Background Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use among older adults is a major global public health concern, affecting both developed and developing countries. However, nationally representative synthesized evidence in Ethiopia remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of PIM use among older patients in Ethiopia. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and HINARI were searched for databases from November 01, 2025 to January 10, 2026. The study's quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Studies that reported the prevalence of PIM use among Ethiopian older adults and satisfied the eligibility requirements were included. Heterogeneity was examined using subgroup analyses by region, PIM criteria, study design, and setting. The meta-analysis was carried out using STATA version 17. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test, and the robustness of results was examined through sensitivity analyses. Results Eighteen studies with 6877 individuals were included. The pooled prevalence of PIM use among older patients was 40.83% (95% CI: 32.61–49.05). Subgroup analysis indicated higher prevalence of PIM use in Oromia (42.04%), followed by Amhara (39.98%) and Addis Ababa (37.69%). Prevalence of PIM based on single study in Sidama and Tigray was 65.7% and 28.60% respectively. Based on study setting, prevalence was highest in medical wards (56.17%), followed by combined outpatient and medical wards (52.05%) and outpatient department settings (31.81%). The estimated prediction interval for PIM use in Ethiopia was 2.63%–79.03%. Conclusion PIM use among older adults in Ethiopia is high. Strengthened prescribing practices and high-quality, large-scale studies are needed to improve medication safety in this population. Implementation of validated PIM criteria, pharmacy-led medication reviews, geriatric specific prescribing guidelines is strongly recommended.
Aims To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical trends of a nurse-led digital iSupport-Taiwan program for family caregivers of people with dementia, providing foundational data to guide a future definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT). Design A single-site feasibility trial conducted in Taipei, Taiwan (recruitment: November 2021 – February 2022), adhering to the CONSORT 2010 extension for pilot and feasibility trials. Methods Family caregivers were randomized into intervention (iSupport-Taiwan) and control (usual care) groups. The six-month intervention combined self-paced online modules, virtual peer support, and nurse facilitation. Primary outcomes were feasibility metrics (recruitment rate, retention, module adherence, and user satisfaction). Secondary exploratory clinical outcomes included caregiver self-efficacy, quality of life (SF-12), social support, and care-recipient quality of life, evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months. Results Forty-one caregivers were randomized (20 intervention, 21 control; 102.5% recruitment target achievement). Two control participants withdrew prior to study commencement. Retention among commenced participants was 100% (39/39; 95.1% overall). Module completion adherence reached 85.0% (17/20), and mean satisfaction was 4.3/5. Higher SF-12 physical health scores in the intervention group reflected baseline group non-equivalence rather than a treatment effect, as both groups exhibited a downward trajectory over 9 months. Conclusion The culturally adapted iSupport-Taiwan program demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability. Exploratory clinical findings do not establish treatment efficacy or physical health improvement, underscoring the necessity of pre-specified baseline-adjusted analytical frameworks (ANCOVA) and attention-matched control conditions in future definitive RCTs. Trial registration The main trial of this study is registered in the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 12th March 2021 (ACTRN12621000276853).
Objectives This longitudinal study investigated the relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels—measured at baseline, follow-up, and as 10-year changes—and serum oxytocin levels at follow-up in community-dwelling older adults in rural Japan. Methods A total of 46 participants (mean age at baseline = 69.54 ± 4.11 years) who completed assessments at both baseline (2005–2007, T1) and follow-up (2016–2017, T2) were included. Serum BDNF and oxytocin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, and Clinical Dementia Rating. Results Results indicated a significant increase in serum BDNF levels over the 10-year period. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed no significant association between BDNF levels at T1 and T2. Notably, both BDNF levels at T2 and the 10-year change in BDNF (ΔBDNF: T2−T1) were significantly and positively correlated with oxytocin levels at T2. These associations remained robust after adjusting for age, sex, and years of education in multiple regression models. However, no significant associations were observed between changes in BDNF and changes in cognitive function scores over the same period. Conclusions These findings suggest that higher or increasing BDNF levels over time may be linked to elevated oxytocin levels in older adults, providing preliminary biological evidence of an association between long-term BDNF dynamics and oxytocin regulation in older adults. Given the observed association between BDNF and oxytocin signaling, further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and their implications for cognitive and mental health in aging populations.
