be conducted to reduce polypharmacy with its negative health-related outcomes.

Potentially inappropriate medications and anticholinergic and sedative burden in older patients with haemophilia or von Willebrand disease: The M'HEMORRH-AGE study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: In older patients, multiple chronic conditions lead to the intake of multiple medications and a higher risk of adverse drug events. The exposure to inappropriate medications in older patients with bleeding disorders is poorly explored. The aim of this study was to describe the exposure to potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and medications with anticholinergic and sedative properties in older community-dwelling patients with haemophilia or von Willebrand Disease (VWD). METHODS: The M'HEMORRH-AGE study (Medication in AGEd patients with HAEMORRHagic disease) is a multicentre prospective observational study. Community-dwelling patients over 65 years with haemophilia or VWD were included in the study. PIMs were identified using the EU(7)-PIM list, and the anticholinergic and sedative drug exposure was measured using the Drug Burden Index. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 142 older community-dwelling patients with haemophilia (n = 89) or VWD (n = 53) were included (mean age: 72.8 ± 5.8 years). PIMs were used by 45.8% of older patients and were mainly represented by cardiovascular (34.9%), nervous systems (26.7%) and alimentary tract and metabolism PIMs (25.6%). Regarding anticholinergic and/or sedative medications, 37.3% of older patients were exposed mainly due to nervous system medications (68.3%), for example analgesics. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The M'HEMORRH-AGE study showed the exposure to PIMs and anticholinergic/sedative medications was high in older community-dwelling patients with haemophilia or VWD. Interventions focusing on deprescription of these inappropriate medications should be conducted in this specific population.