Ting Ting Yeoh1, Xin Yin Tay1, Phebe Si1, Lita Chew2. 1. Oncology Pharmacy, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610. 2. Oncology Pharmacy, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610. Electronic address: npacst@nccs.com.sg.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify common drug-related problems(s) (DRP) among elderly patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, common drugs involved, and common actions taken to resolve key DRP detected. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). Elderly patients (aged≥65) with any cancer type and stage, taking at least 3 chronic medications, and who received medication therapy management (MTM) between January 2011 and December 2012 were included in the study. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-four patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the patients was 71.8 years. The patients had a median of 3 co-morbid conditions and were taking a median of 6 chronic medications. The common DRP detected were potential drug interactions (DDI) (398 cases, 36.4%), adverse drug events (346 cases, 31.7%), and non-adherence (97 cases, 8.9%). Majority of potential DDI detected involved non-chemotherapeutic agents (369 cases, 92.7%) and monitoring of patient was the most common action taken (316 cases, 79.4%). Adverse drug events detected were mostly associated with chemotherapy (316 cases, 91.3%) and patient education was the most common action taken (236 cases, 68.2%). Non-adherence in patients was commonly resolved by patient education (59 cases, 60.8%). Only 5 or more chronic medications taken were found to be associated with the presence of DRP in multivariate analysis (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater understanding of DRP will enable early detection and appropriate management of DRP, thereby improving patient care for elderly patients with cancer.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify common drug-related problems(s) (DRP) among elderly patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, common drugs involved, and common actions taken to resolve key DRP detected. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). Elderly patients (aged≥65) with any cancer type and stage, taking at least 3 chronic medications, and who received medication therapy management (MTM) between January 2011 and December 2012 were included in the study. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-four patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the patients was 71.8 years. The patients had a median of 3 co-morbid conditions and were taking a median of 6 chronic medications. The common DRP detected were potential drug interactions (DDI) (398 cases, 36.4%), adverse drug events (346 cases, 31.7%), and non-adherence (97 cases, 8.9%). Majority of potential DDI detected involved non-chemotherapeutic agents (369 cases, 92.7%) and monitoring of patient was the most common action taken (316 cases, 79.4%). Adverse drug events detected were mostly associated with chemotherapy (316 cases, 91.3%) and patient education was the most common action taken (236 cases, 68.2%). Non-adherence in patients was commonly resolved by patient education (59 cases, 60.8%). Only 5 or more chronic medications taken were found to be associated with the presence of DRP in multivariate analysis (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater understanding of DRP will enable early detection and appropriate management of DRP, thereby improving patient care for elderly patients with cancer.
Authors: Sean Oldak; Stephanie Ioannou; Priyanka Kamath; Marilyn Huang; Sophia George; Brian Slomovitz; Matthew Schlumbrecht Journal: Oncologist Date: 2019-04-05