AI Article Synopsis
- Patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers are at a higher risk for medication-related issues due to aging and the use of multiple medications.
- A study assessed medication exposure among 73 pairs of Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers, revealing that patients used an average of 6.8 medications, while caregivers used 4.7, with a significant percentage of both groups taking potentially inappropriate medications (60.3% of patients and 47.9% of caregivers).
- The study highlights the importance of conducting medication reviews not only for patients but also for caregivers, as they are often overlooked in discussions about medication management.
Article Abstract
Background: Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers can be defined as people with higher risk of developing medication-related problems due to aging and polypharmacy.
Aim: To assess the medication exposure of patient with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers.
Method: Ancillary cross-sectional study based on baseline medication data of the PHARMAID RCT. The PHARMAID study was a multi-center RCT assessing an integrated pharmaceutical care at a psychosocial program. Older outpatients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their older caregivers were eligible for inclusion. Baseline medication data were used to assess the medication exposure, illustrated by the number of medications, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using the EU(7)-PIM list and the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI).
Results: Seventy-three dyads were included in this ancillary study. The mean numbers (SD) of medications used by patients was 6.8 (2.6) and by caregivers was 4.7 (3.7). Overall, 60.3% of patients used at least one PIM and 47.9% of caregivers. Regarding the medication regimen complexity, the mean MRCI was 16.3(8.1) for patients and 11.3(10.5) for caregivers.
Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the relevance of carrying out medication review with patients, but also with their caregivers who can be considered as hidden patients.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-023-01623-8 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!