Medication exposure of the dyad patient-caregiver in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: a cross-sectional study

Background Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers can be defined as people with higher risk of developing medication-related problems due to aging and polypharmacy. Aim To assess the medication exposure of patient with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. Method Ancillary cross-sectional study based on baseline medication data of the PHARMAID RCT. The PHARMAID study was a multi-center RCT assessing an integrated pharmaceutical care at a psychosocial program. Older outpatients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their older caregivers were eligible for inclusion. Baseline medication data were used to assess the medication exposure, illustrated by the number of medications, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using the EU(7)-PIM list and the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Results Seventy-three dyads were included in this ancillary study. The mean numbers (SD) of medications used by patients was 6.8 (2.6) and by caregivers was 4.7 (3.7). Overall, 60.3% of patients used at least one PIM and 47.9% of caregivers. Regarding the medication regimen complexity, the mean MRCI was 16.3(8.1) for patients and 11.3(10.5) for caregivers. Conclusion The results of this study confirm the relevance of carrying out medication review with patients, but also with their caregivers who can be considered as hidden patients.