Premature Mortality Post Fracture:A NSW Linked Data Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,012.00
Summary
Osteoporotic fractures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Anti-osteoporosis medications reduce re-fracture and possibly morality, yet osteoporosis is poorly treated. This study will link information from >260,000 people (45&Up study) with hospital admissions, medications and deaths to create the largest, detailed dataset of its kind. We will be able to determine cause of any fracture-associated mortality and the effect of medication to improve osteoporosis management.
Team Approach To Polypharmacy Evaluation And Reduction For General Practice Patients With Dementia: The Australian TAPERdem Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,840.00
Summary
Dementia frequently coexists with other chronic conditions, posing a challenge to optimise medication use. Suboptimal pharmacological management of comorbidities exacerbates the rate of functional decline of PWD. The present study will determine to what extent improved medication management produces better health and functional outcomes for PWD.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Deprescribing To Optimise Medical Therapy For Frail Older People: The Opti-Med Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,444,996.00
Summary
Many older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACF) are prescribed medications of uncertain benefit. The primary aim of the Opti-med study is to determine the safety and benefits of reducing the number of medications prescribed to frail older people in RACF. We will withdraw as many medications as possible from participants in the intervention group. Our study will provide randomised controlled data on the safety and efficacy of ceasing medications in frail older people.
Optimising EHealth Systems To Improve Medication Safety And Patient Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Electronic medication management systems are being implemented across the Australian health system. These systems have the potential to improve patient outcomes, but also have risks. This research will examine these benefits and risks in two vulnerable populations: children and the elderly. Novel research methods will be used to evaluate high risk medicine use and associated errors; and design interventions to improve their safety in two paediatric hospitals and 75 aged care facilities.
Deprescribing In Frail Older People: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,235.00
Summary
Frail older people are often prescribed unnecessary medications. We will test whether stopping some of their medication improves longevity, sleep quality and independence and reduces confusion and falls. We will stop medication that does not provide any overall benefit or is thought to be harmful in older people. We will monitor our volunteers frequently for adverse effects and re-start their medicines if necessary. We hope to show that it is safe to stop many medications in frail older people.
High Risk Prescribing In Older Australians: Prevalence, Outcomes And Potential For Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,628.00
Summary
Older people are the most likely to be prescribed medicines yet they are the most likely to be harmed by their medicines. The extent of and trends in high risk prescribing among older Australians are not known. This project will use large-scale linked data to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and costs of high risk prescribing among older people in Australia. The findings of this project will be used to identify targets for minimising harm relating to use of medicines ....Older people are the most likely to be prescribed medicines yet they are the most likely to be harmed by their medicines. The extent of and trends in high risk prescribing among older Australians are not known. This project will use large-scale linked data to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and costs of high risk prescribing among older people in Australia. The findings of this project will be used to identify targets for minimising harm relating to use of medicines.Read moreRead less
Can Pharmacotherapy Prevent Alcohol Driven Suicides?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for young people and the 5th highest for people in their middle age. Harmful use of alcohol can be attributed to around a third of suicides, and there is evidence that alcohol related suicides represent a clinically distinct type of suicide. This research aims to identify medications that have the potential prevent alcohol related suicides by targeting behaviours associated with alcohol use.
Up to 50% of patients having surgery take regular medications and almost half of these patients have their medications stopped at the time of surgery. The interruption of their regular medications during this period exposes patients to associated complications. The project aims to improve the management of patients’ regular medications at the time of surgery, especially when they are fasting or nil by mouth, via a bundle of interventions that include education, reminders and audit/feedback.
Development And Implementation Of Evidence-based Deprescribing Guidelines To Guide Person-centred Care For People With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,363.00
Summary
Optimising medication use in people with dementia will include both initiation of necessary medications and withdrawal of unnecessary and harmful medications. Many guidelines exist to aid doctors when prescribing medication, however, no guidelines currently exist that detail when, or how to withdraw medications. Development and implementation of such guidelines into practice may lead to improved quality of life of people with dementia and their carers.
Medicines are not effective in all people and harmful effects from normal doses can cause suffering and even death. Ethnicity due to genetic factors can cause some medicines to be ineffective or toxic. There is little knowledge on drug genetics of Aboriginal people in contrast to Caucasians. We will study all the major drug genetic factors in groups of Aboriginal people and compare this to other ethnicities to inform physicians as to the optimal drug and dose to prescribe Aboriginal people.