Introduction Older adults are generally considered to be at greater risk for medication non-adherence due to factors such as medication complexity, side effects, cost, and cognitive decline. However, this generalization may not apply to older adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Regardless of age, suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to increased viral load, immunosuppression, drug-resistant viral strains, co-morbidities, and opportunistic infections. Understanding trends of adherence to ART among older adults is critical, especially as the population of people living with HIV grows older. Objectives The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine if older individuals with HIV are less likely to be non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy than younger individuals with HIV. Design A systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles evaluating adherence to ART in older adults. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts, applied inclusion criteria, and appraised study quality. The bibliographies of qualifying studies were searched. Data were abstracted from studies by two independent authors. Meta-analyses were conducted, and adherence levels were reported as the relative risk of non-adherence in older individuals compared to younger individuals. Results The systematic search yielded 1,848 abstracts. Twelve studies met full inclusion criteria. The overall meta-analysis found that older age reduced risk for non-adherence by 27% (Relative Risk (RR) 0.72, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.64–0.82). Studies assessing both short-term and long-term adherence demonstrated a significant reduction in non-adherence among older patients (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.87 and RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50–0.85, respectively). Conclusions Older adults with HIV have a reduced risk for non-adherence to ART than their younger counterparts. Future studies should seek to elucidate contributing factors of adherence among older individuals with HIV.

Few ambulatory medication reconciliation tools exist. Transitions between inpatient and outpatient care can result in medication discrepancies. An interdisciplinary team designed a new 'Secure Messaging for Medication Reconciliation Tool' (SMMRT) within a patient web portal and piloted it among 60 patients at a Veterans Affairs hospital, an integrated system with a shared electronic health record. Recently discharged patients used SMMRT to view their medications in a secure email message and replied using SMMRT's interactive form, verifying their medication regimens and clarifying any inaccuracies. In total, 108 medication discrepancies and 23 potential adverse drug events (ADEs) were seen. Nearly 50% of the potential ADEs were classified as serious. Overall, participants were enthusiastic about SMMRT; 90% said they would use SMMRT again. Enabling patients to conduct medication reconciliation through a web portal is feasible in the transition from inpatient to outpatient care and may improve medication safety.

An increase in Anticholinergic Risk Scale from admission was associated with delirium in palliative care inpatients. While additional study is needed, anticholinergic burden should be increased cautiously in palliative inpatients, and those with increases should be closely followed for delirium.