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- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (16)
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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 41 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Vaughan CP, Hwang U, Vandenberg AE
Early prescribing outcomes after exporting the EQUIPPED medication safety improvement programme.
Enhancing quality of prescribing practices for older adults discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUIPPED) aims to reduce the monthly proportion of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to older adults discharged from the ED to 5% or less. In this paper, the investigator described prescribing outcomes at three academic health systems adapting and sequentially implementing the EQUIPPED medication safety programme.
AHRQ-funded; HS024499.
Citation: Vaughan CP, Hwang U, Vandenberg AE .
Early prescribing outcomes after exporting the EQUIPPED medication safety improvement programme.
BMJ Open Qual 2021 Nov;10(4). doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2021-001369..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Safety, Emergency Department, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Jung Y
Relative risks of adverse events among older adults receiving opioids versus NSAIDs after hospital discharge: a nationwide cohort study.
This retrospective cohort study’s objective was to determine the incidence and risk of post-discharge adverse events among opioid claims in the week after hospital discharge, compared to those with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) claims alone. A national sample of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older who were hospitalized in the United States in 2016 was used. Beneficiaries who were admitted from or discharged to a facility were excluded. The authors used 3:1 propensity matching to match beneficiaries with an opioid claim in the week after discharge (13,385) with beneficiaries with NSAID claim alone (4,677). Beneficiaries receiving opioids had a higher incidence of death, healthcare utilization, and any potential adverse effect compared to those with an NSAID claim only. Specific adverse effects included higher relative risk of fall/fracture, nausea/vomiting, and slowed colonic motility.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Jung Y .
Relative risks of adverse events among older adults receiving opioids versus NSAIDs after hospital discharge: a nationwide cohort study.
PLoS Med 2021 Sep 27;18(9):e1003804. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003804..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Medication: Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Risk, Hospital Discharge
Harben AL, Kashy DA, Esfahanian S
Using change detection to objectively evaluate whether novel over-the-counter drug labels can increase attention to critical health information among older adults.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs have many benefits but also carry risks, such as adverse drug reactions, which are more prevalent in older adults. Because these products do not require the oversight of a physician or pharmacist, labeling plays a key role in communicating information required for their safe and effective use. In two experiments, the investigators used a change detection task to objectively evaluate how novel label designs that employ highlighting and a warning label placed on the package's front impact attention to critical information among older participants (65 and older).
AHRQ-funded; HS025386.
Citation: Harben AL, Kashy DA, Esfahanian S .
Using change detection to objectively evaluate whether novel over-the-counter drug labels can increase attention to critical health information among older adults.
Cogn Res Princ Implic 2021 May 26;6(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s41235-021-00307-z..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Gurwitz JH, Kapoor A, Garber L
Effect of a multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention on medication safety after hospitalization in persons prescribed high-risk medications: a randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention improves medication safety for patients who are discharged from the hospital and prescribed medications within 1 or more of these high-risk drug classes: anticoagulants, diabetes agents, and opioids. The randomized clinical trial was conducted at a large multidisciplinary group practice in Massachusetts and included patients 50 years or older. Findings showed that there was not an observed lower rate of adverse drug-related incidents or clinically important medication errors during the posthospitalization period that was associated with a clinical pharmacist intervention.
AHRQ-funded; HS023774.
Citation: Gurwitz JH, Kapoor A, Garber L .
Effect of a multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention on medication safety after hospitalization in persons prescribed high-risk medications: a randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Intern Med 2021 May;181(5):610-18. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.9285..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Provider: Pharmacist, Provider
Gilson AM, Xiong KZ, Stone JA
A pharmacy-based intervention to improve safe over-the-counter medication use in older adults.
This study assessed whether the development of a physical redesign that located a curated inventory of lower-risk over-the-counter (OTC) medications proximal to the pharmacy prescription area was helpful to discourage inappropriate use from OTC medications. An area called the Senior Section™ was developed and placed in 4 pharmacies within a single chain. Eight pharmacists and 5 technicians participated in semi-structured interviews which were transcribed. The staff viewed the Senior Section as contributing to notable improvements in proximity, medication safety, convenience, and patient selection behaviors. It also streamlined the coordination of services between pharmacists and technicians and did not interfere with existing pharmacy workflows.
AHRQ-funded; HS024490.
Citation: Gilson AM, Xiong KZ, Stone JA .
A pharmacy-based intervention to improve safe over-the-counter medication use in older adults.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2021 Mar;17(3):578-87. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.008..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Safety, Provider: Pharmacist
Shah S, Gilson AM, Jacobson N
Understanding the factors influencing older adults' decision-making about their use of over-the-counter medications-a scenario-based approach.
The potential risks of over-the-counter (OTC) medications are often aggravated in vulnerable populations, such as older adults. The elevated patterns of older-adult OTC medication use do not necessarily translate into a greater understanding of these medications or their safety implications. The objective of this study was to assess how older adults' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes informed their decision-making regarding OTC use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024490.
Citation: Shah S, Gilson AM, Jacobson N .
Understanding the factors influencing older adults' decision-making about their use of over-the-counter medications-a scenario-based approach.
Pharmacy 2020 Sep 18;8(3). doi: 10.3390/pharmacy8030175..
Keywords: Elderly, Shared Decision Making, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Health Literacy
Earl TR, Katapodis ND, Schneiderman SR
Using deprescribing practices and the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria to reduce harm and preventable adverse drug events in older adults.
This paper is a systematic review of the literature published between 2008 to 2018 that studies the effect of interventions to reduce preventable adverse drug effects (ADEs) for adults who are prescribed multiple medications. Two safety practices were examined: 1) deprescribing interventions to reduce polypharmacy; and 2) use of the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) to reduce potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS). A total of 26 studies and 1 systematic review were included (14 for deprescribing and 12 for STOPP). Deprescribing interventions included decision support tools, educational interventions, and medication reviews. The STOPP tool most reported changes in PIMS, as well as some economic outcomes. Both methods were found to be effective.
AHRQ-funded; HHSP233201500013I.
Citation: Earl TR, Katapodis ND, Schneiderman SR .
Using deprescribing practices and the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria to reduce harm and preventable adverse drug events in older adults.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S23-s35. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000747..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Screening, Prevention
Chatterjee S, Bali V, Carnahan RM
Anticholinergic burden and risk of cognitive impairment in elderly nursing home residents with depression.
This study evaluated whether elderly nursing home residents with mild depression and intact cognition experienced cognitive impairment after using anticholinergic drugs. The study was a population-based nested case-control study using Minimum Data Set (MDS)-linked Medicare data where the base cohort were patients 65 years and older with depression who had intact cognition. Cumulative anticholinergic burden was measured within 30, 60, and 90 days preceding the event (cognitive measurement) date using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS). The end sample compared 3707 cases with mild-to-moderate cognition to 3707 matched controls with intact cognition. There was no association with cumulative anticholinergic exposure at 30 days with cognitive impairment, but the odds of cognitive impairment increased with exposure 60 and 90 days before the event date. This study concludes there should be concern in using anticholinergic drugs for longer than 30 days with elderly nursing home residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS021264.
Citation: Chatterjee S, Bali V, Carnahan RM .
Anticholinergic burden and risk of cognitive impairment in elderly nursing home residents with depression.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2020 Mar;16(3):329-35. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.05.020..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Depression, Behavioral Health, Medication, Neurological Disorders, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Pulia MS, Keller SC, Crnich CJ
Antibiotic stewardship for older adults in ambulatory care settings: addressing an unmet challenge.
Inappropriate antibiotic use is common in older adults (aged >65 y), and they are particularly vulnerable to serious antibiotic-associated adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, delirium, aortic dissection, drug-drug interactions, and Clostridioides difficile. In this study, to help improve the clinical care of older adults, the investigators reviewed drivers of antibiotic prescribing in this population, explored systems aspects of ambulatory care that can create barriers to optimal antibiotic use, discussed existing stewardship interventions, and provided guidance on priority areas for future inquiry.
AHRQ-funded; HS024342.
Citation: Pulia MS, Keller SC, Crnich CJ .
Antibiotic stewardship for older adults in ambulatory care settings: addressing an unmet challenge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Feb;68(2):244-49. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16256..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Elderly, Patient Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events
Holden RJ, Campbell NL, Abebe E
Usability and feasibility of consumer-facing technology to reduce unsafe medication use by older adults.
Researchers sought to test the usability and feasibility of Brain Buddy, a consumer-facing mobile health technology designed to inform and empower older adults to consider the risks and benefits of anticholinergics. Primary care patients aged 60 years or older who used anticholinergic medications participated in task-based usability testing of Brain Buddy; usability was assessed by the System Usability Scale, and performance-based usability data collected for each task through observation. The researchers found that overall usability was acceptable or better, with 100% of participants completing each Brain Buddy task. Observed usability issues included higher rates of errors, hesitations, and need for assistance on tasks. They conclude that user-centered design and evaluation with demographically heterogeneous clinical samples uncovers correctable usability issues and confirms the value of interventions targeting consumers as agents in shared decision making and behavior change.
AHRQ- funded; HS024384.
Citation: Holden RJ, Campbell NL, Abebe E .
Usability and feasibility of consumer-facing technology to reduce unsafe medication use by older adults.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2020 Jan;16(1):54-61. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.02.011..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Patient Safety, Health Information Technology (HIT), Shared Decision Making
Ailabouni NJ, Marcum ZA, Schmader KE
Medication use quality and safety in older adults: 2018 update.
This study identified four key articles from 2018 that address medication use quality and safety for older adults. The first study highlighted a cluster-randomized trial that utilized a pharmacist-led education-based intervention delivered to both patients and doctors to deprescribe four types of inappropriate medications. The second study from the UK examined the association between anticholinergic exposure, overall and by medication class, and dementia risk in 40,770 older adults. The third study was a Swedish longitudinal cohort study examining the association between antihypertensive medications and incident dementia. The fourth and last study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and examined the effect of daily low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiac events and hemorrhage in 19,144 community-dwelling older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Ailabouni NJ, Marcum ZA, Schmader KE .
Medication use quality and safety in older adults: 2018 update.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Dec;67(12):2458-62. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16243..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Quality of Care, Provider: Pharmacist, Provider
Angraal S, Nuti SV, Masoudi FA
Digoxin use and associated adverse events among older adults.
The authors describe national-level trends of digoxin use, hospitalizations for toxicity, and subsequent outcomes over the past two decades. They found that, while digoxin prescriptions have decreased, the drug is still widely prescribed. However, the rate of hospitalizations for digoxin toxicity and adverse outcomes associated with these hospitalizations have decreased. They concluded that these findings reflect the changing clinical practice of digoxin use, aligned with the changes in clinical guidelines.
AHRQ-funded; HS025164; HS025402; HS025517.
Citation: Angraal S, Nuti SV, Masoudi FA .
Digoxin use and associated adverse events among older adults.
Am J Med 2019 Oct;132(10):1191-98. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.04.022.
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Keywords: Medication, Elderly, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospitalization, Practice Patterns
Nothelle SK, Sharma R, Oakes A
Factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States: a systematic review.
Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults is a prevalent problem associated with poor health outcomes. Understanding drivers of PIM use is essential for targeting interventions. This study systematically reviewed the literature about the patient, clinician and environmental/system factors associated with PIM use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States. The investigators concluded that amongst older adults, women and persons on more medications were at higher risk of PIM use. There was evidence that increased healthcare use was also associated with PIM use.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Nothelle SK, Sharma R, Oakes A .
Factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States: a systematic review.
Int J Pharm Pract 2019 Oct;27(5):408-23. doi: 10.1111/ijpp.12541..
Keywords: Medication, Elderly, Patient Safety
Sobieraj DM, Martinez BK, Hernandez AV
Adverse effects of pharmacologic treatments of major depression in older adults.
The objective of this study was to assess adverse effects of pharmacologic antidepressants for treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults 65 years of age or older. The investigators found, among other conclusions, that in patients 65 years of age or older with MDD, treatment of the acute phase of MDD with serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), but not selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), was associated with a statistically greater number of overall adverse events vs placebo.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500012I.
Citation: Sobieraj DM, Martinez BK, Hernandez AV .
Adverse effects of pharmacologic treatments of major depression in older adults.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Aug;67(8):1571-81. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15966..
Keywords: Depression, Behavioral Health, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Elderly
Aspinall SL, Springer SP, Zhao X
Central nervous system medication burden and risk of recurrent serious falls and hip fractures in Veterans Affairs nursing home residents.
This study investigated the association between taking central nervous system (CNS) medications with the risk of serious falls and hip fractures. Study participants were residents at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Community Living Center (CLC) between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2009. This was a nested case-control study. The investigators concluded that there was a higher risk in those residents receiving 3.0 or more daily CNS medications.
AHRQ-funded; HS023779.
Citation: Aspinall SL, Springer SP, Zhao X .
Central nervous system medication burden and risk of recurrent serious falls and hip fractures in Veterans Affairs nursing home residents.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Jan;67(1):74-80. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15603..
Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Injuries and Wounds, Long-Term Care, Medication, Nursing Homes, Patient Safety, Risk
Srinivas P, Campbell NL, Clark DO
Understanding older adults' medication decision making and behavior: a study on over-the-counter (OTC) anticholinergic medications.
The purpose of this study was to inform the design of future over the counter (OTC) medication safety interventions for older adults, this study investigated consumers' decision making and behavior related to OTC medication purchasing and use, with a focus on OTC anticholinergic medications. Drawing on study findings and behavioral theories, the model depicted dual processes for OTC medication decision making - habit-based and deliberation-based - as well as the antecedents and consequences of decision making.
AHRQ-funded; HS024384.
Citation: Srinivas P, Campbell NL, Clark DO .
Understanding older adults' medication decision making and behavior: a study on over-the-counter (OTC) anticholinergic medications.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2019 Jan;15(1):53-60. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2018.03.002..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Elderly, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety