scholarly journals Longitudinal associations between different dementia diagnoses and medication use jointly accounting for dropout

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1477-1487 ◽  
Author(s):  
George O. Agogo ◽  
Christine M. Ramsey ◽  
Danijela Gnjidic ◽  
Daniela C. Moga ◽  
Heather Allore

ABSTRACTBackground:Longitudinal studies of older adults are characterized by high dropout rates, multimorbid conditions, and multiple medication use, especially proximal to death. We studied the association between multiple medication use and incident dementia diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), and Lewy-body dementia (LBD), simultaneously accounting for dropout.Methods:Using the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data with three years of follow-up, a set of covariate-adjusted models that ignore dropout was fit to complete-case data, and to the whole-cohort data. Additionally, covariate-adjusted joint models with shared random effects accounting for dropout were fit to the whole-cohort data. Multiple medication use was defined as polypharmacy (⩾ five medications), hyperpolypharmacy (⩾ ten medications), and total number of medications.Results:Incident diagnoses were 2,032 for AD, 135 for VD, and 139 for LBD. Percentages of dropout at the end of follow-up were as follows: 71.8% for AD, 81.5% for VD, and 77.7% for LBD. The odds ratio (OR) estimate for hyperpolypharmacy among those with LBD versus AD was 2.19 (0.78, 6.15) when estimated using complete-case data and 3.00 (1.66, 5.40) using whole-cohort data. The OR reduced to 1.41 (0.76, 2.64) when estimated from the joint model accounting for dropout. The OR for polypharmacy using complete-case data differed from the estimates using whole-cohort data. The OR for dementia diagnoses on total number of medications was similar, but non-significant when estimated using complete-case data.Conclusion:Reasons for dropout should be investigated and appropriate statistical methods should be applied to reduce bias in longitudinal studies among high-risk dementia cohorts.

Author(s):  
Barbara Braun ◽  
Silke Behrendt ◽  
Daniela Piontek ◽  
Ludwig Kraus ◽  
Gerhard Bühringer

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung: Der demographische Wandel lässt eine höhere Anzahl älterer Personen mit Alkoholproblemen erwarten, deren therapeutische Versorgung bislang unzureichend ist. Mit der internationalen, randomisiert-kontrollierten ELDERLY-Studie wurden zwei Varianten einer ambulanten psychotherapeutischen Behandlung für Personen ab 60 Jahren mit einer Alkoholkonsumstörung nach DSM-5 (AS) in drei Ländern erprobt. Methodik: Nach der Baseline-Befragung wurden die zufällig zugeordneten Behandlungsgruppen nach 1, 3, 6 und 12 Monaten erneut untersucht. Erfasst wurden Veränderungen (Zeit und Gruppe) hinsichtlich Trinkmenge, Anzahl abstinenter Tage, Anzahl Tage Rauschtrinken und Tage risikoarmen Konsums sowie Anzahl zutreffender DSM-5-Kriterien für AS. Complete-Case- und Intention-to-treat-Analysen werden für die deutsche Teilstichprobe vorgestellt (n=203). Ergebnisse: Für beide Behandlungsgruppen ergaben sich stabil bis zu 12 Monate nach Baseline ein Anstieg der Abstinenzrate (18 %; t0: 4 %), des Anteils der Personen ohne einen Tag mit riskantem Konsum (45 %, t0: 4 %) sowie ohne Rauschtrinken (68 %, t0: 15 %). Auch zeigte sich eine Verringerung der Trinkmenge (Median bei 27 g Reinalkohol pro Trinktag; t0: 58 g) und Anzahl erfüllter AS-Kriterien (Median bei 2; t0: 5). Schlussfolgerungen: Die Verbesserungen des Trinkverhaltens und der AS-Symptome waren trotz relativ kurzer Behandlungsdauer stabil. Motivierende Interventionen, insbesondere die persönliche Rückmeldung zum Trinkverhalten, bewirken auch bei älteren Personen mit alkoholbezogenen Störungen Verhaltensänderungen. Ein therapeutischer Nihilismus ist unangebracht; vielmehr sollten spezifische Bedürfnisse der Zielgruppe beachtet und in passenden Versorgungsangeboten umgesetzt werden.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bette Liu ◽  
Paula Spokes ◽  
Wenqiang He ◽  
John Kaldor

Abstract Background Increasing age is the strongest known risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease but information on other factors is more limited. Methods All cases of COVID-19 diagnosed from January–October 2020 in New South Wales Australia were followed for COVID-19-related hospitalisations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths through record linkage. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for severe COVID-19 disease, measured by hospitalisation or death, or very severe COVID-19, measured by ICU admission or death according to age, sex, socioeconomic status and co-morbidities were estimated. Results Of 4054 confirmed cases, 468 (11.5%) were classified as having severe COVID-19 and 190 (4.7%) as having very severe disease. After adjusting for sex, socioeconomic status and comorbidities, increasing age led to the greatest risk of very severe disease. Compared to those 30–39 years, the aHR for ICU or death from COVID-19 was 4.45 in those 70–79 years; 8.43 in those 80–89 years; 16.19 in those 90+ years. After age, relative risks for very severe disease associated with other factors were more moderate: males vs females aHR 1.40 (95%CI 1.04–1.88); immunosuppressive conditions vs none aHR 2.20 (1.35–3.57); diabetes vs none aHR 1.88 (1.33–2.67); chronic lung disease vs none aHR 1.68 (1.18–2.38); obesity vs not obese aHR 1.52 (1.05–2.21). More comorbidities was associated with significantly greater risk; comparing those with 3+ comorbidities to those with none, aHR 5.34 (3.15–9.04). Conclusions In a setting with high COVID-19 case ascertainment and almost complete case follow-up, we found the risk of very severe disease varies by age, sex and presence of comorbidities. This variation should be considered in targeting prevention strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 293 ◽  
pp. 113449
Author(s):  
Liisa Kantojärvi ◽  
Helinä Hakko ◽  
Milla Mukka ◽  
Anniina Käyhkö ◽  
Pirkko Riipinen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 519-527
Author(s):  
Yasmina Molero ◽  
David James Sharp ◽  
Brian Matthew D'Onofrio ◽  
Henrik Larsson ◽  
Seena Fazel

ObjectiveTo examine psychotropic and pain medication use in a population-based cohort of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and compare them with controls from similar backgrounds.MethodsWe assessed Swedish nationwide registers to include all individuals diagnosed with incident TBI between 2006 and 2012 in hospitals or specialist outpatient care. Full siblings never diagnosed with TBI acted as controls. We examined dispensed prescriptions for psychotropic and pain medications for the 12 months before and after the TBI.ResultsWe identified 239 425 individuals with incident TBI, and 199 658 unaffected sibling controls. In the TBI cohort, 36.6% had collected at least one prescription for a psychotropic or pain medication in the 12 months before the TBI. In the 12 months after, medication use increased to 45.0%, an absolute rate increase of 8.4% (p<0.001). The largest post-TBI increases were found for opioids (from 16.3% to 21.6%, p<0.001), and non-opioid pain medications (from 20.3% to 26.6%, p<0.001). The majority of prescriptions were short-term; 20.6% of those prescribed opioids and 37.3% of those with benzodiazepines collected prescriptions for more than 6 months. Increased odds of any psychotropic or pain medication were associated with individuals before (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.59 to 1.65), and after the TBI (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 2.26 to 2.34) as compared with sibling controls, and ORs were consistently increased for all medication classes.ConclusionHigh rates of psychotropic and pain medications after a TBI suggest that medical follow-up should be routine and review medication use.


Author(s):  
Hiroshi Yokoyama ◽  
Masashi Takata ◽  
Fumi Gomi

Abstract Purpose To compare clinical success rates and reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use following suture trabeculotomy ab interno (S group) or microhook trabeculotomy (μ group). Methods This retrospective review collected data from S (n = 104, 122 eyes) and μ (n = 42, 47 eyes) groups who underwent treatment between June 1, 2016, and October 31, 2019, and had 12-month follow-up data including IOP, glaucoma medications, complications, and additional IOP-lowering procedures. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate treatment success rates defined as normal IOP (> 5 to ≤ 18 mm Hg), ≥ 20% reduction of IOP from baseline at two consecutive visits, and no further glaucoma surgery. Results Schlemm’s canal opening was longer in the S group than in the μ group (P < 0.0001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of all eyes showed cumulative clinical success rates in S and µ groups were 71.1% and 61.7% (P = 0.230). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of eyes with preoperative IOP ≥ 21 mmHg showed cumulative clinical success rates in S and μ groups were 80.4% and 60.0% (P = 0.0192). There were no significant differences in postoperative IOP at 1, 3, and 6 months (S group, 14.9 ± 5.6, 14.6 ± 4.5, 14.6 ± 3.9 mmHg; μ group, 15.8 ± 5.9, 15.2 ± 4.4, 14.7 ± 3.7 mmHg; P = 0.364, 0.443, 0.823), but postoperative IOP was significantly lower in the S group at 12 months (S group, 14.1 ± 3.1 mmHg; μ group, 15.6 ± 4.1 mmHg; P = 0.0361). There were no significant differences in postoperative numbers of glaucoma medications at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (S group, 1.8 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.5, 2.0 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.5; μ group, 2.0 ± 1.6, 2.0 ± 1.6, 2.1 ± 1.6, 2.2 ± 1.7; P = 0.699, 0.420, 0.737, 0.198). Conclusion S and µ group eyes achieved IOP reduction, but μ group eyes had lower clinical success rates among patients with high preoperative IOP at 12 months.


Author(s):  
Pedram Sendi ◽  
Arta Ramadani ◽  
Michael M. Bornstein

Background: The number of contingent valuation (CV) studies in dental medicine using willingness-to-pay (WTP) methodology has substantially increased in recent years. Missing values due to absent information (i.e., missingness) or false information (i.e., protest zeros) are a common problem in WTP studies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of missing values in CV studies in dental medicine, to assess how these have been dealt with, and to suggest recommendations for future research. Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO) on 8 June 2021, and hand-searched references of selected reviews. CV studies in clinical dentistry using WTP for valuing a good or service were included. Results: We included 49 WTP studies in our review. Out of these, 19 (38.8%) reported missing values due to absent information, and 28 (57.1%) reported zero values (i.e., WTP valued at zero). Zero values were further classified into true zeros (i.e., representing the underlying preference of the respondent) or protest zeros (i.e., false information as a protest behavior) in only 9 studies. Most studies used a complete case analysis to address missingness while only one study used multiple imputation. Conclusions: There is uncertainty in the dental literature on how to address missing values and zero values in CV studies. Zero values need to be classified as true zeros versus protest zeros with follow-up questions after the WTP elicitation procedure, and then need to be handled differently. Advanced statistical methods are available to address both missing values due to missingness and due to protest zeros but these are currently underused in dental medicine. Failing to appropriately address missing values in CV studies may lead to biased WTP estimates of dental interventions.


Author(s):  
Andrea L Rosso ◽  
Zachary A Marcum ◽  
Xiaonan Zhu ◽  
Nicolaas Bohnen ◽  
Caterina Rosano

Abstract Background Anticholinergic medications are associated with fall risk. Higher dopaminergic signaling may provide resilience to these effects. We tested interactions between anticholinergic medication use and dopaminergic genotype on risk for recurrent falls over 10 years. Methods Participants in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study (n = 2 372, mean age = 73.6; 47.8% men; 60.0% White) without disability or anticholinergic use at baseline were followed for up to 10 years for falls. Medication use was documented in 7 of 10 years. Highly anticholinergic medications were defined by Beers criteria, 2019. Recurrent falls were defined as ≥2 in the 12 months following medication assessment. Generalized estimating equations tested the association of anticholinergic use with recurrent falls in the following 12 months, adjusted for demographics, health characteristics, and anticholinergic use indicators. Effect modification by dopaminergic genotype (catechol-O-methyltransferase [COMT]; Met/Met, higher dopamine signaling, n = 454 vs Val carriers, lower dopamine signaling, n = 1 918) was tested and analyses repeated stratified by genotype. Results During follow-up, 841 people reported recurrent falls. Anticholinergic use doubled the odds of recurrent falls (adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% CI] = 2.09 [1.45, 3.03]), with suggested effect modification by COMT (p = .1). The association was present in Val carriers (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 2.16 [1.44, 3.23]), but not in Met/Met genotype (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 1.70 [0.66, 4.41]). Effect sizes were stronger when excluding baseline recurrent fallers. Conclusion Higher dopaminergic signaling may provide protection against increased 12-month fall risk from anticholinergic use. Assessing vulnerability to the adverse effects of anticholinergic medications could help in determination of risk/benefit ratio for prescribing and deprescribing anticholinergics in older adults.


Author(s):  
Robin Mathews ◽  
Peter Shrader ◽  
Vladimir Demyaneko ◽  
Vincent Miller ◽  
Laura Webb ◽  
...  

Objectives: Patients vary in the degree to which they understand and engage in their health care. We hypothesized that a personalized patient health education tool will promote patient communication and align patient and provider treatment goals in follow-up visits in order to optimize guideline adherence, including evidence-based therapy use and cardiovascular risk factor control, after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: We developed a personalized patient education tool that summarized each patient’s status at discharge of secondary prevention risk factors (blood pressure (BP), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glycemic control), medication use (aspirin, beta blocker, ACE inhibitor/ARB, statin, P2Y 12 inhibitor), and outpatient treatment goals. Patients were randomized 1:1 to usual care vs. receipt of the education tool within 2 weeks post-discharge (before the outpatient visit). We compared secondary prevention medication use, cardiovascular risk factor control, and awareness of treatment goals between randomized groups at 6 months post-discharge. Results: Among 192 enrolled AMI patients, the median age was 60 years, 42% female, and 35% African American; demographic and clinical characteristics were well balanced between randomized groups. We noted high rates of secondary prevention therapy use at 6 months (Table). By 6 months post-discharge, mean systolic BP decreased by 10 mmHg with 80% of patients <140/90 mmHg, and mean LDL-C decreased by 13 mg/dl with 64% of patients under 100mg/dl. Overall, 36% of patients participated in cardiac rehabilitation. We observed no significant differences between randomized groups in any of these outcomes. Only 9% of patients who received the education tool brought it to their outpatient visit for discussion. Conclusion: Though secondary prevention medication use remains reasonably high at 6 months, achievement of secondary prevention health goals remains suboptimal after a myocardial infarction. Few patients utilized the health tool in discussions with outpatient providers during their follow-up visit which likely explains the lack of outcomes differences between randomized groups. Further work is needed to find effective interventions to engage patients and promote sustained behavioral modification for secondary prevention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iren Johnsen ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
Stig Berge Matthiesen ◽  
Jon Christian Laberg

This article presents results from one of the first longitudinal studies exploring the effects of losing a close friend to traumatic death, focusing on complicated grief over time and how this is affected by avoidant behavior and rumination about the loss. The sample consists of 88 persons (76% women and 24% men, mean age = 21) who lost a close friend in the Utøya killings in Norway on July 22, 2011.Quantitative data were collected at three time-points; 18, 28, and 40 months postloss. Main findings are that bereaved friends are heavily impacted by the loss and their grief reactions are affected negatively by avoidant behavior and rumination. This indicates that close bereaved friends are a group to be aware of and that there is a need for better strategies for identifying individuals in need for follow-up.


Author(s):  
Joseph Dooley ◽  
Alexa Bagnell

ABSTRACT:The prognosis and methods of treating headaches were studied in a group of children, 10 years after their initial diagnosis in 1983. Follow-up was achieved for 77 patients (81%). Headaches persisted in 72.7% but were much improved in 81.3%. Medication use was uncommon, with non-prescription medications used by 30.3% and prescription medications by only two. These data suggest that although childhood onset headaches are likely to persist, children who receive early education regarding the use of non-pharmaceutical methods of headache control appear to rely on these methods even after an interval of 10 years.


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