ObjectivePolypharmacy is widespread in the elderly because of their multiple chronic health problems. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors associated with polypharmacy in a nationally representative sample of Korean elderly individuals.MethodsWe used the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service – National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS) data from 2010 and 2011. We used information on 319,185 elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2011 from the HIRA-NPS database. We defined ‘polypharmacy’ as the concurrent use of 6 medications or more per person, ‘major polypharmacy’ as 11 medications or more, and ‘excessive polypharmacy’ as 21 medications or more. The frequency and proportion (%) and their 95% confidence intervals were presented according to the polypharmacy definition. Polypharmacy was visualized by the Quantum Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) program to describe regional differences in patterns of drug use. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) to investigate the risk factors for polypharmacy.ResultsOf the Korean elderly studied, 86.4% had polypharmacy, 44.9% had major polypharmacy and 3.0% had excessive polypharmacy. Polypharmacy was found to be primarily concentrated in the Southwest region of the country. Significant associations between polypharmacy and the lower-income Medical Aid population (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.47, 1.56) compared with National Health Insurance patients was observed.ConclusionsNationwide efforts are needed for managing polypharmacy among Korean elderly patients. In particular, a national campaign and education to promote appropriate use of medicines for the Medical Aid population is needed.

TC and depression were inversely related, with the strongest associations in medically naïve samples, which is noteworthy because such samples should involve fewer confounds. One clinical implication is that the lipids of patients treated for depression should be monitored.

Republication or reproduction of this report or its storage and/or dissemination by electronic means is permitted without theAbstract: Cyclic olefin copolymers comprise a new class of polymeric materials showing properties of high glass-transition temperature, optical clarity, low shrinkage, low moisture absorption, and low birefringence. There are several types of cyclic olefin copolymers based on different types of cyclic monomers and polymerization methods. In this work, we have analyzed the chemical structure of the currently commercialized cyclic olefin copolymers by 13 C NMR, and investigated their glass-transition temperatures and surface characteristics. It was observed that the glass-transition temperature, T g , of cyclic olefin copolymers depended on the bulkiness of the main chain, and the number of rings had an important role in increasing the bulkiness of cyclic olefin copolymers. Cyclic olefin copolymers with polar substituents such as ester or ether groups showed high surface energy per area and peel strength.

Method: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study, with a descriptive design.Results: The students are knowledgeable that consuming fast food, soda, and processed food are unhealthy and they contain additives. They indicated strong agreement to keep themselves hydrated and choosing food because of taste preference. Even though majority admitted eating fresh fruits, a significant number consume processed food such as chips, cookies, and cereal based on convenience. Smartphone resources, vending machine use, and drinking soda were their least frequently used habits. Conclusion:Students have a fair knowledge of nutritional requirements for health; however, food choices they make are not necessarily healthy. Convenience and taste of food were priority.

AIMThe aim of the present study was to describe the prescription of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the UK between 1995 and 2015. METHODSUsing the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), we defined a cohort of all patients aged 6-45 years, registered with a general practitioner between January 1995 and September 2015. All prescriptions of methylphenidate, dexamphetamine/lisdexamphetamine and atomoxetine were identified and annual prescription rates of ADHD were estimated using Poisson regression. RESULTSWithin a cohort of 7 432 735 patients, we identified 698 148 prescriptions of ADHD medications during 41 171 528 person-years of follow-up. Usage was relatively low until 2000, during which the prescription rate was 42.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 20.9, 87.2] prescriptions per 10 000 persons, increasing to 394.4 (95% CI 296.7, 524.2) in 2015, corresponding to an almost 800% increase (rate ratio 8.87; 95% CI 7.10, 11.09). The increase was seen in all age groups and in both sexes but was steepest in boys aged 10-14 years. The prescription rate in males was almost five times that of females. Methylphenidate remained the most prescribed drug during the 20-year study period, representing 88.9% of all prescriptions in the 6-24-year-old group, and 63.5% of all prescriptions in adults (25-45 years of age). CONCLUSIONSPrescription rates of ADHD medications have increased dramatically in the past two decades. This may be due, at least in part, to both an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with ADHD over time and a higher percentage of those patients treated with medication. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in school-aged children. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Prescription rates of ADHD medications have increased dramatically in the UK in the past two decades, particularly in children and adolescents.• This increase is likely to relate to both an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with ADHD over time and a higher percentage of patients treated with medications. Longer duration of use of ADHD drugs, as well as more frequent off-label use, may also contribute to the increasing prescription rates. IntroductionAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in school-aged children, characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity [1]. Symptoms may persist beyond childhood and some individuals are not diagnosed with ADHD until adulthood [2].In the past few decades, an increased prevalence of ADHD and use of ADHD medications has been observed in several countries [3][4][5][6][7][8][9], including the UK [10], raising concerns about possible overdiagnosis and inappropriate prescription of ADHD medications. In this context, in July 2013 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued a reminder to avoid methylphenidate in children and young people with moderate...