| 1. |
- Bjerkeli, Pernilla J., et al.
(author)
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Refill Adherence in Relation to Substitution and the Use of Multiple Medications: A Nationwide Population Based Study on New ACE-Inhibitor Users
- 2016
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective Generic substitution has contributed to economic savings but switching products may affect patient adherence, particularly among those using multiple medications. The aim was to analyse if use of multiple medications influenced the association between switching products and refill adherence to angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in Sweden. New users of ACE-inhibitors, starting between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007, were identified in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Refill adherence was assessed using the continuous measure of medication acquisition (CMA) and analysed with linear regression and analysis of covariance. The study population included 42735 individuals whereof 51.2% were exposed to switching ACE-inhibitor and 39.6% used multiple medications. Refill adherence was higher among those exposed to switching products than those not, but did not vary depending on the use of multiple medications or among those not. Refill adherence varied with age, educational level, household income, country of birth, previous hospitalisation and previous cardiovascular diagnosis. The results indicate a positive association between refill adherence and switching products, mainly due to generic substitution, among new users of ACE-inhibitors in Sweden. This association was independent of use of multiple medications.
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| 2. |
- Hedenrud, Tove, et al.
(author)
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Beliefs about medicines and adherence among Swedish migraineurs
- 2008
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In: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. - 1060-0280 .- 1542-6270. ; 42:1, s. 39-45
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The problem of low adherence to drug therapy is as prevalent in migraine as in any other disorder, with important consequences for the patient, such as impaired quality of life and absence from work. Beliefs about medicines have been identified as one of the most significant factors for adherence.OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether beliefs about medicines and medication-related factors are associated with adherence to prophylactic drug therapy among migraineurs at a Swedish tertiary care clinic.METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to migraineurs visiting a tertiary care clinic in Sweden. All participants had recently been prescribed prophylactic medicine. The questionnaire was comprised of background questions, questions about disease characteristics, perceived effects, and adverse effects of migraine medications used, the Beliefs about Medicines questionnaire, and the Medication Adherence Report Scale. Medication-related variables, collected from patients' records with consent, were also included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between beliefs about medicines, medication-related variables, and adherence to prophylactic drugs.RESULTS: Of the 174 participants in the study, 64% were considered to be adherent to their prescribed prophylactic medicine. Users of beta-blockers were significantly more adherent compared with patients using other drugs (eg, tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs] or antiepileptics); the reverse was true for patients taking TCAs. Respondents with the lowest level of education (CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of the migraineurs did not adhere to their prophylactic drugs. Beliefs about medicines and medication-related factors could not predict nonadherence. We recommend further research on medication-related variables in relation to adherence among migraineurs.
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| 3. |
- Hedenrud, Tove, 1967, et al.
(author)
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Medication Overuse Headache: Self-Perceived and Actual Knowledge Among Pharmacy Staff
- 2014
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In: Headache. - : Wiley. - 0017-8748 .- 1526-4610. ; 54:6, s. 1019-1025
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge about medication overuse headache (MOH) among pharmacy staff. Background MOH is a public health problem both in Sweden and in many other countries. Persons with MOH have limited contact with health care, and medications used are to large extent over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Therefore, pharmacists have an important role in, eg, advising these individuals about their medication use. Little is, however, known about the actual level of knowledge about MOH among pharmacy staff, which determines the quality of their advice to MOH sufferers. Methods A total of 326 questionnaires were distributed to 44 pharmacies in Gothenburg, Sweden. The questionnaire included background questions, questions about advice on headache treatment, source of knowledge about MOH, and questions on self-perceived and actual knowledge on MOH. Results The response rate was 70%. A majority of the pharmacy staff (90.6%) considered themselves to have knowledge about MOH to some or a greater extent. Almost half had learned about MOH through their university/vocational education. Only 8.6% knew that all 5 headache medications listed in the questionnaire can cause development of MOH, but 40% responded correctly on which treatment advice one can give a person with MOH. Actual knowledge on treatment advice differed significantly between groups of self-perceived knowledge. Conclusion The knowledge on MOH is insufficient among pharmacy staff, but with the proper knowledge, pharmacy staff is well positioned to effect both primary and secondary prevention of MOH. We suggest not only increasing educational efforts about MOH within pharmacy programs but also continuing education at the pharmacies for all staff. Further, it is also important to increase knowledge among pharmacy customers.
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| 4. |
- Jonsson, Pernilla, 1978, et al.
(author)
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Epidemiology of medication overuse headache in the general Swedish population
- 2011
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In: Cephalalgia. - : SAGE Publications. - 0333-1024 .- 1468-2982. ; 31:9, s. 1015-1022
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: The aim was to estimate the prevalence of medication overuse headache (MOH) in Sweden and to analyze the occurrence of this disorder in different population groups. Methods: A total of 44,300 randomly selected individuals (55% women), aged 15 years and above, were interviewed in a national telephone survey, using a standardized questionnaire including the International Headache Society criteria for MOH and questions about sociodemographic factors, headache history and medication use. Results: In Sweden, 3.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1–3.4), n¼1428) suffer from chronic daily headache (CDH) and out of those, 56% (n¼799) have MOH. The prevalence of MOH is 1.8% (95% CI 1.7–1.9). The mean age of onset was higher among men than women as well as among those with tension-type headache as primary headache compared to those who originally had migraine. A multivariate analysis showed that socioeconomic factors such as having a low level of education and/or a low household income were associated with MOH. Conclusions: This is the first Swedish population-based study of MOH and we conclude that MOH is a significant public health problem in Sweden, as it is in other parts of the world.
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| 5. |
- Jonsson, Pernilla, 1978, et al.
(author)
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Holding on to the indispensable medication –A grounded theory on medication use from the perspective of persons with medication overuse headache
- 2013
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In: Journal of Headache and Pain. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1129-2369 .- 1129-2377. ; 14:43, s. 1-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a chronic headache disorder, caused by overuse of acute medication. To date, it remains unclear why some people overuse these medications. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how individuals with MOH use medications and other strategies to manage headaches in their daily lives, and their thoughts about their own use of acute medication. Our intention was to develop a theoretical model about the development of MOH, from the perspective of those with MOH. Methods: Data collection and analysis were conducted according to grounded theory methodology. The participants were recruited via newspaper advertisements. Fourteen persons with MOH were interviewed in individual qualitative interviews. Results: The basic process leading to medication overuse was holding on to the indispensable medication. The acute medication was indispensable to the participants because they perceived it as the only thing that could prevent headaches from ruining their lives. The participants perceived headaches as something that threatened to ruin their lives. As a result, they went to great lengths trying to find ways to manage it. They tried numerous strategies. However, the only strategy actually perceived as effective was the use of acute medication and they eventually became resigned to the idea that it was the only effective aid. The acute medication thus became indispensable. Their general intention was to use as little medication as possible but they found themselves compelled to medicate frequently to cope with their headaches. They did not like to think about their medication use and sometimes avoided keeping track of the amount used. Conclusions: This qualitative study adds understanding to the process via which MOH develops from the perspective of those having MOH. Such knowledge may help bridge the gap between the perspectives of patients and health-care professionals.
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| 6. |
- Jonsson, Pernilla, 1978, et al.
(author)
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Sociodemographic differences in medication use, health-care contacts and sickness absence among individuals with medication-overuse headache
- 2012
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In: Journal of Headache and Pain. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1129-2369 .- 1129-2377. ; 13:4, s. 281-290
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this study was to analyse sociodemographic differences in medication use, health-care contacts and sickness absence among individuals with medication-overuse headache (MOH). A cross-sectional, population survey was conducted, in which 44,300 Swedes (a parts per thousand yen15 years old) were interviewed over telephone. In total, 799 individuals had MOH. Of these, 47 % ( = 370) only used over-the-counter medications. During the last year, 46 % ( = 343) had made a headache-related visit to their physician and 14 % ( = 102) had visited a neurologist. Among individuals aged < 30 years, the number of days/month with headache was greater than the number of days with medication use, whereas the opposite was true for those a parts per thousand yen30 years. Both the proportion using prophylactic medication and the proportion having consulted a neurologist were smaller among those who only had elementary school education than among those with higher education ( = 0.021 and = 0.046). Those with a lower level of education also had a higher number of days/month with headache and with medication use than those with a higher educational level ( = 0.011 and = 0.018). The MOH-sufferers have limited contacts with health-care and preventive measures thus need to include other actors as well. Particular efforts should be directed towards those with low educational levels, and more research on medication use in relation to age is required.
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