Clinical impact of an individualised clinical pharmacy programme into the memory care pathway of older people: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: In older patients, medication exposure [i.e. polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), medications with anticholinergic and/or sedative properties] is a modifiable risk factor associated with cognitive iatrogenic risk and dementia. AIM: To assess the potential clinical impact of the implementation of an individualised clinical pharmacy programme at the initiation of the Memory care pathway in older patients with a cognitive complaint. METHOD: This prospective observational study included older patients with high-risk of adverse drug event (HR) admitted in a French geriatric university hospital to explore the cognitive complaint or the cognitive disorder between January and November 2021. Drug-related problems (DRPs) were identified during a medication review performed in HR patients, and pharmaceutical interventions (PIs) notified in the patient's hospitalisation report were collected. The clinical impact of PIs was assessed by an expert panel (geriatricians and clinical pharmacists) using the Clinical, Economic, and Organisational (CLEO) tool. RESULTS: Overall, 326 patients were eligible and 207 (63.5%) were considered as HR patients. Among HR patients, 88.9% (n = 184) were treated using at least 5 medications (polypharmacy), and 36.7% (n = 76) received at least one PIM with cognitive iatrogenic risk. During the medication review, 490 PIs were provided and their clinical impact was rated as minor for 57.3% (n = 281), moderate for 26.7% (n = 131), and major for 2.5% (n = 12). CONCLUSION: The integration of clinical pharmacist secured the Memory care pathway of older patients with a cognitive complaint by identifying an important number of DRPs and PIMs with potential cognitive iatrogenic risk.

Medication exposure of the dyad patient-caregiver in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers can be defined as people with higher risk of developing medication-related problems due to aging and polypharmacy. AIM: To assess the medication exposure of patient with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers. METHOD: Ancillary cross-sectional study based on baseline medication data of the PHARMAID RCT. The PHARMAID study was a multi-center RCT assessing an integrated pharmaceutical care at a psychosocial program. Older outpatients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their older caregivers were eligible for inclusion. Baseline medication data were used to assess the medication exposure, illustrated by the number of medications, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using the EU(7)-PIM list and the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). RESULTS: Seventy-three dyads were included in this ancillary study. The mean numbers (SD) of medications used by patients was 6.8 (2.6) and by caregivers was 4.7 (3.7). Overall, 60.3% of patients used at least one PIM and 47.9% of caregivers. Regarding the medication regimen complexity, the mean MRCI was 16.3(8.1) for patients and 11.3(10.5) for caregivers. CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the relevance of carrying out medication review with patients, but also with their caregivers who can be considered as hidden patients.

Potentially inappropriate medications and anticholinergic and sedative burden in older community-dwelling patients with advanced chronic kidney disease

Objective: Regarding older patients, multiple chronic conditions lead to the intake of multiple medications, involving a higher risk of adverse drug events. In older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, the medication exposure was poorly explored. The aim of this study was to describe the use of potentially inappropriate medications and medications with anticholinergic and sedative properties in older community-dwelling patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Methods: An observational study was conducted in a geriatric day-care unit. All patients aged over 65 years with advanced chronic kidney disease, defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate < 20 mL/min/1.73 m2 or estimated glomerular filtration rate > 20 mL/min/1.73 m2 with rapid progression, and referred by nephrologist for pretransplant comprehensive geriatric assessment, were included in the study. Potentially inappropriate medications were identified using the EU(7)-PIM list, and he anticholinergic and sedative drug exposure was measured using the Drug Burden Index. Results: Overall, 139 patients were included in the study (mean age 74.4 ± 3.3 years, 32.4% females, 61.9% on dialysis). Potentially inappropriate medications were used by 74.1% (103/139) of patients and were mainly represented by proton pump inhibitors, alpha-1-blockers and central antihypertensive drugs. Regarding anticholinergic and / or sedative medications, 79.9% (111/139) of older patients were exposed. Conclusion: In older community-dwelling patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication exposure and anticholinergic and sedative exposure was high. Interventions focusing on deprescription of these inappropriate medications should be conducted in this specific population.

Objectif: Chez le patient âgé, la polypathologie est souvent associée à la prise de plusieurs médicaments, impliquant un risque élevé d'iatrogénie médicamenteuse. L'exposition médicamenteuse a été peu explorée chez les patients âgés atteints d'insuffisance rénale chronique. L'objectif de cette étude est de décrire l'exposition aux médicaments potentiellement inappropriés et aux médicaments présentant des propriétés anticholinergiques et sédatives chez ces patients. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude observationnelle conduite au sein d'un hôpital de jour gériatrique. Tous les patients âgés de plus de 65 ans avec une maladie rénale chronique avancée, définie par un débit de filtration glomérulaire estimé inférieur à 20 mL/min/1,73 m² ou supérieur à 20 mL/min/1,73 m² avec une progression rapide, et adressés par un néphrologue pour la réalisation d'une évaluation gériatrique standardisée pré-transplantation rénale, ont été inclus dans l'étude. Les médicaments potentiellement inappropriés ont été identifiés à partir de la liste EU(7)-PIM, et l'exposition aux médicaments anticholinergiques et sédatifs a été mesurée à partir du Drug Burden Index. Résultats: Un total de 139 patients a été inclus dans l'étude (74,4 ± 3,3 ans, 32,4 % de femmes, 61,9 % dialysés). Des médicaments potentiellement inappropriés ont été retrouvés chez 74,1 % (103/139) des patients. Ils étaient principalement représentés par les inhibiteurs de la pompe à protons, les alpha-1-bloquants et les antihypertenseurs centraux. Concernant les médicaments anticholinergiques et/ou sédatifs, 79,9 % (111/139) des patients âgés étaient exposés. Conclusion: L'étude montre que la prévalence de l'exposition aux médicaments potentiellement inappropriés et aux médicaments anticholinergiques et/ou sédatifs est élevée chez les patients âgés atteints de maladie rénale chronique avancée. Des interventions portant sur la déprescription de ces médicaments devraient être menées auprès de cette population spécifique.

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.

Implementation assessment of a patient personalized clinical pharmacy programme (5P project) into orthogeriatric care pathway.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The orthogeriatric path (hip-fractured elderly patients) is composed of several transition points (emergency surgery, orthopaedic, geriatric and rehabilitation units). The intervention of clinical pharmacists can ensure the continuity of patients' drug management during their hospital stay. The aim of the study was to assess the implementation of clinical pharmacy activities in an orthogeriatric pathway, regarding its impact on medication error prevention, the healthcare professionals' and patients' satisfaction, and the estimated associated pharmaceutical workload. METHODS: Participants were aged 75 or older and managed for proximal femoral fracture. Their admission prescription was reviewed. If they were evaluated at high risk of adverse event (AE), medication reconciliation (MedRec) and pharmaceutical interviews (admission, discharge, and targeted on oral anticoagulant) were added at different steps of their care pathway. The achievement and duration of each clinical pharmacy activity were recorded. The number of pharmaceutical interventions (PI) made during prescription review, and unintentional discrepancies (UID) identified during MedRec were collected. A satisfaction questionnaire was sent to patients and healthcare professionals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Among 455 included patients, 284 patients were considered at high risk of AE. Clinical pharmacy activity achievement rates varied between 12% and 98%. A total of 622 PI and 333 UID were identified. The overall patients' and healthcare professionals' satisfaction was rated from 63% to 100%. The total workload was estimated at 376 h: on average 16 min per prescription review, 43 min per admission MedRec, 26 min per discharge MedRec and 17 to 25 minutes per interview. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the programme showed a high potential of drug management securing. To sustain it, additional pharmaceutical human resources and high-performance computing tools are needed.

How a Patient Personalised Clinical Pharmacy Programme Can Secure Therapeutic Care in an Orthogeriatric Care Pathway (5P Project)?

BACKGROUND: A new model was developed for integrating a personalised clinical pharmacy programme (5P project) into the orthogeriatric care pathway. OBJECTIVE: To secure the therapeutic care of orthogeriatric patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective descriptive study in a multisite teaching hospital from June 2019 to January 2020. SUBJECTS: Patients aged ≥75 years admitted for hip fracture. METHODS: A prescription review was performed for all patients at inclusion. Other clinical pharmacy activities (additional prescription review, pharmaceutical interviews, medication reconciliation) were dedicated to "high-risk" patients. Potential medication errors (ME), either pharmaceutical interventions (PI) or unintentional discrepancies (UID), were recorded. The potential clinical impact of PI was evaluated by a pluriprofessional expert panel using a validated tool. RESULTS: In the 455 patients included, 955 potential ME were detected, that is ≥1 potential ME for 324/455 (71%) patients. In acute care, 561 PI were formulated during prescription review for 440/455 (97%) patients and 348/561 (62%) were accepted by physicians. Medication reconciliation was performed for 213 patients, 316 UID were identified. In rehabilitation units, a second prescription review was performed for 112/122 (92%) "high-risk" patients, leading to 61 PI. The clinical impact was evaluated for 519/622 (83%) PI. A consensus was obtained for 310/519 (60%) PI: 147/310 (47%) were rated as having minor clinical impact, 138/310 (45%) moderate, 22/310 (7%) major, 2/310 (0.6%) vital, and 1/310 (0.3%) null. CONCLUSION: The 5P project secured the orthogeriatric care pathway by detecting a great number of potential ME, including PI mostly considered as having a significant clinical impact.

Pretransplant Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: In older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), the decision of kidney transplantation (KT) is a challenge for nephrologists. The use of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is increasingly gaining interest into the process of decision-making about treatment modality choice for CKD. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of geriatric impairment and frailty in older dialysis and nondialysis patients with advanced CKD using a pretransplant CGA model and to identify geriatric impairments influencing the geriatricians' recommendations for KT. METHODS: An observational study was conducted with retrospective data from July 2017 to January 2020. Patients aged ≥65 years with advanced CKD, treated or not with dialysis, and referred by the nephrologist were included in the study. The CGA assessed comorbidity burden, cognition, mood, nutritional status, (instrumental) activities of daily living, physical function, frailty, and polypharmacy. Geriatric impairments influencing the geriatricians' recommendations for KT were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. RESULTS: 156 patients were included (74.2 ± 3.5 years and 62.2% on dialysis). Geriatric conditions were highly prevalent in both dialysis and nondialysis groups. The rate of geriatric impairments was higher in dialysis patients regarding comorbidity burden, symptoms of depression, physical function, autonomy, and frailty. Geriatrician's recommendations for KT were as follows: favorable (79.5%) versus not favorable or multidisciplinary discussion needed with nephrologists (20.5%). Dependence for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) (odds ratio [OR] = 3.01 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-7.31), physical functions (OR = 2.91 and 95% CI = 1.08-7.87), and frailty (OR = 2.66 and 95% CI = 1.07-6.65) were found to be independent geriatric impairments influencing geriatrician's recommendations for KT. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the burden of geriatric impairment provides an opportunity to direct KT decision-making and to guide interventions to prevent functional decline and preserve quality of life.

Medication exposure and frailty in older community-dwelling patients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective To investigate the association between the medication exposure, measured by the polypharmacy/excessive polypharmacy and the anticholinergic and/or sedative drug exposure, on frailty status among French older community-dwelling patients. Setting day-care unit in France (Lyon), with retrospective data from July, 2017 to March, 2018. Method This monocentric cross-sectional study included community-dwelling patients aged 65 years and over and admitted at the day-care unit for a geriatric evaluation. Frailty was assessed according to the frailty phenotype, described by Fried et al. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were defined as the concomitant use of 5-9 and 10 or more drugs, respectively. The cumulative anticholinergic and sedative exposure was measured using the drug burden index (DBI). The DBI score was presented in 4 differentiated scores: a null score (DBI = 0), a combined score (anticholinergic and sedative score), an anticholinergic score, and a sedative score. The association between medication and frailty was assessed by logistic regression models controlled for multiple potential confounders. Main outcome measure Association between medication exposure (polypharmacy, anticholinergic and sedative exposure) and frailty. Results In this study, 403 patients were included: 44.7% were frail and 40.7% were pre-frail. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy affected 44.7% and 17.1% of the population respectively. The mean DBI was 0.33 ± 0.43, with 16.4% of patients with only sedative exposure, 9.7% with only anticholinergic exposure and 33.0% with both exposures. After adjustment, polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were associated with frailty with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 2.18 (1.03-4.22) and 2.72 (1.01-7.37) respectively. The cumulative exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs (combined score) was significantly associated to an increased risk for frailty with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 3.54 (1.47-8.57). Conclusion The study showed that polypharmacy and cumulative anticholinergic and sedative exposure are associated with frailty. Further research should address the potential benefit of collaborative medication review for preventing medication-associated frailty.

[Pharmaceutical care for patients and their caregivers in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders: a review and new perspectives]. / Rôle du pharmacien dans la prise en soin de la dyade patient/aidant dans la maladie d'Alzheimer et les maladies apparentées : revue de la littérature et nouvelles perspectives.

Many arguments support the development of pharmaceutical care in patients with neurocognitive disorders and their caregivers: polypharmacy, drug-related cognitive decline, poor drug adherence, increased use of psychotropic drugs and potentially inappropriate medications. The aim of this narrative review was to identify the pharmacist's roles in caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers. Seventeen publications were selected after literature research. The various interventions conducted by pharmacists were as follows: achievement of a medication review that could be focused on the reduction of the anticholinergic burden or the number of psychotropic drugs, therapeutic education of the patient and his caregiver concerning the treatment management, personalized pharmaceutical follow-up, screening and orientation of patients with a cognitive impairment or caregivers with signs of fragility (burden, anxiety or depressive symptoms). The majority of studies targeted the patient care. Other interventional studies will be necessary to evaluate the impact of a pharmaceutical care for the dyad, including the caregiver, on the improvement of drug management but also on clinical outcomes, including the cognitive function, the autonomy, the use of the health care system, the quality of life and the self-efficacy.