| 1. |
- Morin, Lucas, et al.
(författare)
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How many older adults receive drugs of questionable clinical benefit near the end of life? A cohort study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Palliative Medicine. - : SAGE Publications. - 0269-2163 .- 1477-030X. ; 33:8, s. 1080-1090
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The high burden of disease-oriented drugs among older adults with limited life expectancy raises important questions about the potential futility of care.Aim: To describe the use of drugs of questionable clinical benefit during the last 3 months of life of older adults who died from life-limiting conditions.Design: Longitudinal, retrospective cohort study of decedents. Death certificate data were linked to administrative and healthcare registries with national coverage in Sweden.Setting: Older adults (>= 75 years) who died from conditions potentially amenable to palliative care between 1 January and 31 December 2015 in Sweden. We identified drugs of questionable clinical benefit from a set of consensus-based criteria.Results: A total of 58,415 decedents were included (mean age, 87.0 years). During their last 3 months of life, they received on average 8.9 different drugs. Overall, 32.0% of older adults continued and 14.0% initiated at least one drug of questionable clinical benefit (e.g. statins, calcium supplements, vitamin D, bisphosphonates, antidementia drugs). These proportions were highest among younger individuals (i.e. aged 75-84 years), among people who died from organ failure and among those with a large number of coexisting chronic conditions. Excluding people who died from acute and potentially unpredictable fatal events had little influence on the results.Conclusion: A substantial share of older persons with life-limiting diseases receive drugs of questionable clinical benefit during their last months of life. Adequate training, guidance and resources are needed to rationalize and deprescribe drug treatments for older adults near the end of life.
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| 2. |
- Wallerstedt, Susanna Maria, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and prevalence of disease-and drug-related reasons for gastroprotection-a cross-sectional population-based study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. - : Wiley. - 1053-8569 .- 1099-1557. ; 26:1, s. 9-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose To analyse the prevalence of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) with respect to underlying diseases and drugs, and to find predictors for such treatment when an evident rationale for the PPI treatment is lacking. Methods The study cohort consisted of individuals, >= 65 years in 2010, residing in the Region Vastra Gotaland during 2005-2010. For individuals with and without long-term use of PPI in 2010, we investigated the prevalence of an underlying diagnosis, that is, an acid-related disease during the five preceding years, as well as concomitant long-term use of antiplatelet agents or cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Results In all, 278 205 individuals (median age: 74 years; 55% female; median 3 drugs per person; 5% nursing home residents, 11% with multi-dose drug dispensing) were included in the analyses, 32 421 (12%) of whom were on long-term treatment with PPI in 2010. For 12 253 individuals (38%) with such treatment, no underlying rationale was found. In individuals without a disease-or a drug-related reason for PPI use, nursing home residence, number of drugs, female sex, but not multi-dose drug dispensing, were associated with long-term use of PPI; adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval): 1.63 (1.49; 1.78), 1.27 (1.26; 1.28), 1.24 (1.19; 1.29), and 0.94 (0.88; 1.01), respectively. Conclusions Long-term use of PPI occurs in one out of nine individuals in the older population. For four out of ten of these, no reason for PPI use can be identified. Nursing home residence, female sex, and greater number of drugs predict non-rational long-term use of PPI.
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| 3. |
- Sköldunger, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of Inappropriate Drug Use on Hospitalizations, Mortality, and Costs in Older Persons and Persons with Dementia : Findings from the SNAC Study
- 2015
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Ingår i: Drugs & Aging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1170-229X .- 1179-1969. ; 32:8, s. 671-678
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Inappropriate drug use (IDU) is an important risk factor for adverse outcomes in older persons. We aimed to investigate IDU and the risk of hospitalizations and mortality in older persons and in persons with dementia and to estimate the costs of IDU-related hospitalizations.Methods: We analyzed 4108 individuals aged a parts per thousand yen60 years from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC) data from Kungsholmen and Nordanstig (2001-2004). IDU was assessed by indicators developed by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Hospitalizations and mortality data were collected from Swedish registers. Regression models were used to investigate associations between IDU, hospitalizations, and mortality in the whole population and in the subpopulation of persons with dementia (n = 319), after adjustment for sociodemographics, physical functioning, and co-morbidity. Costs for hospitalizations were derived from the Nord-Diagnose Related Group cost database. Results IDU was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.46; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.81] and mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.15; 95 % CI 1.01-1.31] within 1 year in the whole study population and with hospitalization (adjusted OR = 1.88; 95 % CI 1.03-3.43) in the subpopulation of persons with dementia, after adjustment for confounding factors. There was also a tendency for higher costs for hospitalizations with IDU than without IDU, although this was not statistically significant.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IDU is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization in older persons and in persons with dementia. IDU is also associated with mortality among older persons. These findings highlight the need for cautious prescribing of long-acting benzodiazepines, anticholinergic drugs, concurrent use of three or more psychotropic drugs and drug combinations that may lead to serious drug-drug interactions to older patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the association between IDU and costs for hospitalizations.
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| 4. |
- Thorell, Kristine, et al.
(författare)
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Importance of potentially inappropriate medications, number of chronic conditions and medications for the risk of hospitalisation in elderly in Sweden : a case-control study
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 9:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives This study aimed to investigate the importance of potentially inappropriate medications, number of medications and chronic conditions for the risk of hospitalisation among an elderly population. Design This is a case-control study. Setting Population-based study in 2013 of all individuals aged 75 years and older (17203) in the county of Blekinge in the southeast of Sweden. Participants A total of 2941 individuals were included who had at least one hospitalisation to a medical, geriatric and palliative, or orthopaedic ward during 2013. From this total, 81 were excluded because of incomplete data or absence of controls. In total, 5720 patients were included and formed 2860 risk sets matched on age and gender. Primary and secondary outcome measures Conditional logistic regression was used to analyse the odds for hospitalisation according to use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), number of chronic conditions and medicines using univariate and multivariate models. PIM was defined as long-acting benzodiazepines, tramadol, propiomazine and medicines with anticholinergic effect. Results The univariate analysis for use of PIM showed a significant association with hospitalisation (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.83). For the number of chronic conditions, the OR was increased and was significant from two or more chronic conditions, and for the number of medicines from the use of five or more medicines, in the univariate analysis. Use of PIM has no association with hospitalisation in the full model. The number of chronic conditions and medicines in the full models continued to have strong associations for hospitalisation, from five to seven chronic conditions (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.33) and use of five to nine medicines (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.77) at the same time. Conclusion The number of chronic conditions and medications are important for the odds of hospitalisation, while the use of PIM, according to the definition used in this study, was no significant in the full model.
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| 5. |
- Subic, Ana, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Dementia : A Cohort Study from the Swedish Dementia Registry
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - Amsterdam, Netherlands : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 61:3, s. 1119-1128
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Patients with dementia might have higher risk for hemorrhagic complications with anticoagulant therapy prescribed for atrial fibrillation (AF).Objective: This study assesses the risks and benefits of warfarin, antiplatelets, and no treatment in patients with dementia and AF.Methods: Of 49,792 patients registered in the Swedish Dementia Registry 2007-2014, 8,096 (16%) had a previous diagnosis of AF. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risk for ischemic stroke (IS), nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage, any-cause hemorrhage, and death.Results: Out of the 8,096 dementia patients with AF, 2,143 (26%) received warfarin treatment, 2,975 (37%) antiplatelet treatment, and 2,978 (37%) had no antithrombotic treatment at the time of dementia diagnosis. Patients on warfarin had fewer IS than those without treatment (5.2% versus 8.7%; p < 0.001) with no differences compared to antiplatelets. In adjusted analyses, warfarin was associated with a lower risk for IS (HR 0.76, CI 0.59-0.98), while antiplatelets were associated with increased risk (HR 1.25, CI 1.01-1.54) compared to no treatment. For any-cause hemorrhage, there was a higher risk with warfarin (HR 1.28, CI 1.03-1.59) compared to antiplatelets. Warfarin and antiplatelets were associated with a lower risk for death compared to no treatment.Conclusions: Warfarin treatment in Swedish patients with dementia is associated with lower risk of IS and mortality, and a small increase in any-cause hemorrhage. This study supports the use of warfarin in appropriate cases in patients with dementia. The low percentage of patients on warfarin treatment indicates that further gains in stroke prevention are possible.
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| 6. |
- Johnell, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Psychotropic drugs and the risk of fall injuries, hospitalisations and mortality among older adults
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. - : Wiley. - 0885-6230 .- 1099-1166. ; 32:4, s. 414-420
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveTo investigate whether psychotropics are associated with an increased risk of fall injuries, hospitalizations, and mortality in a large general population of older adults.MethodsWe performed a nationwide matched (age, sex, and case event day) case–control study between 1 January and 31 December 2011 based on several Swedish registers (n = 1,288,875 persons aged ≥65 years). We used multivariate conditional logistic regression adjusted for education, number of inpatient days, Charlson co-morbidity index, dementia and number of other drugs.ResultsAntidepressants were the psychotropic most strongly related to fall injuries (ORadjusted: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.38–1.45) and antipsychotics to hospitalizations (ORadjusted: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.19–1.24) and death (ORadjusted: 2.10; 95% CI: 2.02–2.17). Number of psychotropics was associated with increased the risk of fall injuries, (4 psychotropics vs 0: ORadjusted: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.39–1.68), hospitalization (4 psychotropics vs 0: ORadjusted: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.22–1.33) and death (4 psychotropics vs 0: ORadjusted: 2.50; 95% CI: 2.33–2.69) in a dose–response manner. Among persons with dementia (n = 58,984), a dose–response relationship was found between number of psychotropics and mortality risk (4 psychotropics vs 0: ORadjusted: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.76–2.25).ConclusionsOur findings support a cautious prescribing of multiple psychotropic drugs to older patients. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 7. |
- Gransjön Craftman, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Time trends in 20 years of medication use in older adults : Findings from three elderly cohorts in Stockholm, Sweden.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print). - : Elsevier. - 0167-4943 .- 1872-6976. ; 63, s. 28-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- New drugs and expanded drug indications are constantly being introduced. Welfare states strive to provide equity in drug treatment for all of its citizens and todaýs healthcare systems spend financial resources on drugs for the elderly in a higher rate than for any other age group. Drug utilization in elderly persons has an impact in health and wellbeing in older people.THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: It was to describe the changes in medication use including people aged 78 years and over regardless of residence and other characteristics over 20 years.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 4304 participants in three population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in the Kungsholmen area of central Stockholm, Sweden. The participant's current drug utilization was reviewed by physicians following standardized protocols. Data were statistical analyzed. Logistic regression models was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for use of analgesics and psychotropic drugs in the cohorts of 2001 and 2007, controlling for age, gender, education and cognition.THE PRINCIPAL RESULTS AND MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Results shows that the prevalence of medication use and polypharmacy in older adults has increased dramatically the late 1980s to the 2000s in central Stockholm, Sweden. In particular, the use of analgesics increased significantly, while some drug groups decreased, i.e., antipsychotics. Women used more medication than men in all three cohorts. Older adults living in service buildings used the largest amount of drugs in 1987, whereas those living in institutions were the most frequent users in 2001 and 2007.
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| 8. |
- Grande, Giulia, et al.
(författare)
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Drug Use in Older Adults with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Near the End of Life
- 2017
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Ingår i: Drugs & Aging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1170-229X .- 1179-1969. ; 34:7, s. 529-533
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with its certain prognosis and swift progression, raises concerns regarding the adequacy of pharmacological treatment, including the risk-benefit profiles of prescribed drugs. Objective Our objective was to evaluate the use of prescription drugs over the course of the last year of life in older adults with ALS. Methods We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study of older adults who died with ALS in Sweden between 2007 and 2013. The primary outcome was the number of prescription drugs to which individuals were exposed during the last 12 months before death. Results The overall proportion of individuals receiving ten or more different prescription drugs increased from 19% at 12 months before death to 37% during the last month of life. Institutionalization was independently associated with polypharmacy near the end of life (odds ratio 1.84; 95% confidence interval 1.42-2.39). Conclusion Future research is needed to assess the time to benefit of treatments and to develop guidelines for medication discontinuation in advanced ALS.
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| 9. |
- Zupanic, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke in patients with dementia : A Swedish registry study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Neurology. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 89:18, s. 1860-1868
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To compare access to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and its outcomes in patients with and without dementia.METHODS: This was a longitudinal cohort study of the Swedish dementia and stroke registries. Patients with preexisting dementia who had AIS from 2010 to 2014 (n = 1,356) were compared with matched patients without dementia (n = 6,755). We examined access to thrombolysis and its outcomes at 3 months (death, residency, and modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with logistic and ordinal logistic regression.RESULTS: < 0.001). Unfavorable outcomes with an mRS score of 5 to 6 were doubled in patients with dementia (56.1% vs 28.1%).CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients with dementia and AIS are less likely to receive IVT. Among patients receiving thrombolysis, there are no differences in sICH or death, although patients with dementia have worse accommodation and functional outcomes at 3 months.
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| 10. |
- Kalpouzos, Grégoria, et al.
(författare)
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Telomerase Gene (hTERT) and Survival : Results From Two Swedish Cohorts of Older Adults
- 2016
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Ingår i: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1079-5006 .- 1758-535X. ; 71:2, s. 188-195
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Telomere length has been associated with longevity. As telomere length is partly determined by the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), we investigated the association between an hTERT polymorphism located in its promoter region ((-) (1327)T/C) and longevity in two cohorts of older adults. Participants from the Kungsholmen project (KP; n = 1,205) and the Swedish National study of Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K; n = 2,764) were followed for an average period of 7.5 years. The main outcomes were hazard ratios (HR) of mortality and median age at death. In both cohorts, mortality was lower in female T/T carriers, aged 75+ years in KP (HR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9) and 78+ years in SNAC-K (HR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8) compared with female C/C carriers. T/T carriers died 1.8-3 years later than the C/C carriers. This effect was not present in men, neither in SNAC-K women aged 60-72 years. The association was not modified by presence of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, number of chronic diseases, or markers of inflammation, and did not interact with APOE genotype or estrogen replacement therapy. The gender-specific increased survival in T/T carriers can be due to a synergistic effect between genetic background and the life-long exposure to endogenous estrogen.
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