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Open AccessBarriers, facilitators and needs to deprescribe benzodiazepines and other sedatives in older adults: a mixed methods study of primary care provider perspectives
Benzodiazepines and other sedative hypnotic drugs (BSHs) are frequently prescribed for sleep problems, but cause substantial adverse effects, particularly in older adults. Improving knowledge on barriers, faci...
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Article
Open AccessA systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the relationship between metabolic syndrome and the incidence of thyroid diseases
To assess the prospective association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components, and incidence of thyroid disorders by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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Open AccessCorrection: A mixed methods analysis of the medication review intervention centered around the use of the ‘Systematic Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing’ Assistant (STRIPA) in Swiss primary care practices
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Open AccessA mixed methods analysis of the medication review intervention centered around the use of the ‘Systematic Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing’ Assistant (STRIPA) in Swiss primary care practices
Electronic clinical decision support systems (eCDSS), such as the ‘Systematic Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing’ Assistant (STRIPA), have become promising tools for assisting general practitioners (GPs)...
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Article
Open AccessAdjunct prednisone in community-acquired pneumonia: 180-day outcome of a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Several trials and meta-analyses found a benefit of adjunct corticosteroids for community-acquired pneumonia with respect to short-term outcome, but there is uncertainty about longer-term health effects. Herei...
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Open AccessSeroprevalence trends of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated risk factors: a population-based study
We aimed to assess the seroprevalence trends of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in several Swiss cantons between May 2020 and September 2021 and investigate risk factors for seropositivity and their changes over time.
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Open AccessBenzodiazepine Receptor Agonists Use and Cessation Among Multimorbid Older Adults with Polypharmacy: Secondary Analysis from the OPERAM Trial
Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) are commonly prescribed in older adults despite an unfavorable risk–benefit ratio. Hospitalizations may provide a unique opportunity to initiate BZRA cessation, yet lit...
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Article
Open AccessChanges in socioeconomic resources and mental health after the second COVID-19 wave (2020–2021): a longitudinal study in Switzerland
During the 2020/2021 winter, the labour market was under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in socioeconomic resources during this period could have influenced individual mental health. This associat...
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Open AccessDetectability of Medication Errors With a STOPP/START-Based Medication Review in Older People Prior to a Potentially Preventable Drug-Related Hospital Admission
Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are risk factors for drug-related hospital admissions (DRAs) in the ageing population. DRAs caused by medication errors (MEs) are considered potentially preventable. The STOPP/S...
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Open AccessAssociation of pulmonary vein isolation and major cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) face an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence suggests that early rhythm control including AF ablation may reduce this risk.
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Open AccessIs living in a household with children associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in adults? Results from the Swiss national seroprevalence study Corona Immunitas
We aimed to determine whether living in a household with children is associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in adults and investigated interacting factors that may influence this association.
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Open AccessHOSPITAL Score and LACE Index to Predict Mortality in Multimorbid Older Patients
Estimating life expectancy of older adults informs whether to pursue future investigation and therapy. Several models to predict mortality have been developed but often require data not immediately available d...
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Article
Open AccessLong-term risk of adverse outcomes according to atrial fibrillation type
Sustained forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) may be associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes, but few if any long-term studies took into account changes of AF type and co-morbidities over time. We pros...
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Open AccessCardiac autonomic function and cognitive performance in patients with atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with loss of cognition and dementia. Cardiac autonomic dysfunction has been linked to cognitive decline. We aimed to investigate if reduced cardiac autonomic function (CA...
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Open AccessFrequency and Acceptance of Clinical Decision Support System-Generated STOPP/START Signals for Hospitalised Older Patients with Polypharmacy and Multimorbidity
The Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions (STOPP)/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START) instrument is used to evaluate the appropriateness of medication in older people. STOPP/START crite...
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Open AccessPrevalence of drug-drug interactions in older people before and after hospital admission: analysis from the OPERAM trial
Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are highly prevalent in older patients but little is known about prevalence of DDIs over time. Our main objective was to assess changes in the prevalence and characteristics of dr...
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Open AccessBaseline characteristics and comparability of older multimorbid patients with polypharmacy and general practitioners participating in a randomized controlled primary care trial
Recruiting general practitioners (GPs) and their multimorbid older patients for trials is challenging for multiple reasons (e.g., high workload, limited mobility). The comparability of study participants is im...
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Blood pressure control and complex health conditions in older adults: impact of recent hypertension management guidelines
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 2017 guidelines for hypertension management lowered blood pressure (BP) thresholds to 130/80 mmHg to define hypertension while th...
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Open AccessGeneral practitioners’ deprescribing decisions in older adults with polypharmacy: a case vignette study in 31 countries
General practitioners (GPs) should regularly review patients’ medications and, if necessary, deprescribe, as inappropriate polypharmacy may harm patients’ health. However, deprescribing can be challenging for ...
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Open AccessCorona Immunitas: study protocol of a nationwide program of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and seroepidemiologic studies in Switzerland
Seroprevalence studies to assess the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population and subgroups are key for evaluating mitigation and vaccination policies and for understanding the spread of the di...
