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Statin (mis)use in older people: A cross‐sectional study using French health insurance databases
Author(s) -
Borne Emilie,
Meyer Nicolas,
Blanchard Odile,
Lombard Martial,
Vogel Thomas,
Lang PierreOlivier,
Michel Bruno
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/pds.5262
Subject(s) - polypharmacy , medicine , statin , medical prescription , population , cross sectional study , retrospective cohort study , family medicine , emergency medicine , medical emergency , environmental health , nursing , pathology
Purpose To describe the occurrence of potential statin misuse, its characteristics and associated factors in older people. Methods A retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in Alsace and Lorraine (France) using French health insurance databases. Study population comprised community‐dwelling patients and nursing homes residents aged 80 and over, who received at least one statin prescription between January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017 ( N = 38 268). Potential statin misuse was identified considering off‐label uses, high‐intensity doses, drug contraindications and statin‐drug interactions. Results At least one potential statin misuse was detected for 19 468 patients (50.9%). Off‐label prescription was the most frequent misuse observed (53.6%), followed by high‐intensity statin dose (30.5%). Polypharmacy (five to nine drugs) and excessive polypharmacy (10 or more drugs) were the main risk factors associated with potential statin misuse (adjusted OR = 2.6 and 4.7 respectively). Nursing home, multi‐morbidity and the presence of multiple prescriptions from different doctors for the same patient were other risk factors significantly associated. Two sensitivity analyzes (reconsiderations of off‐label and high statin dose definitions) revealed the same statistical trend. Conclusion Potential statin misuse is frequent in people aged 80 and over. These findings should serve as a warning to health care professionals and hopefully will contribute to ensure an appropriate and safe use of statin in aged population.