Potentially inappropriate prescribing for people with dementia in ambulatory care: a cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is highly prevalent among people with dementia (PwD) and linked to negative outcomes, such as hospitalisation and mortality. However, there are limited data on prescribing appropriateness for PwD in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of PIP and investigate associations between PIP and other patient characteristics among PwD in an ambulatory care setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective analysis was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Patients who were ≥ 65 years old, had dementia, and visited ambulatory care clinics between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2021 were included. Prescribing appropriateness was evaluated by applying the Screening Tool of Older Persons Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the study population. Prevalence of PIP and the prevalence per each STOPP criterion were calculated as a percentage of all eligible patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between PIP, polypharmacy, age and sex; odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Analyses were conducted using SPSS v27. RESULTS: A total of 287 PwD were identified; 56.0% (n = 161) were female. The mean number of medications prescribed was 9.0 [standard deviation (SD) ± 4.2]. The prevalence of PIP was 61.0% (n = 175). Common instances of PIP were drugs prescribed beyond the recommended duration (n = 90, 31.4%), drugs prescribed without an evidence-based clinical indication (n = 78, 27.2%), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for > 8 weeks (n = 75, 26.0%), and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with concurrent drugs that reduce heart rate (n = 60, 21.0%). Polypharmacy was observed in 82.6% (n = 237) of patients and was strongly associated with PIP (adjusted OR 24.1, 95% CI 9.0-64.5). CONCLUSIONS: Findings have revealed a high prevalence of PIP among PwD in Saudi Arabia that is strongly associated with polypharmacy. Future research should aim to explore key stakeholders' experiences and perspectives of medicines management to optimise medication use for this vulnerable patient population.

Acute quadruple extremity compartment syndrome due to angio-oedema after polypharmacy overdose including olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan and vildagliptin.

This case report describes a rare manifestation of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) involving all four extremities, precipitated by angio-oedema in a middle-aged woman who consumed an overdose of multiple medications: nifedipine, azelnidipine, amlodipine besylate, olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan, esaxerenone and vildagliptin. She presented with haemodynamic instability, necessitating intubation. Despite stabilising haemodynamic parameters within 24 hours, she manifested escalating extremity oedema. At 52 hours after ingestion, mottled skin was observed, along with necrotic alterations in the swollen hands and compartment pressures exceeding 30 mm Hg in all extremities. ACS was diagnosed, leading to fasciotomies. The aetiology is postulated to be drug-induced angio-oedema, possibly intensified by the concurrent overdose of olmesartan medoxomil, telmisartan and vildagliptin, each of which has a risk of angio-oedema even at standard dosages. This scenario is a very rare case caused by drug-induced angio-oedema, which underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring to detect ACS in patients with progressing limb oedema.

Prevalence and differences in the co-administration of drugs known to interact: an analysis of three distinct and large populations.

BACKGROUND: The co-administration of drugs known to interact greatly impacts morbidity, mortality, and health economics. This study aims to examine the drug-drug interaction (DDI) phenomenon with a large-scale longitudinal analysis of age and gender differences found in drug administration data from three distinct healthcare systems. METHODS: This study analyzes drug administrations from population-wide electronic health records in Blumenau (Brazil; 133 K individuals), Catalonia (Spain; 5.5 M individuals), and Indianapolis (USA; 264 K individuals). The stratified prevalences of DDI for multiple severity levels per patient gender and age at the time of administration are computed, and null models are used to estimate the expected impact of polypharmacy on DDI prevalence. Finally, to study actionable strategies to reduce DDI prevalence, alternative polypharmacy regimens using drugs with fewer known interactions are simulated. RESULTS: A large prevalence of co-administration of drugs known to interact is found in all populations, affecting 12.51%, 12.12%, and 10.06% of individuals in Blumenau, Indianapolis, and Catalonia, respectively. Despite very different healthcare systems and drug availability, the increasing prevalence of DDI as patients age is very similar across all three populations and is not explained solely by higher co-administration rates in the elderly. In general, the prevalence of DDI is significantly higher in women - with the exception of men over 50 years old in Indianapolis. Finally, we show that using proton pump inhibitor alternatives to omeprazole (the drug involved in more co-administrations in Catalonia and Blumenau), the proportion of patients that are administered known DDI can be reduced by up to 21% in both Blumenau and Catalonia and 2% in Indianapolis. CONCLUSIONS: DDI administration has a high incidence in society, regardless of geographic, population, and healthcare management differences. Although DDI prevalence increases with age, our analysis points to a complex phenomenon that is much more prevalent than expected, suggesting comorbidities as key drivers of the increase. Furthermore, the gender differences observed in most age groups across populations are concerning in regard to gender equity in healthcare. Finally, our study exemplifies how electronic health records' analysis can lead to actionable interventions that significantly reduce the administration of known DDI and its associated human and economic costs.

Self-administration medication errors at home and its predictors among illiterate and low-literate community-dwelling older adults with polypharmacy: A negative binomial hierarchical regression.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with polypharmacy are more prone to medication errors. People with low educational attainment have more difficulties in taking their medications. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the extent of medication self-administration errors (MSEs) and the contributing factors among illiterate and low-literate community-dwelling older adults with polypharmacy. METHOD: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among people aged 60 and above. The data were collected using the sociodemographic, clinical, and Belief about Medicines Questionnaires (BMQ). To determine the extent of MSE, a medication error checklist was used. The negative binomial hierarchical regression model in the five blocks was performed. RESULTS: The final sample size was 276 people. The frequency of MSEs in the last 6 months was 69.2%. Sixteen percent of participants had made four or more mistakes. The most common MSEs were forgetting, improper taking of medications with food, improper timing, incorrect dosage (lower dose), and forgetting the doctor's instructions. Near 18% of participants reported adverse events following their mistakes. The significant predictors of MSEs were being completely illiterate (p = 0.021), the higher number of doctor visits per year (p = 0.014), irregularly seeing doctors (p < .001), the higher number of medications (p < .001), and having poor medication beliefs (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of MSEs among older patients, practical strategies to deal with them at their homes have not been established among health systems. MSE as a multifactorial event can be caused by a collection of internal and external factors. Further studies to identify the role of patients, clinicians, procedures, and systems in developing MSEs as interconnected components are needed.

Influence of chronic medical conditions on older patients' willingness to deprescribe medications: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Aging correlates with a heightened prevalence of chronic diseases, resulting in multimorbidity affecting 60% of those aged 65 or older. Multimorbidity often leads to polypharmacy, elevating the risk of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and adverse health outcomes. To address these issues, deprescribing has emerged as a patient-centered approach that considers patients' beliefs and attitudes toward medication and reduces inappropriate polypharmacy in older adults. Our study aims to investigate whether certain chronic medical conditions are associated with older patients' willingness to deprescribe medications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled 192 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 or older taking at least one regular medication. Data included demographics, clinical characteristics, and responses to the Portuguese revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics characterized participants, while multiple binary logistic regression identified associations between chronic medical conditions and willingness to deprescribe. RESULTS: Among the participants (median age: 72 years, 65.6% female), 91.6% had multimorbidity. The analysis revealed that willingness to deprescribe significantly increased with the presence of gastric disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.123; 95% CI 1.221, 13.915) and age (aOR = 1.121; 95% CI 1.009, 1.246). Conversely, prostatic pathology (aOR = 0.266; 95% CI 0.077, 0.916), higher scores in the rPATD appropriateness factor (aOR = 0.384; 95% CI 0.190, 0.773), and rPATD concerns about stopping factor (aOR = 0.450; 95% CI 0.229, 0.883) diminished patients' willingness to deprescribe. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the intricate relationship between older patients' attitudes toward deprescribing and chronic medical conditions. We found that gastric disease was associated with an increased willingness to deprescribe medications, while prostate disease was associated with the opposite effect. Future research should explore how patients with specific diseases or groups of diseases perceive deprescribing of medications general and for specific medications, aiding in the development of targeted interventions.

Designing a tool ensuring older patients the right medication at the right time after discharge from hospital- the first step in a participatory design process.

BACKGROUND: On average, older patients use five or more medications daily, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions, interactions, or medication errors. Healthcare sector transitions increase the risk of information loss, misunderstandings, unclear treatment responsibilities, and medication errors. Therefore, it is crucial to identify possible solutions to decrease these risks. Patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals were asked to design the solution they need. METHODS: We conducted a participatory design approach to collect information from patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. The informants were asked to design their take on a tool ensuring that patients received the correct medication after discharge from the hospital. We included two patients using five or more medications daily, one relative, three general practitioners, four nurses from different healthcare sectors, two hospital physicians, and three pharmacists. RESULTS: The patients' solution was a physical location providing a medication overview, including side effects and interactions. Healthcare professionals suggested different solutions, including targeted and timely information that provided an overview of the patient's diagnoses, treatment and medication. The common themes identified across all sub-groups were: (1) Overview of medications, side effects, and diagnoses, (2) Sharing knowledge among healthcare professionals, (3) Timely discharge letters, (4) Does the shared medication record and existing communication platforms provide relevant information to the patient or healthcare professional? CONCLUSION: All study participants describe the need for a more concise, relevant overview of information. This study describes elements for further elaboration in future participatory design processes aimed at creating a tool to ensure older patients receive the correct medication at the correct time.

Effect modification of polypharmacy on incident frailty by chronic kidney disease in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Frailty and polypharmacy are common conditions in older adults, especially in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we analyzed the association of polypharmacy and incident frailty and the effect modification by CKD in very old adults. METHODS: In non-frail individuals within the Berlin Initiative (cohort) Study, polypharmacy (≥ 5 medications) was assessed according to multiple definitions based on the number of regular and on demand prescription and over the counter drugs, as well as vitamins and supplements. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73m2 and/or an albumin-creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g. Incident frailty was assessed at follow-up using Fried criteria. Logistic regression was applied to assess (1) the association of different polypharmacy definitions with incident frailty and (2) effect modification by CKD. RESULTS: In this cohort study, out of 757 non-frail participants (mean age 82.9 years, 52% female, 74% CKD), 298 (39%) participants reported polypharmacy. Over the observation period of 2.1 years, 105 became frail. Individuals with polypharmacy had 1.96 adjusted odds (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-3.19) of becoming frail compared to participants without polypharmacy. The effect of polypharmacy on incident frailty was modified by CKD on the additive scale (relative excess risk due to interaction: 1.56; 95% CI 0.01-3.12). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an association of polypharmacy and incident frailty and suggests strong evidence for an effect modification of CKD on polypharmacy and incident frailty. Revision of prescriptions could be a target strategy to prevent frailty occurrence, especially in older adults with CKD.

Proactive Polypharmacy Management Using Large Language Models: Opportunities to Enhance Geriatric Care.

Polypharmacy remains an important challenge for patients with extensive medical complexity. Given the primary care shortage and the increasing aging population, effective polypharmacy management is crucial to manage the increasing burden of care. The capacity of large language model (LLM)-based artificial intelligence to aid in polypharmacy management has yet to be evaluated. Here, we evaluate ChatGPT's performance in polypharmacy management via its deprescribing decisions in standardized clinical vignettes. We inputted several clinical vignettes originally from a study of general practicioners' deprescribing decisions into ChatGPT 3.5, a publicly available LLM, and evaluated its capacity for yes/no binary deprescribing decisions as well as list-based prompts in which the model was prompted to choose which of several medications to deprescribe. We recorded ChatGPT responses to yes/no binary deprescribing prompts and the number and types of medications deprescribed. In yes/no binary deprescribing decisions, ChatGPT universally recommended deprescribing medications regardless of ADL status in patients with no overlying CVD history; in patients with CVD history, ChatGPT's answers varied by technical replicate. Total number of medications deprescribed ranged from 2.67 to 3.67 (out of 7) and did not vary with CVD status, but increased linearly with severity of ADL impairment. Among medication types, ChatGPT preferentially deprescribed pain medications. ChatGPT's deprescribing decisions vary along the axes of ADL status, CVD history, and medication type, indicating some concordance of internal logic between general practitioners and the model. These results indicate that specifically trained LLMs may provide useful clinical support in polypharmacy management for primary care physicians.

[Polypharmacy in older people].

After the publication of the guidelines about the safe drug therapy for older people in 2015 by the Japan Geriatrics Society, the risk of polypharmacy has become popular. Older people are likely to have multimorbidity, resulting in the use of multiple drugs. This not only increases the frequency of side effects, but also increase confusion and difficulty in medication management and adherence. Polypharmacy is the problem related to these complicated drug therapies and will increase by age. It is necessary to review drugs and resolve polypharmacy without making comorbid conditions worth. To carry out effective medication reviews, the guidance established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare introduced that geriatric assessment is essential for those with polypharmacy, since not only all medical conditions, but also physical and cognitive functions, medications, living environment, and caregivers should be taken into consideration when discontinuing drugs. When tapering, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) should be always the targets, and PIMs drug lists such as the Beers criteria and STOPP/START became very popular in overseas. Even after the reductions, careful attention should be paid to changes in the patient's condition. For drugs that are continued, continuous checks are required to ensure compliance with patients' medication adherence. There are many possible reasons for poor medication adherence, and it will be difficult to improve unless we identify what the cause is in each patient, and making the prescriptions simple may be necessary.

DRUG RELATED NITROSOGENESIS, PHOTOCARCINOGENESIS AND ONCOPHARMACOGENESIS OF NODULAR MELANOMA: A CASE RELATED ANALYSIS CONCERNING THE POLYCONTAMINATION OF THE POLYMEDICATION WITH VALSARTAN/HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE AND BISOPROLOL.

Despite the fact that the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma is shrouded in mystery, factors that have been neglected or unnoticed until now have come to the attention in recent years, and in all likelihood, they could also be pivotal. These factors, known as nitrosamines or NDSRIs, are characterized by high carcinogenic and mutagenic potency, and some of them have demonstrated these properties to human DNA as well. Unfortunately, these ingredients also turn up as contaminants in about 300 of the most widely distributed drugs worldwide. According to the most recent literature, some of these ingredients are also identified as potent photocarcinogens, as well as human carcinogens. The intake of these carcinogens in the context of polycontamination of polymedication, has been associated for years with the occurrence of melanomas. The need for cataloguing of nitrosamines , as well as their accurate labelling on drug packaging, would help to classify them even more accurately as carcinogens affecting human DNA. We present once again a patient , who developed nodular melanoma within the context of the intake of 3 potentially nitrosamine/ NDSRIs contaminated antihypertensive drugs (valsartan/ Hydrochlorothiazide/ bisoprolol). Pathogenetic aspects concerning drug-induced nitrosogenesis, photocarcinogenesis and oncopharmacogenesis of skin cancer are discussed. Nitrosogenesis' of Cancer as concept in the medical literature has been known for decades, but in relation to other forms of human cancer. Exogenously mediated drug-mediated nitrosogenesis is a logically conditioned and newly defined concept whose significance with respect to the clinical manifestation of skin cancer is only beginning to grow.

Impact of Polypharmacy and Risk Factors for Exacerbation of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Urological Conditions: A Retrospective Study in a Japanese Municipal Hospital.

Polypharmacy exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Japan exhibits a higher prevalence of concomitant medication use in drug therapy than other countries. Previous age- and sex-specific reports exist; however, none include patients of all ages. Therefore, this retrospective study determined the impact of polypharmacy and its associated risk factors on LUTS exacerbation in outpatients with urological conditions. We included patients receiving medication who visited the Department of Urology at the Gifu Municipal Hospital (Gifu, Japan) between January, 2018 and December, 2018. The association between LUTS and polypharmacy and the risk factors for LUTS exacerbation were investigated. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their polypharmacy status. We performed propensity score matching and compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) between the groups using the unpaired t-test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the risk factors, including "polypharmacy" and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" for LUTS exacerbation. When comparing the IPSS between the groups, the polypharmacy group was found to have significantly higher scores than the non-polypharmacy group in six items, including "total score" and "storage score." Multiple logistic regression analysis results showed high significance in three items, including "polypharmacy" (odds ratio (OR) = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.71) and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" (OR = 8.68, 95% CI: 1.05-71.7). In conclusion, this study revealed that "polypharmacy" and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" were risk factors for LUTS. Particularly, "polypharmacy" is associated with storage symptom exacerbation. Therefore, eliminating "polypharmacy" and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" is expected to improve LUTS.

Polypharmacy and associated factors in South Korean elderly patients with dementia: An analysis using National Health Insurance claims data.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is accompanied by several symptoms, including cognitive function decline, as well as behavioral and psychological symptoms. Elderly patients with dementia often experience polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications, due to chronic comorbidities. However, research on polypharmacy in patients with dementia is limited. This study aimed to characterize polypharmacy and associated factors among elderly patients with dementia in South Korea, and compare the characteristics of patients with and without dementia patients. METHODS: From the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-Senior cohort database, we extracted data on patients aged≥60 years who received outpatient treatment in 2019. Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more different oral medications for ≥90 days; excessive polypharmacy referred to the concurrent use of ten or more different oral medications for ≥90 days. We compared the prevalence of polypharmacy between patients with and without and identified the associated factors using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: About 70.3% and 23.7% of patients with dementia exhibited polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy, respectively. After adjusting for conditions such as age and Charlson's comorbidity index, the likelihood of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy significantly increased over time after the diagnosis of dementia. Additionally, under the same conditions, Medical Aid beneficiaries with dementia were more likely to experience polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy compared to patients with dementia covered by National Health Insurance (NHI). CONCLUSION: This study reports the latest evidence on the status and risk factors of polypharmacy in elderly patients with dementia. We proposed that careful monitoring and management are required for patients at high risk for polypharmacy.

Validated medication deprescribing instruments for patients with palliative care needs: a systematic review / Instrumentos validados de desprescripción de medicamentos para los pacientes que reciben cuidados paliativos: una revisión sistemática

Objectives: Patients with life-limiting illnesses are prone to unnecessary polypharmacy. Deprescribing tools may contribute to minimizing negative outcomes. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify validated instruments for deprescribing inappropriate medications for patients with palliative care needs and to assess the impact on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases (until May 2021). A manual search was performed in the references of enrolled articles. The screening, eligibility, extraction, and bias risk assessment were carried out by 2 independent researchers. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Results: Out of the 5791 studies retrieved, after excluding duplicates (n = 1050), conducting title/abstract screening (n = 4741), and full reading (n = 41), only 1 study met the inclusion criteria. In this included study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted, which showed a high level of bias risk overall. Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with limited life expectancy and polypharmacy were allocated to 2 groups [intervention arm (deprescribing); and control arm (usual care)]. Deprescribing was performed with the aid of the STOPPFrail tool. The mean number of inappropriate medications and monthly medication costs were significantly lower in the intervention arm. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, fractures, mortality, and quality of life. Conclusions: Despite the availability of several instruments to support deprescribing in patients with palliative care needs, only 1 of them has undergone validation and robust assessment for effectiveness in clinical practice. The STOPPFrail tool appears to reduce the number of inappropriate medications for older people with limited life expectancy (and probably palliative care needs)...(AU)

Objetivo: Los pacientes con enfermedades terminales son propensos a la polifarmacia innecesaria. Las herramientas de desprescripción pueden contribuir a minimizar los resultados negativos. Por lo tanto, los objetivos del estudio fueron identificar instrumentos validados para la desprescripción de medicamentos inapropiados en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos y evaluar el impacto en los resultados clínicos, humanísticos y económicos. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE y WEB OF SCIENCE (hasta mayo de 2021). Se realizó una búsqueda manual en las referencias de los artículos incluidos. La selección, elegibilidad, extracción y evaluación del riesgo de sesgo se llevaron a cabo por dos investigadores independientes. Se aceptó la inclusión de estudios observacionales y experimentales. Resultados: De los 5791 estudios recuperados, después de excluir duplicados (n = 1050), realizar la selección de títulos/resúmenes (n = 4741) y la lectura completa (n = 41), solo un estudio cumplió con los criterios de inclusión. En este estudio incluido, se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado, que mostró un alto nivel de riesgo de sesgo en general. A los adultos de 75 años o más (n = 130) con esperanza de vida limitada y polifarmacia se les asignaron dos grupos [grupo de intervención (desprescripción) y grupo de control (atención habitual)]. Se realizó la desprescripción con la ayuda de la herramienta STOPPFrail. El número promedio de medicamentos inapropiados y los costos mensuales de los medicamentos fueron significativamente más bajos en el grupo de intervención. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en términos de presentaciones hospitalarias no programadas, caídas, fracturas, mortalidad y calidad de vida. Conclusiones: A pesar de la disponibilidad de varias herramientas para apoyar la deprescripción en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos...(AU)

Instrumentos validados de desprescripción de medicamentos para los pacientes que reciben cuidados paliativos: una revisión sistemática / Validated medication deprescribing instruments for patients with palliative care needs: a systematic review

Objectives: Patients with life-limiting illnesses are prone to unnecessary polypharmacy. Deprescribing tools may contribute to minimizing negative outcomes. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify validated instruments for deprescribing inappropriate medications for patients with palliative care needs and to assess the impact on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases (until May 2021). A manual search was performed in the references of enrolled articles. The screening, eligibility, extraction, and bias risk assessment were carried out by 2 independent researchers. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. Results: Out of the 5791 studies retrieved, after excluding duplicates (n = 1050), conducting title/abstract screening (n = 4741), and full reading (n = 41), only 1 study met the inclusion criteria. In this included study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted, which showed a high level of bias risk overall. Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with limited life expectancy and polypharmacy were allocated to 2 groups [intervention arm (deprescribing); and control arm (usual care)]. Deprescribing was performed with the aid of the STOPPFrail tool. The mean number of inappropriate medications and monthly medication costs were significantly lower in the intervention arm. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, fractures, mortality, and quality of life. Conclusions: Despite the availability of several instruments to support deprescribing in patients with palliative care needs, only 1 of them has undergone validation and robust assessment for effectiveness in clinical practice. The STOPPFrail tool appears to reduce the number of inappropriate medications for older people with limited life expectancy (and probably palliative care needs)...(AU)

Objetivo: Los pacientes con enfermedades terminales son propensos a la polifarmacia innecesaria. Las herramientas de desprescripción pueden contribuir a minimizar los resultados negativos. Por lo tanto, los objetivos del estudio fueron identificar instrumentos validados para la desprescripción de medicamentos inapropiados en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos y evaluar el impacto en los resultados clínicos, humanísticos y económicos. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE y WEB OF SCIENCE (hasta mayo de 2021). Se realizó una búsqueda manual en las referencias de los artículos incluidos. La selección, elegibilidad, extracción y evaluación del riesgo de sesgo se llevaron a cabo por dos investigadores independientes. Se aceptó la inclusión de estudios observacionales y experimentales. Resultados: De los 5791 estudios recuperados, después de excluir duplicados (n = 1050), realizar la selección de títulos/resúmenes (n = 4741) y la lectura completa (n = 41), solo un estudio cumplió con los criterios de inclusión. En este estudio incluido, se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado, que mostró un alto nivel de riesgo de sesgo en general. A los adultos de 75 años o más (n = 130) con esperanza de vida limitada y polifarmacia se les asignaron dos grupos [grupo de intervención (desprescripción) y grupo de control (atención habitual)]. Se realizó la desprescripción con la ayuda de la herramienta STOPPFrail. El número promedio de medicamentos inapropiados y los costos mensuales de los medicamentos fueron significativamente más bajos en el grupo de intervención. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en términos de presentaciones hospitalarias no programadas, caídas, fracturas, mortalidad y calidad de vida. Conclusiones: A pesar de la disponibilidad de varias herramientas para apoyar la deprescripción en pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos...(AU)

Ajuste de dosis según función renal en una paciente polimedicada incluida en el servicio de reacondicionamiento de medicamentos utilizando sistemas personalizados de dosificación (SPD) / Dose adjustment according to renal function in a polymedicated patient included in the medication reconditioning service using personalized dosing systems (SPD)

Paciente de 78 años, polimedicada e incluida en el servicio de Sistema Personalizado de Dosificación de Medicamentos (SPD). Al acudir a retirar su medicación nos informa que desde hace unos meses sufre cansancio, debilidad, mareos y confusión. Se realiza una revisión de la medicación, centrada en la dosificación de los medicamentos de metabolismo o eliminación renal, en función del valor de Filtrado Glomerular estimado de la paciente (FGe). Se realiza derivación al Médico de Atención Primaria (MAP) mediante un informe, en el que se recomienda la reducción de dosis de losartán y manidipino según el valor de FGe de la paciente. El MAP redujo la dosis de los antihipertensivos. Se efectuó seguimiento del caso, que permitió observar que la paciente dejó de presentar los síntomas descritos inicialmente.(AU)

Medication review and deprescribing in different healthcare settings: a position statement from an Italian scientific consortium.

Recent medical advancements have increased life expectancy, leading to a surge in patients affected by multiple chronic diseases and consequent polypharmacy, especially among older adults. This scenario increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions, highlighting the need for medication review and deprescribing to reduce inappropriate medications and optimize therapeutic regimens, with the ultimate goal to improving patients' health and quality of life. This position statement from the Italian Scientific Consortium on medication review and deprescribing aims to describe key elements, strategies, tools, timing, and healthcare professionals to be involved, for the implementation of medication review and deprescribing in different healthcare settings (i.e., primary care, hospital, long-term care facilities, and palliative care). Challenges and potential solutions for the implementation of medication review and deprescribing are also discussed.

Poly-pharmacology of existing drugs: How to crack the code?

Drug development in oncology is highly challenging, with less than 5% success rate in clinical trials. This alarming figure points out the need to study in more details the multiple biological effects of drugs in specific contexts. Indeed, the comprehensive assessment of drug poly-pharmacology can provide insights into their therapeutic and adverse effects, to optimize their utilization and maximize the success rate of clinical trials. Recent technological advances have made possible in-depth investigation of drug poly-pharmacology. This review first highlights high-throughput methodologies that have been used to unveil new mechanisms of action of existing drugs. Then, we discuss how emerging chemo-proteomics strategies allow effectively dissecting the poly-pharmacology of drugs in an unsupervised manner.

The association of degree of polypharmacy before and after among hospitalised internal medicine patients and clinical outcomes: a retrospective, population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and incidence of polypharmacy/hyperpolypharmacy and which medications are most prescribed to patients with varying burden of polypharmacy. DESIGN: Retrospective, population-based cohort study. SETTING: Iceland. PARTICIPANTS: Including patients (≥18 years) admitted to internal medicine services at Landspitali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, between 1 January 2010 with a follow-up of clinical outcomes through 17 March 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Participants were categorised into medication use categories of non-polypharmacy (<5), polypharmacy (5-10) and hyperpolypharmacy (>10) based on the number of medications filled in the year predischarge and postdischarge. The primary outcome was prevalence and incidence of new polypharmacy. Secondary outcomes were mortality, length of hospital stay and re-admission. RESULTS: Among 85 942 admissions (51% male), the median (IQR) age was 73 (60-83) years. The prevalence of preadmission non-polypharmacy was 15.1% (95% CI 14.9 to 15.3), polypharmacy was 22.9% (95% CI 22.6 to 23.2) and hyperpolypharmacy was 62.5% (95% CI 62.2 to 62.9). The incidence of new postdischarge polypharmacy was 33.4% (95% CI 32.9 to 33.9), and for hyperpolypharmacy was 28.9% (95% CI 28.3 to 29.5) for patients with preadmission polypharmacy. Patients with a higher level of medication use were more likely to use multidose drug dispensing and have a diagnosis of adverse drug reaction. Other comorbidities, including responsible subspeciality and estimates of comorbidity and frailty burden, were identical between groups of varying polypharmacy. There was no difference in length of stay, re-admission rate and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Preadmission polypharmacy/hyperpolypharmacy and postdischarge new polypharmacy/hyperpolypharmacy is common amongst patients admitted to internal medicine. A higher level of medication use category was not found to be associated with demographic, comorbidity and clinical outcomes. Medications that are frequently inappropriately prescribed were among the most prescribed medications in the group. An increased focus on optimising medication usage is needed after hospital admission. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05756400.

Association of pneumonia admission with polypharmacy and drug use in community-dwelling older people.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the association of pneumonia admission with polypharmacy and specific drug use in community-dwelling older people. METHODS: Using health insurance and long-term care insurance data from Kure city in Japan, we retrospectively collected data for older community-dwelling people (aged ≥65 years) from April 2017 to March 2019. The outcome was pneumonia admission. We carried out multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the association of pneumonia admission with polypharmacy (≥5 drugs), the use of psychotropic drugs or anticholinergics with adjustment for patient backgrounds, such as comorbidity, and the daily life independence level for the older people with disability. RESULTS: Of 59 040 older people, 4017 (6.8%) participants were admitted for pneumonia in 2 years. The ratio of polypharmacy, and the use of psychotropic drugs and anticholinergics in the admission group were significantly higher than the non-admission group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that polypharmacy (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.41), and the use of conventional antipsychotic drugs (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.90), atypical antipsychotic drugs (odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.37-2.05) and anticholinergics (odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.33) were significantly associated with pneumonia admission. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that polypharmacy, and the use of psychotropic drugs and anticholinergics are risk factors for pneumonia admission. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 404-409.

Assessment of Hemoglobin A1c Management and Prescription Cost Due to Polypharmacy Among Patients With Diabetes in Iran Based on the STEPS Iran 2016 Survey and a Prescription Database: A Multi-level, Cross-sectional National Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes frequently results in the need for multiple medication therapies, known as 'Polypharmacy'. This situation can incur significant costs and increase the likelihood of medication errors. This study evaluated the prescriptions of patients with diabetes regarding polypharmacy to assess its effect on the control of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and prescription costs. METHODS: A cross-sectional national study was conducted based on data from linking the Iranians Health Insurance Service prescriptions in 2015 and 2016 with the STEPS 2016 survey in Iran. The association of the individual and sociodemographic factors, as well as polypharmacy, as independent variables, with control of HbA1c levels and the cost of the prescriptions were assessed among diabetic patients using logistic and linear regression, respectively. RESULTS: Among 205 patients using anti-diabetic medications, 47.8% experienced polypharmacy. The HbA1c of 74 patients (36.1%) was equal to or less than 7, indicating controlled diabetes. HbA1c control showed no significant association with gender. However, prescription costs were notably lower in females (ß=0.559 [0.324‒0.964], P=0.036). No significant correlation was found between the area of residence and prescription costs, but HbA1c was significantly more controlled in urban areas (OR=2.667 [1.132‒6.282], P=0.025). Prescription costs were significantly lower in patients without polypharmacy (ß=0.211, [0.106‒0.423], P<0.001), though there was no significant association between polypharmacy and HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that diabetics with polypharmacy paid significantly more for their prescriptions without experiencing a positive effect on the control of HbA1c levels.