scholarly journals Prevalence and Determinants of Multimorbidity, Polypharmacy, and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in the Older Outpatients: Findings from EuroAgeism H2020 ESR7 Project in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula ◽  
Mohammed Assen Seid ◽  
Aynishet Adane ◽  
Eyob Alemayehu Gebreyohannes ◽  
Jovana Brkic ◽  
...  

Few studies have been conducted on multimorbidity (two or more chronic diseases) and rational geriatric prescribing in Africa. This study examined the prevalence and determinants of multimorbidity, polypharmacy (five or more long-term medications), and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use according to the 2019 Beers criteria among the older adults attending chronic care clinics from a single institution in Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 randomly selected older adults from 12 March 2020 to 30 August 2020. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictor variables. The prevalence of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and PIM exposure was 59.1%, 24.1%, and 47.2%, respectively. Diuretics (10%), insulin sliding scale (8.8%), amitriptyline (7.8%), and aspirin (6.9%) were among the most frequently prescribed PIMs. Older patients experiencing pain flare-ups were more likely to have multimorbidity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.64, 95% confidence intervals: 1.13–2.39). Persistent anger (AOR: 3.33; 1.71–6.47) and use of mobility aids (AOR: 2.41, 1.35–4.28) were associated with polypharmacy. Moreover, cognitive impairment (AOR: 1.65, 1.15–2.34) and health deterioration (AOR: 1.61, 1.11–2.32) increased the likelihood of PIM exposure. High prevalence of multimorbidity and PIM use was observed in Ethiopia. Several important determinants that can be modified by applying PIM criteria in routine practice were also identified.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e051527
Author(s):  
Huanyu Zhang ◽  
Eliza LY Wong ◽  
Samuel YS Wong ◽  
Patsy YK Chau ◽  
Benjamin HK Yip ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in Hong Kong older patients visiting general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) between 2006 and 2014 and to identify factors associated with PIM use among older adults visiting GOPCs in 2014.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingGOPC.ParticipantsTwo study samples were constructed including a total of 844 910 patients aged 65 and above from 2006 to 2014 and a cohort of 489 301 older patients in 2014.MeasurementsTwo subsets of the 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria—PIMs independent of diagnosis and PIMs due to drug–disease interactions—were used to estimate the prevalence of PIM use over 12 months. PIMs that were not included in the Hospital Authority drug formulary or with any specific restriction or exception in terms of indication, dose or therapy duration were excluded. Characteristics of PIM users and non-PIM users visiting GOPCs in 2014 were compared. Independent associations between patient variables and PIM use were assessed by stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe 12-month period prevalence of PIM use decreased from 55.56% (95% CI 55.39% to 55.72%) in 2006 to 47.51% (95% CI 47.37% to 47.65%) in 2014. In the multivariable regression analysis, the strongest factor associated with PIM use was the number of different drugs prescribed (adjusted OR, AOR 23.01, 95% CI 22.36 to 23.67). Being female (AOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.87 for males vs females) and having a greater number of GOPC visits (AOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.78 to 1.88) as well as more than six diagnoses (AOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.52) were associated with PIM use.ConclusionsThe overall prevalence of PIM use in older adults visiting GOPCs decreased from 2006 to 2014 in Hong Kong although the prevalence of PIM use was still high in 2014. Patients with female gender, a larger number of medications prescribed, more frequent visits to GOPCs, and more than six diagnoses were at higher risk for PIM use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huanyu ZHANG ◽  
Eliza L. Y. WONG ◽  
Samuel Y. S. WONG ◽  
Patsy Y. K. CHAU ◽  
Benjamin H. K. YIP ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Hong Kong-specific criteria have been established in 2019 to assess potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults and improve the local prescribing quality. The aim of this study was to compare the adaptive versions of the Hong Kong-specific criteria and 2015 Beers criteria for assessing the prevalence and correlates of PIM use in Hong Kong older patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 using the Hospital Authority (HA) database. A total of 489,301 older patients aged 65 years and older visiting general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) during the study period were included in the study. Two categories of PIM use included in the Hong Kong-specific criteria and 2015 Beers criteria, i.e. PIMs independent of diagnoses and PIMs considering specific medical conditions, were adapted to assess the prevalence of PIM use among the study sample. Characteristics of PIM users and the most frequently prescribed PIMs were investigated for each set of the criteria. Factors associated with PIM use were identified using the stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results The adaptive Hong Kong-specific criteria could detect a higher prevalence of patients exposed to at least one PIM than that assessed by the adaptive Beers criteria (49.5% vs 47.5%). Meanwhile, the adaptive Hong Kong-specific criteria could identify a higher rate of patients exposed to PIMs independent of diagnoses (48.1% vs 46.8%) and PIMs considering specific medical conditions (7.3% vs 4.9%) compared with that of the adaptive Beers criteria. The most frequently prescribed PIMs detected by the adaptive Beers criteria were all included in the adaptive Hong Kong-specific criteria. The strongest factor associated with PIM use was number of different medications prescribed. Patients with female gender, aged 65 ~ 74 years, a larger number of GOPC visits, and more than six diagnoses were associated with greater risk of PIM use, whereas advancing age was associated with lower risk of PIM use. Conclusions The adaptive Hong Kong-specific criteria could detect a higher prevalence of PIM use than the adaptive Beers criteria in older adults visiting GOPCs in Hong Kong. It is necessary to update the prevalence and correlates of PIM use regularly in older adults to monitor the burden of PIM use and identify vulnerable patients who need further interventions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-157
Author(s):  
Saibijaya Rijal ◽  
Kajiram Adhikari ◽  
Deepak Sigdel ◽  
Shyam Kumar Mallik

Background: Geriatric people particularly those with multiple co-morbid condition may result in polypharmacy which can be associated with use of potentially inappropriate medication. This study aims to understand about prescription pattern and to find out inappropriate medication used in geriatric patients using Beer’s criteria 2012.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May 2018 to Aug 2018 in Koshi Zonal Hospital in Biratnagar. Data of all elderly patients greater above or equal to 60 years those were admitted to General Medical Ward during this period was analyzed.Results: Eighty-six percent of the prescriptions were appropriate and 14% were inappropriate. Seventy-seven percent of drugs belong to Group I of Beer’s criteria (Potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults), 23% of drugs belong to Group III (Potentially inappropriate medication to be used with caution in older adults) and no drugs fall under Group II (Potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults due to Drug-Disease or Drug-Syndrome interactions that may exacerbate the disease or syndrome) of Beer’s criteria.Conclusions: Potentially inappropriate medication was found out to be 14%. The use of inappropriate medications can be avoided using Beer’s criteria 2012 which is important clinical tool that can be used by physicians, pharmacist and other health care professionals. Keywords: Beer’s criteria; geriatric; potentially inappropriate medication; prescribing pattern.


2017 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tejal Patel ◽  
Karen Slonim ◽  
Linda Lee

Background: Older adults with dementia are at high risk for drug-related adverse outcomes. While much is known about potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults, its prevalence and characteristics among those with dementia are not as well elucidated. We conducted a literature review to examine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use among home-dwelling older adults with dementia. Our secondary aim was to determine the most frequently implicated medications and factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched between 1946 and 2014 for articles that referenced potentially inappropriate medication use and types of dementia. One reviewer screened all titles and abstracts from the initial search and full-text articles after the initial screen for eligibility, then 2 reviewers independently abstracted data from included studies. Results: Searches yielded 81 articles, of which 7 met inclusion criteria. Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use varied from 15% to 46.8%. No single drug or drug class was reported consistently across all studies as the most frequent potentially inappropriate medication, but anticholinergics and benzodiazepines, drugs that affect cognition, were among the most common medications or pharmacological classes listed. Discussion: Older adults with dementia may be particularly vulnerable to potentially inappropriate medications because of cognitive impairment from their condition and the greater likelihood of experiencing adverse events from medications. Given this population’s greater susceptibility to adverse events, more intense medication and patient monitoring may be warranted, especially among those taking anticholinergics and benzodiazepines, as these drugs can contribute to cognitive impairment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110455
Author(s):  
Ginah Nightingale ◽  
Emily M. Scopelliti ◽  
Robin Casten ◽  
Monica Woloshin ◽  
Shu Xiao ◽  
...  

Background: Medication-related problems in older Blacks with diabetes mellitus (DM) are not well established. Objectives: To describe the frequency of medication-related problems in older Blacks with DM presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating Blacks aged ≥60 years of age presenting to the ED. Polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, and anticholinergic score were evaluated. Results: Of 168 patients (median age = 68, range 60–92), most ( n = 164, 98%) were taking ≥5 medications, and 67 (39.9%) were taking a PIM. A majority ( n = 124, 74%) were taking a medication with an anticholinergic score ≥1. Number of medications was correlated with number of PIMs ( r = .22, p = .004) and anticholinergic score ( r = .50, p < .001). Conclusion: Polypharmacy and PIM use was common in older Blacks with DM.


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