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Published on: January 24, 2020
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Older adults' willingness to consider deprescribing when experiencing hyperpolypharmacy.
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : Japha
|February 5, 2022
Summary
Older adults with hyperpolypharmacy (10+ medications) are willing to consider deprescribing. A card sorting activity explored their hypothetical medication reduction decisions, revealing common reasons like lack of indication or safety concerns.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Patient Decision-Making
Background:
- Older adults with hyperpolypharmacy (use of 10 or more medications) face increased risks of cognitive impairment and functional decline.
- Deprescribing, the process of stopping or tapering medications, is a key strategy to mitigate these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how older adults experiencing hyperpolypharmacy make hypothetical deprescribing decisions.
- Utilized a card sorting activity to understand patient perspectives on medication reduction.
Main Methods:
- Recruited participants (N=26) via an institutional website between February and November 2020.
- Conducted interviews using a card sorting activity to simulate deprescribing decisions.
- Analyzed participant rationales for deprescribing using the Pharmacy Quality Alliance Medication Therapy Problems Categories Framework.
Main Results:
- Participants reported an average of 16 medications (range 10-30).
- 73% of participants were interested in deprescribing 23% of their medications.
- Common reasons for deprescribing included perceived lack of indication (32%), adherence issues (21%), lack of effectiveness (18%), and safety concerns (15%).
Conclusions:
- A majority of older adults with hyperpolypharmacy expressed willingness to consider deprescribing.
- Further research is warranted to evaluate the utility of card sorting activities in facilitating patient-provider deprescribing conversations.
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