Andrea C Betts1, Caitlin C Murphy2,3, L Aubree Shay4,3, Bijal A Balasubramanian5,6, Christine Markham2,3, Marlyn Allicock7,6. 1. Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 2777 N. Stemmons Fwy., Ste. 8400, Dallas, TX, 75207, USA. Andrea.C.Betts@uth.tmc.edu. 2. Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA. 3. Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA. 4. Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Dallas, TX, USA. 6. Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Dallas, TX, USA. 7. Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 2777 N. Stemmons Fwy., Ste. 8400, Dallas, TX, 75207, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We examined prescription medication use and identified correlates of polypharmacy-taking multiple medications-in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs), who experience early-onset chronic conditions. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study pooled data (2008-2017) from the national Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We estimated prevalence of polypharmacy (≥ 5 unique prescription medications over an approximate 1-year period) in AYAs (age 18-39 years with a history of cancer) and age- and sex-matched controls, overall and by sociodemographics, clinical factors, and health indicators. We compared survivors' and controls' medication use across therapeutic classes. To identify correlates of polypharmacy among AYAs, we included factors with p < 0.20 in bivariable analysis in a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: AYAs (n = 601) had a higher prevalence of polypharmacy than controls (n = 2,402), overall (31.5% vs. 15.9%, p < .01) and by all sociodemographics, clinical factors, and health indicators. A majority of AYAs with multiple chronic conditions (58.8%, 95% CI 47.3-70.4) or disability (61.3%, 95% CI 52.6-70.0) had polypharmacy. Patterns of AYAs' medication use across therapeutic classes were consistent with their chronic conditions. Nearly one-third used opioid/narcotic analgesics (32.2% vs. 13.7% of controls, p < 0.01). Among AYAs, multiple chronic conditions (aOR 4.68, 95% CI 2.23-9.83) and disability (aOR 3.70, 95% CI 2.23-6.14) were correlated with polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic conditions and disabilities, including aftereffects of cancer treatment, may drive polypharmacy in AYAs. Future research should examine adverse outcomes of polypharmacy and opioid/narcotic use in AYAs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: AYAs with chronic conditions or disabilities should be monitored for polypharmacy.
PURPOSE: We examined prescription medication use and identified correlates of polypharmacy-taking multiple medications-in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs), who experience early-onset chronic conditions. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study pooled data (2008-2017) from the national Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We estimated prevalence of polypharmacy (≥ 5 unique prescription medications over an approximate 1-year period) in AYAs (age 18-39 years with a history of cancer) and age- and sex-matched controls, overall and by sociodemographics, clinical factors, and health indicators. We compared survivors' and controls' medication use across therapeutic classes. To identify correlates of polypharmacy among AYAs, we included factors with p < 0.20 in bivariable analysis in a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: AYAs (n = 601) had a higher prevalence of polypharmacy than controls (n = 2,402), overall (31.5% vs. 15.9%, p < .01) and by all sociodemographics, clinical factors, and health indicators. A majority of AYAs with multiple chronic conditions (58.8%, 95% CI 47.3-70.4) or disability (61.3%, 95% CI 52.6-70.0) had polypharmacy. Patterns of AYAs' medication use across therapeutic classes were consistent with their chronic conditions. Nearly one-third used opioid/narcotic analgesics (32.2% vs. 13.7% of controls, p < 0.01). Among AYAs, multiple chronic conditions (aOR 4.68, 95% CI 2.23-9.83) and disability (aOR 3.70, 95% CI 2.23-6.14) were correlated with polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic conditions and disabilities, including aftereffects of cancer treatment, may drive polypharmacy in AYAs. Future research should examine adverse outcomes of polypharmacy and opioid/narcotic use in AYAs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: AYAs with chronic conditions or disabilities should be monitored for polypharmacy.
Authors: Xiao-Cheng Wu; Pinki K Prasad; Ian Landry; Linda C Harlan; Helen M Parsons; Charles F Lynch; Ashley W Smith; Ann S Hamilton; Theresa H M Keegan Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2015-09-29 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Sharyl J Nass; Lynda K Beaupin; Wendy Demark-Wahnefried; Karen Fasciano; Patricia A Ganz; Brandon Hayes-Lattin; Melissa M Hudson; Brenda Nevidjon; Kevin C Oeffinger; Ruth Rechis; Lisa C Richardson; Nita L Seibel; Ashley W Smith Journal: Oncologist Date: 2015-01-07
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Authors: Caitlin C Murphy; Hannah M Fullington; Carlos A Alvarez; Andrea C Betts; Simon J Craddock Lee; David A Haggstrom; Ethan A Halm Journal: Cancer Date: 2018-04-12 Impact factor: 6.860