A UWA-led study aims to help general practitioners manage medications for patients who are living with dementia.
In Australia there are 386,000-472,000 people living with dementia, according to official figures. It was the second leading cause of death in Australia in 2019, and the leading cause of death for women aged 75 and over.
The co-existence of dementia with other chronic comorbidities poses a major challenge for optimal medication management. People with dementia frequently take five or more medications (‘polypharmacy’), which can result in an increased risk of drug-drug interactions and adverse drug events. The use of specific drug classes is of particular concern in this group because of their potential to further impair cognition.
With these issues in mind, researchers from The University of Western Australia are running a study (the AusTAPER Dementia study), to help general practitioners manage the medication of patients with dementia more effectively. The study may lead to the reduction in the number of medications a person takes, a practice known as ‘deprescribing’.
About the study
The study employs an online tool called TAPER (Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction). This web-based decision support and clinical platform performs a ‘machine screen’ and supports collaboration between pharmacists and physicians while taking into account the person with dementia’s own goals and priorities for medication use.
The study is measuring whether TAPER reduces emergency presentations and/or unplanned admissions to hospital for people with dementia who are taking ≥5 medicines. It also aims to determine whether improving medication use will enhance clinical outcomes, wellbeing and health system costs.
Research staff is seeking to recruit 750 participants across 48 general practitioner practices in Perth and Sydney. GPs/GP Practices who agree to be involved in this study will identify patients who might be eligible for the study. Participants need to live in the community, have a diagnosis of Dementia (any type) and be taking five or more medications. ‘Medications’ include prescribed medicines as well as any over-the-counter and herbal or complimentary medicines.
Participants will be in the study for 12 months. They will be contacted 3-4 times during the year, with each session lasting about 45-60 minutes and covering questions about their health and medications.
The study is completely voluntary, and participants can change their mind at any time and decide not to continue. All personal information will be treated as strictly confidential and there are no costs involved. GPs will be reimbursed a small amount for each of their patients in the study.
To learn more about this study, please contact Ms Jenny Tasker by email at wacha@uwa.edu.au or phone 08 9224 4516.