Influence of refill adherence method when comparing level of adherence for different dosing regimens

Purpose

To examine the impact of two methods when estimating refill adherence in patients using bisphosphonates with different dosing regimens.

Methods

In the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, 18,203 new users of bisphosphonates aged 18–85 years were identified between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007 and followed for a maximum of 2 years. The patients were categorised based on dosing regimen: one tablet daily, one tablet weekly, switching between these regimens, and other regimens. Refill adherence was estimated with Continuous measure of Medication Acquisition (CMA, adherent if CMA?≥?80 %) and the maximum gap method (adherent if gaps <45 days). Differences in adherence between patients in the groups were assessed with logistic regression models controlling for confounding factors.

Results

The proportion of patients classified as adherent was higher using CMA compared with patients classified as adherent using the maximum gap method. Patients on one tablet weekly had significantly lower adherence compared with patients on one tablet daily in the main analyses of both methods (the maximum gap method: 73 % vs. 80 %; adjusted OR?=?0.71; 95 % CI 0.57–0.89 and CMA: 84 % vs. 88 %, adjusted OR?=?0.75; 95 % CI 0.57–0.99). Patients using the other two dosing regimens had significantly lower adherence compared with patients on one tablet daily using both methods.

Conclusion

Choice of method has an impact on the estimates of refill adherence to bisphosphonates. Patients on one tablet weekly dosing had lower adherence compared with patients on one tablet daily dosing using both methods.     

Lazy Sunday afternoons: the negative impact of interruptions in patients’ daily routine on adherence to oral antidiabetic medication. A multilevel analysis of electronic monitoring data

Purpose

Considerable variability in adherence over time exists. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent deviations from the prescribed regimen in type 2 diabetes patients can be explained by characteristics of the individual ‘medication intake moments’ and the patient.

Methods

Medication intake of 104 non-adherent type 2 diabetes patients from 37 community pharmacies was electronically monitored for 6 months. The primary outcome measures were: (1) whether or not the intake occurred and (2) whether or not the intake occurred within the agreed-upon time period (correct timing). Multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed to account for the nested structure of the data.

Results

Medication intakes in the evening and during weekends and holidays were more likely to be incorrectly timed and also more likely to be completely missed. Irrespective of timing, most intakes occurred in the mornings of Monday through Thursday (96 %), and least intakes occurred on Saturday evening (82 %). Correctly timed intakes most often occurred on Monday and Tuesday mornings (61 %) in contrast to Sunday evenings (33 %). A patient’s medication regimen was significantly associated with adherence.

Conclusion

Based on our results, among patients who already have difficulties in taking their oral antidiabetic medication, interruptions in the daily routine negatively influence the intake of their medication. Professionals need to be aware of this variation in adherence within patients. As regular medication intake is important to maintain glycaemic control, healthcare professionals and patients should work together to find strategies that prevent deviations from the prescribed regimen at these problematic dosing times.     

Pilot study to assess the influence of an enhanced medication plan on patient knowledge at hospital discharge

Purpose

This study assessed the effect of providing an enhanced medication plan (EMP) to patients during patient-physician conversation at hospital discharge and evaluated its immediate impact on patient knowledge on pharmacotherapy.

Methods

We observed patient-physician conversations at hospital discharge in three internal medicine wards of the University Hospital Heidelberg before and after the EMP was integrated into the discharge process, and documented how and to what extent physicians provided the patients with drug information. After the conversation, the patients’ knowledge was evaluated by three standardized questions about their pharmacotherapy.

Results

We observed 90 conversations (50 before EMP-implementation, 40 after). In both phases, the conversation duration was 5.6–6 min (p?=?0.56). However, the time spent on drug information increased significantly by 61.7 % after EMP-implementation (+63 s, p?=?0.02). Before implementation, physicians gave at least one drug administration recommendation for 75.1 % of all drugs, compared to 84.6 % after implementation (p?=?0.02). The EMP provided information for almost all drugs (98.9 %; p?p?Conclusion The provision of an EMP improves information transfer and therefore increases the patients’ knowledge of their individual drug treatment without prolonging the overall discharge process.     

Improving communication of medication changes using a pharmacist-prepared discharge medication management summary

Background Discontinuity of care between hospital and primary care is often due to poor information transfer. Medication information in medical discharge summaries (DS) is often incomplete or incorrect. The effectiveness and feasibility of hospital pharmacists communicating medication information, including changes made in the hospital, is not clearly defined. Objective To explore the impact of a pharmacist-prepared Discharge Medication Management Summary (DMMS) on the accuracy of information about medication changes provided to patients’ general practitioners (GPs). Setting Two medical wards at a major metropolitan hospital in Australia. Method An intervention was developed in which ward pharmacists communicated medication change information to GPs using the DMMS. Retrospective audits were conducted at baseline and after implementation of the DMMS to compare the accuracy of information provided by doctors and pharmacists. GPs’ satisfaction with the DMMS was assessed through a faxed survey. Main outcome measure Accuracy of medication change information communicated to GPs; GP satisfaction and feasibility of a pharmacist-prepared DMMS. Results At baseline, 263/573 (45.9%) medication changes were documented by doctors in the DS. In the post-intervention audit, more medication changes were documented in the pharmacist-prepared DMMS compared to the doctor-prepared DS (72.8% vs. 31.5%; p < 0.001). Most GPs (73.3%) were satisfied with the information provided and wanted to receive the DMMS in the future. Completing the DMMS took pharmacists an average of 11.7 minutes. Conclusion The accuracy of medication information transferred upon discharge can be improved by expanding the role of hospital pharmacists to include documenting medication changes.     

Continuation of Proton Pump Inhibitors from Hospital to Community

Objectives

To evaluate the appropriateness of initiation of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment in hospital, the quality of discharge information, and any association with continued treatment in the community.

Method

Survey of all inpatients newly initiated on a PPI in June–August 2003. Assessment of appropriateness of therapy and completeness of discharge information; assessment of continuation of PPI therapy in the community after 6 months.

Results

Thirty-five of 58 patients (60%) were considered appropriately commenced on PPI treatment. Less than 25% of patients discharged on a PPI had discharge information recommending duration of treatment or review. In the “appropriate” group 30 patients (86%) were discharged on omeprazole, and 13/21 (62%) evaluable patients remained on this at 6 months. In the “inappropriate” group 15 (65%) were discharged on omeprazole, and 10/14 (71%) evaluable patients remained on this at 6 months. Older patients remained on omeprazole for a longer duration but appropriateness of commencement did not influence the duration of treatment. Dose titration was attempted for 10 (29%) patients including three from the “inappropriate” group.

Conclusion

Care should be taken to commence PPIs only when clinically indicated. Discharge information to GPs, especially recommendations for duration of treatment and/or dose titration, requires improvement.     

Burden of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients Receiving Low-Dose Acetylsalicylic Acid for Cardiovascular Risk Management

Background

Continuous low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin; ASA) is a mainstay of cardiovascular (CV) risk management. It is well established, however, that troublesome upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are commonly experienced among low-dose ASA users.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of upper GI symptoms, and their impact on well-being, among patients taking low-dose ASA for CV risk management.

Study Design

This was a multicenter, non-interventional, 12-week study carried out in primary-care, cardiology, and practice group centers in the USA, Canada, and France.

Patients

Eligible patients were adults (age ≥18 years) at risk of or with confirmed CV disease, with physician-prescribed/-recommended low-dose ASA (75–325 mg) use.

Main Outcome Measures

An electronic device (eDiary) was used to collect patient-reported outcome data three times per day (morning, afternoon, and evening; regular reports), including upper GI (gastroesophageal disease [GERD]-like or dyspepsia-like) symptoms and the impact of such symptoms on sleep quality, perceived stress, and emotions. In addition to regular reports, patients were able to self-initiate a report of upper GI symptoms (spontaneous reports).

Results

Overall, 81,282 eDiary reports (including 4,407 spontaneous reports of upper GI symptoms) were collected from 340 patients. Upper GI symptoms (most commonly GERD-like) were commonly blamed on food/drink (39 %), and around one-third of patients (37 %) used medication to relieve their symptoms. Analysis showed that upper GI symptoms had a negative impact on sleep quality, perceived stress, and emotions (all p < 0.01). Overall, GI medication use was infrequent, but was more common among low-dose ASA-experienced patients (41 % vs. 12 % of evening reports in patients naïve to low-dose ASA at baseline; p < 0.01); adherence to prescribed daily proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was poor (47 %).

Conclusion

Upper GI symptoms impact negatively on well-being among low-dose ASA users, in terms of decreased quality of sleep, increases in perceived stress, and negative impact on emotions. Despite this, patients may not necessarily associate these symptoms with their low-dose ASA therapy and do not readily take steps to manage such symptoms, which extends to poor adherence to prescribed daily PPIs.     

Evaluation of an alternative extended-infusion piperacillin–tazobactam dosing strategy for the treatment of gram-negative infections

Introduction To enhance the probability of pharmacodynamic target attainment, piperacillin–tazobactam can be administered as either a continuous or extended-infusion dosage regimen for the treatment of gram-negative infections. Four hour extended-infusions of piperacillin–tazobactam 3.375 g administered intravenously (IV) every 8 h have been widely studied as an alternative to conventional, intermittent dosage regimens with largely favorable outcomes. Objective To assess the clinical and economic impact of a novel 3-h extended-infusion piperacillin–tazobactam dosing strategy for the treatment of gram-negative infections. Setting 433-bed community hospital in Lexington, KY. Methods Retrospective cohort study before and after the implementation of an alternative dosing protocol using a 3-h infusion of piperacillin–tazobactam 3.375 g IV every 6 h. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes include length of stay, ICU length of stay, 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions, total cost per admission, complications, and a composite of in-hospital mortality and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Results Readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge was significantly reduced in the extended-infusion arm (1.2 vs. 13.7 %, P = 0.002). A composite endpoint of death or readmission was lower among patients who received the extended-infusion dosing regimen [OR_adj 0.20; 95 % CI (0.07–0.57)]. However this was likely driven by reductions in readmission. Conclusion An alternative regimen of extended-infusion piperacillin–tazobactam resulted in a significant reduction in 30-day all-cause hospital readmission. These results indicate that 3-h infusions of piperacillin–tazobactam 3.375 g IV every 6 h may represent a clinically effective alternative to other commonly used regimens and results in fewer readmissions within 30 days.     

A nationwide prospective study on prescribing pattern of antidepressant drugs in Italian primary care

Purpose

Our purpose was to explore antidepressant drug (AD) prescribing patterns in Italian primary care.

Methods

Overall, 276 Italian general practitioners (GPs) participated in this prospective study, recruiting patients >18 years who started AD therapy during the enrolment period (January 2007 to June 2008). During visits at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months, data about patients’ characteristics and AD treatments were collected by the GPs. Discontinuation rate among new users of AD classes [i.e., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI); tricyclics (TCAs); other ADs) were compared. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of AD discontinuation.

Results

SSRIs were the most frequently prescribed ADs (N?=?1,037; 75.3 %), especially paroxetine and escitalopram. SSRIs were more likely to be prescribed because of depressive disorders (80 %), and by GPs (51.1 %) rather than psychiatrists (31.8 %). Overall, 27.5 % (N?=?378) of AD users discontinued therapy during the first year, mostly in the first 3 months (N?=?242; 17.6 %), whereas 185 (13.4 %) were lost to follow-up. SSRI users showed the highest discontinuation rate (29 %). In patients with depressive disorders, younger age, psychiatrist-based diagnosis, and treatment started by GPs were independent predictors of SSRI discontinuation.

Conclusions

In Italy, ADs—especially SSRIs—are widely prescribed by GPs because of depressive/anxiety disorders. Active monitoring of AD users in general practice might reduce the AD discontinuation rate.     

Identifying high-risk medication: a systematic literature review

Purpose

A medication error (ME) is an error that causes damage or poses a threat of harm to a patient. Several studies have shown that only a minority of MEs actually causes harm, and this might explain why medication reviews at hospital admission reduce the number of MEs without showing an effect on length of hospital stay, readmissions, or death. The purpose of this study was to define drugs that actually cause serious MEs. We conducted a literature search of medication reviews and other preventive efforts.

Methods

A systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, Psycinfo, and SweMed+ was performed. Danish databases containing published patient complaints, patient compensation, and reported medication errors were also searched. Articles and case reports were included if they contained information of an ME causing a serious adverse reaction (AR) in a patient. Information concerning AR seriousness, causality, and preventability was required for inclusion.

Results

This systematic literature review revealed that 47 % of all serious MEs were caused by seven drugs or drug classes: methotrexate, warfarin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), digoxin, opioids, acetylic salicylic acid, and beta-blockers; 30 drugs or drug classes caused 82 % of all serious MEs. The top ten drugs involved in fatal events accounted for 73 % of all drugs identified.

Conclusion

Increasing focus on seven drugs/drug classes can potentially reduce hospitalizations, extended hospitalizations, disability, life-threatening conditions, and death by almost 50 %.     

The effect of counseling on willingness to use a hypothetical medication and perceptions of medication safety

Background

Poor medication adherence is an ongoing issue, and contributes to increased hospitalizations and healthcare costs. Although most adverse effects are rare, the perceived risk of adverse effects may contribute to low adherence rates.

Application of the Pareto principle to identify and address drug-therapy safety issues

Purpose

Adverse drug events (ADE) and medication errors (ME) are common causes of morbidity in patients presenting at emergency departments (ED). Recognition of ADE as being drug related and prevention of ME are key to enhancing pharmacotherapy safety in ED. We assessed the applicability of the Pareto principle (～80 % of effects result from 20 % of causes) to address locally relevant problems of drug therapy.

Methods

In 752 cases consecutively admitted to the nontraumatic ED of a major regional hospital, ADE, ME, contributing drugs, preventability, and detection rates of ADE by ED staff were investigated. Symptoms, errors, and drugs were sorted by frequency in order to apply the Pareto principle.

Results

In total, 242 ADE were observed, and 148 (61.2 %) were assessed as preventable. ADE contributed to 110 inpatient hospitalizations. The ten most frequent symptoms were causally involved in 88 (80.0 %) inpatient hospitalizations. Only 45 (18.6 %) ADE were recognized as drug-related problems until discharge from the ED. A limited set of 33 drugs accounted for 184 (76.0 %) ADE; ME contributed to 57 ADE. Frequency-based listing of ADE, ME, and drugs involved allowed identification of the most relevant problems and development of easily to implement safety measures, such as wall and pocket charts.

Conclusions

The Pareto principle provides a method for identifying the locally most relevant ADE, ME, and involved drugs. This permits subsequent development of interventions to increase patient safety in the ED admission process that best suit local needs.     

Feasibility of discontinuing chronic benzodiazepine use in nursing home residents: a pilot study

Purpose

Guidelines discourage chronic benzodiazepines and related Z drugs (BZD/Zs) for sleep problems. However, prevalence among nursing home residents remains high. Discontinuing these drugs is widely recommended but seems difficult to implement. The aim of our study was to evaluate the overall feasibility in the nursing home, in terms of willingness towards discontinuation and success rate at 8 months, together with the impact on withdrawal symptoms, change in sleep quality, quality of life and medication use.

Methods

In a convenience sample of five nursing homes (823 residents), we included cognitively competent residents with chronic BZD/Z use for insomnia. We investigated sleep quality [with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], quality of life (EQ-5D) and withdrawal symptoms [Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire (BWSQ)]. Success rate was analysed with survival analysis.

Results

Of the 135 eligible residents, both general physician (GP) and resident were willing to initiate discontinuation in 38 residents. Reasons for refusing to initiate discontinuation among GPs was the unmotivated patient and among residents the reluctance towards change. At 8 months, 66.0 % were successful discontinuers, with the subjective PSQI component evolving favourably (p?=?0.013) and a decreasing number of midnight awakenings (p?=?0.041). In the relapse group (n?=?13), the quality of life decreased (p?=?0.012), with mainly an increase of problems with activities and pain/discomfort. In both groups, the withdrawal symptoms, functionality and medication use did not change.

Conclusion

Discontinuation of chronic BZD/Z use is feasible in the nursing home setting without noticeable withdrawal symptoms, without a switch in medication use, without detrimental effect on quality of life and with a positive effect on the self-perceived sleep quality.     

Potential risk factors for medication non-adherence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Aims

To investigate the effect of a range of demographic and psychosocial variables on medication adherence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients managed in a secondary care setting.

Methods

A total of 173 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD, recruited from an outpatient clinic in Northern Ireland, participated in the study. Data collection was carried out via face-to-face interviews and through review of patients’ medical charts. Social and demographic variables, co-morbidity, self-reported drug adherence (Morisky scale), Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, COPD knowledge, Health Belief Model (HBM) and self-efficacy scales were determined for each patient.

Results

Participants were aged 67?±?9.7 (mean ± SD) years, 56?% female and took a mean (SD) of 8.2?±?3.4 drugs. Low adherence with medications was present in 29.5?% of the patients. Demographic variables (gender, age, marital status, living arrangements and occupation) were not associated with adherence. A range of clinical and psychosocial variables, on the other hand, were found to be associated with medication adherence, i.e. beliefs regarding medication effectiveness, severity of COPD, smoking status, presence of co-morbid illness, depressed mood, self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers within the HBM (p?P?Conclusions Adherence in COPD patients is influenced more by patients’ perception of their health and medication effectiveness, the presence of depressed mood and co-morbid illness than by demographic factors or disease severity.