gms | German Medical Science

Background: Approximately 75% of the 1.5 million people with dementia in Germany are community-dwelling patients. Most of them are affected by multiple chronic diseases and are treated with complex pharmacotherapy regimes that are associated with drug interactions. However, little is known about the prevalence of drug interactions in community-dwelling people screened positive for dementia. This analysis aimed to determine (1) the active agent - related prevalence of drug interactions and (2) the socio-demographic and clinical variables associated with total number of drug interactions in community-dwelling people screened positive for dementia.

Materials and Methods: The DelpHi-MV study (Dementia: life- and person-centered help in Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania) is a general practitioner (GP)-based cluster-randomized controlled intervention trial to implement and evaluate an innovative concept of collaborative dementia care management in the primary care setting in Germany. Medication reviews of n=446 study participants were conducted by pharmacists based on the comprehensive baseline assessment that included a computer-based home medication assessment.

Results: Of the n=446 patients, a total of 155 (35%) had at least one potential drug interaction of moderate severity, 14 (3%) had at least one clinically relevant drug interaction, and 11 (2%) had at least one inappropriate combination of drugs with food. Total number of drugs taken (OR 1.26) and support with medication (OR 2.09) were associated with drug interactions.

Conclusion: The most frequent specific drug interactions will be presented and discussed. The present analysis underlined that a comprehensive medication review has the potential to improve the pharmacotherapy in community-dwelling people living with dementia is of major importance.