Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use and Polypharmacy Before and After Admission to Internal Medicine for Older Patients.

Background: With the aging of the population and the increase in chronic diseases, there is an inherent risk of polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of potentially inappropriate medication use and its correlation with polypharmacy.

Methods: This was a retrospective, population-based cohort study among patients ≥ 65 years hospitalized at The National University Hospital of Iceland from 2010-2020.

The association of degree of polypharmacy before and after among hospitalised internal medicine patients and clinical outcomes: a retrospective, population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and incidence of polypharmacy/hyperpolypharmacy and which medications are most prescribed to patients with varying burden of polypharmacy.

Design: Retrospective, population-based cohort study.

Setting: Iceland.

[Psychedelics and treatment of mental disorders: A survey of attitudes and knowledge among psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists in Iceland].

Introduction: Interest in the use of psychedelics has increased following reports of their possible therapeutic potential. However, little is known about the knowledge of and attitudes towards the substances among health care professional who provide treatment for mental disorders in Iceland. An online survey was therefore conducted among members of the Icelandic associations of psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists.

[Epidemiology of polypharmacy in primary healthcare in the Reykjavik metropolitan area 2010-2019].

Introduction: Taking medicines can induce risks leading to negative health issues that can grow in accordance with the number of medicines used. Many studies on the prevalence of polypharmacy have been carried out in other countries, but such studies are lacking in Iceland. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of polypharmacy in primary care in the Reykjavik metropolitan area.

[Unlicensed drugs in Iceland in the years 2020 and 2021 with comparison to Sweden in 2020].

Introduction: Prescriptions of unlicensed drugs along with public discussion have increased in recent years. The cause of this increase is unclear.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of applications of unlicensed drugs in Iceland in the years 2020 and 2021, as well as applications in Sweden for the year 2020.

Epidemiology and association with outcomes of polypharmacy in patients undergoing surgery: retrospective, population-based cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of preoperative polypharmacy and the incidence of postoperative polypharmacy/hyper-polypharmacy in surgical patients and their association with adverse outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective, population-based cohort study among patients older than or equal to 18 years undergoing surgery at a university hospital between 2005 and 2018. Patients were categorized based on the number of medications: non-polypharmacy (fewer than 5); polypharmacy (5-9); and hyper-polypharmacy (greater than or equal to 10).

[Migraine prevalence, migraine incidence and migraine drug prescriptions in primary care in the capital region of Iceland].

Introduction: The study aim was to describe migraine incidence over the ten-year periods, 2000-2009 and 2010-2019, in individuals aged 10-79 years in primary healthcare centre (PHCC) Sólvangur and Fjörður, Hafnarfirði. Another aim was to estimate migraine prevalence in primary care clinics in the capital area of Iceland over the period 2010-2019 and describe prescriptions for migraine specific drugs and other drugs used for migraine.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective study based on data from medical records from the primary care clinics of the capital region of Iceland.

Co-prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines/Z-drugs associated with all-cause mortality-A population-based longitudinal study in primary care with weak opioids most commonly prescribed.

The risk of mortality associated with the co-prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids has been explored in a number of papers mainly focusing on strong opioids. The mortality risk associated with the use of weak opioids has not been dealt with to a similar extent. To assess the mortality risk in primary care patients with consistent 3-year co-prescribing of benzodiazepine/Z-drugs (benzodiazepine receptor modulators) and mainly weak opioids (codeine, tramadol).

[Hypertension Management in Primary Care in the Capital Area of Iceland].

Introduction: High blood pressure (HT) is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases which in 2010 caused one third of all mortality in the world. Untreated, HT can cause stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, dementia, kidney failure, atherosclerosis and eye diseases. The main aim of this study was to find out how HT is treated in primary care in the capital area of Iceland.

[Factors affecting general practitioners' choice of drug therapy: A study in primary healthcare in Iceland].

Introduction: This study aimed to analyse several factors that influence the decision-making of primary care physicians in Iceland in their choice of drug therapy for their patients. Also, to find which factors can act as a hindrance in making the best choices. Finally, to analyse which elements could be most important in facilitating decisions.

[Changes in prescriptions on opioids in primary health care during the years 2008-2017].

Introduction: In recent decades there has been a notable increase in the prescription of opioids in western countries. With this rise in use of opioids the risk of side effects, opioid abuse and deaths linked to opioids have become more apparent. The increase in opioid prescription may partly stem from a change in attitude in relation to pain management.

How primary healthcare in Iceland swiftly changed its strategy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To describe how the primary healthcare (PHC) in Iceland changed its strategy to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Descriptive observational study.

Setting: Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

Association between prescription of hypnotics/anxiolytics and mortality in multimorbid and non-multimorbid patients: a longitudinal cohort study in primary care.

Objectives: To assess the risk of mortality in primary care patients, multimorbid (≥2 chronic conditions) or not, prescribed hypnotics/anxiolytics.

Design: A longitudinal cohort study SETTING: Primary healthcare in the Reykjavik area.

Participants: 114 084 individuals (aged 10-79 years, average 38.

[Prescribing physical activity after labour, for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus].

Background: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been rapidly increasing in Iceland and 19% of women who gave birth at Landspítali - University hospital in 2018 were diagnosed with GDM. Women who develop GDM in pregnancy have an increased risk of recurrence in future pregnancies, as well as an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are known risk factors for the development of GDM.

[Antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics prescribed to young adults before and after an economic crisis in Iceland - A cross-sectional study at the Primary Health Care of Reykjavik capital area].

Background: According to research findings, the financial crisis hitting Iceland in the autumn of 2008 caused both economic and health-related effects on the Icelandic population. It has been well known that the Icelandic population uses more antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics compared to other Nordic countries. The aim of this research was to study the trend in prescription for these drugs by the Primary Health Care of Reykjavik capital area to young adults, during the years prior to and following the crisis.