Feasibility, experiences and outcomes of using DIALOG+ in primary care to improve quality of life and mental distress of patients with chronic conditions: an exploratory non-controlled trial in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda

Background DIALOG+ is a resource-oriented and evidence-based intervention to improve quality of life and reduce mental distress. While it has been extensively studied in mental health care, there is little evidence for how to use it in primary care settings for patients with chronic physical conditions. Considering that DIALOG+ is used in existing routine patient-clinician meetings and is very low cost, it may have the potential to help large numbers of patients with chronic physical conditions, mental distress and poor quality of life who are treated in primary care. This is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources for specialised services for such patients are scarce or non-existent. Methods An exploratory non-controlled trial will be conducted to primarily assess the feasibility and acceptability and, secondarily, outcomes of delivering DIALOG+ to patients with chronic physical conditions and poor quality of life in primary care settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda. Thirty patients in each country will receive DIALOG+ up to three times in monthly meetings over a 3-month period. Feasibility will be assessed by determining the extent to which the intervention is implemented as planned. Experiences will be captured in interviews and focus groups with care providers and participants to understand acceptability. Quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, objective social situation and health status will be assessed at baseline and again after the three-session intervention. Discussion This study will inform our understanding of the extent to which DIALOG+ may be used in the routine care of patients with chronic physical conditions in different primary care settings. The findings of this exploratory trial can inform the design of future full randomised controlled trials of DIALOG+ in primary care settings in LMICs. Trial registration All studies were registered prospectively (on 02/12/2020 for Uganda and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 01/12/2020 for Colombia) within the ISRCTN Registry. ISRCTN17003451 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), ISRCTN14018729 (Colombia) and ISRCTN50335796 (Uganda). Protocol version and date: v2.0; 28/07/2020 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), v0.3 02/08/2020 (Colombia) and v1.0, 05/11/2020 (Uganda).

Diagnostic coding of chronic physical conditions in Irish general practice

Background Chronic conditions are responsible for significant mortality and morbidity among the population in Ireland. It is estimated that almost one million people are affected by one of the four main categories of chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and diabetes). Primary healthcare is an essential cornerstone for individuals, families, and the community and, as such, should play a central role in all aspects of chronic disease management. Aim The aim of the project was to examine the extent of chronic disease coding of four chronic physical conditions in the general practice setting. Methods The design was a descriptive cross-sectional study with anonymous retrospective data extracted from practices. Results Overall, 8.8% of the adult population in the six participating practices were coded with at least one chronic condition. Only 0.7% of adult patients were coded with asthma, 0.3% with COPD, 3% with diabetes, and 3.3% with CVD. Male patients who visited their GP in the last year were more likely to be coded with any of the four chronic diseases in comparison with female patients. A significant relationship between gender and being coded with diabetes and CVD was found. Conclusions For a likely multitude of reasons, diagnostic coding in Irish general practice clinics in this study is low and insufficient for an accurate estimation of chronic disease prevalence. Monitoring of information provided through diagnostic coding is important for patients’ care and safety, and therefore appropriate training and reimbursement for these services is essential.

Feasibility, Experiences and Outcomes of using DIALOG+ in Primary Care to Improve Quality of Life and Mental Distress of Patients with Chronic Conditions: An Exploratory Non-Controlled Trial in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda

Background: DIALOG+ is a resource-oriented and evidence-based intervention to improve quality of life and reduce mental distress. While it has been extensively studied in mental health care, there is little evidence for how to use it in primary care settings for patients with chronic physical conditions. Considering that DIALOG+ is used in existing routine patient-clinician meetings and is very low cost, it may have the potential to help large numbers of patients with chronic physical conditions, mental distress and poor quality of life who are treated in primary care. This is particularly relevant in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources for specialised services for such patients are scarce or non-existent. Methods: An exploratory non-controlled trial will be conducted to assess the acceptability, feasibility and outcomes of delivering DIALOG+ to patients with chronic physical conditions and poor quality of life in primary care settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia and Uganda. Thirty patients in each country will receive DIALOG+ up to three times in monthly meetings over a three month period. Feasibility will be assessed by determining the extent to which the intervention is implemented as planned. Experiences will be captured in interviews and focus groups with care providers and participants. As outcomes, quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, objective social situation and health status will be assessed at baseline and again after the three-session intervention. Discussion: This study will inform our understanding of the extent to which DIALOG+ may be used in the routine care of patients with chronic physical conditions in different primary care settings. The findings of this exploratory trial can inform the design of future full randomised controlled trials of DIALOG+ in primary care settings in LMICs. Trial registration: All studies were registered prospectively (on 02/12/2020 for Uganda and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 01/12/2020 for Colombia) within the ISRCTN Registry. ISRCTN17003451 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), ISRCTN14018729 (Colombia) and ISRCTN50335796 (Uganda). Protocol version and date: v2.0; 28/07/2020 (Bosnia and Herzegovina), v0.3 02/08/2020 (Colombia), and, v1.0, 05/11/2020 (Uganda).

Potentially preventable hospitalisations for physical health conditions in community mental health service users: a population-wide linkage study

Aims Mental health (MH) service users have increased prevalence of chronic physical conditions such as cardio-respiratory diseases and diabetes. Potentially Preventable Hospitalisations (PPH) for physical health conditions are an indicator of health service access, integration and effectiveness, and are elevated in long term studies of people with MH conditions. We aimed to examine whether PPH rates were elevated in MH service users over a 12-month follow-up period more suitable for routine health indicator reporting. We also examined whether MH service users had increased PPH rates at a younger age, potentially reflecting the younger onset of chronic physical conditions. Methods A population-wide data linkage in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, population 7.8 million. PPH rates in 178 009 people using community MH services in 2016–2017 were compared to population rates. Primary outcomes were crude and age- and disadvantage-standardised annual PPH episode rate (episodes per 100 000 population), PPH day rate (hospital days per 100 000) and adjusted incidence rate ratios (AIRR). Results MH service users had higher rates of PPH admission (AIRR 3.6, 95% CI 3.5–3.6) and a larger number of hospital days (AIRR 5.2, 95% CI 5.2–5.3) than other NSW residents due to increased likelihood of admission, more admissions per person and longer length of stay. Increases were greatest for vaccine-preventable conditions (AIRR 4.7, 95% CI 4.5–5.0), and chronic conditions (AIRR 3.7, 95% CI 3.6–3.7). The highest number of admissions and relative risks were for respiratory and metabolic conditions, including chronic obstructive airways disease (AIRR 5.8, 95% CI 5.5–6.0) and diabetic complications (AIRR 5.4, 95% CI 5.1–5.8). One-quarter of excess potentially preventable bed days in MH service users were due to vaccine-related conditions, including vaccine-preventable respiratory illness. Age-related increases in risk occurred earlier in MH service users, particularly for chronic and vaccine-preventable conditions. PPH rates in MH service users aged 20–29 were similar to population rates of people aged 60 and over. These substantial differences were not explained by socio-economic disadvantage. Conclusions PPHs for physical health conditions are substantially increased in people with MH conditions. Short term (12-month) PPH rates may be a useful lead indicator of increased physical morbidity and less accessible, integrated or effective health care. High hospitalisation rates for vaccine-preventable respiratory infections and hepatitis underline the importance of vaccination in MH service users and suggests potential benefits of prioritising this group for COVID-19 vaccination.

Association Between Prescription Opioid Use and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Prescription opioid use is concerning among older adults. Yet, few studies have examined the impact of opioid use on mortality by considering multimorbidity. Our sample includes 1586 older adults aged ≥65 recruited in primary care from 2011-2013 in a large health administrative region in Quebec and participating in the ESA-Services study, a longitudinal study on aging and health service use. An opioid prescription delivered in the 3 years prior to the baseline interview was identified using the provincial pharmaceutical drug registry. Mortality was ascertained from the vital statistics registry until 2015. The presence of chronic diseases was based on self-reported and physician diagnostic codes in health administrative databases. Physical multimorbidity was defined as ≥3 chronic physical conditions from either source. Physical/psychiatric multimorbidity was defined as ≥3 chronic physical conditions and ≥1 common mental disorder from either source. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between opioid use and mortality, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Interactions were tested for opioid use and multimorbidity. Older adults with physical multimorbidity using opioids were 1.76 (95%CI: 1.02-3.03) times more likely to die than those not using opioids. Those with physical/psychiatric multimorbidity using opioids were 2.27 (95%CI: 1.26-4.09) times more likely to die than those not using opioids. Older age, male sex, and single marital status significantly increased the risk of mortality. Overall, opioid use increases the risk of death in older adults with multimorbidity. The presence of mental disorders further increases the risk of death in older adults with physical multimorbidity using opioids.

Factors Associated With Prescription Opioid Use Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Opioid use is a growing concern in North America, particularly among older adults. Despite the opioid crisis and the aging population, few studies have evaluated the factors associated with opioid use among older adults. Our sample includes 1657 people aged ≥65 years recruited in primary care clinics from 2011 to 2013 in the Montérégie region of Québec and participating in the “Étude sur la Santé des Aînés” ESA-Services study, a longitudinal study on aging and health service use. The presence of chronic diseases was identified through self-reported health survey data linked to health administrative data. Opioid prescriptions were identified using the provincial pharmaceutical drug registry for those covered under the public drug insurance plan. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with opioid use over a 4-year period. 31.9% of participants used opioids. Factors associated with opioid use included: female sex (OR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.01-1.53), annual household income of <$25,000 (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.01-1.55), level of social support (OR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.73-0.99), and presence of pain/discomfort (OR=1.66, 95%CI: 1.34-2.04). Further, participants with ≥3 chronic physical conditions also reporting anxiety and/or depression were 3.63 (95%CI: 1.83-7.18) times more likely to use an opioid than those with 0-2 chronic physical conditions and no common mental disorder. Moreover, those with moderate, high, and very high psychological distress were more likely to use an opioid than those with a low psychological distress. Our findings suggest that, among other factors, physical and psychiatric multimorbidity is strongly associated with prescription opioid use in older adults.

Relationships between Chronic Diseases and Depression among Middle-aged and Elderly People in China: A Prospective Study from CHARLS

Summary Given the rapid increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases in aging populations, this prospective study including 17 707 adults aged ≥45 years from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study was used to estimate the associations between chronic disease, multimorbidity, and depression among middle-aged and elderly adults in China, and explore the mediating factors. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10) questionnaire. Twelve chronic physical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cancer, chronic lung disease, liver disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, arthritis or rheumatism, asthma, digestive disease were assessed. The prevalence rates for physical multimorbidity and depression (CES-D-10 ≥10) were 43.23% and 36.62%, respectively. Through multivariable logistic models and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, we found all 12 chronic physical conditions, and multimorbidity were significantly associated with depression. Both mobility problems and chronic pain explained more than 30% of the association for all chronic conditions, with particularly high percentages for stroke (51.56%) and cancer (51.06%) in mobility problems and cancer (53.35%) in chronic pain. Limited activities of daily living (ADL) explained 34.60% of the stroke-cancer relationship, while sleep problems explained between 10.15% (stroke) and 14.89% (chronic lung disease) of the association. Individuals with chronic diseases or multimorbidity are significantly more likely to be depressed. Functional symptoms involving limitations of ADL and mobility difficulties mediated much of the association between chronic diseases and incident depression. These symptoms could be targeted for interventions to ameliorate the incidence of depression among individuals with chronic conditions.