Ophthalmology (Eye & Ear Hospital) - Research Publications
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ItemReal-world assessment of topical glaucoma medication persistence rates based on national pharmaceutical claim data in a defined population(WILEY, 2019-09)IMPORTANCE: The rate and determinants of persistence to topical glaucoma medications are important for identifying patients at high risk of discontinuing medications and designing targeted approaches to improve persistence. BACKGROUND: To evaluate the rate and determinants of persistence to topical glaucoma medications among middle-aged and older Australian adults. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in need of persistent topical glaucoma medications in the 45 and Up Study. METHODS: The 45 and Up Study is a large-scale population-based cohort study. Participants were classified as needing persistent topical glaucoma medications if at least three claims with related prescriptions were recorded. Persistence was defined as topical glaucoma medications were filled within 90 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rates and determinants of medication persistence at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 12 899 patients requiring persistent topical glaucoma medications were identified. Among them, 9019 (69.9%) had persisted with their glaucoma medications for at least 2 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis documented significant effects of patient-related factors (gender, socioeconomic status, language spoken at home, lifestyle and comorbidities) and drug-related factors (total number and drug class) on the persistence rate. Those most at risk groups of non-persistence were those patients living in remote areas (odds ratio, OR: 0.59, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.37-0.92), having family income over 70 000 AUD/year (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.45-0.62), speaking other languages at home (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.53-0.68), and using cholinergic classes of medications (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.38-0.79). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our data has shown a medium level of persistence to topical glaucoma medication among middle-aged and older Australian adults. However, efforts are still needed to improve the rate of persistence.
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ItemIncidence of Medication-Treated Depression and Anxiety Associated with Long-Term Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Osteoarthritis in Community-dwelling Women and Men(ELSEVIER, 2019-10)BACKGROUND: Long-term cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoarthritis may increase the risk of mental disorders, but which was more harmful and whether the associations differed between genders is unclear. METHODS: We included 115,094 participants (54.3% women) aged 45-64 years from the 45 and Up Study who were free of depression, anxiety, and Parkinson's disease at baseline (2006-2009). The incidence of depression and anxiety was identified using claim databases during follow-up until December 2016. Cox regression models were used to examine the association of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoarthritis at baseline with incident depression and anxiety. FINDINGS: During a mean eight-year follow-up (958,785 person-year), the cumulative incidence of depression and anxiety was 12.5% and 5.9% in the healthy population. Hazard ratios ([HRs] (95% CI) versus healthy population) for incident depression associated with long-term cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoarthritis were 1.19 (95% CI: 1.13-1.25), 1.08 (1.00-1.16)), 1.18 (1.09-1.28), and 1.94 (1.80-2.10), respectively. The corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for incident anxiety were 1.11 (1.03-1.20), 1.26 (1.14-1.39), 1.10 (0.98-1.24), and 2.01 (1.80-2.23), respectively. The positive association between cancer and incident depression was more evident in men (HR (95% CI): 1.24 (1.13-1.35) than in women (1.14 (1.07-1.21). Long-term diabetes was an independent risk factor for incident anxiety in men (1.21 (1.02-1.44) but not in women (1.09 (0.93-1.28)). INTERPRETATION: Long-term osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer were independent risk factors for incident depression and anxiety in both genders with osteoarthritis having the highest relative risk.
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ItemLeading Determinants for Disease-Free Status in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged Men and Women: A 9-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study(FRONTIERS MEDIA SA, 2019-11-08)Background: Identifying leading determinants for disease-free status may provide evidence for action priorities, which is imperative for public health with an expanding aged population worldwide. This study aimed to identify leading determinants, especially modifiable factors for disease-free status using machine learning methods. Methods: We included 52,036 participants aged 45-64 years from the 45 and Up Study who were free of 13 predefined chronic conditions at baseline (2006-2009). Disease-free status was defined as participants aging from 45-64 years at baseline to 55-75 years at the end of the follow-up (December 31, 2016) without developing any of the 13 chronic conditions. We used machine learning methods to evaluate the importance of 40 potential predictors and analyzed the association between the number of leading modifiable healthy factors and disease-free status. Results: Disease-free status was found in about half of both men and women during a mean 9-year follow-up. The five most common leading predictors were body mass index (6.4-9.5% of total variance), self-rated health (5.2-8.2%), self-rated quality of life (4.1-6.8%), red meat intake (4.5-6.5%), and chicken intake (4.5-5.9%) in both genders. Modifiable behavioral factors including body mass index, diets, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, contributed to 37.2-40.3% of total variance. Participants having six or more modifiable health factors were 1.63-8.76 times more likely to remain disease-free status and had 0.60-2.49 more disease-free years (out of 9-year follow-up) than those having two or fewer. Non-behavioral factors including low levels of education and income and high relative socioeconomic disadvantage, were leading risk factors for disease-free status. Conclusions: Body mass index, diets, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity are key factors for disease-free status promotion. Individuals with low socioeconomic status are more in need of care.