The goal of this prospective observational quality improvement study is to determine if a physician tool, MedSafer, combined with educational brochures for patients, can help to reduce the use of 'potentially inappropriate medications' (PIMs) in adults aged 60 and over with rheumatic conditions and polypharmacy (taking 5 or more regular medications).
Researchers will follow participants during usual rheumatic disease care. They will compare the rate of PIM deprescribing (stopping medications or reducing the dose) before and after the introduction of the following interventions:
* MedSafer reports provided to treating physicians * EMPOWER consumer brochures provided to participants
Participants will complete 4 study visits over 18-20 months during which researchers will collect information on medication changes, serious adverse events (emergency visits or hospitalizations), and quality of life.
Aged ≥60
Followed by a rheumatologist at MUHC for an inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis), a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory myositis, systemic sclerosis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, Sjogren syndrome, systemic vasculitis), or another chronic musculoskeletal or rheumatic condition (such as crystal arthritis and osteoarthritis)
Currently taking ≥5 regular medications and ≥1 PIM
Anticipated ongoing clinical follow-up in rheumatology at an interval of every 3-9 months
Unable to provide informed consent
Acute life-threatening illness or life expectancy <12 months
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Lead sponsor
The Arthritis Society, Canada
Collaborator