Using data to understand polypharmacy
Researchers at Newcastle University are using the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment to better understand how common polypharmacy is among older people and how medicine use varies across different groups.
Polypharmacy happens when a patient takes five or more medicines. Taking several medicines can be an important part of managing long-term health conditions, but it can also make treatment more complex and increase the risk of side effects.
The research team, based at Newcastle University's Patient Safety Research Collaboration, is exploring how polypharmacy varies by age, sex, level of deprivation and over time. The aim is to build a clearer picture of where multiple medicine use is most common and where medication reviews or additional support could have the greatest benefit.
Understanding medicine use across the region
The project is being led by researchers from Newcastle University, including David Sinclair, Anum Iqbal, Adam Todd and Barbara Hanratty.
Using the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment, the team has been able to analyse routinely collected GP prescribing data from hundreds of GP practices across the region. Information which identifies patients are removed and the researchers only accessed the details they needed for their project.
Working with data from across the region allows the researchers to understand patterns in medicine use across a large population, rather than relying on smaller datasets.
The research is helping the team to:
- Understand how common polypharmacy is among older people across the region.
- Explore how medicine use varies by age, sex, deprivation and over time.
- Determine which groups may benefit most from medication reviews or additional support.
- Build a clearer picture of medicine use across the North East and North Cumbria.
David Sinclair, Lecturer at Newcastle University and who accessed the data for this project said: “The biggest benefit has been being able to work with routinely collected anoymised data at a population scale in a secure environment.”
The findings could help healthcare professionals, the NHS and policymakers better understand which groups are most affected by polypharmacy and where medication reviews could have the greatest benefit.
Ultimately, the research could contribute to safer and more effective use of medicines for older people.
Using health data safely and securely
The North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment provides a secure setting where approved researchers can analyse health data while protecting people's confidentiality.
For this project, the environment has supported the research team to work with large amounts of GP prescribing data that would have been more difficult and time-consuming to access through other routes.
Researchers have also been able to use familiar analytical tools, including RStudio, within the secure environment.
David continues: “The Secure Data Environment has been straightforward to work with, with commonly used analytical software such as RStudio readily available.”
As an early adopter of the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment, the team has also helped develop learning around the processes involved in using the environment. This included understanding how to access data and meet information governance requirements.
The research team worked closely with the Secure Data Environment team throughout the project, receiving support through the different stages of the work.
Learning for future research
The researchers found that engaging with the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment team early can help projects get off to a good start.
David explains: “Engaging with the Secure Data Environment team early to understand the available tools and processes, and building a good working relationship with the team can help projects run smoothly.”
For researchers considering using the environment, the team recommends speaking to the team early to understand whether it is suitable for their project and what data and tools may be available.
Supporting future research across the region
This project demonstrates how secure access to routinely collected health data can help researchers understand health and care across the North East and North Cumbria.
The researchers believe Secure Data Environments can play an important role in supporting the safe and responsible use of health data for research and innovation.
For the North East and North Cumbria, being able to work with data from across the region also creates opportunities to better understand the health and care needs of local communities, including areas experiencing some of the greatest health inequalities in England.
By supporting research at a regional scale, the North East and North Cumbria Secure Data Environment can help researchers identify where changes and improvements could make the greatest difference to patients and communities.