Short summary

Deprescribing of unnecessary medications may be particularly relevant in older people with limited life expectancy. However, barriers towards deprescribing have been described among patients. In order to effectively carry out deprescribing, it is important to gain insight into such barriers. The aim of this study is to translate, cultural adapt, and validate the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire for the use among Danish patients. 

Rationale

Deprescribing has been defined as the process of withdrawal of inappropriate medications, supervised by a health care professional, with the goal of managing polypharmacy and improving outcomes. Deprescribing may be particularly relevant in older people with limited life expectancy where many medications no longer can be expected to provide clinical benefits, and goals of drug treatment may shift from preventing disease and prolonging life to reducing burden of treatment and maintaining quality of life.

However, several qualitative studies have shown that barriers towards deprescribing exist among patients. In order to effectively carry out deprescribing, it is important to understand what may hinder patients from engaging in such deprescribing activities. In 2016, the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire was developed and validated. Several subsequent studies using the questionnaire have shown that many older patients are positive towards deprescribing and would like to reduce their daily number of medications. 

The aim of this study is to translate, cultural adapt, and validate the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire for the use among Danish patients. The translated and culturally adapted questionnaire will be validated in a cohort of Danish nursing home residents in order to specifically capture the views of older people with limited life expectancy. 

Description of the cohort

Danish nursing home residents recruited within the Region of Southern Denmark.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark

• Associate professor Anton Pottegård, PhD

Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark

• Associate professor Henrik Hein Lauridsen, PhD

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital

• Associate professor Jepser Ryg, PhD

Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark

• Professor Jens Søndergaard, PhD

Migrant Health Clinic, Odense University Hospital

• Associate professor Dorthe Nielsen, PhD