1. Medication optimization in older adults with advanced cancer and a limited life expectancy: A prospective observational study.
- Author
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Brokaar EJ, Visser LE, van den Bos F, and Portielje JEA
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Aged, Male, Potentially Inappropriate Medication List, Polypharmacy, Prospective Studies, Inappropriate Prescribing, Neoplasms drug therapy
- Abstract
Introduction: Polypharmacy is common in older adults with cancer and is associated with drug related problems (DRPs) and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). We introduced a medication optimization care pathway for older adults with advanced cancer and a limited life expectancy and studied the prevalence of DRPs and PIMs as well as the adherence to medication-related recommendations and the patient satisfaction., Materials and Methods: A medication review was performed in patients aged ≥65 years with polypharmacy and a life expectancy of <24 months. Recommendations on adjustments of medication were discussed in a multidisciplinary team including a pharmacist, an oncologist, and a geriatrician. Implementation of the recommendations was left to the discretion of the oncologist. Four weeks after the implementation, the patient filled a questionnaire to assess satisfaction., Results: One hundred twenty patients were included. The mean age was 75 years and 39% were female. A mean of 12 medications was used. The median number of DRP was 6.0 per patient and median number of PIMs was 3.0 per patient. Overtreatment accounted for 26% of DRP and the most frequently involved drug classes were antihypertensive medication (22%), non-opioid analgesics (22%), and antilipemics (12%). The multidisciplinary team accepted 78% of the recommendations of the pharmacist and the oncologist implemented 54% of the recommendations. Overall, patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the intervention., Discussion: DRPs and PIMs are highly prevalent in this population and can be reduced by a multidisciplinary medication optimization intervention. Patients appreciate the medication optimization intervention and are satisfied with the intervention., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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