Utilization and associated factors of TPMT testing among Australian adults receiving thiopurines: A national retrospective data-linkage study.

Introduction: Thiopurine drugs are metabolized by thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and low TPMT activity can result in severe adverse drug reactions. Therefore, TPMT testing is recommended for individuals receiving thiopurines to reduce the risk of toxicity.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the rate of TPMT testing among individuals receiving thiopurines and explore factors associated with undergoing TPMT testing in Australia.

Association between self-reported pain experiences in hospital and ratings of care, readmission and emergency department visits: a population-based study from New South Wales, Australia.

Introduction: Evidence on patient experiences with pain in hospitals and its impact on post-discharge outcomes is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of pain in hospitals, patient characteristics associated with pain management adequacy, and the link between pain experiences, care ratings, readmission and emergency department visits after discharge.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the 2019 Adult Admitted Patient Survey, focusing on self-reported pain experiences, including presence, severity and management adequacy.

Development of a model of help-seeking for dementia diagnosis by the person experiencing changes and family supporters.

Objectives: This paper aimed to develop a model to describe help-seeking for dementia diagnosis. The practical model is intended to guide public health interventions to increase help-seeking.

Method: The model was developed by our multidisciplinary team based on qualitative semi-structured interviews in English ( = 33) and Chinese ( = 8) with older people, people with dementia and carers.

Socioeconomic status and adherence to COVID-19 preventative measures in Australia: A national cohort study.

Issue Addressed: The uptake of recommended preventative measures is a critical concern for protecting the public against COVID-19 outbreaks and future pandemics. However, it is unclear to what extent COVID-19 preventative measures were followed in Australia. This study aims to determine adherence level to COVID-19 preventative measures in 2021, and whether these were associated with socioeconomic status (SES).

Prescribing patterns in people living with dementia in the community: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of and factors associated with medication use in people living with dementia in the community.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using baseline data from a randomised controlled trial known as the Interdisciplinary Home-bAsed Reablement Program (I-HARP) between 2018 and 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Participants included people with mild-moderate dementia and their carers.

Pharmacy 3D printing.

A significant limitation of the 'one size fits all' medication approach is the lack of consideration for special population groups. 3D printing technology has revolutionised the landscape of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practice, playing an integral role in enabling on-demand production of customised medication. Compared to traditional pharmaceutical processes, 3D printing has major advantages in producing tailored dosage forms with unique drug release mechanisms.

The association between patient self-reported experiences with medication discharge counselling and hospital readmissions: A cross-sectional analysis of a population-based survey.

Objective: To investigate the association between patient-reported experiences with new medication discharge counselling and readmission to hospital or emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days of discharge.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of patient-reported experiences from 8715 patients who reported being prescribed a new medication at discharge from a public hospital. Completeness of medication counselling was assessed based on (i) explanation of medication purpose, (ii) explanation of medication side effects, (iii) patient involvement in decision to use medication, (iv) provision of contradictory information.

Recent applications of three-dimensional bioprinting in drug discovery and development.

The ability of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to fabricate biomimetic organ and disease models has been recognised to be promising for drug discovery and development as 3D bioprinted models can better mimic human physiology compared to two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal models. This is useful for target selection where disease models can be studied to understand disease pathophysiology and identify disease-linked compounds. Lead identification and preclinical studies also benefit from 3D bioprinting as 3D bioprinted models can be utilised in high-throughput screening (HTS) systems and to produce efficacy and safety data that closely resembles clinical observations.

Melatonin Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: An Exploration of Caregiver and Pharmacist Perspectives.

Objective: This study aims to explore the perspectives and experiences of Australian caregivers and community pharmacists about pediatric melatonin use.

Methods: A convenience sample of caregivers with children (aged 11-16 years) using melatonin as a sleep aid and community pharmacists (including pharmacist interns) were recruited. Participants first completed an online survey followed by an online semi-structured interview.

Antidementia and Psychotropic Drug Use in Older People with Dementia in Australia: A National Data Linkage Study.

Objectives: To estimate the national prevalence of antidementia and psychotropic medication use, and sociodemographic factors associated with their use, in Australians living with dementia.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting And Participants: Nationwide data linkage study using 2021 Census and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data.

A Comparison of an Australian Observational Longitudinal Alzheimer's Disease Cohort to Community-Based Australian Data.

Background: Observational Alzheimer's disease (AD) cohorts including the Australian, Biomarkers, Imaging and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study have enhanced our understanding of AD. The generalizability of findings from AIBL to the general population has yet to be studied.

Objective: We aimed to compare characteristics of people with AD dementia in AIBL to 1) the general population of older Australians using pharmacological treatment for AD dementia, and to 2) the general population of older Australians who self-reported a diagnosis of dementia.

A need to integrate pharmacological management for multimorbidity into dementia guidelines in Australia.

Introduction: Pharmacological management is a vital aspect of dementia care. Suboptimal medication prescribing and adverse drug reactions are major causes for ongoing concerns for the quality of care. This review aims to investigate the existence and comprehensiveness of Australian guidelines dedicated to supporting dementia care in the context of pharmacological management.

The association between patient-reported experiences with hospital food services and recovery outcomes - A population survey of patients from 75 public hospitals.

Background: The quality of food service is vital to patients' experiences in care and recovery in hospitals. This study aimed to identify opportunities for improving hospital food services to enhance overall patient experiences and outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study uses the Adult Admitted Patient Survey in 2019.

Elucidating the Link Between Anxiety/Depression and Alzheimer's Dementia in the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) Study.

Background: The associations between mood disorders (anxiety and depression) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's dementia (AD) remain unclear.

Methods: Data from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle (AIBL) study were subjected to logistic regression to determine both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between anxiety/depression and MCI/AD. Effect modification by selected covariates was analysed using the likelihood ratio test.

Controlled release of vancomycin from PEGylated fibrinogen polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common issue post-surgery which often prolongs hospitalization and can lead to serious complications such as sternal wound infection following cardiac surgery via median sternotomy. Controlled release of suitable antibiotics could allow maximizing drug efficacy and safety, and therefore achieving a desired therapeutic response. In this study, we have developed a vancomycin laden PEGylated fibrinogen-polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PF-PEGDA) hydrogel system that can release vancomycin at a controlled and predictable rate to be applied in SSI prevention.

Exploring the link between comorbidities and Alzheimer's dementia in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle (AIBL) study.

Introduction: Mounting evidence suggests that certain comorbidities may influence the clinical evolution of Alzheimer's dementia (AD).

Methods: We conducted logistic regression analyses on the medical history and cognitive health diagnoses of participants in the Australian Imaging, Biomarker & Lifestyle study ( = 2443) to investigate cross-sectional associations between various comorbidities and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/AD.

Results: A mixture of associations were observed.

Exploring the association between cancer and cognitive impairment in the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study.

An inverse association between cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been demonstrated; however, the association between cancer and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and the association between cancer and cognitive decline are yet to be clarified. The AIBL dataset was used to address these knowledge gaps. The crude and adjusted odds ratios for MCI/AD and cognitive decline were compared between participants with/without cancer (referred to as C+ and C- participants).

Immigration and access to dementia diagnostics and treatment: A nationwide study in Sweden.

•Compared to Swedish-born people, foreign-born people were less likely to receive dementia diagnostic tests.•Being born in Africa or Europe was associated with lower chance of receiving cholinesterase inhibitors.•Asian-born people had higher chance of receiving cholinesterase inhibitors, but were less likely to receive memantine.

The outcomes of considering goals of care in medication reviews for older adults: a systematic review.

Introduction: This is a systematic review of prescribing, clinical, patient-reported, and health utilization outcomes of goal-directed medication reviews in older adults.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases to identify studies examining outcomes of goal-directed medication reviews in humans, with mean/median age ≥ 60 years and in English.

Results: Seventeen out of 743 articles identified were included.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Drug-Related Readmissions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Older adults are at an increased risk of drug-related problems, especially following discharge from hospital. Drug-related readmissions place a large burden on the patient and the healthcare system. However, previous studies report inconsistent results on the prevalence and associated risk factors for drug-related hospital readmissions in older adults.

Dispensing error rates in pharmacy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/objectives: Dispensing errors can cause preventable patient harm such as adverse drug events, hospitalisation, or death. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature and quantify the global prevalence of dispensing errors across pharmacy settings.

Methods: Electronic databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched between January 2010 and September 2023.

Poisonings in Older People with Dementia: A Systematic Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Older people with dementia are at a particularly high risk of poisonings and their subsequent harms.

Objective: This review aimed to describe the key agents, incidence, risk factors, and disposition of poisonings in people with dementia reported in the literature.

Methods: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched from 1 September 2001 to 1 September 2021.