Temporal trends in the utilisation of preventive medicines by older XXXX : A 9-year population-based study.

@entity1 @entity171 @entity1397 @entity117 @entity4341 @entity3926 @entity6817 @entity1229
BACKGROUND: For older individuals with multimorbidity the appropriateness of prescribing preventive medicines remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the prevalence and temporal trends in utilisation of preventive medicines in older New Zealanders from 2005 to 2013 stratified according to age, sex, ethnicity and district health board domicile. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional analysis was conducted on pharmaceutical dispensing data for all individuals' >= 65 years. Variable medication possession ratio (VMPR) was used to measure adherence. Prescribing of low-dose @entity117 , @entity1397 , @entity4341 , @entity1229 , @entity3926 , @entity6817 and @entity171 with a VMPR>= 0.8 were examined. RESULTS: @entity117 utilisation increased by 19.55% (95% CI: 19.39-19.70), @entity1397 by 2.93% (95% CI: 2.88-2.97) and @entity4341 decreased by 0.65% (95% CI: -0.70 to -0.59). Utilisation of @entity117 with @entity1397 increased by 1.78% (95% CI: 1.74-1.81) and @entity117 with @entity4341 increased by 0.54% (95% CI: 0.50-0.58%). @entity1229 decreased by 0.87% (95% CI: -0.96 to -0.78) and @entity3926 increased by 0.65% (95% CI: 0.60-0.70). Statins increased by 7.0% (95% CI: 6.82-7.18) and @entity171 decreased by 2.37% (95% CI: -2.44 to -2.30). @entity117 , @entity1397 , @entity3926 and statins utilisation showed a greater increase in males. Interestingly, @entity1397 , @entity1229 and statins use increased in older adults aged 85+ compared to the younger age groups (65-84 years). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the prevalence and trends of preventive medicines use in older @entity1 in New Zealand. This study may facilitate further research to examine the appropriateness of prescribing these medicines in older @entity1 with multimorbidity.
