Abstract:Health Issue: Research has consistently shown that while women generally live longer than men, they report more illness and use of health care services (including medication). In the literature, the reasons for women's elevated medication use are not clear. This paper investigates the associations between over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) medication use and selected social and demographic variables in men and women.Key findings: While a larger proportion of women than men used medication throughout … Show more
“…Female participants had more complex prescription regimens, perhaps due to greater utilization of health services. 21 Access to health care variables, such as more outpatient visits, most likely increased complexity by increasing the number of prescribed medications. Finally, the prescription regimens for participants in Pittsburgh were associated with lower complexity, perhaps reflecting better health status and a different demographic.…”
Background
Medication complexity is a large determinant of adherence. Few studies have explored the relationship between cognitive impairment and medication complexity.
Objective
To evaluate whether cognitive impairment is associated with medication complexity for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Methods
In this cross-sectional analysis, we studied the association between cognitive impairment and the complexity of prescription and OTC drug regimens. Baseline participants were from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, consisting of 3075 well-functioning 70- to 79-year-old black and white men and women. Cognitive impairment was defined by having a Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score <80. The complexity of prescription and OTC (including supplements/herbals) medications was assessed using a modified version of the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (mMRCI). The mMRCI score increases with complexity of dosage forms, number of medications, pill burden, and nondaily dosing.
Results
The mean (SD) age was 74 (2.9) years (n = 3055; 52% female, 41% black). The median prescription mMRCI score was 6 (range 0–66). The median OTC mMRCI score was 4 (range 0–71). Adjusting for health status, demographics, and access to care, medication complexity was lower in participants with cognitive impairment for prescription (adjusted RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99) and OTC medications (adjusted RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.93) compared to those without cognitive impairment. The number of prescription medications was not different, but the number of OTC drugs was lower for those with cognitive impairment.
Conclusions
In this cohort of well-functioning older adults, those with cognitive impairment had lower prescription complexity due to less-complex dosage forms, pill burden, or daily dosing. OTC complexity was also lower, primarily due to a lower number of OTC drugs. The results of this study show that further research on medication complexity and adherence and health outcomes in cognitively impaired individuals is warranted.
“…Female participants had more complex prescription regimens, perhaps due to greater utilization of health services. 21 Access to health care variables, such as more outpatient visits, most likely increased complexity by increasing the number of prescribed medications. Finally, the prescription regimens for participants in Pittsburgh were associated with lower complexity, perhaps reflecting better health status and a different demographic.…”
Background
Medication complexity is a large determinant of adherence. Few studies have explored the relationship between cognitive impairment and medication complexity.
Objective
To evaluate whether cognitive impairment is associated with medication complexity for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Methods
In this cross-sectional analysis, we studied the association between cognitive impairment and the complexity of prescription and OTC drug regimens. Baseline participants were from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, consisting of 3075 well-functioning 70- to 79-year-old black and white men and women. Cognitive impairment was defined by having a Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score <80. The complexity of prescription and OTC (including supplements/herbals) medications was assessed using a modified version of the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (mMRCI). The mMRCI score increases with complexity of dosage forms, number of medications, pill burden, and nondaily dosing.
Results
The mean (SD) age was 74 (2.9) years (n = 3055; 52% female, 41% black). The median prescription mMRCI score was 6 (range 0–66). The median OTC mMRCI score was 4 (range 0–71). Adjusting for health status, demographics, and access to care, medication complexity was lower in participants with cognitive impairment for prescription (adjusted RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.80 to 0.99) and OTC medications (adjusted RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.64 to 0.93) compared to those without cognitive impairment. The number of prescription medications was not different, but the number of OTC drugs was lower for those with cognitive impairment.
Conclusions
In this cohort of well-functioning older adults, those with cognitive impairment had lower prescription complexity due to less-complex dosage forms, pill burden, or daily dosing. OTC complexity was also lower, primarily due to a lower number of OTC drugs. The results of this study show that further research on medication complexity and adherence and health outcomes in cognitively impaired individuals is warranted.
“…In general, a larger proportion of Canadian women than men take medication, although why some women are more likely to take medications than other women is poorly understood. 2 Social roles, particularly the quality of partner relationships, have been suggested as one factor that might affect medication use. 2 Since the early studies of violence against women, researchers have raised concerns regarding prescribing patterns for women with signs of abuse.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…2 Social roles, particularly the quality of partner relationships, have been suggested as one factor that might affect medication use. 2 Since the early studies of violence against women, researchers have raised concerns regarding prescribing patterns for women with signs of abuse. [3][4][5] We examined patterns of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication use among 309 Canadian women who had left their abusive partners, in the context of their self-reports of health problems, medical diagnoses, and abuse histories.…”
Objective: Our objective was to describe patterns of medication use in a convenience sample of 309 women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) participating in a study of women's health after leaving an abusive partner (WHES). Methods: Using data collected through interviews and health assessments, frequencies of past-month use of medications; abuse experienced, health problems and medical diagnoses; and selected demographics were calculated. Associations among abuse history, employment status, health problems, diagnoses, and medications were explored. Comparisons of rates of medication use in women in the WHES and the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2.1 were calculated. Findings: Almost half of participants were taking pain and/or psychotropic medications, with almost one third taking antidepressants. Child abuse history, adult sexual assault history and unemployment were associated with taking psychotropic medications. Overall rates of medication use were similar to those of Canadian women of similar age in the CCHS 2.1. However, women in the WHES were more likely to be taking antidepressants, anxiolytics and inhalants, and less likely to be taking oral contraceptives, over-the counter (OTC) pain relievers, and OTC cough and cold medications. Conclusion: The pattern of medication use in women who have experienced IPV differs from that in the general population. The complex associations found among health problems, employment, diagnoses, and medication use highlight the need to consider treatment patterns within the context of the impact of lifetime abuse, economic survival, and parenting demands. Medication use must be understood as only one of a range of health interventions available to assist abused women to promote their health.
“…The self-reported use OTC medications in the rural older population also shows that women take more OTC medications than me. 20 Sex also makes a difference in psychotropic medication use. Marked gender differences have been reported; women are affected twice as often as men.…”
Purpose of the study: Discussion and projection of behavior pattern, health seeking behavior and monitoring status in both developed and underprivileged countries. The pharmacists have a vital role to play which is discussed along with comparison. Findings: Developed or under developed country, patients have a separate behavior pattern which develops and worsen with disease progression mostly. So many factors are behind but one thing clearly understood that the handling of such situation is a provider's function, a challenge they have to face along with treatment intervention. Research limitations: Very few articles found in matters regarding along with a very less interest paid by general people to talk about healthcare matters. It was very difficult to bring out facts of irrational patient behavior, giving it a substantial figure to discuss in this article. However, the major limitation is the article could be a comparison of behaviors of developed and underprivileged countries which requires an enormous exposure and financial support. However, the sole focus was to detail mysterious patient behavior and a greater part is covered.
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