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PubMed1989

[Drug utilization of selected pharmacotherapeutic groups].

A single orientational survey investigated the consumption of antiepileptic, antihypertensive and vasodilating agents. The analysis aimed to investigate the effect of the factors of sex and age patients as to the requirements for drugs of the selected pharmacotherapeutic groups. Evaluation of the results was performed on the basis of statistical processing by means of the test of the difference of two relative values. A dependence of drug consumption on the above-mentioned identification characteristics was confirmed, high consumption of antihypertensive and vasodilating agents, particularly in higher age categories, was demonstrated. The results have shown that it is necessary for our health service to continue considering the growing trend of drug consumption and not only to record, but also to analyze the consumption and its assortment and to use the conclusions both in practice and theory of pharmacotherapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Self-reported drug utilization, health, and lifestyle factors among 70-74 year old community dwelling individuals in Western Norway. The Hordaland Health Study (HUSK).

BACKGROUND: To examine the level and patterns of self-reported medication use (prescription and non-prescription drugs) among 70-74 year old individuals living in the community, and to explore self-reported indications for use, and factors possibly predictive of drug use. METHODS: A health survey carried out in 1997-99 in the county of Hordaland (Western Norway) in the setting of a population study. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 4338 persons born in 1925-27, and a health check-up was offered. Drug use the previous day was reported (point prevalence). 3341 (77.0%) persons who responded, comprise the material for the analyses. RESULTS: Between one third (males) and one quarter (females) did not take any drug the previous day. Mean number of drugs among users was 2.8 (men and women). 32% used three or more drugs and 11.5% five or more. Hypertension and other cardiovascular problems were by far the most common reasons for drug use, followed by respiratory, musculoskeletal and mental health problems. Self-reported poor health, a high Body Mass Index (BMI), and being an ex-smoker (but not currently a smoker) correlated with increasing number of drugs taken. CONCLUSION: Among 70-74-year old individuals living in the community no use of medication was more common than major polypharmacy (5+ drugs). Persons who had fallen ill and were put on regular medication, probably tended to quit smoking, while those who remained healthy, continued to smoke.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Smart Pharmacy Cards to automate patient records for prospective drug utilization review.

The Smart Pharmacy Card automates the patient's medical and prescription history so that every new prescription can be analyzed by a pharmacist to determine if it conflicts with disease states, allergies, prescription and non-prescription drugs documented in the card. The prototype that will be demonstrated at SCAMC 1991 will use an integrated-circuit card ("smart card") that holds 16,000 bits of electronically-erasable data.

Clinical Pharmacy Information Systems↗
PubMed2004

Epilepsy in the United Kingdom: seizure frequency and severity, anti-epileptic drug utilization and impact on life in 1652 people with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of epilepsy in a representative sample of the UK population, including seizure frequency and severity; overall severity of epilepsy; patterns of anti-epileptic drug (AED) use; and the impact of epilepsy on patients' lives. Secondly, to determine if these characteristics differ according to age. METHOD: A large, geographically comprehensive survey of people with epilepsy by means of a postal questionnaire distributed by general practitioners to 3455 unselected patients receiving AEDs for epilepsy, regardless of age or type of epilepsy and including all regions of the UK. Data were collected on age and gender; age of onset of seizures; seizure frequency and severity; AED use and adverse effect levels; and impact on life of epilepsy. Sub-analyses were performed with stratification by epilepsy severity and age-group. RESULTS: There were 1652 completed replies. The mean age was 44.2 years; there were 47.2% males, 48.5% females (4.4% not recorded). The mean age at first seizure, 25.1 years, and the mean duration of epilepsy, 19.7 years, were comparable with previous studies. In the preceding one year, 51.7% of patients had no seizures; 7.9% one seizure, 17.2% 2-9 seizures and 23.2% 10 or more. Sixty-four percent of patients had epilepsy classified as mild and 32% severe. There was a marked and significant decrement of seizure frequency with increasing age. The most commonly used AEDs were carbamazepine (37.4%), valproate (35.7%), phenytoin (29.4%), phenobarbitone or primidone (14.2%) and lamotrigine (10.3%). Monotherapy was used in 68% of patients. Patients taking multiple AEDs reported significantly higher levels of adverse effects and worse seizure control. The major impacts of epilepsy on life were work and school difficulties, driving prohibition, psychological and social life. The impacts listed varied with the epilepsy severity and age. CONCLUSIONS: Seizures remain uncontrolled in up to half of all people with epilepsy in the UK with significant impact on work, family and social life. Previously, there has been a deficiency of data on the characteristics of epilepsy in older people, although it is recognized that the condition is of increasing epidemiological importance in this age group. We have found clear differences in the clinical characteristics of epilepsy in older people, particularly that seizure frequency appears to decline with increasing age.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The development of drug utilization with special reference to demographic factors].

Possible influences of demographic changes in the Federal Republic of Germany on future expenditures for medication have been investigated using population models from the Federal Statistical Office and data concerning the structure of current drug expenditures of the health insurance system. In addition the former contribution of demographic changes to the development of drug expenditures has been estimated using retrospective analysis. The study demonstrates that a constant supply with medicines would require an increase of expenses of 0.6% per year until 2,000 AD due to demographic changes, assuming other conditions remain constant. Development since 1957, however, shows that demographic influences are of relatively low importance for the development of total drug expenditures. During the last decade the total growth of costs for medicines was 6 times higher than that which would have been expected due to demographic changes alone. Further comparisons with the growth rate of the gross national product (GNP) demonstrate that since 1975 growth of drug expenditures parallels growth of GNP. The price indices for pharmaceutical products and for cost of living developed in a parallel way during the same period of time.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Drug utilization studies in cardiology.

A study was carried out to assess the prescribing trends in the cardiology services of the Nehru Hospital attached to PGIMER, Chandigarh. Prescriptions of 45 inpatients and 62 outpatients were audited under the heads of number of drugs prescribed, generic versus trade name, choice of drug, its dosage, inter-dose intervals, duration and choice of dosage form. High scientific standards of prescribing were noted. Some minor lacunae observed, are discussed.

Cardiology↗