Debbie Rigby rounds up the latest research news
A comparison of the male osteoporosis risk estimation score (MORES) and the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) in screening men for osteoporosis has shown both tools were reasonably effective as a rule-out test . MORES uses age, weight, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to stratify the risk for osteoporosis in men aged 50 years and older.
Ann Fam Med 2016;14(4):365-369.
Medical professionals’ perspectives on prescribed and over-the-counter medicines containing codeine
A survey of 300 UK prescribing professionals working in primary care and pain settings has suggested that communication with patients should involve assessment of patient understanding of their medication, including the risk of dependence. Slow or gradual withdrawal was the most popular suggested treatment in managing dependence. Education and counselling was also emphasised in managing codeine-dependent patients in primary care.
BMJ Open 2016;6:e011725
Strategies to reduce medication errors
Medication errors are very common throughout the medication use process. GPs can significantly reduce medication errors by regular medication review, and rationalising and simplifying medication regimens. Medication reconciliation (i.e. verifying the patient’s medication history, checking that the medicines are appropriate for the patient and reconciling any discrepancies) is particularly useful at high-risk times such as transitions between the acute sector and the community, or on admission to a residential aged care facility.
Medicine Today 2016;17(7):44-50.
Anticholinergic medicines in an older primary care population
Adverse clinical outcomes have been associated with cumulative anticholinergic burden (to which low-potency as well as high-potency anticholinergic medicines contribute). A cross-sectional analysis of an Australian cohort study has shown that the majority of the ‘community’ anticholinergic burden is contributed by ‘low’-anticholinergic potency medicines whose anticholinergic effects may be largely ‘invisible’ to prescribing GPs. Low potency anticholinergic medicines include warfarin, oxycodone, frusemide, prednisolone, prochlorperazine, digoxin, fentanyl and morphine.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics 2016
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