scholarly journals Factors associated with initiation of bone-health medication among older adults in primary care in Ireland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Walsh ◽  
Mari Nerdrum ◽  
Tom Fahey ◽  
Frank Moriarty
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
List Type ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Factors Associated

ABSTRACTBackgroundAdults at high risk of fragility fracture should be offered pharmacological treatment when not contraindicated, however under-treatment is common.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate factors associated with bone-health medication initiation in older patients attending primary care.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Setting44 general practices in Ireland from 2011-2017.SubjectsAdults aged ≥65 years who were naïve to bone-health medication for 12 months.MethodsOverall fracture-risk (based on QFracture) and individual fracture-risk factors were described for patients initiated and not initiated onto medication and compared using generalised linear model regression with Poisson distribution.ResultsOf 36,799 patients (51 % female, mean age 75.4 (SD=8.4)) included, 8% (n=2,992) were observed to initiate on bone-health medication during the study. One fifth of all patients (n=8,193) had osteoporosis or had high fracture-risk but only 21% of them (n=1,687) initiated on medication. Female sex, older age, state-funded health cover and osteoporosis were associated with initiation. Independently of osteoporosis and co-variates, high 5-year QFracture risk for hip (IRR=1.33 (95% CI=1.17-1.50), p<0.01) and all fractures (IRR=1.30 (95% CI=1.17-1.44), p<0.01) were associated with medication initiation. Previous fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and corticosteroid use were associated with initiation, while liver, kidney, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy showed an inverse association.ConclusionsBone-health medication initiation is targeted at patients at higher fracture-risk but much potential under-treatment remains, particularly in those >80 years and with co-morbidities. This may reflect clinical uncertainty in older multimorbid patients, and further research should explore decision-making in preventive bone medication prescribing.Key pointsDuring this study, 23% of women and 11% of men defined as high-risk of fracture were newly initiated on bone-health medication.Rates of potential under-treatment were highest in patients over 80 years old.Fracture history, corticosteroid use, and rheumatoid arthritis were independently associated with medication initiation.Patients with diabetes, and liver, kidney, or cardiovascular disease were less likely to be initiated on medication.Clinical guidelines should provide advice on risk-benefit decisions in osteoporosis treatment where co-morbidities are present.

scholarly journals Factors associated with initiation of bone-health medication among older adults in primary care in Ireland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E Walsh ◽  
Mari Nerdrum ◽  
Tom Fahey ◽  
Frank Moriarty
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
High Fracture ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Multimorbid Patients

Abstract Background Adults at high risk of fragility fracture should be offered pharmacological treatment when not contraindicated, however, under-treatment is common. Objective This study aimed to investigate factors associated with bone-health medication initiation in older patients attending primary care. Design This was a retrospective cohort study. Setting The study used data from forty-four general practices in Ireland from 2011–2017. Subjects The study included adults aged ≥ 65 years who were naïve to bone-health medication for 12 months. Methods Overall fracture-risk (based on QFracture) and individual fracture-risk factors were described for patients initiated and not initiated onto medication and compared using generalised linear model regression with the Poisson distribution. Results Of 36,799 patients (51% female, mean age 75.4 (SD = 8.4)) included, 8% (n = 2,992) were observed to initiate bone-health medication during the study. One-fifth of all patients (n = 8,193) had osteoporosis or had high fracture-risk but only 21% of them (n = 1,687) initiated on medication. Female sex, older age, state-funded health cover and osteoporosis were associated with initiation. Independently of osteoporosis and co-variates, high 5-year QFracture risk for hip (IRR = 1.33 (95% CI = 1.17–1.50), P &lt; 0.01) and all fractures (IRR = 1.30 (95% CI = 1.17–1.44), P &lt; 0.01) were associated with medication initiation. Previous fracture, rheumatoid arthritis and corticosteroid use were associated with initiation, while liver, kidney, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy showed an inverse association. Conclusions Bone-health medication initiation is targeted at patients at higher fracture-risk but much potential under-treatment remains, particularly in those &gt;80 years and with co-morbidities. This may reflect clinical uncertainty in older multimorbid patients, and further research should explore decision-making in preventive bone medication prescribing.

scholarly journals Persistence with oral bisphosphonates and denosumab among older adults in primary care in Ireland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Walsh ◽  
Tom Fahey ◽  
Frank Moriarty
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Oral Bisphosphonates ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increase Fracture Risk

ABSTRACTPurposeGaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate persistence rates for oral bisphosphonates and denosumab in older primary care patients and identify factors associated with discontinuation.MethodsOlder patients newly prescribed oral bisphosphonates or denosumab between 2012 and 2017 were identified from 44 general practices (GP) in Ireland. Persistence without a coverage gap of >90 days was calculated for both medications from therapy initiation. Factors associated with time to discontinuation were explored using Cox regression analysis. Exposures included age-group, osteoporosis diagnosis, fracture history, calcium/vitamin D prescription, number of other medications, health cover, dosing frequency (bisphosphonates) and previous bone-health medication (denosumab).ResultsOf 41,901 patients, n=1,569 newly initiated on oral bisphosphonates and n=1,615 on denosumab. Two-year persistence was 49.4% for oral bisphosphonates and 53.8% for denosumab and <10% were switched to other medication. Having state-funded health cover was associated with a lower hazard of discontinuation for both oral bisphosphonates (HR=0.49, 95%CI=0.36-0.66, p<0.01) and denosumab (HR=0.71, 95%CI=0.57-0.89, p<0.01). Older age-group, number of medications and calcium/vitamin D prescription were also associated with better bisphosphonate persistence while having osteoporosis diagnosed was associated with better denosumab persistence.ConclusionPersistence for osteoporosis medications is sub-optimal. Of concern, few patients are switched to other bone-health treatments when denosumab is stopped which could increase fracture risk. Free access to GP services and medications may have resulted in better medication persistence in this cohort. Future research should explore prescribing choices in primary-care osteoporosis management and evaluate cost-effectiveness of interventions for improving persistence.SUMMARYGaps in pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis can reduce its effectiveness. This study found approximately half of older adults in primary care newly initiated on bisphosphonates or denosumab were still taking these after 2 years. Abrupt discontinuation of denosumab without switching to an alternative is concerning due to increased fracture risk.

Using mHealth tools to improve access, coverage and treatment of uninsured people with high cardiovascular disease risk in Argentina: a study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomised trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shafika Abrahams-Gessel ◽  
Andrea Beratarrechea ◽  
Vilma Irazola ◽  
Laura Gutierrez ◽  
Daniela Moyano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Cluster Randomised Trial ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Risk Patients

IntroductionCardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for approximately one-third of Argentina’s deaths. Despite government provision of free primary care health services to the uninsured population, with a focus on non-communicable diseases, screening and management of those with high CVD risk at primary care clinics (PCCs) remain low.Methods and analysisThis pragmatic cluster randomised trial will take place in two provinces of Argentina and will recruit 740 participants. Eight PCCs will be randomised to either the intervention or current practice arm. Community health workers (CHWs) in the intervention arm will be trained to use a set of integrated mHealth tools (a validated risk screening tool mobile application; electronic scheduling system using wireless access to PCCs; and educational text messages) to screen for CVD and to schedule appointments with primary care providers for persons with high CVD risk (≥10%). The primary aims of this study are to determine if the use of mHealth tools will (1) increase attendance of first appointments scheduled by CHWs for persons determined to have high risk for CVD during screening and, (2) lead to an increase in follow-up visits at PCCs by high risk patients. Secondary outcomes include assessing the proportion of high-risk patients receiving appropriate medications and a cost-effective analysis of the intervention.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards at Partners/Brigham and Women’s Hospital (USA) and the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (Argentina). The open-source software for the mHealth tools will be made publicly available at the end of the study.Trial registration numberNCT02913339.

scholarly journals Educational inequalities in statin treatment for preventing cardiovascular disease: cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice R Carter ◽  
Dipender Gill ◽  
Richard Morris ◽  
George Davey Smith ◽  
Amy E Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Prescription Data ◽  
List Type ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Statin Use ◽  
Years Of Schooling

AbstractImportanceThe most socioeconomically deprived individuals remain at the greatest risk of cardiovascular disease. Differences in risk adjusted use of statins between educational groups may contribute to these inequalities.ObjectiveTo identify whether people with lower levels of educational attainment are less likely to take statins for a given level of cardiovascular risk.DesignCross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort study and linked longitudinal primary care records.SettingUK Biobank data from baseline assessment centres, linked primary care data and hospital episode statisticsParticipantsUK Biobank participants (N = 489 679, mean age = 56, 54% female) with complete data on educational attainment and self-reported medication use. Secondary analyses were carried out on a subsample of participants with linked primary care data (N = 217 675).Main outcome measuresStatin use self-reported to clinic nurses at baseline assessment centres, validated with linked prescription data in a subsample of participants in secondary analyses.ResultsGreater education was associated with lower statin use, whilst higher cardiovascular risk (assessed by QRISK3 score) was associated with higher statin use in both females and males. There was evidence of an interaction between QRISK3 and education, such that for the same QRISK3 score, people with more education were more likely to report taking statins. For example, in women with 7 years of schooling, equivalent to leaving school with no formal qualifications, a one unit increase in QRISK3 score was associated with a 6% higher odds of statin use (odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% CI 1.05, 1.06). In contrast, in women with 20 years of schooling, equivalent to obtaining a degree, a one unit increase in QRISK3 score was associated with an 11% higher odds of statin use (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.10, 1.11). Comparable ORs in men were 1.04 (95% CI 1.04, 1.05) for men with 7 years of schooling and (95% CI 1.07, 1.07) for men with 20 years of schooling.ConclusionsFor the same level of cardiovascular risk, individuals with lower educational attainment are less likely to receive statins, likely contributing to health inequalities.SummaryWhat is already known on this topic?Despite reductions in the rates of cardiovascular disease in high income countries, individuals who are the most socioeconomically deprived remain at the highest risk.Although intermediate lifestyle and behavioural risk factors explain some of this, much of the effect remains unexplained.What does this study add?For the same increase in QRISK3 score, the likelihood of statin use increased more in individuals with high educational attainment compared with individuals with lower educational attainment.These results were similar when using UK Biobank to derive QRISK3 scores and when using QRISK scores recorded in primary care records, and when using self-reported statin prescription data or prescription data from linked primary care records.The mechanisms leading to these differences are unknown, but both health seeking behaviours and clinical factors may contribute.

scholarly journals SARS, MERS, COVID-19: Identification of Patients at a Higher Risk: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70
Author(s):  
Hussein Noureldine ◽  
Georges Chedid ◽  
Jad Gerges Harb ◽  
Wared Nour-Eldine ◽  
Mariam Nour Eldine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Patients

The different presentations, comorbidities, and outcomes of COVID-19 highlight the importance of early identification and proper triage of patients. High-risk patients can be divided into patients with common comorbidities and patients with special categories. Common comorbidities include, but are not limited to, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), immunosuppression, underlying respiratory disease, and obesity. Certain categories of COVID-19 patients are also at increased risk, including neonates and pregnant women.  In the present article, we delineate the reported risk factors for acquisition of infection, and for increased severity of the clinical disease. We also comparatively analyze those risk factors associated with COVID-19 and with the antecedent human acute respiratory syndrome-causing viruses, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. We hypothesize that the structural similarities of the three viruses predict a similarity in the profile of high-risk patients. Several pathophysiological patterns have been detected to support this theory.

scholarly journals Recurrent vertebral fractures in a young adult: a closer look at bone health in type 1 diabetes mellitus

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor P Thong ◽  
Sarah Catford ◽  
Julie Fletcher ◽  
Phillip Wong ◽  
Peter J Fuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Fracture Risk ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Vertebral Fractures ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
Bone Microarchitecture ◽  
List Type ◽  
Secondary Fracture

Summary The association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and bone health has garnered interest over the years. Fracture risk is known to be increased in individuals with T1DM, although bone health assessment is not often performed in the clinical setting. We describe the case of a 21-year-old male with longstanding T1DM with multilevel vertebral fractures on imaging, after presenting with acute back pain without apparent trauma. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) revealed significantly reduced bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Extensive investigations for other secondary or genetic causes of osteoporosis were unremarkable, apart from moderate vitamin D deficiency. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography and bone biospy revealed significant alterations of trabecular bone microarchitecture. It later transpired that the patient had sustained vertebral fractures secondary to unrecognised nocturnal hypoglycaemic seizures. Intravenous zoledronic acid was administered for secondary fracture prevention. Despite anti-resorptive therapy, the patient sustained a new vertebral fracture after experiencing another hypoglycaemic seizure in his sleep. Bone health in T1DM is complex and not well understood. There are significant challenges in the assessment and management of osteoporosis in T1DM, particularly in young adults, where fracture prediction tools have not been validated. Clinicians should be aware of hypoglycaemia as a significant risk factor for fracture in patients with T1DM. Learning points: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a secondary cause of osteoporosis, characterised by reduced bone mass and disturbed bone microarchitecture. Hypoglycaemic seizures generate sufficient compression forces along the thoracic column and can cause fractures in individuals with compromised bone quality. Unrecognised hypoglycaemic seizures should be considered in patients with T1DM presenting with fractures without a history of trauma. Patients with T1DM have increased fracture risk and risk factors should be addressed. Evaluation of bone microarchitecture may provide further insights into mechanisms of fracture in T1DM. Further research is needed to guide the optimal screening and management of bone health in patients with T1DM.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document