ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2406-7221
Current Organisation
Peking University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-08-2019
DOI: 10.1111/ANS.15370
Abstract: This study describes the temporal changes in risk profiles and outcomes among patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in Australia between 2002 and 2015. Using the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons database, we identified first-recorded SAVR for AS over 14 years. Patients' surgical risk profiles, procedures, 30-day and 12-month outcomes were summarized before and after the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in Australia, in 2008. We applied multivariable regression models to investigate the changes over time on risk-adjusted 30-day mortality, re-hospitalization and 12-month mortality. We identify a total of 18 147 patients with AS who underwent SAVR mostly men (64%) with a mean age of 72 years. The proportion of major cardiac surgeries devoted to SAVR increased from 14% in 2002 to 20% in 2015. More SAVRs were performed electively (80% in 2002 versus 86% in 2015), and the recipients were at lower surgical risk (mean multi-risk score 3.9% in 2002 versus 3.0% in 2015). The use of bioprosthetic aortic valves increased over time (67% in 2002 to 88% in 2015). We found no significant changes in 30-day mortality, a significant decrease in 30-day readmission and minor fluctuations in 12-month mortality over the study period. SAVR comprises an increasingly larger proportion of all adult cardiac surgeries in Australia. There has been a greater use of bioprosthetic aortic valves, a fall in 30-day readmission but no significant changes in mortality.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-02-2019
DOI: 10.1002/PDS.4742
Abstract: Poor adherence and persistence to blood pressure lowering (BPL) agents leads to increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term adherence, persistence, and re-initiation of BPL agents among older Australians (aged ≥65 years). We utilised the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data covering a 10% random s le of Australians. We identified 31 088 older Australians (mean age, 75.4 years 56% females) with newly initiated BPL therapy from 2008 to 2016. Adherence was assessed using the proportion of days covered (PDC) at 6-month intervals. Discontinuation was defined as ≥90 days without BPL coverage. Cox regression was applied to compare the time till the first discontinuation of BPL agents across different BPL categories and among various subgroups. Over a mean follow-up of 3.8 years, 40% to 70% of older Australians received a BPL agent discontinued it. The median time to discontinuation ranged from 159 to 373 days. Persistence with fixed dose combinations was the best (68%, 58%, and 41% at 6, 12, and 36 months respectively), followed by angiotensin II receptor blockers (69%, 58%, and 40%), beta-blockers (67%, 54%, and 36%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (62%, 51%, and 34%), calcium channel blockers (57%, 47%, and 31%), and diuretics (59%, 41%, and 23%). Among those who discontinued, 30% to 50% re-initiated, with median days to re-initiation ranging from 177 to 302. Only 21% to 42% of the study population maintained "good" adherence (PDC ≥ 0.8) to BPLs over 3 years. Compliance to BPL agents is poor among older Australians. Interventions to enhance adherence and persistence to BPL agents are needed.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 21-11-2019
Abstract: Increasing numbers of blood pressure lowering (BPL) agents are being prescribed for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, especially in the older population. The aim of this study is to describe the temporal trends and patterns of BPL dispensing among older Australians (aged ≥65 years). We utilized prescription claims data from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for a 10% random s le of people aged ≥65 years. The PBS, funded by the Federal government, provides subsidies to make medicines more affordable for Australian residents. We restricted our analysis to “long-term concession” in iduals, who would use PBS for the majority of their medication needs. BPL agents were identified using the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification codes. The annual prevalences and proportional distributions of BPL dispensing by categories were summarized from 2006 to 2016. Direct standardization was applied to indicate changes of BPL dispensing over time. Age-standardized dispensing of BPL agents increased by 8% among older Australians from 2006 to 2016 (58%-66%). BPL dispensing in males has exceeded that in females since 2009. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers were the dominant BPL agents dispensed, with more than 55% of all BPL users over time. Dispensing of diuretics decreased from 27% to 21%, calcium channel blockers decreased from 30% to 25%, while β-blockers remained stable (29%-31%). The use of fixed-dose combinations increased over time from 23% to 31%. The prevalence of BPL dispensing steadily increased among older Australians from 2006 to 2016. The changes in the patterns of BPL dispensing were largely in line with contemporary changes to clinical guidelines for an aging population.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-11-2018
DOI: 10.1111/BCP.13797
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 09-11-2018
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