RESUMEN
The primary objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of older adults concurrently using opioids and other central nervous system (CNS)-active medications, and the specialties of providers who ordered the medications. A secondary objective was to document medication-related adverse effects associated with such concurrent drug use. Study populations were identified as older adults aged ≥65 years with 1 year continuous medical and drug plan enrollment during 2017 and opioid use of ≥2 prescriptions for ≥15 days' supply. CNS-active medications included benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and gabapentinoids. Provider specialties were identified from the National Provider Identification database. Characteristics associated with opioids only, opioids plus 1, and opioids plus ≥2 additional CNS-active medications were determined using multinomial logistic regression. Outcome measures during 2017 included injurious falls/fractures and ≥3 emergency room (ER) visits. Among eligible insureds (N = 209,947), 57% used opioids only, 28% used opioids plus 1 additional CNS medication, and 15% used ≥2 additional medications. About 60% of opioids and other concurrent CNS medications were prescribed by the same provider, generally a primary care provider. Benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids were most often used concurrently with opioids. Health status, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and low back pain had the strongest associations with concurrent medication use. Overall, concurrent use with ≥2 CNS medications increased the likelihood of injurious falls/fractures or ≥3 ER visits in this population by about 18% and 21%, respectively. Both patients and providers may benefit from an awareness of adverse outcomes associated with concurrent opioid and other CNS-active medication use.
Asunto(s)
Analgésicos Opioides , Fármacos del Sistema Nervioso Central , Accidentes por Caídas/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Analgésicos Opioides/administración & dosificación , Analgésicos Opioides/efectos adversos , Analgésicos Opioides/uso terapéutico , Fármacos del Sistema Nervioso Central/administración & dosificación , Fármacos del Sistema Nervioso Central/efectos adversos , Fármacos del Sistema Nervioso Central/uso terapéutico , Estudios Transversales , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/epidemiología , Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
Research indicates that older adults receive only about half of their recommended care, with varying quality and limited attention to social issues impacting their health through the most commonly used quality measures. Additionally, many existing measures neglect to address nonclinical social determinants of health. Evidence of the need for more comprehensive measures for seniors is growing. The primary purpose of this article, which is supported by a limited review of literature, is to describe gaps among current quality measures in addressing certain nonclinical needs of older adults, including key social determinants of health. In doing so, the authors describe their position on the need for expanded measures to incorporate these factors to improve care and quality of life. The authors conducted a limited review of the literature to inform this article, focusing specifically on selected measures for older adults rather than a broader systematic review of all measures. Most research identified was related to clinical practice guidelines rather than quality measures of care as applied to older adults. Furthermore, the literature reviewed reflected limited evidence of efforts to tailor quality measures for the unique social needs of older adults, confirming a potential gap in this area. A growing need exists for improved quality measures specifically designed to help providers address the unique social needs of older adults. Filling this gap will improve overall understanding of seniors and help them to achieve optimal health and successful aging.
Asunto(s)
Atención Integral de Salud , Garantía de la Calidad de Atención de Salud , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Humanos , Medicare , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to stratify an older adult population for subsequent interventions based on functional ability, and to estimate prevalence, characteristics and impact of mobility limitations on health outcomes. In 2016, surveys were sent to a stratified random sample of AARP® Medicare Supplement insureds; mobility limitations were defined using two screening questions. Responses were stratified to three mobility limitation levels. Multivariate regression models determined characteristics and impact on health outcomes. Among weighted survey respondents (N = 15,989), severe, moderate and no limitation levels were 21.4%, 18.4% and 60.3%, respectively. The strongest predictors of increased limitations included pain and poor health. Individuals with more severe limitations had increased falls, decreased preventive services compliance and increased healthcare utilization and expenditures. Utilizing two screening questions stratified this population to three meaningful mobility limitation levels. Higher levels of mobility limitations were strongly associated with negative health outcomes. Mobility-enhancing interventions could promote successful aging.
Asunto(s)
Gastos en Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Limitación de la Movilidad , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Medicare , Prevalencia , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of community-dwelling older adults fall each year, and approximately 10% have falls requiring medical services. Among other factors, research studies have linked certain medications with an increased risk of falls. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the risk of falls relative to use patterns among new and continuing falls-related drug (FRD) users. METHODS: A 10% random sample, insured in AARP® Medicare Supplement and AARP Medicare Part D Rx plans, was utilized to define new and continuing FRD users. New users had a 12-month pre-period without FRD use, whereas continuing users had at least one FRD in the pre-period. Both groups had 12-month follow-up after initiating or continuing FRD use. Characteristics associated with the risk of falls for new and continuing users were determined using multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among insureds, 44% used at least one of the FRD classes. Of these, 29% were new users (N = 35,340) and 71% were continuing users (N = 121,488). Fall rates for the two subgroups were similar at 7 and 8%, respectively. Characteristics associated with the risk of falls were previous injurious fall, use of two or more classes of FRDs, older age, poorer health, and being female. New users were at higher risk than continuing users. CONCLUSION: New users of FRDs were at highest risk of falls, and continuing users were at increased risk, especially with higher numbers of FRD classes. Both groups could benefit from falls awareness and prevention programs.
Asunto(s)
Accidentes por Caídas/estadística & datos numéricos , Utilización de Medicamentos/estadística & datos numéricos , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/epidemiología , Accidentes por Caídas/prevención & control , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/etiología , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Medicare , Distribución Aleatoria , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Many adults 65 years or older have high health care needs and costs. Here, we describe their care coordination challenges. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING: Individuals with an AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance plan insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (for New York residents, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York). METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE: The three groups included the highest needs, highest costs (the "highest group"), the high needs, high costs (the "high group"), and the "all other group." Eligibility was determined by applying an internally developed algorithm based upon a number of criteria, including hierarchical condition category score, the Optum ImpactPro prospective risk score, as well as diagnoses of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or diabetes. RESULTS: The highest group comprised 2%, although consumed 12% of health care expenditures. The high group comprised 20% and consumed 46% of expenditures, whereas the all other group comprised 78% and consumed 42% of expenditures. On average, the highest group had $102,798 in yearly health care expenditures, compared with $34,610 and $7,634 for the high and all other groups, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of the highest group saw 16 or more different providers annually, compared with 21% and 2% of the high and all other groups, respectively. Finally, 28% of the highest group had prescriptions from at least seven different providers, compared with 20% and 5% of the high and all other groups, respectively. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: Individuals with high health care needs and costs have visits to numerous health care providers and receive multiple prescriptions for pharmacotherapy. As a result, these individuals can become overwhelmed trying to manage and coordinate their health care needs. Care coordination programs may help these individuals coordinate their care.