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Learning from an epidemiological, population-based study on prescribed medicine use in adults.
- Source :
-
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety [Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf] 2013 Mar; Vol. 22 (3), pp. 271-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jan 21. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Objective: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of use of prescribed medicines in Australian community samples.<br />Study Design and Setting: In this study, face-to-face interviews were carried out with random, representative samples of South Australian adults, aged ≥15 years. Data on self-reported use of prescribed medicines, most commonly reported categories of prescribed medicines and use of multiple medicines for common body systems were collected. It was not possible to distinguish between medicines prescribed for acute and chronic use.<br />Results: A total of 3015 respondents were interviewed in 2004 and 3034 in 2008, representing participation rates of 76% and 73%. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of use of ≥1 (46.8% vs 47.3%, p = 0.6) or ≥6 medicines (5.7% vs 5.5%, p = 0.7). In both years, the use of medicines was higher in women (56.7% vs 57.5%). On subgroup analyses, a significant reduction in the use of medicines was observed in respondents aged 15-24 (25.0% vs 18.5%, p = 0.01) and ≥65 years (87.7% vs 82.5%, p = 0.01), whereas use in those aged 35-44 years increased significantly (26.4% vs 33.6%, p = 0.01). The number of cardiovascular system agents (23.1% vs 24.6%, p = 0.20) and psychotropic medicines (9.8% vs 10.6%, p = 0.35) used by respondents remained unchanged while use of respiratory (7.2% vs 5.7%, p = 0.01) and musculoskeletal system medicines (8.7% vs 5.6% p= < 0.001) decreased significantly.<br />Conclusions: In presenting what we believe is the first Australian population-based study to compare changes in prescribed medicines across the adult age spectrum, we highlight some key questions to ensure the quality use of medicines. Our findings identify a need to discuss de-prescribing, monitor practices to minimise adverse events and challenge if consumers and prescribers need to consider the costs to governments of medicines.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Age Factors
Aged
Chi-Square Distribution
Drug Prescriptions
Drug Utilization
Drug Utilization Review
Female
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Pharmacoepidemiology
Polypharmacy
Self Report
Sex Factors
South Australia
Time Factors
Young Adult
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Prescription Drugs therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1099-1557
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23335093
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.3380