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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 187 Research Studies DisplayedJallow F, Stehling E, Sajwani-Merchant Z
Medication management strategies by community-dwelling older adults: a multisite qualitative analysis.
The purpose of this study was to assess how older adults understand and develop strategies to mitigate risks of harm from medication use in the home environment. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older who took five or more prescription medications. They also compared two organizations' medication safety guidelines for concordance and discordance. Findings revealed that older adults followed some of the published guidelines, although there were areas of discord; some of the strategies older adults used were unintentionally contrary to recommended guidelines. The researchers concluded that patient-provider collaboration and positive patient outcomes can be improved by understanding and respecting medication strategies used by older adults at home.
AHRQ-funded; HS027277.
Citation: Jallow F, Stehling E, Sajwani-Merchant Z .
Medication management strategies by community-dwelling older adults: a multisite qualitative analysis.
J Patient Saf 2024 Apr; 20(3):192-97. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001200..
Keywords: Medication, Elderly, Caregiving, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Deardorff WJ, Jing B, Growdon ME
Medication misuse and overuse in community-dwelling persons with dementia.
This study sought to characterize a broad spectrum of medication misuse and overuse among community-dwelling persons with dementia (PWD). The authors included community-dwelling adults aged ≥66 in the Health and Retirement Study from 2008 to 2018 linked to Medicare and classified as having dementia using a validated algorithm. Potentially problematic medications were identified as: (1) medication overuse including over-aggressive treatment of diabetes/hypertension (e.g., insulin/sulfonylurea with hemoglobin A1c < 7.5%) and medications inappropriate near end of life based on STOPPFrail and (2) medication misuse including medications that negatively affect cognition and medications from 2019 Beers and STOPP Version 2 criteria. To contextualize, they compared medication use to people without dementia through a propensity-matched cohort by age, sex, comorbidities, and interview year. Among 1441 PWD, median age was 84, 67% female, and 14% Black. Overall, 73% of PWD were prescribed ≥1 potentially problematic medication with a mean of 2.09 per individual in the prior year. This was notable across several domains, as 41% were prescribed ≥1 medications that negatively affects cognition. Frequently prescribed problematic medications identified included proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic agents. Problematic medication use was higher among PWD compared to those without dementia with 73% versus 67% prescribed ≥1 problematic medication and a mean of 2.09 versus 1.62, respectively.
AHRQ-funded; HS02638.
Citation: Deardorff WJ, Jing B, Growdon ME .
Medication misuse and overuse in community-dwelling persons with dementia.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Oct; 71(10):3086-98. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18463..
Keywords: Medication, Dementia, Elderly
Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Urman RD
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospitalization for major orthopedic procedures.
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to identify risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs) after hospital discharge following orthopedic procedures. The participants of this study included a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent major orthopedic surgery during hospitalization in 2016 and had an opioid prescription filled within 2 days of discharge. The study found that among 30,514 hospitalizations with a major orthopedic procedure and an opioid claim, a potential ORADE requiring hospital revisit occurred in 2.5%. After adjustment for patient characteristics, prior opioid use, co-prescribed sedating medications, and opioid prescription characteristics were not related with ORADEs. Independent risk factors did include age of 80 years or older, female sex, and clinical conditions, including heart failure, respiratory illness, kidney disease, dementia/delirium, anxiety disorder, and musculoskeletal/nervous system injuries.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Urman RD .
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospitalization for major orthopedic procedures.
J Patient Saf 2023 Oct 1; 19(6):379-85. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001144..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Hospitalization, Orthopedics, Surgery, Medication, Risk, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Troy AL, Herzig SJ, Trivedi S
Initiation of oral anticoagulation in US older adults newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation during hospitalization.
This study investigated prevalence of oral anticoagulant initiation for newly diagnosed US older adults with atrial fibrillation within 7 days of hospital discharge. The authors used a 20% national sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, identifying patients aged 65 years or older newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation while hospitalized in 2016. Among 38,379 older adults newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation while hospitalized (mean age 78.2; 51.8% female; 83.3% white), 36,633 (95.4%) had an indication for anticoagulation and 24.6% (9011) of those initiated an oral anticoagulant following discharge. Higher CHA(2) DS(2) -VASc score was associated with a small increase in oral anticoagulant initiation (predicted probability 20.5% for scores <2 and 24.9% for ≥4). Elevated HAS-BLED score was associated with a small decrease in probability of anticoagulant initiation (25.4% for score <2 and 23.1% for ≥3). Frailty was associated with decreased likelihood of oral anticoagulant initiation (24.7% for non-frail and 18.1% for moderately-severely frail). Anticoagulant initiation varied by primary reason for hospitalization, with predicted probability highest among patients with a primary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (46.1%) and lowest among those with non-cardiovascular conditions (13.8%) and bleeds (3.6%).
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Troy AL, Herzig SJ, Trivedi S .
Initiation of oral anticoagulation in US older adults newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation during hospitalization.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Sep; 71(9):2748-58. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18375..
Keywords: Elderly, Blood Thinners, Medication, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Stroke
Enzinger AC, Ghosh K, Keating NL
Racial and ethnic disparities in opioid access and urine drug screening among older patients with poor-prognosis cancer near the end of life.
This research characterized racial and ethnic disparities and trends in opioid access and urine drug screening (UDS) among older patients dying of cancer, and to explore potential mechanisms. Among 18,549 non-Hispanic White (White), Black, and Hispanic Medicare decedents older than 65 years with poor-prognosis cancers, the authors examined 2007-2019 trends in opioid prescription fills and potency (morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs] per day [MMEDs]) near the end of life (EOL), defined as 30 days before death or hospice enrollment. They found that between 2007 and 2019, White, Black, and Hispanic decedents experienced steady declines in EOL opioid access and rapid expansion of UDS. Compared with White patients, Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive any opioid (Black, -4.3 percentage points; Hispanic, -3.6 percentage points) and long-acting opioids (Black, -3.1 percentage points; Hispanic, -2.2 percentage points). They also received lower daily doses (Black, -10.5 MMED; Hispanic, -9.1 MMED) and lower total doses (Black, -210 MMEs; Hispanic, -179 MMEs). Black patients were also more likely to undergo UDS (0.5 percentage points).
AHRQ-funded; HS024072.
Citation: Enzinger AC, Ghosh K, Keating NL .
Racial and ethnic disparities in opioid access and urine drug screening among older patients with poor-prognosis cancer near the end of life.
J Clin Oncol 2023 May 10; 41(14):2511-22. doi: 10.1200/jco.22.01413..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Cancer, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Access to Care
Growdon ME, Gan S, Yaffe K
New psychotropic medication use among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia after hospital discharge.
Hospital stays often trigger behavioral shifts in people with dementia (PWD), potentially leading to the prescription of psychotropic drugs despite their limited effectiveness and potential for harmful side-effects. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of new psychotropic drug prescriptions in PWD living in the community after their discharge from the hospital, and within these new users, the percentage who continued their use for an extended duration. The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study, utilizing a random selection of Medicare claims from 2017. The study included PWD hospital patients who were 68 years or older and covered by traditional and Part D Medicare. The primary outcome was the event of prescribing at the time of discharge psychotropic drugs including antipsychotics, sedative-hypnotics, antiepileptics, and antidepressants. The initiation was characterized as new prescriptions (from classes not utilized in the 180 days preceding admission) filled within a week of discharge from the hospital or skilled nursing facility. Extended use was defined as the percentage of new users who continued to refill the newly prescribed medications for more than 90 days post-discharge. The study population consisted of 117,022 hospitalized PWD with an average age of 81 years, with 63% being female. The study found that prior to admission, 63% were already using at least one psychotropic drug; 10% were using drugs from three or more psychotropic classes. These classes included antidepressants (44% pre-admission), antiepileptics (29%), sedative-hypnotics (21%), and antipsychotics (11%). The percentage of PWD discharged with new psychotropic prescriptions ranged from 1.9% (antipsychotics) to 2.9% (antiepileptics); 6.6% had at least one new class initiated. Among these new users, prolonged use varied from 36% (sedative-hypnotics) to 63% (antidepressants); across drug classes, prolonged use was observed in 51%. Factors associated with the initiation of new psychotropics included duration of hospital stay and delirium.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Growdon ME, Gan S, Yaffe K .
New psychotropic medication use among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia after hospital discharge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Apr; 71(4):1134-44. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18161..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Medicare, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Hospitalization
Jallow F, Stehling E, Sajwani-Merchant Z
A multisite qualitative analysis of perceived roles in medication safety: older adults' perspectives.
The objective of this study was to identify the roles of patients, providers, and pharmacists in medication safety from the perspective of older adults. Researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with community-dwelling adults over 65 years old who took five or more prescription medications daily. Their results suggested that older adults' perceptions of their role and the roles of primary care providers and pharmacists in medication safety varied widely. The researchers concluded that educating providers and pharmacists about the expectations of this population can ultimately improve medication safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS027277.
Citation: Jallow F, Stehling E, Sajwani-Merchant Z .
A multisite qualitative analysis of perceived roles in medication safety: older adults' perspectives.
J Patient Exp 2023 Jan-Dec; 10:23743735231158887. doi: 10.1177/23743735231158887..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Patient Experience
Goodhope NR, Anderson TS, Jung Y
Initiation of psychotropic and opioid medications after hospital discharge in older adults with dementia.
Despite the high number of people suffering from opioid addiction in the USA, access to treatment remains limited, with only a fraction of those in need receiving life-saving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The current healthcare system and policies create unnecessary barriers to care, exacerbating treatment and illness burdens. This study proposes the use of a minimally disruptive medicine (MDM) framework to reduce disruptions in patients' lives, improve healthcare quality and delivery, and save lives. To achieve this, the authors suggest policy changes that expand MOUD to all healthcare settings, promote flexible and patient-centered medication choices, reduce treatment requirements, and address systemic disparities and inequities. By adopting an MDM approach, clinicians, health systems, and policymakers can create a more patient-centered and accessible care system for those battling opioid addiction.
AHRQ-funded; HS026216.
Citation: Goodhope NR, Anderson TS, Jung Y .
Initiation of psychotropic and opioid medications after hospital discharge in older adults with dementia.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Feb; 38(3):824-27. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07874-x..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Dementia, Hospital Discharge
Becker MW, Kashy DA, Harben A
A novel strategy to optimize critical information on over the counter labels for older adults.
In this article, the authors described two experiments in which they evaluated the impact of over-the-counter (OTC) medication label designs that employ highlighting and warning labels placed on package fronts on the attention and use of critical information by older consumers. In both experiments. participants aged 65 or over were required to access and use critical label information to respond correctly to questions. Highlighting or placing critical information on the front of packaging significantly improved response accuracy. The authors concluded that these results are relevant for regulations which dictate label design to further ease and safety of use of medications for older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS025386.
Citation: Becker MW, Kashy DA, Harben A .
A novel strategy to optimize critical information on over the counter labels for older adults.
Health Sci Rep 2023 Jan 25; 6(1):e1062. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1062..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Safety, Communication
Bongiovanni T, Gan S, Finlayson E
Prolonged use of newly prescribed gabapentin after surgery.
This study investigated postoperative prolonged gabapentin use in adults 65 years and older. The authors merged a 20% sample of Medicare Carrier, MedPAR, and Outpatient Files with Part D for 2013-2018. They defined new postoperative gabapentin as fills for 7 days before surgery until 7 days after discharge. Overall, 3% of all eligible patients (n = 17,970) had a new prescription for gabapentin postsurgery. Out of those, the mean age was 73 years old and 62% were female. The most common surgeries that gabapentin was prescribed for was total knee (45%) and total hip (21%) replacements. Prolonged use occurred in 22% of patients, with women, non-White, those with concurrent prolonged opioid use, and patients having undergone emergency surgery more likely to have prolonged use.
Citation: Bongiovanni T, Gan S, Finlayson E .
Prolonged use of newly prescribed gabapentin after surgery.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Dec;70(12):3560-69. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18005..
Keywords: Medication, Surgery, Pain, Elderly, Practice Patterns
Xiao Y, Smith A, Abebe E
Understanding hazards for adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge: insights from frontline care professionals.
The purpose of this study was to utilize a systems approach to examine hazards to medication safety for older adults during care transitions. The researchers interviewed 38 hospital-based professionals (5 hospitalists, 24 nurses, 4 clinical pharmacists, 3 pharmacy technicians, and 2 social workers) from 4 hospitals about ADE risks after hospital discharge among older adults. For each concern the participants provided, the hazard for medication-related harms was coded and grouped by its sources utilizing a human factors and systems engineering model. The study found that the hazards fell into 6 groups: 1) medication tasks related at home, 2) patient and caregiver related, 3) hospital work system related, 4) home resource related, 5) hospital professional-patient collaborative work related, and 6) external environment related. The type of medications indicated most frequently when describing concerns included anticoagulants, insulins, and diuretics. The types of hazards coded the most were: complex dosing, patient and caregiver knowledge gaps in medication management, errors in discharge medications, unaffordable cost, inadequate understanding about changes in medications, and gaps in access to care or in sharing medication information.
AHRQ-funded; HS024436.
Citation: Xiao Y, Smith A, Abebe E .
Understanding hazards for adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge: insights from frontline care professionals.
J Patient Saf 2022 Dec 1;18(8):e1174-e80. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001046..
Keywords: Elderly, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Medication, Medication: Safety, Hospital Discharge, Hospitals, Transitions of Care
Campbell NL, Pitts C, Corvari C
Deprescribing anticholinergics in primary care older adults: experience from two models and impact on a continuous measure of exposure.
The purpose of this study was to assess two pilot pharmacist-based advanced practice deprescribing intervention models and their impact on patients’ exposure to high-risk anticholinergics. The researchers conducted pilot studies of a collaborative clinic-based pharmacist deprescribing intervention and a telephone-based pharmacist deprescribing intervention. Deprescribing was defined as a discontinuation or dose reduction. Patients participating in the clinic-based pharmacy model were aged 55 years and older and were referred for deprescribing at a specialty clinic. Patients participating in the telephone-based pharmacy model were aged 65 years and older and called by a clinical pharmacist for deprescribing without referral. The study found that among the 24 medications deemed eligible for deprescribing for the18 patients in the clinic-based model, 23 were deprescribed. The clinic-based deprescribing model resulted in a 93% reduction in median annualized total standardized dose (TSD), 56% lowered their annualized exposure below a cognitive risk threshold, and 17% of medications were represcribed within 6 months. Among the 24 medications deemed eligible for deprescribing for the 24 patients in the telephone-based pharmacy model, 50% were deprescribed. There was no change in the median annualized TSD, the annualized TSD was lowered below a cognitive risk threshold in 46%, and no medications were represcribed within 6 months. The researchers concluded that pharmacist-based deprescribing successfully reduced exposure to high-risk anticholinergics in the study population.
AHRQ-funded; HS24384.
Citation: Campbell NL, Pitts C, Corvari C .
Deprescribing anticholinergics in primary care older adults: experience from two models and impact on a continuous measure of exposure.
Journal of the American College of Pharmacy 2022 Oct;5(10):1039-47. doi: 10.1002/jac5.1682..
Keywords: Elderly, Primary Care, Medication, Provider: Pharmacist, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Jiang Y, Mason M, Cho Y
Tolerance to oral anticancer agent treatment in older adults with cancer: a secondary analysis of data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to explore the tolerance of capecitabine oral chemotherapy among older adults with cancer and investigate factors associated with related side effects and treatment changes. The researchers combined data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes, and found that older adults were more likely to experience fatigue and experienced more severe fatigue and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) than younger adults. The severity of fatigue and HFS were associated with the number of outpatient medications and the duration of treatment respectively. Female sex, breast cancer diagnosis, capecitabine monotherapy, and severe HFS were found to be associated with subsequent dose reductions. The study concluded that older adults were less likely to tolerate capecitabine treatment and had different co-occurring side effects compared to younger adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS027846.
Citation: Jiang Y, Mason M, Cho Y .
Tolerance to oral anticancer agent treatment in older adults with cancer: a secondary analysis of data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes.
BMC Cancer 2022 Sep 3;22(1):950. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-10026-3..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Wei YJ, Chen C, Cheng TD
Association of injury after prescription opioid initiation with risk for opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
This study’s objectives were to examine the association between incident injury after prescription opioid initiation and subsequent risk of opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs) and to assess whether the association differs by recency of injury among older patients. The researchers observed that incident diagnosis of injury following opioid initiation was associated with subsequent increased risk of ORAEs, and the risk was only significant among patients with injury in the month before the index date. They recommended regular monitoring for injury in order to identify older opioid users at high risk for ORAEs.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Wei YJ, Chen C, Cheng TD .
Association of injury after prescription opioid initiation with risk for opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
PLoS Med 2022 Sep;19(9):e1004101. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004101..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Substance Abuse, Elderly, Adverse Events
Kagarmanova A, Sparkman H, Laiteerapong N
Improving the management of chronic pain, opioid use, and opioid use disorder in older adults: study protocol for i-cope study.
This article describes a protocol for an upcoming study on the planned implementation and evaluation of I-COPE (Improving Chicago Older Adult Opioid and Pain Management through Patient-centered Clinical Decision Support and Project ECHO®) to improve care for older adults with chronic pain, opioid use, and opioid use disorder (OUD). The study will be implemented in 35 clinical sites across the metropolitan Chicago area for patients aged ≥ 65 with chronic pain, opioid use, or OUD who receive primary care at one of the clinics. I-COPE includes the integration of patient-reported data on symptoms and preferences, clinical decision support tools and shared decision making into routine primary care. Primary care providers will be trained on the tools through web-based videos and an optional Project ECHO® course, entitled "Pain Management and OUD in Older Adults." A framework called RE-AIM will be used to assess the I-COPE implementation. Outcomes considered effective include an increased variety of recommended pain treatments, decreased prescriptions of higher-risk pain treatments, and decreased patient pain scores. Outcomes will be evaluated at 6 and 12 months after implementation, and PCPs participating in Project ECHO® will be evaluated on changes in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy using pre- and post-course surveys.
AHRQ-funded; HS027910.
Citation: Kagarmanova A, Sparkman H, Laiteerapong N .
Improving the management of chronic pain, opioid use, and opioid use disorder in older adults: study protocol for i-cope study.
Trials 2022 Jul 27;23(1):602. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06537-w..
Keywords: Elderly, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Uribe-Cano D, Bahranian M, Jolles SA
Comparison of criteria for determining appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes.
Researchers studied the extent to which the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria overlap and can be used interchangeably for tracking antibiotic appropriateness in nursing homes. Using a cross-sectional chart review in 5 Wisconsin nursing homes, they found that levels of agreement between the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria were moderate for urinary tract infections, fair for skin and soft-tissue infections, and slight for respiratory tract infections. They concluded that agreement between the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria is limited, and that nursing homes should employ the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria for their intended purposes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022465.
Citation: Uribe-Cano D, Bahranian M, Jolles SA .
Comparison of criteria for determining appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2022 Jul;43(7):860-63. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.221..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medication
Chen C, Lo-Ciganic WH, Winterstein AG
Concurrent use of prescription opioids and gabapentinoids in older adults.
This cross-sectional study investigated concurrent opioid-gabapentinoid use among older Medicare opioid users with chronic noncancer pain. The study found 464,732 eligible older beneficiaries aged 65 and older who filled ≥1 opioid prescription within 3 months after a randomly selected chronic noncancer pain diagnosis in a calendar year between 2011 and 2018. The prevalence of concurrent use increased from 17% in 2011 to 23.5% in 2013. The profile of concurrent users tended to be non-Black, low-income subsidy recipients, and Southern residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Chen C, Lo-Ciganic WH, Winterstein AG .
Concurrent use of prescription opioids and gabapentinoids in older adults.
Am J Prev Med 2022 Apr;62(4):519-28. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.08.024..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Opioids, Pain, Chronic Conditions
Chen C, Winterstein AG, Lo-Ciganic WH
Concurrent use of prescription gabapentinoids with opioids and risk for fall-related injury among older US Medicare beneficiaries with chronic noncancer pain: a population-based cohort study.
This study compared the risk of fall-related injury in two cohorts who used gabapentinoids concurrently with opioid use and those who used opioids only. The authors created 2 cohorts based on whether concurrent users initiated gabapentinoids on the day of opioid initiation (Cohort 1) or after opioid initiation (Cohort 2). Both cohorts were identified from a sample of older Medicare beneficiaries with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Four concurrent users were matched up with 1 opioid-only user. They identified 6,733 concurrent users and 27,092 matched opioid-only users in Cohort 1 and 5,709 concurrent users and 22,388 matched opioid-only users in Cohort 2. Cohort 1’s incidence rate of fall-related injury was 24.5 per 100 person-users during follow-up and was 18.0 per 100-person-years during follow-up for Cohort 2. Concurrent users had had similar risk of fall-related injury as opioid-only users in Cohort 1 but had higher risk for fall-related injury than opioid-only users in Cohort 2.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Chen C, Winterstein AG, Lo-Ciganic WH .
Concurrent use of prescription gabapentinoids with opioids and risk for fall-related injury among older US Medicare beneficiaries with chronic noncancer pain: a population-based cohort study.
PLoS Med 2022 Mar;19(3):e1003921. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003921..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Medication: Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Falls, Patient Safety, Injuries and Wounds, Pain, Chronic Conditions
Wei YJ, Chen C, Lewis MO
Trajectories of prescription opioid dose and risk of opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
This study used a sample of older patients who are Medicare beneficiaries who were newly prescribed opioids to determine rates of 4 prescription opioid dose trajectories and the risk of opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs). A 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2011 to 2018 was used to conduct a nested case-control study of patients age 65 and older who were newly diagnosed with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Among the cases and controls, 2,192 (70.6%) were women and mean age was 77.1 years. Four prescribed opioid trajectories before the incident ORAE diagnosis or matched date emerged: gradual dose discontinuation (from ≤3 to 0 daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME), 1,456 [23.5%]), gradual dose increase (from 0 to >3 daily MME, 1,878 [30.3%]), consistent low dose (between 3 and 5 daily MME, 1,510 [24.3%]), and consistent moderate dose (>20 daily MME, 1,362 [22.0%]). Less than 5% were prescribed a mean daily dose of ≥90 daily MME during 6 months before diagnosis or matched date. Patients with gradual dose discontinuation versus those with a consistent low or moderate dose, and increase dose were more likely to be 65 to 74 years, Midwest US residents, and receiving no low-income subsidy. Those with gradual dose increase and consistent moderate dose had a higher risk of ORAE, after adjustment for covariates.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Wei YJ, Chen C, Lewis MO .
Trajectories of prescription opioid dose and risk of opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
PLoS Med 2022 Mar;19(3):e1003947. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003947..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Risk, Chronic Conditions, Pain, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Katz MJ, Tamma PD, Cosgrove SE
Implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program in long-term care facilities across the US.
The purpose of this study was to determine if AHRQ’s Safety Program for Improving Antibiotic Use was associated with reductions in antibiotic use in long-term care (LTC) facilities in the US. Findings showed that participation in the AHRQ safety program was associated with the development of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) that actively engaged clinical staff in the decision-making processes around antibiotic prescriptions in participating LTC facilities. The reduction in days of antibiotic therapy and starts, which was more pronounced in more engaged facilities, indicated that implementation of this multifaceted program may support successful ASPs in LTC settings.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Katz MJ, Tamma PD, Cosgrove SE .
Implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program in long-term care facilities across the US.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Feb;5(2):e220181. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0181..
Keywords: Elderly, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Long-Term Care, Medication, Implementation, Patient Safety
Rosenthal M, Poling J, Wec A
"Medication is just one piece of the whole puzzle": how nursing homes change their use of antipsychotic medications.
This article investigated health professionals’ experiences with decision-making during changes under the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes and its companion coalitions. These programs were introduced in 2012 for the purpose of encouraging reductions in antipsychotic use and increasing use of nonpharmacological treatments for dementia. Interviews were conducted with 40 nursing home physicians and staff in seven states. The authors found that reducing antipsychotics is more time and resource-intensive than relying on medication. However, respondents supported reductions in antipsychotic use. They indicated that with supported staffing, effective communications, and training, they could create or implement individualized treatments.
AHRQ-funded; HS023464.
Citation: Rosenthal M, Poling J, Wec A .
"Medication is just one piece of the whole puzzle": how nursing homes change their use of antipsychotic medications.
J Appl Gerontol 2022 Jan;41(1):62-72. doi: 10.1177/0733464820958919..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Nursing Homes, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Long-Term Care, Shared Decision Making
Martin BA, Breslow RM, Sims A
Identifying over-the-counter information to prioritize for the purpose of reducing adverse drug reactions in older adults: a national survey of pharmacists.
This study’s objective was to determine which information on over-the-counter (OTC) Drug Facts Labels (DFS) is most critical in reducing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among older adults and should be placed in front of the label. A national survey of practicing pharmacists knowledgeable about OTC medication use by older adults asked respondents to rank order the importance of the DFL sections to reduce ADRs. A total of 318 responses were analyzed. There was high consensus that uses and purposes, active ingredient, warnings, and directions for use were the most important sections on the label. Two specific warnings “Do not use” and “Ask a doctor or pharmacist” were deemed most important in the warnings section.
AHRQ-funded; HS025386.
Citation: Martin BA, Breslow RM, Sims A .
Identifying over-the-counter information to prioritize for the purpose of reducing adverse drug reactions in older adults: a national survey of pharmacists.
J Am Pharm Assoc 2022 Jan-Feb;62(1):167-75.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.08.019..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Herzig SJ, Anderson TS,, Jung y
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge.
This study examined patient- and prescribing-related risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events (ADEs) after hospital discharge among medical patients. Administrative billing codes and medication claims were used to define potential opioid-related ADEs within 30 days of hospital discharge. Findings showed that potential opioid-related ADEs occurred in 7% of older adults discharged from a medical hospitalization with an opioid prescription. Recommendations included using identified risk factors to inform physician decision-making, having conversations with older adults about risk, and increasing development and targeting of harm reduction strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Herzig SJ, Anderson TS,, Jung y .
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Jan;70(1):228-34. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17453..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Risk, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Medication, Hospital Discharge
Xiong KZ, Shah S, Stone JA
Using a scenario-based hybrid approach to understand participant health behavior.
This study described a scenario-based hybrid approach that included a simulation exercise and a situational interview to understand how older adults first select and then take OTC medication. The authors concluded that the scenario-based hybrid approach not only yielded detailed information about behavior, but also allowed investigators to discern participants' decision-making, influences, and the rationales they used when selecting and taking OTC medications.
AHRQ-funded; HS024490.
Citation: Xiong KZ, Shah S, Stone JA .
Using a scenario-based hybrid approach to understand participant health behavior.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2021 Dec;17(12):2070-74. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.02.020..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Shared Decision Making
Morris AO, Gilson A, Chui MA
Utilizing a cognitive engineering approach to conduct a hierarchical task analysis to understand complex older adult decision-making during over-the-counter medication selection.
This study characterized older adults' cognitive decision-making process when seeking to self-medicate with over-the-counter (OTC) medications from their community pharmacy, and demonstrated how hierarchical task analysis (HTA) can be used to evaluate a pharmacy intervention's impact on their decision-making. Findings showed that, while selecting an OTC, older adults considered quantity, cost, form, regimen, safety, strength, appropriateness of OTC safety, generic/name-brand, past experiences, and ingredients. The study intervention reduced by half the number of factors considered. Findings suggested that HTA-informed decision profiles may provide pharmacists with critical insights into safety issues that older adults may not be considering so that pharmacists can support their decision-making.
AHRQ-funded; HS024490.
Citation: Morris AO, Gilson A, Chui MA .
Utilizing a cognitive engineering approach to conduct a hierarchical task analysis to understand complex older adult decision-making during over-the-counter medication selection.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2021 Dec;17(12):2116-26. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.07.005..
Keywords: Elderly, Shared Decision Making, Medication