Literature Collection

OBJECTIVE: Polypharmacy is the use of multiple drugs. Many definitions have been established for polypharmacy, often cross-sectionally, despite it naturally changing over time. In this study, we aimed to identify clusters of older people with distinct polypharmacy trajectories over time and associated mortality risks. We then characterised the identified clusters and assessed their generalisability in two external databases. METHODS: Data were extracted from three primary care databases: the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD, CPRD Aurum and the Dutch Integrated Primary Care Information (IPCI). People aged ≥65 on 1 January 2015 were included. Polypharmacy, defined as the cumulative number of prescribed ingredients, was calculated at baseline and at the end of each subsequent follow-up year (2015-19). We applied joint latent class modelling, which divides the population into clusters with different trajectories and associated mortality risks. The model was trained in GOLD and validated in Aurum and IPCI. RESULTS: Four clusters were identified and characterised based on polypharmacy baseline and rate of progression: low-steady, intermediate-slow/increasing, intermediate-fast/increasing and high-decreasing. The high-decreasing cluster had the highest average baseline polypharmacy (intercept = 23.4) and prevalence of non-cancer chronic comorbidities, whilst the intermediate-fast/increasing had the steepest polypharmacy rate of progression per year (slope = 6.4), highest baseline and cumulative incidence of cancer, and worst survival outcome. Good validation was found in Aurum and IPCI. CONCLUSION: High baseline levels and increasing levels of polypharmacy were associated with an increased mortality risk in older people. The clusters identified in this study were externally validated in two European databases, confirming their robustness and generalisability.

OBJECTIVES: Clinicians, researchers, and families consistently agree on the importance of transition clinics for adolescents with epilepsy. In order to ensure that all adolescents have a successful transition, it is important to consider and address the unique needs of each adolescent. The literature suggests that adolescents with varying cognitive abilities may have different needs when preparing for transition. In order to explore this further, this study aimed to better understand the unique psychosocial needs of adolescents with typical cognitive development, mild intellectual disability (MID), and of caregivers of adolescents with moderate-to-severe ID. METHODS: Baseline mental health, QoL, and transition readiness data from 231 transition-aged adolescents (aged 14 to 18) enrolled in an epilepsy transition clinic were analyzed for this study. For analyses, adolescents were separated by cognitive ability. RESULTS: Results showed that adolescents with differing cognitive abilities had different needs. Adolescents with typical cognitive development did not have all the skills needed for a successful transition, suggesting the need for more epilepsy education. Adolescents with MID had significantly fewer transition skills, suggesting the need for more accessible epilepsy information and education. Mental health comorbidities were significant considerations for both of these groups. When looking at caregivers of adolescents with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment, results suggest that although they have necessary transition skills, they require supports in other areas. SIGNIFICANCE: In order to ensure best outcomes for these adolescents, it may be important to develop separate transition guidelines and programs for adolescents with differing cognitive abilities; helping to ensure that the needs of all adolescents are addressed.