People-centered care and patients' beliefs about medicines and adherence: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: People-centered care (PCC) strategies are believed to improve overall health outcomes. Medicines use is essential for the treatment of many patients with chronic conditions. Non-adherence rates are high and result in poor health outcomes, and increased healthcare utilization and costs. This study aimed to explore the relationship between PCC and adherence to medicines for persons with chronic medicines use, as well as the extent to which patients' beliefs about medicines are influenced by their level of perceived PCC. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was performed with adults using at least 3 chronic medicines per day. To measure the degree of medicines adherence, patients' ideas about medication, and PCC, four validated questionnaires were used: The Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), Beliefs about medicines questionnaire (BMQ), Client-Centered Care Questionnaire (CCCQ) and the Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9). Socio-demographics, health status, and drug-related burden were questioned as potential factors to impact the relationship between PCC and adherence. Results: A sample of 459 persons participated. The mean score on the CCCQ (adjusted to pharmacotherapy) was 52.7 on 75 (sd = 8.83, range [18-70]). The top 20% scored 60 or more, the 20% lowest scores were 46 or less. Adherence levels were high, with a mean score of 22.6 on 25 on the MARS-5, and 88% scoring 20 or more. An increase in PCC corresponded to a higher chance of medicines adherence (OR 1.07, 95%CI [1.02-1.12]), corrected for age, the burden due to chronic diseases, the impact of side effects on daily life, and participants' beliefs about medicines. PCC showed positive correlations with the necessity of medicines use (r = 0.1, p = 0.016) and the balance between necessity and concerns (r = 0.3, p < 0.001); and negative correlations with levels of concerns (r = -0.3, p < 0.001) and scores on harmfulness (r = -0.3, p < 0.001) and overuse of medicines (r = -0.4, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with chronic medicine use perceived an average high level of people-centeredness in the pharmaceutical care they received. This PCC was weakly positively associated with adherence to their medicines. The higher PCC was evaluated, the more patients believed in the necessity of the medicines use and the better the balance between necessity and concerns. The people-centeredness of pharmaceutical care showed several shortcomings and can still be improved. As such, healthcare providers are advised to actively engage in PCC, and not to wait passively for information provided by the patient.

Efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of the OptiMEDs tool for multidisciplinary medication review in nursing homes.

AIM(S): Exploring efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a complex multifaced intervention (OptiMEDs) supporting multidisciplinary medication reviews in Belgian nursing homes (NHs). METHODS: A pilot study in 2 intervention, 1 control NH was held, involving dementia and non-dementia NH residents (>65 years). OptiMEDs provided automated assessment of possible inappropriate medications (PIMs) and patient-specific nurse observation lists of potential side-effects. Medication changes were evaluated one month after the medication review. Feasibility and acceptability was collected via surveys among the health-care professionals. Trial registration NCT04142645, 31/10/2019. RESULTS: Participants (n = 148, n = 100 in the intervention NHs) had a mean age of 87.2 years, with 75.0% females and 49.3% non-dementia patients. Prevalence of PIM use was 84.7% and of potential medication side-effects 84.5%, (range 1-19 per resident). One month after the intervention, the medication use decreased in 35.8% and PIM use in 25.9% of surviving intervention NHresidents (n = 88). GPs changed more medications when side-effects were observed (42% when side-effects present versus 12% when no side-effects, p = 0.019). Median workload for nurses was 45 min, 20 for pharmacists, and 8 for GPs. User satisfaction for the OptiMEDs tool was high (n = 33, median score of 8, IQR 6 -8), with GPs (n = 19) showing the highest appreciation. Nurses (n = 9) reported a median score on the System Usability Scale of 70 (IQR 55 - 72), with lower scores for learnability aspects. CONCLUSION: The OptiMEDs intervention was feasible and user-friendly, showing decreases in the medication and PIM use; without affecting patient safety. A cluster-randomized trial is needed to explore impact on patient-related outcomes.

Neuroimaging Biomarkers and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Pediatric Medulloblastoma Patients: a Systematic Review.

Medulloblastoma is a malign posterior fossa brain tumor, mostly occurring in childhood. The CNS-directed chemoradiotherapy treatment can be very harmful to the developing brain and functional outcomes of these patients. However, what the underlying neurotoxic mechanisms are remain inconclusive. Hence, this review summarizes the existing literature on the association between advanced neuroimaging and neurocognitive changes in patients that were treated for pediatric medulloblastoma. The PubMed/Medline database was extensively screened for studies investigating the link between cognitive outcomes and multimodal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in childhood medulloblastoma survivors. A behavioral meta-analysis was performed on the available IQ scores. A total of 649 studies were screened, of which 22 studies were included. Based on this literature review, we conclude medulloblastoma patients to be at risk for white matter volume loss, more frequent white matter lesions, and changes in white matter microstructure. Such microstructural alterations were associated with lower IQ, which reached the clinical cut-off in survivors across studies. Using functional MR scans, changes in activity were observed in cerebellar areas, associated with working memory and processing speed. Finally, cerebral microbleeds were encountered more often, but these were not associated with cognitive outcomes. Regarding intervention studies, computerized cognitive training was associated with changes in prefrontal and cerebellar activation and physical training might result in microstructural and cortical alterations. Hence, to better define the neural targets for interventions in pediatric medulloblastoma patients, this review suggests working towards neuroimaging-based predictions of cognitive outcomes. To reach this goal, large multimodal prospective imaging studies are highly recommended.

Reducing Psychotropic Drug Use in Nursing Homes in Belgium: An Implementation Study for the Roll-Out of a Practice Improvement Initiative.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Psychotropic drug use is high in nursing homes in Belgium. A practice improvement initiative (including education, professional support and the transition towards person-centred care) achieved significant reductions in psychotropic drug use. The initiative outline was transcribed into a general intervention template, and consequently implemented in five nursing homes (in mixed locations and with a mixed character) in preparation for a future broader roll-out in Belgium. The impact of the intervention on the use of psychotropic drugs in these five nursing homes is reported in this paper. METHODS: The general intervention template was fitted into the individual nursing home setting. Education for the nursing home personnel on psychotropic drugs and non-pharmacological alternatives, as well as details for a transition to person-centred care was provided. Psychotropic drug use was recorded using a dynamic cohort study design with cross-sectional observations (November 2016-November 2017). RESULTS: At baseline, participants' (n = 677) mean age was 85.6 years (range 54-109 years), with 72.6% female. Mean medication intake was 8.5 (range 1-22), predominantly central nervous system drugs (Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification N, 88.8%). Long-term (> 3 months) psychotropic drug use (62.0%) and concomitant psychotropic drug use (31.5% taking two or more medications) were high. After 12 months, the prevalence of long-term psychotropic drug use decreased significantly (from 62.0 to 52.9%, p < 0.001), likewise the combined use of psychotropic drugs (from 31.5 to 24.0%, p = 0.001). The decrease in the prevalence of antidepressant and hypnosedative use was significant (respectively, from 32.2 to 23.4%, p < 0.001, and from 35.3 to 28.7%, p = 0.006) in contrast to antipsychotic use (from 17.1 to 15.9%, p = 0.522). CONCLUSIONS: The stand-alone adaptation of the previously reported initiative using a general template was possible. This intervention resulted in a significant decrease in psychotropic drug use (predominantly hypnosedatives and antidepressants) among nursing home residents after 12 months.

European repository of explicit criteria of potentially inappropriate medications in old age.

AIM: Lack of electronic assessment of medication lists in electronic health records is a barrier for more generalized use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) lists, designed for older adults. The aim was to construct a European repository of explicit criteria on PIM, suitable for electronic assessment. METHODS: PIM description, medication information, clinical information and level of evidence was entered. Criteria with unclear medication specifications were excluded. Too complex criteria were divided for more operable use. RESULTS: We selected three lists: the European Union (7)-PIM (2015), STOPP/START (2014) and Beers criteria (2015). After exclusion and division, from 641 original criteria of the three PIM-lists, a total of 650 criteria were entered (n = 282 from European Union (7)-PIM, n = 201 from Beers and n = 167 from the STOPP/START list). Identification of the medication was possible with the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System for practically all criteria, except for 23 (3.5%). From all criteria, 63.9% required only medication-related information. In 55.7% of the criteria, identification of the active substance(s) was the only medication data requirement and 8.2% required additional information (dose, duration, route of administration). From all criteria, 36.1% required clinical information, from which 17.8% requested disease information only, and 18.3% required additional information (indication, history of diseases, laboratory results or severity of diseases). CONCLUSIONS: It was feasible to enter most of the original criteria of the three PIM lists into a repository of electronically applicable criteria. In the future, developers of new PIM lists should take into account semantic interoperability and consider the suitability of the criteria for electronic use. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1293-1297.

Medication use in a cohort of newly admitted nursing home residents (Ageing@NH) in relation to evolving physical and mental health.

BACKGROUND: Medication use is high among nursing home (NH) residents, but there is a lack of longitudinal studies, determining medication use at admission and its evolution over time. AIM: Describing the evolution of the medication use two years after entering a NH, compared to the baseline observations and exploring the relation to the physical and mental health. METHODS: Data from the observational prospective Ageing@NH study, based on an inception cohort of newly admitted residents at NHs (65+) was used, selecting those consenting and with medication chart available. Information about socio-demographic, functional and mental characteristics, as well as medication use, was collected at baseline, year 1 and year 2. RESULTS: Medication chart was available for n = 741 at baseline (mean age 83.8, 66% female), and for n = 342 residents in year 2. The mean number of total medications increased from 8.9 to 10.1 (p-value < 0.001). Polypharmacy was high, with an increase in extreme polypharmacy from 23% to 32%. The biggest increase was noted in the respiratory (from 17% to 27%) and alimentary medications (from 80% to 87%). Cardiovascular medication use in year 2, was lower in those with stable high dependency (77%) and those evolving from low to high dependency (79%), than those with stable low dependency (89%) (p < 0.025). For residents with or evolving to dementia symptoms, decline in most medication groups was observed, especially in pain and sleeping medications, while antipsychotics use increased. CONCLUSION: Although medication use was high, signs of deprescribing were noted when the physical and mental health of the residents declined.

[A qualitative exploration of the chronic use of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes]. / Een kwalitatieve exploratie van het chronisch gebruik van psychofarmaca in woonzorgcentra.

BACKGROUND: Although guidelines put forward non-pharmacological therapies and advise against the chronic use of psychotropic drugs, these are still being prescribed regularly in Belgian nursing homes. GOAL: To explore the reasons for initiation, continuation and cessation of psychotropic drug treatment of elderly with dementia and behavioral problems, residing in the nursing home. METHOD: Twenty-seven interviews from an earlier project were used, in which a semi-structured interview was conducted with the nursing staff, the physicians and the caretakers of eleven randomly selected residents from three nursing homes. A qualitative analysis was performed by three independent researchers according to 'The Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven (QUAGOL)'. A first analysis focused on the process of initiation, continuation and cessation of medication. A second analysis compared the different participants of each interview and looked for similarities and differences. RESULTS: Seventeen codes were developed for four themes: (1) To initiate, to continue or to cease?; (2) Behavior; (3) Therapy; and (4) Alternatives. The reasons for initiating psychotropic drugs were reducing disruptive behavior and improving the quality of life of the resident. A comparison between the interviewed showed that psychotropic drugs were initiated at the request of the nursing staff. Neither doctors nor nurses considered the monitoring of the drug therapy their task, and tended to pass on this responsibility. Once psychotropic drugs were started, the treatment was chronic but remained part of a dynamic process in which a balance was sought between benefits and adverse effects. More insights into the behavior of the resident led to a better treatment of the behavioral problems. CONCLUSION: Nurses play an important role in the initiation and continuation of psychotropic drugs. Physicians should take a more active role in the process of indication and monitoring of psychopharmaceuticals. Discontinuation of psychotropic drugs and the use of non-pharmacological alternatives are important bottlenecks in nursing homes. Education and training, updated practice guidelines, appropriate research, professionalization and management elements can, in a complex interaction, change this situation for the better.

A quality improvement initiative on the use of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes in Flanders.

INTRODUCTION: Government-funded quality improvement projects aimed to reduce the high psychotropic medication use in Belgian long-term care settings. DESIGN: A pilot project (2013-2014) with a pre-post and follow-up intervention design. METHODS: Two nursing homes received three educational courses. In the intervention nursing home (INH) additionally, a transition towards person-centred care through professional support was applied. Drug use was recorded at baseline, after 10 months (post) and after 22 months (follow-up), and coded into the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. RESULTS: At baseline, the INH residents' (n = 118) mean age at baseline was 82 years, with 71% females. The control nursing home residents' (CNH, n = 275) mean age was 82.7 years, with 75% females. At baseline, mean drug use was 9 (range 1-21) and 8 (range 0-20), predominantly with a high proportion of psychotropic drug users of 73 and 65%, in INH and CNH respectively. At the time of post-measurement, only the proportion of hypno-sedative users decreased significantly in the INH (by 13%, p = 0.048). No significant changes were found in the CNH. At time of the follow-up, the proportion of hypno-sedative (51% vs. 31%; p = 0.005) and antidepressant users (42% vs. 25%, p = 0.007) decreased significantly in the INH. The decrease of antipsychotic drug users was less distinct. In the CNH, the proportion of hypno-sedative, antidepressant and overall psychotropic drug users did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: This quality improvement initiative led to a significant decrease in the use of psychotropic drugs in the INH, even after 1-year follow-up. Education only had a limited effect.

A Novel Scale Linking Potency and Dosage to Estimate Anticholinergic Exposure in Older Adults: the Muscarinic Acetylcholinergic Receptor ANTagonist Exposure Scale.

Quantification of the anticholinergic exposure insufficiently or imprecisely incorporates dosage information, leading to inaccurate estimations. The aim was to construct a novel scale, including potency and dosage for the quantification of the anticholinergic exposure in older adults. Potency information was retrieved from a previous systematic review. The dosage range for each drug was delineated in minimal, maintenance and maximal dosage for adults and older adults. Dosage information was collected from authoritative sources and reviewed in an expert panel. The Muscarinic Acetylcholinergic Receptor ANTagonist Exposure (MARANTE) scale was tested for clinimetric properties using cohorts of community-dwelling older adults and nursing home residents. After three data collection rounds, data for the dosage ranges remained incomplete for 32 active substances. Remaining gaps were filled in, and 11 dosage adjustments were proposed during the expert panel meeting. We chose the values {0; 1; 2) for the categories of potency and {0; 0.5; 1; 1.5; 2) for the levels of dosage ranges, showing good clinimetric properties. Forty-one anticholinergic drugs were prescribed in the two cohorts. Most (61%) were low potency anticholinergics and used for depression (19%, e.g. citalopram). There were 31.8% (median MARANTE 1.5, IQR 1.5-2.5) and 37.6% (median 2, IQR 1.5-2.5) anticholinergic users in the community-dwelling cohort and nursing home cohort, respectively. The MARANTE scale combines potency with the dosage spectrum, to quantify the anticholinergic exposure in older adults. An open feedback system on the list of anticholinergic and proposed anticholinergic potency and dosage values is advised.

Anticholinergic Exposure in a Cohort of Adults Aged 80 years and Over: Associations of the MARANTE Scale with Mortality and Hospitalization.

Anticholinergics are frequently prescribed for older adults and can lead to adverse drug events. The novel MARANTE (Muscarinic Acetylcholinergic Receptor ANTagonist Exposure) scale measures the anticholinergic exposure by incorporating potency and dosages of each medication into its calculations. The aims were to assess prevalence and intensity of the anticholinergic exposure in a longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling patients aged 80 years and over (n = 503) and to study the impact on mortality and hospitalization. Chronic medication use at baseline (November 2008-September 2009) was entered and codified with the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Time-to-event analysis until first hospitalization or death was performed at 18 months after inclusion, using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox regression was performed to control for covariates. Mean age was 84 years (range 80-102), and mean number of medications was 5 (range 0-16). Prevalence of anticholinergic use was 31.8%, with 9% taking ≥2 anticholinergics (range 0-4). Main indications for anticholinergics were depression, pain and gastric dysfunction. Female gender, the level of multi-morbidity and the number of medications were associated with anticholinergic use. Mortality and hospitalization rate were 8.9% and 31.0%, respectively. After adjustment for the level of multi-morbidity and medication intake, multi-variable analysis showed increased risks of mortality (HR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.07-4.78) and hospitalization (HR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.13-2.59) in those with high anticholinergic exposure. The longitudinal study among Belgian community-dwelling oldest old demonstrated great anticholinergic exposure, which was associated with increased risk of mortality and hospitalization after 18 months.

Too many, too few, or too unsafe? Impact of inappropriate prescribing on mortality, and hospitalization in a cohort of community-dwelling oldest old.

AIMS: Little is known about the impact of inappropriate prescribing (IP) in community-dwelling adults, aged 80 years and older. The prevalence at baseline (November 2008September 2009) and impact of IP (misuse and underuse) after 18 months on mortality and hospitalization in a cohort of community-dwelling adults, aged 80 years and older (n = 503) was studied. METHODS: Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions (STOPP-2, misuse) and Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START-2, underuse) criteria were cross-referenced and linked to the medication use (in Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical coding) and clinical problems. Survival analysis until death or first hospitalization was performed at 18 months after inclusion using Kaplan-Meier, with Cox regression to control for covariates. RESULTS: Mean age was 84.4 (range 80-102) years. Mean number of medications prescribed was 5 (range 0-16). Polypharmacy (≥5 medications, 58%), underuse (67%) and misuse (56%) were high. Underuse and misuse coexisted in 40% and were absent in 17% of the population. A higher number of prescribed medications was correlated with more misused medications (rs  = .51, P < 0.001) and underused medications (rs  = .26, P < 0.001). Mortality and hospitalization rate were 8.9%, and 31.0%, respectively. After adjustment for number of medications and misused medications, there was an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10, 1.76) and hospitalization (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10, 1.45) for every additional underused medication. Associations with misuse were less clear. CONCLUSION: IP (polypharmacy, underuse and misuse) was highly prevalent in adults, aged 80 years and older. Surprisingly, underuse and not misuse had strong associations with mortality and hospitalization.

Polypharmacy in a Belgian cohort of community-dwelling oldest old (80+).

OBJECTIVES: Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older people (65+), but little is known on the medication use of the oldest old (80+). This study explores the medication use of the Belgian community-dwelling oldest old in relation to their demographic, clinical and functional characteristics. METHODS: Baseline data was used from the BELFRAIL study; a prospective, observational population-based cohort of Belgian community-dwelling patients (80+). General practitioners recorded clinical problems and medications. Medications were coded by the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification. RESULTS: Participants' (n = 503) mean age was 84.4 years (range 80-102) and 61.2% was female. Median chronic medication use was 5 (range 0-16). Polypharmacy (≥5 medications) was high (57.7%), with excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) in 9.1%. Most commonly used medication group were antithrombotics, but also benzodiazepines and antidepressants were frequently consumed. Demographics related to polypharmacy (univariate analysis) were female gender, low education and moderate alcohol use. Age, care dependency and cognitive impairment showed no association with polypharmacy. In multivariate analysis, the predominant association with polypharmacy was found for multimorbidity (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.5-2.1), followed by depression (OR 3.7, 95% CI 4.4-9.7) and physical activity (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy was high among Belgian community-dwelling oldest old (80+). Determinants of polypharmacy were interrelated, but dominated by multimorbidity. On top of the burden of multimorbidity, polypharmacy was independently associated with less physical activity, and with depressive symptoms.

Mortality, hospitalisation, institutionalisation in community-dwelling oldest old: The impact of medication.

BACKGROUND: High drug use and associated adverse outcomes are common in older adults. This study investigates association of medication use with mortality, hospitalisation, and institutionalisation in a cohort of community-dwelling oldest old (aged 80 and over). METHODS: Baseline data included socio-demographic, clinical, and functional characteristics, and prescribed medications. Medications were coded by the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification. Survival analysis was performed at 18 months after inclusion using Kaplan-Meier, and multivariate analysis with Cox regression to control for covariates. RESULTS: Patients' (n=503) mean age was 84.4 years (range 80-102), and 61.2% was female. The median medication use was 5 (0-16). The mortality, hospitalisation, and institutionalisation rate were 8.9%, 31.0%, and 6.4% respectively. The mortality and hospitalisation group had a higher level of multimorbidity and weaker functional profile. Adjusted multivariate models showed an 11% increased hospitalisation rate for every additional medication taken. No association was found between high medication use and mortality, nor with institutionalisation. A higher association for mortality was observed among verapamil/diltiazem users, hospitalisation was higher among users of verapamil/diltiazem, loop diuretics and respiratory agents. Institutionalisation was higher among benzodiazepines users. CONCLUSION: In the community-dwelling oldest old (aged 80 and over), high medication was clearly associated with hospitalisation, independent of multimorbidity. The association with mortality was clear in univariate, but not in multivariate analysis. No association with institutionalisation was found. The appropriateness of the high medication use should be further studied in relation to mortality, hospitalisation, and institutionalisation for this specific age group.

The psychotropic education and knowledge test for nurses in nursing homes: striving for PEAK performance.

OBJECTIVES: The psychotropic education and knowledge test for nurses in acute geriatric care (PEAK-AC) measures knowledge of psychotropic indications, doses and adverse drug reactions in older inpatients. Given the low internal consistency and poor discrimination of certain items, this study aims to adapt the PEAK-AC, validate it in the nursing home setting and identify factors related to nurses' knowledge of psychotropics. METHOD: This study included nurses and nurse assistants employed by nursing homes (n = 13) and nursing students at educational institutions (n = 5) in Belgium. A Delphi technique was used to establish content validity, the known groups technique for construct validity (nrespondents = 550) and the test-retest procedure for reliability (nrespondents = 42). Internal consistency and item analysis were determined. RESULTS: The psychotropic education and knowledge test for nurses in nursing homes (PEAK-NH) (nitems = 19) demonstrated reliability (κ = 0.641) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.773). Significant differences between-group median scores were observed by function (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.019), educational background (p < 0.001), work experience (p = 0.008) and continuing education (p < 0.001) for depression, delirium and pharmacotherapy topics. Items were acceptably difficult (nitems = 15) and well-functioning discriminators (nitems = 17). Median PEAK-NH score was 9/19 points (interquartile range 6-11 points). Respondents' own estimated knowledge was related to their PEAK-NH performance (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The PEAK-NH is a valid and reliable instrument to measure nurses' knowledge of psychotropics. These results suggest that nurses have limited knowledge of psychotropic use in nursing homes and are aware of their knowledge deficits. The PEAK-NH enables educational initiatives to be targeted and their impact on nurses' knowledge to be tracked.