Drug Prescription Profiles in Patients with Polypharmacy in Spain: A Large-Scale Pharmacoepidemiologic Study Using Real-World Data.

We aimed to identify and compare medication profiles in populations with polypharmacy between 2005 and 2015. We conducted a cross-sectional study using information from the Computerized Database for Pharmacoepidemiologic Studies in Primary Care (BIFAP, Spain). We estimated the prevalence of therapeutic subgroups in all individuals 15 years of age and older with polypharmacy (≥5 drugs during ≥6 months) using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system level 4, by sex and age group, for both calendar years. The most prescribed drugs were proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), statins, antiplatelet agents, benzodiazepine derivatives, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The greatest increases between 2005 and 2015 were observed in PPIs, statins, other antidepressants, and ß-blockers, while the prevalence of antiepileptics was almost tripled. We observed increases in psychotropic drugs in women and cardiovascular medications in men. By patient´s age groups, there were notable increases in antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiepileptics (15-44 years); antidepressants, PPIs, and selective ß-blockers (45-64 years); selective ß-blockers, biguanides, PPIs, and statins (65-79 years); and in statins, selective ß-blockers, and PPIs (80 years and older). Our results revealed important increases in the use of specific therapeutic subgroups, like PPIs, statins, and psychotropic drugs, highlighting opportunities to design and implement strategies to analyze such prescriptions' appropriateness.

Evolution of polypharmacy in a spanish population (2005-2015): A database study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the evolution of the prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy in a Spanish population, and to improve the identification of patients with polypharmacy. METHODS: A descriptive, annual cross-sectional observational study was carried out. PATIENTS: individuals over 14 years of age included in a multiregional primary care database of the Spanish population (BIFAP). ANALYSIS: prescription data. Period 2005-2015. VARIABLES: proportion of patients with polypharmacy (simultaneous prescription of ≥5 drugs) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) for at least 6 months, according to sex and age groups. A trend analysis of the studied period was performed (overall, and by sex and age groups). RESULTS: The data are reported on a comparative basis (2005 vs 2015). Number of patients analyzed: 2664743 vs 4 002 877. The prevalence of polypharmacy increased significantly (2.5% vs 8.9%, P-value for trend <0.001), being greater in females throughout the study period and in the group aged ≥80 years (P-value for trends <0.001). The prevalence of excessive polypharmacy also increased significantly (0.1% vs 1%, P-value for trend <0.001), being higher in the group aged ≥80 years (P-value for trend <0.001). The proportion of patients with no chronic treatment decreased (80.2% vs 63.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of polypharmacy in this Spanish population has tripled in the period 2005-2015, while excessive polypharmacy has increased 10-fold. These increments are seen in both sexes and in all age groups, particularly in individuals over 80 years of age. The proportion of patients without chronic treatments has decreased.

Deprescribiendo para mejorar la salud de las personas o cuando deprescribir puede ser la mejor medicina / Deprescribing to increase people health or when deprescribing could be the best pill

La creciente longevidad de la población, el aumento de la morbilidad y del consumo de medicamentos han provocado que la polimedicación sea un problema de salud prioritario por sus consecuencias en el incremento de efectos adversos, interacciones farmacológicas y favorecer el deterioro funcional del paciente. La situación clínica de los pacientes cambia a lo largo del tiempo y es preciso ajustar la medicación en cada etapa, valorando la fragilidad, el nivel de dependencia y el deterioro funcional. La labor de deprescribir es compleja y requiere una adecuada formación clínica y farmacológica. En atención primaria reside el mayor conocimiento del paciente y su entorno, y de forma compartida con el paciente y cuidadores se debe valorar qué medicamentos mantener y cuáles retirar desde una perspectiva clínica, ética y social. Existen herramientas de ayuda a la deprescripción que pueden resultar útiles para el médico de familia para facilitar este proceso y que se detallan en este artículo

The increasing longevity of the population, the increase in morbidity and the consumption of medications have caused that polypharmacy is a priority health problem due to its consequences: increase of adverse effects, pharmacological interactions and favor the functional deterioration of the patient. The clinical situation of the patients changes over time and it is necessary to adjust the medication in each stage, assessing the fragility, the level of dependence and the functional deterioration. Deprescription is complex and requires an adequate clinical and pharmacological formation. In Primary Care lies the greater knowledge of the patient and their environment, and in a shared way with the patient and caregivers, it is necessary to assess which drugs to maintain and which ones to withdraw from a clinical, ethical and social perspective. There are tools to help deprescription that can be useful for Primary Care to facilitate this process and that are detailed in this article

[Deprescribing to increase people health or when deprescribing could be the best pill]. / Deprescribiendo para mejorar la salud de las personas o cuando deprescribir puede ser la mejor medicina.

The increasing longevity of the population, the increase in morbidity and the consumption of medications have caused that polypharmacy is a priority health problem due to its consequences: increase of adverse effects, pharmacological interactions and favor the functional deterioration of the patient. The clinical situation of the patients changes over time and it is necessary to adjust the medication in each stage, assessing the fragility, the level of dependence and the functional deterioration. Deprescription is complex and requires an adequate clinical and pharmacological formation. In Primary Care lies the greater knowledge of the patient and their environment, and in a shared way with the patient and caregivers, it is necessary to assess which drugs to maintain and which ones to withdraw from a clinical, ethical and social perspective. There are tools to help deprescription that can be useful for Primary Care to facilitate this process and that are detailed in this article.

Evolución de la utilización de antidepresivos, ansiolíticos e hipnóticos en la Comunitat Valenciana. Período 2000-2010 / Evolution of the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics in Valencia. Period 2000-2010

OBJETIVO: Conocer la evolución de la utilización de antidepresivos (AD), ansiolíticos(A) e hipnóticos (H) en la Comunidad Valenciana (CV) entre los años 2000 y2010, su importe y el coste por dosis diaria definida (DDD). DISEÑO: Estudio observacional retrospectivo. Emplazamiento: Recetas dispensadas cargo del sistema público de salud de la CV durante los años 2000 a 2010. Mediciones: Consumo de los principios activos pertenecientes a los grupos terapéuticos N05B (A), N05C (H) y N06A (AD) obtenidos a partir de la base de datos de farmacia de la Agencia Valenciana de Salud medido en dosis habitante día. RESULTADOS: Durante el período estudiado, el consumo de AD aumentó el 81,2% y el de A e H el 11,7%. Los inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina fueron los AD más prescritos y los inhibidores de la recaptación de serotonina y noradrenalina los de mayor crecimiento (386,8%). Escitalopram aumentó el 1.013%. Lorazepam, alprazolam y diacepam, suman el 80,4% de los ansiolíticos prescritos, y lormetazepam y zolpidem el 88,7% de los hipnóticos. El importe de los AD aumentó el 78,2% y el de los A e H el 14,5%; el coste por DDD de ambos grupo descendió el 29%. CONCLUSIONES: La utilización de AD en la CV ha experimentado un gran incremento entre 2000-2010, mientras que el de A e H ha sido moderado, aunque su consumo todavía está por encima del de AD. A pesar de la reducción en el coste de la DDD en ambos grupos, el importe global de la factura en antidepresivos en la CV sigue en aumento

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution in the use of antidepressants (AD), anxiolytics (A) and hypnotics (H) in the Comunitat Valenciana (CV) between 2000 and 2010, their expenditure, and the cost of the defined daily dose (DDD).DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Prescriptions covered by the health public service of the CV during the period 2000-2010. Measurements: Consumption of the therapeutic groups N06A (antidepressants), N05B (anxiolytics)and N05C (hypnotics) from the pharmacy database of the public Valencian Health Agency measured in defined daily dose per 1.000 inhabitants. RESULTS: During the period of study the use of AD increased by 81.2% and A and H, 11.7%.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most prescribed AD and Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors experienced the higher rise (386.8%). The increase of escitalopram was 1.013%. Lorazepam, alprazolam and diazepam, accounted for the 80.4% of the anxyolitics, and lormetazepam and zolpidem the 88.7% of the hypnotics. The expenditure rise of AD was by 78.2% and that of the A and H was 14.5%; the cost of the DDD of both decreased by 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressant utilization has experienced a remarkable rise between 2000 and2010 while that of A and H has been mild even though they are still more consumed than AD. In spite of the reduction of the DDD cost in both therapeutic groups, the whole expenditure on AD in the CV is still growing

[Evolution of the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics in Valencia. Period 2000-2010]. / Evolución de la utilización de antidepresivos, ansiolíticos e hipnóticos en la Comunitat Valenciana. Período 2000-2010.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution in the use of antidepressants (AD), anxiolytics (A) and hypnotics (H) in the Comunitat Valenciana (CV) between 2000 and 2010, their expenditure, and the cost of the defined daily dose (DDD). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Prescriptions covered by the health public service of the CV during the period 2000-2010. MEASUREMENTS: Consumption of the therapeutic groups N06A (antidepressants), N05B (anxiolytics) and N05C (hypnotics) from the pharmacy database of the public Valencian Health Agency measured in defined daily dose per 1.000 inhabitants. RESULTS: During the period of study the use of AD increased by 81.2% and A and H, 11.7%. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most prescribed AD and Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors experienced the higher rise (386.8%). The increase of escitalopram was 1.013%. Lorazepam, alprazolam and diazepam, accounted for the 80.4% of the anxyolitics, and lormetazepam and zolpidem the 88.7% of the hypnotics. The expenditure rise of AD was by 78.2% and that of the A and H was 14.5%; the cost of the DDD of both decreased by 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressant utilization has experienced a remarkable rise between 2000 and 2010 while that of A and H has been mild even though they are still more consumed than AD. In spite of the reduction of the DDD cost in both therapeutic groups, the whole expenditure on AD in the CV is still growing.

Variabilidad en la medición de la calidad de prescripción por comunidades autónomas / Variability in the measurement of the pharmaceutical prescription quality by autonomous communities

ObjetivoConocer cómo se mide la calidad de la prescripción farmacológica y los indicadores utilizados en las diferentes comunidades autónomas (CC. AA.) del estado español.DiseñoEstudio descriptivo transversal.ÁmbitoNacional, en 17 CC. AA. del territorio español durante el período de enero a diciembre de 2007.MedicionesDefinición y tipos de indicadores de prescripción, unidades de medida.ResultadosSe ha obtenido información de 16 de las 17 CC. AA. a través de los servicios de salud autonómicos. Todos los servicios de salud han desarrollado un programa de evaluación de la prescripción farmacéutica. El número de indicadores varía entre 3 y 22. Los indicadores de selección son los más utilizados. Nueve de las 16 CC. AA. trabajan con indicadores de utilización y solo el País Vasco y Cantabria introducen indicadores de adecuación terapéutica. La medición se realiza en envases en 9 CC. AA. y en dosis diarias definidas en las 7 restantes. Los indicadores que más se repiten son porcentaje de nuevos fármacos, en 15 CC. AA. (93%), omeprazol frente al total de inhibidores de la bomba de protones, en 13 CC. AA. (81,2%), porcentaje de genéricos en 11 CC. AA. (68,7%) y antinflamatorios de elección en 10 CC. AA. (62%).ConclusiónCada servicio de salud autonómico desarrolla un programa de medición de la calidad de prescripción con indicadores propios y existe una gran variabilidad entre las diferentes CC. AA. Es necesaria una política común de calidad de la prestación farmacéutica para favorecer los procesos de benchmarking, comparar resultados, fomentar la investigación y promover la cooperación entre los servicios de salud(AU)

AimTo examine how the different Spanish health regions are evaluating pharmaceutical prescription quality and the type of prescribing indicators used.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities during the period from January to December 2007.MeasurementsDefinition and type of prescribing indicators, measurement units.ResultsWe obtained information from 16 of the 17 CCAA through their health services. All health services had developed quality indicators of drug prescription. The number of indicators varied from 3 to 22 between regions. Most of the regions are using indicators based on adequate selection of drugs. Nine of the 16 CCAA are also including prevalence indicators and only the Basque Country and Cantabria are using indicators based on the quality of the therapeutic process. Nine CCAA use the number of packs as measurement unit and the other seven CCAA measure prescriptions in defined daily doses (ddd). The indicators most frequently used are: percentage of new drugs in 15 CCAA (93%), omeprazole in total IBP drugs in 13 (81.2%), percentage of generic drugs in 11 (68.7%) and selection of NSAID in 10 (62%).ConclusionEach regional health service has developed its own set of drug prescription quality indicators. Consequently, there is great variability between regions in the assessment of the quality of drug prescription. Common indicators are needed in order to establish a benchmarking process between regional health services(AU)

[Variability in the measurement of the pharmaceutical prescription quality by autonomous communities]. / Variabilidad en la medición de la calidad de prescripción por comunidades autónomas.

AIM: To examine how the different Spanish health regions are evaluating pharmaceutical prescription quality and the type of prescribing indicators used. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities during the period from January to December 2007. MEASUREMENTS: Definition and type of prescribing indicators, measurement units. RESULTS: We obtained information from 16 of the 17 CCAA through their health services. All health services had developed quality indicators of drug prescription. The number of indicators varied from 3 to 22 between regions. Most of the regions are using indicators based on adequate selection of drugs. Nine of the 16 CCAA are also including prevalence indicators and only the Basque Country and Cantabria are using indicators based on the quality of the therapeutic process. Nine CCAA use the number of packs as measurement unit and the other seven CCAA measure prescriptions in defined daily doses (ddd). The indicators most frequently used are: percentage of new drugs in 15 CCAA (93%), omeprazole in total IBP drugs in 13 (81.2%), percentage of generic drugs in 11 (68.7%) and selection of NSAID in 10 (62%). CONCLUSION: Each regional health service has developed its own set of drug prescription quality indicators. Consequently, there is great variability between regions in the assessment of the quality of drug prescription. Common indicators are needed in order to establish a benchmarking process between regional health services.