Lessons Learned: Evaluation of Fracture Liaison Service Quality Improvement Efforts in a Large Academic Healthcare System.

BACKGROUND: The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) care model, a care coordination program for patients experiencing a fragility fracture, is proven to improve management of patients with an osteoporotic fracture, but treatment initiation gaps persist. OBJECTIVE: We describe the evolution of a centralized FLS within a university-based healthcare system, including impact of adding clinical pharmacist consultation, and describe circumstances surrounding continued care gaps. DESIGN: Cohort analysis of osteoporosis medication initiation before FLS, after initial implementation, and after addition of pharmacist consultation. PATIENTS: Individuals aged 65 and older experiencing any fragility fracture between 7/1/16 and 3/31/22. INTERVENTION: A centralized team outreached eligible patients, ordered dual x-ray absorptiometry and laboratory tests as needed, and scheduled an osteoporosis-focused primary care appointment. Three years after FLS implementation, clinical pharmacist consultative review was added prior to the primary care visit. MAIN MEASURES: Initiation of osteoporosis pharmacologic therapy, completion of DXA, primary care follow-up rate, and description of circumstances where therapy was not initiated. KEY RESULTS: Of 1204 new fractures between 7/1/16 and 3/31/22, 315 patients were enrolled in one of two FLS phases, and 89 eligible historical controls were identified. Medication initiation rates went from 22/89 (25%) pre-FLS to 201/428 (47%) after-FLS phase 1 [POST1] (p<0.001) and to 106/187 (57%) after FLS phase 2 (POST2), when clinical pharmacist consultation was added (p=0.03 versus POST1). DXA was completed in 56/89 (67%) of pre-FLS patients, 364/428 (85%) POST1 patients (p<0.001 versus pre), and 163/187 (87%) POST2 (p< 0.001 versus PRE, p=0.59 versus POST1). Of 375 patients who did not initiate osteoporosis medication, more in the combined post-FLS cohorts attended a follow-up primary care appointment (233/308, 76% attended, versus pre-FLS 41/67, 61%, p=0.016). CONCLUSION: An FLS including centralized outreach and care coordination significantly improved patient follow-up, DXA, and medication initiation. Addition of de-centralized pharmacist consultation further improved medication initiation rates.

Renal safety of zoledronic acid for osteoporosis in adults 75 years and older.

Our study examined renal function change in older adults with osteoporosis, treated with zoledronic acid. Risk of nephrotoxicity was low. Future studies are needed to evaluate use of zoledronic acid in patients with a CCr < 35 mL/min, as patients may be inappropriately excluded from its use. INTRODUCTION: Zoledronic acid (ZA) is used for the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). Renal impairment is a known risk factor for the rare occurrence of nephrotoxicity after ZA infusions, leading to use being contraindicated below creatinine clearance (CCr) of 35 mL/min. Our aims are to examine changes in serum creatinine (SCr) after infusions, capture frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI), and describe baseline kidney function estimates in adults 75 years and older being treated for OP. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, pre-post analysis that examined change in SCr before and after ZA infusions. The primary outcome was assessed using a paired Student t-test. Incidence of AKI within 1 year following infusions was noted and patient-specific factors were collected. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-eight ZA infusions in 327 patients met criteria. Mean SCr decreased by 0.01 mg/dL in the year following ZA infusions (p = 0.005). AKI occurred in 1.4% of patients and all had CCr > 45 mL/min. 4.5% of patients had CCr < 35 mL/min and none experienced an AKI. CONCLUSION: There was no clinically relevant change in SCr after ZA infusions. Risk of nephrotoxicity was low and similar to risk seen in randomized trials occurring in younger patients. Kidney function estimates were dramatically lower using the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation in comparison to CKD-EPI. We believe use of the CG equation in this population may be inappropriately limiting our ability to use ZA for treatment of OP in older adults but more evidence is necessary.

Effectiveness of Methenamine for UTI Prevention in Older Adults.

Background: Methenamine is a drug used for the prevention of lower urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, efficacy has not been established in older adults or patients with varying degrees of kidney function. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of methenamine for the prevention of UTI in adults 60 years and older. Methods: This was a retrospective, pre-post, observational study. The study included primary care patients 60 years and older who were taking methenamine between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2018. The primary outcome was the time to first UTI after methenamine initiation compared with the average time between UTIs in the 12 months prior to methenamine initiation. Results: Of 434 patients reviewed, 150 met inclusion criteria. The average time to UTI was 3.3 months prior to methenamine initiation compared with 5.5 months after methenamine initiation (P = 0.0004). There were 33 patients (22%) who did not have a UTI after methenamine initiation. Also, 14 patients (9.3%) had a calculated CrCl <30 mL/min at baseline. The average time to UTI in these patients was 3.3 months prior to methenamine initiation compared with 12.7 months after initiation (P < 0.0001). Conclusion and Relevance: Methenamine use was associated with a longer time to UTI in older adults with varying degrees of kidney function. The effectiveness of methenamine appeared to be similar regardless of kidney function, which is new evidence. Because of a lack of acquired resistance, methenamine may be an effective option for UTI prophylaxis in older adults.

Evaluation of Aspirin Prescribing and Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Adults 60 Years of Age and Older in a Large, Academic Health System.

Background National guidelines no longer recommend adults 60 years of age and older to begin treatment with low-dose daily aspirin for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to a lack of proven net benefit and a higher risk of bleeding. Objective The objective of this cross-sectional retrospective analysis was to evaluate the appropriateness of low-dose aspirin prescribing and subsequent gastrointestinal bleeding in older persons receiving primary care in a large academic health system. Setting Large, academic health system within Colorado. Patients Patients with an active order for daily low-dose aspirin as of July 1, 2021, were assessed for appropriateness based on indication (primary vs secondary prevention) and use of a concomitant proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). Incident gastrointestinal bleeds (GIBs) in the subsequent 12 months and GIB risk factors were also evaluated. Results A total of 19,525 patients were included in the analysis. Eighty-nine percent of patients identified as White and 54% identified as male. Of the total cohort, 44% had CVD and 19% were co-prescribed a PPI. GIB occurred in 247 patients (1.27%) within the subsequent year. Risk factors significantly associated with a GIB within 1 year included: history of GIB, history of peptic ulcer disease, other esophageal issue (esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, Mallory Weiss tears, etc.), 75 years of age or older, and history of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Conclusion This evaluation found that many older persons at this institution may be inappropriately prescribed aspirin, providing opportunities for pharmacists to improve medication safety by deprescribing aspirin among primary prevention patients or potentially co-prescribing a PPI in secondary prevention patients.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Deprescribing Sedative-Hypnotic Medications in Geriatric Primary Care.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Due to the risks associated with sedative hypnotic medications in older adults, our study evaluated the impact of a multidisciplinary approach to deprescribing in geriatric primary care clinics. METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of older adults at 2 academic, geriatric primary care clinics who were prescribed sedative-hypnotic medications. Patients were mailed an education packet of information that included working with the clinical pharmacy team, behavioral health team, or both in order to deprescribe their sedative-hypnotic medication. The study assessed the rate of discontinuation of sedative-hypnotic medications between the different intervention groups. RESULTS: The study included 93 older adults with a mean age of 81.3 years and 39.8% discontinuation rate of their medication. The number of falls decreased in patients who discontinued use compared to when previously using a sedative hypnotic medication. CONCLUSION: Patients are more likely to discontinue their sedative hypnotic medication with a multidisciplinary approach, specifically with primary care provider support.

Cognitive effects of vortioxetine in older adults: a systematic review.

Many older adults experience a deterioration in cognitive function with aging, and this can have a negative impact on quality of life. Late-life depression has been linked to mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and treating depression with an agent that has procognitive effects could be beneficial. Vortioxetine is a novel antidepressant with a multimodal mechanism of action that works primarily via serotonin transporter inhibition, 5-HT1A receptor agonism and 5-HT3 receptor antagonism. A recent systematic review demonstrated procognitive effects of vortioxetine when indirectly compared with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in adults aged 18-65 years with major depressive disorder. While this systematic review demonstrated promising procognitive effects from vortioxetine, the included studies did not enroll older adults, who are at the highest risk of cognitive impairment. Therefore, our systematic review sought to investigate the effects of vortioxetine on cognitive functioning in patients over the age of 65 years. Three studies met the prespecified search criteria and were evaluated. Overall, these preliminary data suggest that vortioxetine has promising effects in improving cognition in older adults with depressive symptoms and may have a place in therapy in older adults with depression and/or cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease. Additional long-term studies that include more diverse populations with comorbidities and direct comparisons with other antidepressants are needed to fully understand the potential cognitive benefits in older adults.

Implementation of Pharmacist Reviews to Screen for Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Patients With Cognitive Impairment.

Objective: To describe two pharmacist-led initiatives aimed to reduce potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in community-dwelling patients with dementia or cognitive impairment. Design: Retrospective, descriptive analysis of two clinical initiatives. Setting: Academic geriatric primary care clinics. Participants: Patients were included if they received a Memory Clinic pharmacist review May 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, or a Living with Dementia (LWD) program pharmacist review November 15, 2018 to December 31, 2019 with provider follow-up within 6 months. Interventions: Both initiatives involved medication review by a clinical pharmacist to identify and make recommendations regarding medications that may contribute to cognitive impairment. The Memory Clinic served patients with concerns of cognitive impairment; whereas, the LWD program enrolled patients with an established diagnosis of dementia. Main Outcome Measure: Number of PIMs that could negatively impact cognition within each cohort. Additionally, 6-month implementation rates were analyzed for actionable pharmacist recommendations. RESULTS: Memory Clinic patients (n = 110) were taking an average of 2.4 PIMs; whereas, LWD patients (n = 40) were taking an average of 1.5 PIMs. Six-month implementation rates for all actionable pharmacist recommendations were 61.0% for the Memory Clinic and 42.4% for the LWD program. Specifically evaluating deprescribing recommendations, the 6-month PIM discontinuation rate was 63.6% for the Memory Clinic group and 60.0% for the LWD group. Conclusion: Pharmacists routinely identified PIMs during medication reviews, which led to successful recommendation implementation throughout multiple stages of cognitive decline. Both programs will continue to be adapted to ensure maximal impact.

Use of Cannabis for Agitation in Patients With Dementia.

Studies have reported changes in the endocannabinoid system in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), playing a role in the pathophysiology of AD. Cannabinoids have been shown to have neuroprotective properties, reduce neuroinflammation, and enhance neurogenesis. Evidence suggests that the utilization of marijuana products containing both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) or CBD alone have been effective and safe for use in older people with agitation associated with dementia. A review in 2017 summarized positive findings for therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids in agitation of AD and dementia, but there was no definitive conclusion because of varying cannabinoid products. Cannabinoids were shown to be well tolerated, with few short-term side effects. This differs from first-line medications utilized for dementia behaviors, which can have unwanted side effects. Further research regarding the safety, efficacy, and variability of these products in older people is needed.

Incorporation of Clinical Pharmacy Into a Geriatric Transitional Care Management Program.

Transitional care management (TCM) programs have been shown to decrease hospital readmission rates, health-care costs, and medication-related errors and adverse drug events. Pharmacists have been utilized during the medication reconciliation process, during admission, and after hospital discharge to prevent readmission and identify medication discrepancies. There is a lack of data utilizing clinical pharmacists in the geriatric patient population transitional care process after hospital discharge. Less is known about the depth of professional services a pharmacist can perform in the geriatric setting. We analyzed the scope of pharmacist-assisted implementation of transitional care. A total of 365 patients received the clinical pharmacist comprehensive medication review during a 14-month time period. During these reviews, clinical pharmacists identified more than 600 medication discrepancies and offered more than 1000 recommendations to the primary care physician. Additionally, specific medication classes that have been identified to increase the risk of adverse drug events, specifically in older adults, were identified and used to screen for adverse drug events. Using this list, clinical pharmacists were able to identify 39 adverse drug events. The implementation of clinical pharmacists into the TCM program was successful; however, full salary compensation is unlikely with TCM reimbursement alone.

Pharmacist-Led Transition of Care Pilot Targeting Older People After Emergency Department Discharge.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led transitional care intervention targeting high-risk older people after an emergency department (ED) visit.
DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of older people with ED visits prior to and during a pharmacist-led intervention.
SETTING: Patients receiving primary care from the University of Colorado Health Seniors Clinic.
PARTICIPANTS: The intervention cohort comprised 170 patients with an ED visit between August 18, 2018, and February 19, 2019, and the historical cohort included 166 patients with an ED visit between August 18, 2017, and February 19, 2018. All included patients either had a historical diagnosis of heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or they had an additional ED visit in the previous six months.
INTERVENTIONS: The pilot intervention involved postED discharge telephonic outreach and assessment by a clinical pharmacist, with triaging to other staff if necessary.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with at least one repeat ED visit, hospitalization, or death within 30 days of ED discharge. Outcome rates were also assessed at 90 days postdischarge.
RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in 21% of the historical cohort and 25% of the intervention cohort (adjusted P-value = 0.48). The incidence of the composite outcome within 90 days of ED discharge was 43% in the historical group compared with 38% in the intervention group (adjusted P-value = 0.29).
CONCLUSION: A pharmacist-led telephonic intervention pilot targeting older people did not appear to have a significant effect on the composite of repeat ED visit, hospitalization, or death within 30 or 90 days of ED discharge. A limited sample size may hinder the ability to make definitive conclusions based on these findings.

Evaluation of methenamine for urinary tract infection prevention in older adults: a review of the evidence.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) commonly occur in older adults and can lead to more severe, life-threatening infections. Physiological factors that change with age are thought to contribute to the increased frequency of UTI recurrence in older adults. Unfortunately, there are limited methods to prevent UTI in older adults, and utilization of antimicrobial agents for prevention can have many negative consequences. Methenamine has been proposed as a useful drug for the prevention of UTI as it works as a urinary antiseptic, safely producing formaldehyde to prevent bacterial growth while avoiding bacterial resistance. The objective of this review is to evaluate the existing literature and discuss the use of methenamine in older adults for prevention of UTI. A PubMed search was conducted to identify studies evaluating the effectiveness of methenamine to prevent UTI in older adults, and 10 publications were selected based on relevant criteria. Based on the literature, methenamine appears to be a safe and effective option to prevent UTI in older adults with recurrent UTI, genitourinary surgical procedures, and potentially long-term catheterization. Studies have not evaluated the safety of methenamine in patients with impaired renal function or CrCl <30 ml/min. When selecting a treatment approach to preventing UTI in older adults with adequate renal function, clinicians may consider methenamine as a viable option.

Optimal Melatonin Dose in Older Adults: A Clinical Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To review clinical studies evaluating melatonin doses and their effects on sleep in adults 65 years of age and older. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE databases were searched (1946 to October 10, 2018) using the following Medical Subject Heading terms: melatonin and: sleep initiation and maintenance disorders, dyssomnia, sleep wake disorders, insomnia, sleep disorders intrinsic, and sleep disorders circadian rhythm. Sources were limited to English and human data. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: An initial search resulted in 144 publications, with 25 included in this review. Studies were selected for full review based on design, mean age of participants, use of exogenous melatonin, and reports on any sleep-related outcome. DATA SYNTHESIS: Because of the side effect profiles of most prescription and nonprescription sleep aids, safe and effective alternative therapies are necessary. Based on the current literature, no dose-related response to sleep improvement has been identified for melatonin in older adults. Variations in melatonin formulation and dosages, as well as available tools to measure sleep outcomes, make it challenging to compare studies. CONCLUSIONS: This review evaluated a variety of melatonin doses, 0.5 mg to 10 mg, and their effects on sleep in older adults. The results varied, with some studies finding no difference in sleep outcomes when compared with placebo, while other studies found statistically significant improvements in sleep outcomes. Doses of melatonin between 1 mg and 6 mg appear to be effective for improving sleep in older adults; however, further studies are needed to find the optimal minimum effective dose.

Effects of Chronic Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use on Kidney Function in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with adverse renal outcomes in older adults; however, there are little data regarding the magnitude of the change in renal function in this population. The objective of this study was to quantify the change in kidney function associated with chronic PPI therapy at two years in older adults using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
DESIGN: The study was a retrospective, pre/post, observational cohort.
SETTING/PATIENTS/INTERVENTIONS/MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The study included University of Colorado Health primary care patients 60 to 89 years of age who were newly initiated on a PPI between August 1, 2012, and March 1, 2015, and remained on therapy for at least two years. The primary outcome was the change in kidney function, measured by eGFR, two years after starting PPI therapy. Secondary outcomes included change in kidney function and incidence of reduction in eGFR to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² two years post-index date between patients with and without diabetes mellitus.
RESULTS: Of 877 electronic health records reviewed, 100 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean change in eGFR was -6.15 mL/min/1.73 m² (standard error of the mean = 1.03) at two years compared with baseline
(95% confidence interval -8.20 to -4.10; P < 0.0001). There were no differences in the secondary outcomes based on concomitant diabetes mellitus.
CONCLUSIONS: Chronic PPI use was associated with a significant reduction in eGFR in ambulatory older adults at two years, beyond that expected based on increased age alone. Prescribers should be aware of the potential adverse renal effects of chronic PPI use.

Moxifloxacin-induced tinnitus in an older adult.

An increased risk of bacterial resistance toward fluoroquinolones and the increased risk of disabling and serious adverse effects prompted the US Food and Drug Administration to recommend limiting fluoroquinolone use to the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, skin and skin-structure infections, bacterial sinusitis, plague, chronic bronchitis exacerbations, and complicated intra-abdominal infections. We report a case of moxifloxacin-induced tinnitus in an older adult prescribed oral moxifloxacin 400 mg for 5 days for the treatment of acute diverticulitis, due to allergies to nonfluoroquinolone preferred agents. A thorough literature review provided few other reported incidents of this rare and serious adverse event.

Dofetilide-induced anorexia in an older adult.

An 84-year-old woman presented to her primary care physician with an unexplained 4-month history of weight and appetite loss after initiation of dofetilide 125 mcg orally twice daily for atrial fibrillation. She was noted to have lost 2.5 kg, which was a 3.6% decrease from her initial body weight of 69.4 kg. After excluding other etiologies for her anorexia, such as medication changes or changes in other diseases or conditions, her primary care physician and cardiologists elected to continue dofetilide but monitor the patient's appetite and body weight. After 7 months of dofetilide use with persistent appetite loss, the cardiology team discontinued dofetilide. Continued weight loss was observed until approximately 1 month after stopping dofetilide, with a maximum weight loss of 2.9 kg or a 4.2% decrease. Improvements in appetite were reported 2 months after discontinuing dofetilide, with minor increases in weight that eventually stabilized. In this case, while taking dofetilide, the patient experienced anorexia leading to weight loss that subsided after discontinuation of the drug. Based on the temporal association between the patient's changes in appetite and body weight and treatment with dofetilide, the drug was most likely the cause of the patient's anorexia. We are unaware of other reports of anorexia associated with dofetilide, but clinicians may want to consider the drug as a potential cause for otherwise unexplained changes in appetite or body weight.

Evaluating the risk of QTc prolongation associated with antidepressant use in older adults: a review of the evidence.

Antidepressants are widely used medications for a range of medical conditions such as mood disorders and chronic pain in older adults. A vast body of evidence exists concerning the risks of QT interval prolongation associated with these agents and healthcare providers should critically evaluate the potential for QT prolongation when selecting antidepressant agents. Long QT syndrome is a disorder of myocardial repolarization that manifests as a prolonged QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG) and has been demonstrated to increase with age. The objective of this review is to present and evaluate existing literature regarding the risk of QT prolongation in older adults, age 60 years and older, and discuss the implications for clinical practice. A PubMed search was conducted to identify studies evaluating the QT prolonging effects of antidepressant medications and publications were chosen based on pertinent criteria. Depending on the antidepressant agent and patient-specific factors, clinicians should assess and monitor electrolytes and EGCs to evaluate the risks and benefits for older adults receiving agents known to prolong the QT interval.

Clinic-Level Population Health Intervention by PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residents to Optimize Medication Management in a Self-Insured Employer Health Plan Population.

BACKGROUND: Postgraduate year 2 ambulatory care pharmacy residents (PGY2 residents) may be able to improve healthcare quality by providing clinical pharmacy services provided to self-insured employer health plan patients. The objectives of this study are to describe this care delivery in a family medicine clinic, and to identify patients most likely to benefit from the service. METHODS: From October 1, 2014 till June 30, 2015, comprehensive medication review was completed by PGY2 residents for patients insured by CU Anthem at the University of Colorado Westminster Family Medicine. For patients with medication-related problems (MRPs), a note was sent to the provider before the patient visit. Patient characteristics were compared in those who received a clinical pharmacy note with those who did not. RESULTS: Sixty-eight MRPs were identified in 39 notes; 40 (58.8%) recommendations were implemented. The following Clinical Pharmacy Priority (CP2) score criteria were identified more frequently in patients with MRPs: age ≥65 years, diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure ≥140/90, hemoglobin A1c >7.9%, and ≥6 items on the medication list. CONCLUSION: PGY2 residents identified and resolved numerous clinically relevant MRPs. Patient-specific criteria can be utilized to target self-insured employer health plan patients who are likely to have clinically relevant MRPs.

Development and economic evaluation of a pharmacist-provided chronic care management service in an ambulatory care geriatrics clinic.

PURPOSE: The implementation and delivery of a pharmacist-led chronic care management (CCM) service in a geriatric primary care clinic are described. METHODS: A CCM service was provided March 1 through December 31, 2016, at the University of Colorado Hospital Seniors Clinic ("Seniors Clinic"). The electronic health record (EHR) team for the University of Colorado Health system developed a patient registry through EPIC Healthy Planet (Epic Systems Corp., Verona, WI) to identify patients at the Seniors Clinic eligible for CCM services. The EHR team constructed a note type and documentation template within the EHR to ensure documentation of all necessary components for billing and to allow individual clinical staff to document the time spent providing CCM care. RESULTS: Overall, 36 elderly patients enrolled in the pharmacist-provided CCM service over the 10 months. Clinical pharmacists spent a total of 156-849 minutes per month providing CCM services, with a mean outreach time of 45.4 minutes per patient. The clinical pharmacists submitted 95 claims, and all but 5 were paid. The total amount reimbursed from the health plans during the 10 months was $2,775.02. CONCLUSION: Medicare patients were successfully enrolled in a CCM service in a geriatrics primary care clinic led by clinical pharmacists and medical providers. The CCM services were more time-consuming than the allotted 20 minutes per patient per month with the CCM Current Procedural Terminology code used during this study.

Characteristics and Patterns of Marijuana Use in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: To understand patterns of marijuana use in community-dwelling older adults in Colorado. DESIGN: Anonymous survey. SETTING: Two academic geriatric primary care clinics. PARTICIPANTS: English-speaking individuals. MEASUREMENTS: We assessed self-reported characteristics and patterns of marijuana use and effect on targeted symptoms. Survey analysis focused on current users, defined as individuals who had used marijuana in the past 3 years. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-five individuals completed the survey (55% response rate); 113 (32%) had used marijuana in the past, of whom 55 (16%) had used since legalization. More than half of current users were aged 75 and older, and one-quarter were aged 85 and older. Most current users were white women. Of current users, 44% used marijuana products at least weekly for common conditions including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and most found marijuana helpful for these conditions. Most respondents reported obtaining marijuana recreationally (67%) without a prescription. Nine respondents reported negative side effects attributable to marijuana use. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize marijuana use of older adults in a state in which it is legal for medical and recreational use. Marijuana was used for several common geriatric conditions, and respondents reported few side effects. The small number of survey respondents, the lack of generalizability in states where marijuana sales are illegal, and participation bias were the main study limitations. Further research is needed to better understand useful or harmful effects in this population. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2167-2171, 2018.

Managing and maintaining bone mineral density in diabetes patients with pharmacotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The population of patients with osteoporosis and diabetes is increasing as the aging population increases. Loss of bone mineral density occurs in patients with diabetes, but is not always a priority in the practice setting. The aim of this review is to discuss clinical considerations when managing osteoporosis in patients with diabetes. Areas covered: The pathophysiology of decreased bone mineral density in patients with diabetes is discussed. Additionally, diabetic risk factors for fracture, such as hypoglycemia, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommendations for osteoporosis, and secondary causes of osteoporosis, including disease and medication related causes, are discussed. Furthermore, recommendations for antihyperglycemic agents, thiazolidinediones, canagliflozin, insulin, metformin, and sitagliptin are discussed due to their effects on bone mineral density. Expert opinion: Even though diabetes is an important risk factor for osteoporosis, assessing bone health in diabetic patients is often overlooked. Ensuring adequate prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis is vitally important with our diabetic patients as the population ages. T-scores and FRAX scores likely underrepresent a diabetic patients risk for fracture, and this should be taken into consideration in treatment decisions. Future studies are needed to determine optimal pharmacologic treatment of hyperglycemia in this population.