Study to Improve Safe Medication Use in Adults 60 and Older With Rheumatic Diseases Taking Multiple Medications

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a tool called MedSafer, combined with educational brochures for patients, can help reduce the use of potentially inappropriate medications PIMs in adults aged 60 and over who have rheumatic diseases and take five or more regular medications. This study is a prospective observational quality improvement trial conducted at a rheumatology clinic to compare medication use before and after introducing these interventions. The intervention includes personalized MedSafer reports generated for physicians, which highlight deprescribing opportunities categorized by risk level, along with specific tapering instructions. Patients receive educational materials including a deprescribing fact sheet and, if applicable, bilingual EMPOWER brochures for certain medications. Participants are followed through control and intervention periods of approximately ten months each, receiving usual care first, then the intervention while continuing their routine rheumatology visits. Participants complete four study visits over 18 to 20 months, including two in-person and two virtual visits. Researchers collect data on medication changes, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire at each visit. The study measures the rate of PIM deprescribing, changes in medication count, quality of life, and serious adverse events during both periods. The involvement includes reviewing medical records and ensuring follow-up to assess the impact of the interventions on medication management.

The RheumSafer Study: Improving Medication Appropriateness in People With Rheumatic Conditions