Age is just a number: the concept of time to benefit in older adults.
Laura HellemansBeatrijs MertensJulie HiasJos TournoyLorenz Roger Van der LindenPublished in: European journal of hospital pharmacy : science and practice (2021)
A female nursing home resident aged >70 years was admitted to the geriatric ward with de novo dysphagia 6 days after being discharged from the stroke unit. Metformin and ezetimibe had been added to her treatment regimen which already consisted of clopidogrel, atorvastatin, denosumab, calcium and vitamin D. At the geriatric ward a multidisciplinary team involving clinical pharmacists reviewed all treatments and appraised the time to benefit, ascertaining whether there was sufficient time left to experience therapeutic benefits. As a result, metformin, ezetimibe, denosumab, calcium and vitamin D were discontinued. This case report illustrates that both mortality risk assessment and evaluation of the time to benefit should be part of any medication review in frail older adults. Conversely, with limited available data pertaining to the concept of time to benefit, we advocate a broader awareness among pharmacists and a systematic assessment in future clinical trials.
Keyphrases
- risk assessment
- clinical trial
- case report
- physical activity
- bone mineral density
- quality improvement
- acute coronary syndrome
- atrial fibrillation
- percutaneous coronary intervention
- giant cell
- hip fracture
- antiplatelet therapy
- human health
- postmenopausal women
- current status
- primary care
- general practice
- adverse drug
- machine learning
- open label
- climate change
- double blind
- community dwelling
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- placebo controlled