The Impact of Polypharmacy on Patient Outcomes in Older Adults With Cancer

Nightingale, Ginah; Skonecki, Emily; Boparai, Manpreet K.

doi:10.1097/ppo.0000000000000277

Cited by 38 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the rate of excessive polypharmacy was 8.6%, which is similar to that reported in other studies . The previously reported prevalence of polypharmacy ranged from 30% to 80% in older patients with solid cancer .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…This is because such patients are already taking several medications for managing comorbidities and may need additional medications for primary cancer care and supportive care. The prevalence of polypharmacy has been reported to range widely from 29.3% to 80% , which is related to the increased use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) , drug–drug interactions (DDIs) , adverse drug events , hospitalizations , treatment toxicity , and mortality in geriatric patients with cancer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Polypharmacy, Inappropriate Medication Use, and Drug Interactions in Older Korean Patients with Cancer Receiving First-Line Palliative Chemotherapy

et al. 2019

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Background Polypharmacy is an important issue in the care of older patients with cancer, as it increases the risk of unfavorable outcomes. We estimated the prevalence of polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, and drug–drug interactions (DDIs) in older patients with cancer in Korea and their associations with clinical outcomes. Subjects, Materials, and Methods This was a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study of geriatric patients with cancer undergoing first‐line palliative chemotherapy. Eligible patients were older adults (≥70 years) with histologically diagnosed solid cancer who were candidates for first‐line palliative chemotherapy. All patients enrolled in this study received a geriatric assessment (GA) at baseline. We reviewed the daily medications taken by patients at the time of GA before starting chemotherapy. PIMs were assessed according to the 2015 Beers criteria, and DDIs were assessed by a clinical pharmacist using Lexi‐comp Drug Interactions. We evaluated the association between polypharmacy and clinical outcomes including treatment‐related toxicity, and hospitalization using logistic regression and Cox regression analyses. Results In total, 301 patients (median age 75 years; range, 70–93) were enrolled; the most common cancer types were colorectal cancer (28.9%) and lung cancer (24.6%). Mean number of daily medications was 4.7 (±3.1; range, 0–14). The prevalence of polypharmacy (≥5 medications) was 45.2% and that of excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) was 8.6%. PIM use was detected in 137 (45.5%) patients. Clinically significant DDIs were detected in 92 (30.6%) patients. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with hospitalization or emergency room (ER) visits (odds ratio: 1.73 [1.18–2.55], p < .01). Neither polypharmacy nor PIM use showed association with treatment‐related toxicity. Conclusion Polypharmacy, PIM use, and potential major DDIs were prevalent in Korean geriatric patients with cancer. Polypharmacy was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization or ER visits during the chemotherapy period. Implications for Practice This study, which included 301 older Korean patients with cancer, highlights the increased prevalence of polypharmacy in this population planning to receive palliative chemotherapy. The prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy was 45.2% and 8.6%, respectively. The prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) was detected in 45.5% and clinically significant drug–drug interaction in 30.6% of patients. Given the association of polypharmacy with increased hospitalization or emergency room visits, this study points to the need for increased awareness and intervention to minimize polypharmacy in the geriatric cancer population undergoing chemotherapy. Moreover, specific criteria for establishing PIMs should be adopted for the treatment of older adults with cancer.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polypharmacy, Inappropriate Medication Use, and Drug Interactions in Older Korean Patients with Cancer Receiving First-Line Palliative Chemotherapy

et al. 2019

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“…In specific subpopulations of patients with cancer, polypharmacy has been associated with worse outcomes . For example, in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, polypharmacy at diagnosis has been strongly associated with lower odds of complete remission and a higher overall mortality .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polypharmacy in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

et al. 2019

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Objective Polypharmacy has been associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Data about polypharmacy among patients with ovarian cancer are limited. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate polypharmacy in a cohort of patients with ovarian cancer and to assess the evolution of polypharmacy from initial presentation to 2 years posttreatment. A secondary objective was to evaluate differences in polypharmacy between a subset of patients primarily treated in our comprehensive cancer center (CCC) and our safety net hospital (SNH). Methods Women treated for ovarian cancer between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016, were included. Data were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Medication safety was assessed using the established Anticholinergic Burden (ACB) scale and the Beers criteria. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t tests and Cox proportional hazards models, with significance set at p < .05. Results The study included 152 patients. The majority of patients had high‐grade serous carcinoma. Hypertension was the most common medical problem. The mean number of medications at the time of diagnosis was 3.72. Paired testing demonstrated significant patient‐level increases in the number medications at 2 years following initial diagnosis (4.16 vs. 7.01, p < .001). At the CCC, 47.4% of patients met criteria for polypharmacy at diagnosis compared with 19.4% at the SNH (p < .001). By 2 years postdiagnosis, 77.6% of patients at the CCC met criteria for polypharmacy compared with 43.3% at the SNH (p = .001). The use of any medications on the ACB scale (p < .001) increased significantly between initial diagnosis and 2 years for the entire population. Polypharmacy was not a significant predictor of overall survival. Conclusion Polypharmacy worsens as women go through ovarian cancer treatment. Both at initial presentation and at 2 years postdiagnosis, rates of polypharmacy were higher at the CCC. Polypharmacy did not have an effect on survival in this cohort. Implications for Practice Awareness of escalating numbers of medications and potentially adverse interactions is crucial among women with ovarian cancer, who are at high risk for polypharmacy.

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“…The difference observed in frequency of grade 3–5 toxicity in our study compared to others may also be imputable to the multidisciplinary management set up after CGA and CMR. CMR recommendations, associated with geriatricians’ interventions have been effective at identifying and managing geriatric frailties and medication-related risks, 46 , 47 and at decreasing severe chemotherapy toxicity. 48 This decrease of toxicity rate, including grade 1–2 toxicities, is important to preserve functional status and quality of life of older patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>Medication Reconciliation Associated with Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Cancer: ChimioAge Study</p>

Couderc¹,

Boisseranc²,

Rey³

et al. 2020

CIA

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Background Polymorbidity induces polypharmacy in older patients may lead to potential drug–drug interactions (DDI) which can modify the tolerance and safety of oncological treatments and alter the intended therapeutic effect. The objective of our study was to describe the decision-making process for oncological treatment and related outcomes, in a population of older adults undergoing a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) associated to a comprehensive medication reconciliation (CMR) prior to initiating oncological treatment. Methods ChimioAge is a prospective observational study conducted between 01/2017 and 07/2018 at Marseille University Hospital and approved by the French National Ethics Committee. It comprised all consecutive patients aged 70 years and over who were referred for a CGA as part of CMR, before initiating systemic treatment. Results One hundred and seventy-one cancer patients were included. Mean age was 79.2 years, over half had metastatic cancers, 75% had an ECOG performance status zero or one, and two-thirds were independent in daily activities. Two-thirds of the patients had polypharmacy and the CMR identified potential DDI with systemic treatment in 43.3% of patients. Following the CGA, the CMR and the hospital oncologists decision, 30% of the patients received adapted systemic treatment with reduced doses at initiation. They presented fewer toxicities – irrespective of grade and type – than patients who received standard treatment (p<0.001) and had comparable overall survival (Log rank p=0.21). Conclusion This is one of the first studies to highlight the value in conducting CMR and a CGA simultaneously before initiating systemic treatment in older patients with cancer. These two evaluations could give oncologists decisive information to personalize cancer treatment of older patients and optimize treatment dose to offer the best efficacy and minimize toxicity.

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The Impact of Polypharmacy on Patient Outcomes in Older Adults With Cancer

Cited by 38 publications

References 64 publications

Polypharmacy, Inappropriate Medication Use, and Drug Interactions in Older Korean Patients with Cancer Receiving First-Line Palliative Chemotherapy

Polypharmacy, Inappropriate Medication Use, and Drug Interactions in Older Korean Patients with Cancer Receiving First-Line Palliative Chemotherapy

Polypharmacy in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

<p>Medication Reconciliation Associated with Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Older Patients with Cancer: ChimioAge Study</p>

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