Factors associated with potentially inappropriate medications use by the elderly according to Beers criteria 2003 and 2012

Factors Associated With PIM use in the Frail Elderly: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) by the elderly is commonly studied, but studies evaluating the use of PIM by frail elderly covered by prepaid health plans are still lacking. Objective: To identify the prevalence of use and the factors associated with the use of PIM by the elderly patients with high and moderate risk of clinical-functional vulnerability, according to the Beers criteria 2019. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed with elderly people from a private health plan in Vitória-ES, Brazil. Socioeconomic, demographic and clinical data were collected through a digital platform and a structured questionnaire through an interview, from October 2018 to June 2019. The association between the use of PIM and independent variables was verified by univariate logistic regression with their respective confidence intervals (CI) 95%. The Multiple Model included the variables with P ≤ .20. Results: 332 elderly patients were interviewed (mean age 81.5 years, gender 237 female, 95 male). A 65% prevalence of PIM use was identified. In the multiple logistic regression model, the variables associated with the use of PIM were self-medication (P = .004), high risk of clinical-functional vulnerability (P = .022), use of psychotropic medications (P = .000001), musculoskeletal medications (P = .04) and alimentary tract medications (P = .03). Physical exercises were considered a protection factor (P = .02). Conclusion: The high prevalence of PIM use indicates the need for improvement in elderly private health care, to increase pharmacotherapy safety for this population.

Potentially Inappropriate Medications Use and Associated Factors Among Older Patients on Follow-Up at the Chronic Care Clinic of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia

Background

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) use often cause to poor health outcomes in older patients. There is a dearth of information on PIMS use in this population of patients seeking treatment at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Objective

To assess PIMs use and associated factors among older patients receiving follow-up treatment at the chronic care clinic of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study using medical records of 419 older patients was conducted. older patients, aged 65 years or older, treated in the ambulatory care clinic were included. Simple random sampling technique was used. PIMs use was identified by using the 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria (AGS Beers Criteria) and Screening Tool of Older People's Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions Criteria and Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (STOPP/START) version 2 criteria. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with PIMs use. The strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% CI. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 419 patients' medical records were reviewed. Of these, 411 patients' medical records fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were considered for final analysis. About 56.9% (n= 234) of the study population was women. The prevalence of PIMs use was 28.5% and 18.5%, according to 2023 AGS Beers Criteria and STOPP/START version 2 criteria, respectively. In accordance with 2023 AGS Beers Criteria, male sex (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.10-2.87), diabetes mellitus (aOR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19-0.62), and chronic kidney disease (aOR = 6.68; 95% CI, 2.55-9.32) were found to be the determining factors for PIMs use. According to STOPP/START version 2 criteria, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were the primary factors influencing PIMs use.

Conclusions

Compared with other study findings from across the world, the prevalence of PIMs use was low. Based on 2023 AGS Beers Criteria, male sex, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease were found to be the determinant factors for PIMs use. Deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were significant factor of PIMs use according STOPP/START version 2 criteria.

The patterns and implications of potentially suboptimal medicine regimens among older adults: a narrative review

In the context of an ageing population, the burden of disease and medicine use is also expected to increase. As such, medicine safety and preventing avoidable medicine-related harm are major public health concerns, requiring further research. Potentially suboptimal medicine regimens is an umbrella term that captures a range of indicators that may increase the risk of medicine-related harm, including polypharmacy, underprescribing and high-risk prescribing, such as prescribing potentially inappropriate medicines. This narrative review aims to provide a background and broad overview of the patterns and implications of potentially suboptimal medicine regimens among older adults. Original research published between 1990 and 2021 was searched for in MEDLINE, using key search terms including polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing, potentially inappropriate medication lists, medication errors, drug interactions and drug prescriptions, along with manual checking of reference lists. The review summarizes the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of polypharmacy, underprescribing and potentially inappropriate medicines. A synthesis of the evidence regarding the longitudinal patterns of polypharmacy is also provided. With an overview of the existing literature, we highlight a number of key gaps in the literature. Directions for future research may include a longitudinal investigation into the risk factors and outcomes of extended polypharmacy, research focusing on the patterns and implications of underprescribing and studies that evaluate the applicability of tools measuring potentially inappropriate medicines to study settings.

Methodological Challenges for Epidemiologic Studies of Deprescribing at the End of Life

Purpose of Review

To describe approaches to measuring deprescribing and associated outcomes in studies of patients approaching end of life (EOL).

Recent Findings

We reviewed studies published through 2020 that evaluated deprescribing in patients with limited life expectancy and approaching EOL. Deprescribing includes reducing the number of medications, decreasing medication dose(s), and eliminating potentially inappropriate medications. Tools such as STOPPFrail, OncPal, and the Unnecessary Drug Use Measure can facilitate deprescribing. Outcome measures vary and selection of measures should align with the operationalized deprescribing definition used by study investigators.

Summary

EOL deprescribing considerations include medication appropriateness in the context of patient goals for care, expected benefit from medication given life expectancy, and heightened potential for medication-related harm as death nears. Additional data are needed on how EOL deprescribing impacts patient quality of life, caregiver burden, and out-of-pocket medication-related costs to patients and caregivers. Investigators should design deprescribing studies with this information in mind.

Prevalence And Predictors Of Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use Among Elderly Patients Using Updated Beers Criteria 2019: A Single Centered Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate medication use poses a sizable health safety hazard in the elderly owing to aging-associated physiological and anatomic changes. Inappropriate drug prescribing and polypharmacy in this population elevates the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADR). To assess the prevalence and predictors of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) use in elderly patients according to updated Beers Criteria 2019.

METHOD

Medical Records of 402 patients aged ≥65 years admitted a tertiary care hospital from June 2018 to May 2019 were analyzed. The patients who experienced at least one PIM based on the 2019 Updated Beers Criteria were considered as cases and others as control. Data were presented as descriptive statistics and logistic regression was performed to assess the factors affecting the outcomes.

RESULT

The mean age was found to be 73.7 ±6.4 years in the test and 70.5±5.5 years in the control group. The prevalence of PIMs to be used with caution was found to be 54%. Whereas the prevalence of PIMs to be avoided and to be used with reduced dose was found to be 45% and 1% respectively. The most prescribed PIMs were aspirin, diuretics, long-acting sulfonylureas, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Increasing age, polypharmacy, and the number of drugs in medication history were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with a substantial risk of PIM use. The risk of developing serious and moderate drug-drug interactions (DDIs) was significantly high in the test group (P<0.05) when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of PIMs was observed in this study. Age, polypharmacy and ≥3 drugs in medication history were identified as risk factors for PIM use and were at a higher risk of developing DDIs. Continuous medication review by clinical pharmacists can aid in reducing the occurrence of PIMs amongst geriatrics.

Prevalência e fatores associados à utilização de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para pessoas idosas em Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil: um estudo de base populacional

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a prevalência e analisar os fatores associados ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (MPI) em pessoas idosas de Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional. A variável dependente foi uso de pelo menos um MPI, de acordo com os critérios do Consenso Brasileiro de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados para Idosos (CBMPII), independentemente da condição clínica. Na avaliação da associação entre o uso de medicamentos inapropriados e as variáveis independentes, realizou-se análise bruta e ajustada por meio de regressão logística, utilizando-se o modelo hierarquizado por razão de chances (OR). Resultados A prevalência de uso de pelo menos um MPI entre os 1.016 participantes foi de 25,9% (IC95% 22,3; 29,8), associada positivamente a sexo feminino (OR=1,38; IC95% 1,01; 1,90), dependência quanto às atividades instrumentais da vida diária (OR=1,37; IC95% 1,02; 1,83), autoavaliação de saúde negativa (OR=1,54; IC95% 1,12; 2,11), internação nos últimos 12 meses (OR=1,79; IC95% 1,19; 2,69) e presença de mais de três comorbidades (OR= 2,56; IC95% 1,97; 3,33). A subcategoria mais utilizada foi dos inibidores de bombas de prótons, por 11,3% (9,2; 13,8). Conclusão A prevalência de uso de MPI por idosos da amostra foi de um quarto, estando associada ao sexo feminino e a condições de saúde. Ações de conscientização fazem-se necessárias para garantia dos benefícios no uso dos medicamentos.

Potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults: prevalence and physician knowledge

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency, profile, and additional variables associated with the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) to older adults in primary care, and evaluate physicians’ knowledge about these medications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from patient records for the period of January 2014 to December 2017 in a city located in the state of Minas Gerais. The frequency of PIM use was evaluated based on the 2019 Beers-Fick criteria. Physician knowledge was evaluated using a validated questionnaire as a primary data source. RESULTS: In a sample of 423 older adults, 75.89% (n = 321) used at least one PIM, the most common of which were medications used to treat central nervous system disorders (48.00%; n = 203). Most participants were female (62.41%; n = 264) and 70 years or older (69.50%; n = 294). When presented with clinical cases illustrating common situations in the management of older patients, 53.33% of physicians (n = 8) answered four or five questions correctly out of a possible seven; 13.33% (n = 2) answered six questions correctly; and 33.33% (n = 5) obtained three correct answers or fewer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed a high frequency of PIM use among older adults treated in Primary Health Care settings, with medications used in the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Our results highlight the importance of continuing education for health professionals and improved assessments of the medication available in the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde; SUS) for use in older adults, especially those taking multiple medications

Deprescribing benzodiazepines: Do Brazilian package inserts address this issue?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presence and quality of content on drug deprescribing in Brazilian package inserts for benzodiazepine drugs. METHODS: Documentary study where we analyzed data on deprescribing extracted from electronic package inserts of drugs containing benzodiazepines; these documents were available at the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency website. Our search was performed independently by 2 researchers who used the following keywords: “deprescription,” “withdrawal,” and “tapering.” The deprescribing plan, when presented by the package insert, was compared to deprescribing protocols for benzodiazepines found in the literature. Moreover, we assessed the presence of guidance on the maximum length of treatment and risks of long-term use. RESULTS: We found 12 package inserts for benzodiazepines and 100% of them suggested gradual withdrawal; only 1 (8.33%) suggested a systematized deprescribing plan. One document (8.33%) did not offer guidance on maximum treatment duration. Eleven (91.67%) had the information on long-term use possibly causing dependence or tolerance, and 1 (8.33%) did not describe the risks of continuous use. CONCLUSIONS: It is known that benzodiazepines should be withdrawn in a gradual and schematized manner, but package inserts do not currently bring this information in detail. It is of utmost importance that health professionals be educated on their conduct, hence the necessity for updating medication package inserts.

Evidence of association between the use of drugs and community-dwelling older people frailty: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The scientific literature has shown that an association between polypharmacy and frailty exists. However, few studies have also considered drug interactions and the use of potentially inappropriate medications.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between the use of drugs and frailty among community-dwelling older people.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study carried out among 580 older people in Uberaba (MG).

METHODS

Data were collected at these older people's homes using instruments validated in Brazil. Descriptive, bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Most of these individuals were classified as pre-frail (55.7%), while 13.1% were frail. It was found that 31.7% of them presented polypharmacy, 41.7% had drug interactions and 43.8% were using potentially inappropriate medications. In the initial model, polypharmacy (odds ratio, OR = 1.91; confidence interval, CI = 1.27-2.86) and use of potentially inappropriate medications (OR = 2.45; CI = 1.68-3.57) increased the chance that these older people would be pre-frail or frail. In the final adjusted model, use of potentially inappropriate drugs remained associated with the outcome (OR = 2.26; CI = 1.43-3.57).

CONCLUSION

Use of potentially inappropriate medications was the independent variable that explained the occurrence of frailty in a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.

Potentially inappropriate medications for the elderly: Incidence and impact on mortality in a cohort ten-year follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacological therapy plays an important role in disease control in the elderly; unfortunately, this comes with a high prevalence in the use of medications classified as potentially inappropriate.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the incidence, risk factors, and survival of elderly people using potentially inappropriate medications (PIM).

METHOD

A ten-year follow-up assessment of elderly participants residing in a capital of Central Brazil was conducted. The initial assessment (baseline) included 418 elderly people. Data were collected through home interviews guided by a questionnaire covering socioeconomic, demographic, living conditions, and health variables. The medication information obtained comprised active ingredient, dosage, route, and regimen for the medications. The PIMs were classified according to 2019 Beers Criteria. The analyses were performed using STATA 15.0. For survival analysis, a Cox Regression was performed with the respective Kaplan Meier curve.

RESULTS

The incidence of PIM was 44.1 cases (95% CI: 35.2-54.7) per 1,000 people a year. The most used PIMs were nifedipine, glibenclamide, and sodium diclofenac. The risk factors were polypharmacy (aRR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.31-6.88) and diabetes mellitus (aRR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.03-2.39). We identified no statistically significant association between survival and the use of PIM.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the high consumption of PIM among the elderly causing polypharmacy risks. Health professionals working in drug treatment need to be alert to polypharmacy risks to ensure the rational use of medications to prevent adverse reactions and other health problems.

Prescribing potentially inappropriate medications for the elderly according to Beers Criteria: systematic review

The study aimed to perform a systematic review to identify and evaluate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM) prescriptions for the elderly, according to Beers Criteria, in hospitalized elderly individuals aged 65 years or older. Five databases consulted: VHL; Cochrane Library; CINAHL; MEDLINE and Web of Science. Nineteen articles identified, selected based on eligibility criteria. The mean age was 78.2 years and the most used criterion for the identification of PIM for the elderly was Beers 2015 (57.9%). A total of 221,879 elderly received a prescription for PIM, the mean prevalence was 65.0%, for the gastrointestinal system (15.3%) and proton-pump inhibitors (27.7%) highlighted as the main class of medicine prescribed. It concluded that the Beers Criteria have made it possible to identify the high prevalence in the prescription of PIM. The results of this review may help in the decision making of health professionals, to avoid the administration of PIM and to propose best practices to ensure the safety of the elderly hospitalized.

Drug therapy problems identified among older adults placed in a nursing home: the Croatian experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and type of drug therapy problems (DTPs) in older institutionalized adults.

METHOD

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study from February to June 2016 at a 150-bed public nursing home in Croatia, where comprehensive medication management (CMM) services were provided. A rational decision-making process, referred to as the Pharmacotherapy Workup method, was used to classify DTPs.

RESULTS

Data were prospectively collected from 73 residents, among which 71% were age 75 years or older. The median number of prescribed medications per patient was 7 (2-16) and polypharmacy (> 4) was recorded for 54 (74.0%) patients. A total 313 DTPs were identified, with an average of 4.3 ± 2 DTPs per patient. The most frequent DTP was needing additional drug therapy (n = 118; 37.7%), followed by adverse drug reaction (n = 55; 17.6%). Lactulose (14.4%), tramadol (6.7%), and potassium (6.4%) were the medications most frequently related to DTPs.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of DTPs identified among older institutionalized adults strongly suggests the need to incorporate new pharmacist-led CMM services within existing institutional care facilities, to improve the care provided to nursing home residents.

Prescribing for geriatrics in Tehran; is it appropriate and rational?

Background: The world’s population is growing older. Inappropriate and irrational use of drugs in the elderly is a considerable health concern due to consequences such as increased morbidity and adverse drug events. This study aimed to evaluate the rationality of prescribing and determining the extent of inappropriate prescribing in a sample of geriatric patients in Tehran.

Methods: This cross sectional study was performed on 1512 prescriptions of patients aged ≥ 65 years from 5 pharmacies affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2014. Prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) was investigated using the Beers Criteria along with WHO prescribing indices. Date were analyzed using SPSS software, and significance level was set at less than 0.05.

Results: Mean (SD) age of patients was 73.9(6.7) years. A total of 472 (31.2%) patients received at least 1 PIM. Benzodiazepines were the most frequent drug class and general practitioners (GPs) were the most frequent prescriber of PIMs. The highest and the lowest percentage of prescriptions containing brand-names were prescribed by subspecialists (62.5%) and GPs (42.2%), respectively. Antibiotics and injectable medications were prescribed for 26.8% and 28.5% of patients by GPs. Mean (SD) number of drugs per prescription was 3.57 (1.92). Prescriptions containing systemic antibiotics and PIMs had significantly higher mean number of drugs compared to those without these items (both P < 0.001).

Conclusion: There is a need for interventions to improve the quality of prescribing for elderly patients, especially by GPs. Also, there are still some problems in rational use of drugs based on prescribing indices, especially, prescribing brand-names and injectable medications.

Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults: Review of Adjudication Methods in Deprescribing Studies

OBJECTIVES

Polypharmacy is common in older adults and associated with adverse drug events (ADEs). Several methods have been described in studies to help correlate ADE causation. We performed a narrative review to identify methods for ADE adjudication. We compared their strengths and limitations to assess their applicability to deprescribing studies (of which clinical trials are a subset) and to encourage the use of a standardized method in future studies.

DESIGN

We performed a review of original articles (1946-2019) using the Medline (Ovid) and Cochrane databases. We also conducted a manual reference search of review articles. Abstracts were screened for relevance.

MEASUREMENTS

Adjudication methods were compared for advantages and limitations including validity, ease of use, and applicability to clinical trials with deprescribing as the primary intervention.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1881 articles of which 175 articles were included for full-text review. Following in-depth review, 135 were excluded: 79 had no ADE outcome data, 35 were not specific to older adults, 9 were not relevant, 6 were review articles, 5 contained duplicate data, and 1 was not written in French or English. Forty articles remained for analysis, from which we identified 10 unique ADE adjudication methods. No method was developed originally for use in a deprescribing setting.

CONCLUSION

A standard method to identify ADEs is important to capture the outcome reliably in deprescribing studies. All methods we identified had limitations in terms of capturing adverse events from the withdrawal of medications. Future work should focus on refining adjudication methods for capturing ADEs related not only to medication continuation and new drug starts but also to deprescribing and drug discontinuation. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1594-1602, 2020.

Uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para pessoas idosas em uma associação de aposentados

Resumo Objetivo verificar a prevalência da utilização de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados e polifarmácia pela pessoa idosa. Método estudo observacional, com recorte transversal, analítico, quantitativo, de base populacional em uma associação de aposentados. Os dados foram coletados a partir de questionário estruturado, criado pelos próprios pesquisadores e aplicado em domicílio a uma amostra de 203 pessoas idosas. Resultados a idade média dos participantes foi de 73,1+8,13 anos (IC90%: 72,2-74,0), variando de 60 a 95 anos. A maioria declarou-se casado 54,2% (n=110/203), com ensino fundamental 71,4% (n=145/203), e renda familiar entre 2 e 4 salários mínimos 49,3% (n=100/203). As comorbidades mais encontradas foram: hipertensão arterial sistêmica 67,5% (n=137/203), artrite/artrose 30,5% (n=62/203), osteoporose 20,2% (n=41/203), entre outras. Quanto ao uso de medicamentos contínuos e eventuais, constatou-se uma mediana de 6 medicamentos utilizados pelos participantes, sendo 1 o número mínimo e 18 o número máximo. Houve polifarmácia em 64,5% (n=131/203) dos idosos e o uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados em 78,8% (n=160/203). Quanto à utilização de polifarmácia, foi verificado associação significativa com: sexo feminino (p=0,004); e ter baixa escolaridade (p=0,017), e estado civil solteiro (0,027). Conclusão no âmbito da farmacoepidemiologia, o conhecimento dos fatores associados à utilização de medicamentos, como os identificados neste estudo, pode ser útil para alertar os prescritores e demais profissionais da saúde quanto à importância de identificar e monitorar os grupos mais vulneráveis, como por exemplo, as pessoas idosas.

Patient safety in primary health care and polypharmacy: cross-sectional survey among patients with chronic diseases

OBJECTIVE

to characterize and determine the polypharmacy prevalence in patients with chronic diseases and to identify the factors associated, in order to improvement of pharmaceutical care focused on patient safety.

METHODS

cross-sectional study included 558 patients, covered by primary health care, using a household and structured questionnaire. We analyzed the data on polypharmacy and its clinical and socioeconomic factors. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was applied, with results expressed in prevalence ratio.

RESULTS

the results showed that polypharmacy (consumption of four or more drugs) was of 37.6%. The prevalence ratio analyses identified independent variables associated with polypharmacy: age (3.05), economic strata (0.33), way of medication acquisition through a combination of out-of-pocket and Brazilian public health system (1.44), diabetes and hypertension (2.11), comorbidities (coronary artery disease 2.26) and hospital admission (1.73). In the analyses, inappropriate medication use of the 278 patients (≥ 65 years) was associated with polypharmacy (prevalence ratio 4.04).

CONCLUSION

polypharmacy study becomes an opportunity to guide the strategies for the patient safety to promote the medication without harm in chronic diseases.

Pain and Inflammation Management in Older Adults: A Brazilian Consensus of Potentially Inappropriate Medication and Their Alternative Therapies

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) list and alternative therapies for treatment of pain and inflammation in older people adapted to the Brazilian context.

Methods: A preliminary PIM list suitable for the Brazilian market was developed on the basis of three published international PIM lists [Beers 2015, Screening Tool of Older People’s Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions - 2015, European Union (7) PIM list]. We used the modified Delphi technique (two-round) to validate concerns of use and alternative therapies related to PIM for treatment of pain and inflammation in older adults ≥65 years in Brazil. The panel involved nine Brazilian experts in geriatric pharmacotherapy. All items with mean Likert scale score ≥4.0 (agree) and the lower limit of 95% confidence interval ≥4.0 were considered validated in this study.

Results: At the end of the consensus process, 94 (65.3%) items of 144 were validated. In total, consensus was reached for 33/35 (94.3%) concerns about drugs that should be avoided in older patients regardless of diagnosis, for 22/23 (95.7%) concerns about drugs that should be avoided in older patients with specific conditions or diseases, for 11/23 (47.8%) with special considerations of use, and for 28/63 (44.4%) of therapeutic alternatives.

Conclusion: Although these criteria are not designed to replace clinical judgement, PIM and alternative therapies lists can be useful to inform prescribers, pharmacists, and health care planners and may serve as a starting point for safe and effective use of medications in older people.

Comparative Analysis Of Anticholinergics Prescribed To Elderly Patients At A Korean Long-Term Care Facility According To Beers Criteria 2003, 2012, And 2015 And Anticholinergic-Burden Rating Scales: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study

Background

The Beers Criteria is used as a reference to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to older people, and anticholinergic risk measurement scales (ARMSs) have been continuously made for measuring the anticholinergic burden. This study aimed to evaluate the concordance between any anticholinergics among PIMs identified by the Beers Criteria and those assessed by 9 different ARMSs.

Methods

This study was retrospectively conducted with Korean older patients hospitalized in the long-term care facility between March 2014 and August 2015. The data were collected through the chart review of electronic medical records of the patients. The Beers Criteria 2003, 2012, and 2015 were used to detect PIMs, and the following ARMSs were also employed to assess their potential anticholinergic effects: Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (2008), Anticholinergic Risk Scale (2008), Chew’s Scale (2008), Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS; 2006), Anticholinergic Activity Scale (AAS; 2010), Anticholinergic Load Scale (2011), Clinician-Rated Anticholinergic Scale (2008), Duran’s Scale (2013), and Anticholinergic Burden Classification (2006).

Results

The eligible patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were 216 during the study period. Most patients were females (70.4%), and the mean age was 81.0 ± 6.7 years. Approximately 70%, 86%, and 87% of the patients included were identified as using at least one PIM according to the Beers Criteria 2003, 2012, and 2015, respectively. Compared with the Beers Criteria 2003, the versions of 2012 and 2015 showed more improved concordance associated with the ARMSs. When the Beers Criteria 2015 was compared with the ARMSs, the lowest concordance was found for AAS (κ = 0.153; 95% CI, 0.079–0.227), whereas the highest concordance was observed for ADS (κ = 0.530; 95% CI, 0.406–0.654).

Conclusion

The heterogeneity between the Beers Criteria and the ARMSs was observed. Compared with the Beers Criteria 2003, the versions of 2012 and 2015 showed more enhanced concordance associated with the ARMSs.

Potentially inappropriate medication use and frailty phenotype among community-dwelling older adults: A population-based study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between potentially inappropriate medication use and frailty phenotype among community-dwelling older adults and to identify factors associated with the use of these drugs according to frailty condition.

BACKGROUND

There is insufficient evidence about the association between inappropriate medication use and the condition of frailty, particularly among community-dwelling older adults. Therefore, data obtained from population surveys should be made available in order to support the development of clinical guidelines about the prevention of frailty.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study conducted according to the STROBE Checklist.

METHODS

This population-based study was conducted on 1,607 older adults. Potentially inappropriate medication use was assessed according to Beers criteria and frailty syndrome was determined according to the phenotype proposed by Fried and colleagues. Data were analysed statistically using multinomial or binary logistic regression models.

RESULTS

About 13.6% of the subjects were frail, and 36.8% used at least one inappropriate medication. The adjusted model indicated that, the more potentially inappropriate medication use, the higher the prevalence of frailty, prefrailty and the walking slowness component. Female gender, one or more years of schooling, five or more reported morbidities, and instrumental dependence regarding daily life activities were factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in the nonfrail group.

CONCLUSION

Inappropriate medication use was prevalent among community-living older adults, and its presence was associated with the occurrence of frailty.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Primary care nurses are the professionals with the greatest contact with the older adults in the community. Thus, the results support the inclusion of the assessment of potentially inappropriate medication use in the routine of nursing consultation. In case of a positive screening, the older person should be referred to geriatric evaluation in order to optimise drug treatment for the prevention of frailty.

Potentially inappropriate medication use among geriatric patients in primary care setting: A cross-sectional study using the Beers, STOPP, FORTA and MAI criteria

Inappropriate prescribing is a risk factor for adverse drug reactions and hospitalizations in the elderly and places a considerable burden on the healthcare system. Hence, it is imperative to identify irrational prescribing and implement interventions to improve prescribing appropriateness in geriatric clinical practice. This study aimed to determine: (i) the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) according to Beers STOPP, FORTA, and the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) criteria; (ii) the prevalence of potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) according to START criteria; and (iii) the predictors for PIMs and PPOs. A cross-sectional study was performed among elderly outpatients of 10 primary healthcare centers with specialized geriatric clinics in Kuwait. Four-hundred and seventy-eight patients were selected randomly, 420 (87.9%) agreed to participate. Data about chronic diseases and prescribed medications were obtained from the physicians by accessing the patients’ medical records. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression were used for data analysis. A total of 2645 medications were prescribed to all patients; mean (SD) number of medicines per patient was 6.3 (3.0). PIMs were present in 53.1%, 55.7%, and 44.3% of respondents, according to Beers, STOPP, and FORTA criteria, respectively. Almost 74% of respondents had one or more inappropriate ratings among their medications in the MAI criteria. According to START criteria, 19.8% of patients had at least one PPO. Respondents taking ≥ 5 medications were found to be using more PIMs according to Beers (OR: 6.3), STOPP (OR: 3.3), FORTA (OR: 6.0) and MAI (OR: 3.9) criteria in comparison to those taking ≤ 4 medications (p<0.001). The MAI revealed a significantly higher number of medications with inappropriate ratings compared to the Beers, STOPP and FORTA criteria (p<0.001). Taking the MAI as reference standard, STOPP criteria had the highest sensitivity (68.6%) and measure of agreement (Kappa index = 0.40) to detect PIMs compared with Beers and FORTA criteria. Inappropriate prescribing is common among the elderly in the primary geriatric clinics. This necessitates further evaluation of its impact on clinical outcomes and warrants efforts to implement interventions to improve prescribing practice in these settings.

Potentially inappropriate medications prescribing according to Beers criteria among elderly outpatients in Jordan: a cross sectional study

Background

Due to aging, along with its associated physiological changes, older adults are extremely vulnerable to be afflicted with multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity). Accordingly, prescribing a large number of drugs to older adults would be inevitable. Resulted complex drug regimens can lead to prescribing of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs) with subsequent negative health and economic outcomes.

Objectives

The main objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence and predictors of PIMs prescribing among Jordanian elderly outpatients, using the last updated version of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria (2015 version).

Methods

A Unicenter, cross-sectional study were data was assessed using medical records of included study subjects conducted over three months period from beginning of October to the end of December 2016 at King Abdullah University Hospital, Al Ramtha, Jordan. Our study included patients aged 65 years or above who visited the outpatient clinics at King Abdullah University hospital (KAUH) and were prescribed at least one oral medication during the study period. PIMs were identified for these patients and further classified according to the 2015 AGS Beers Criteria. We measured the prevalence of PIMs prescribed among elderly outpatients in Jordan.

Results

A total of 4622 eligible older adults were evaluated in this study, of whom 62.5% (n=2891) were found to have at least one PIM prescribed during the three months study period. 69% of identified PIMs were medications to be used with caution in elderly, 22% were medications to avoid in many or most older adults, 6.3% were medications to be avoided or have their dosage adjusted based on kidney function in older adults, 2.04% medications were to avoid in older adults with specific diseases/syndromes, and 1.6% were potentially clinically important non-anti-infective drug-drug interactions to be avoided in older adults. Female gender and polypharmacy were found to be significant predictors of PIMs use among elderly.

Conclusions

Potentially Inappropriate Medication prescribing is common among Jordanian elderly outpatients. Female gender and polypharmacy are associated with more PIMs prescribing and so need further attention.

Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications use among older adults and risk factors using the 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria

Background

Older patients are commonly prescribed multiple medications therefore; medication misadventures are common and expected among older patients. The use of potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) further contributes to this risk. Therefore, this study aimed to examine PIMs use among older patients using the 2015 Beers criteria.

Methods

A cross-sectional retrospective study using electronic medical records data from a large tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia was conducted. Older adult patient’s (age ≥ 65 years) who were treated in the ambulatory care setting were included. PIMs use was defined using the 2015 Beers criteria. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to describe and identify potential predictors of PIMs use. All statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistical Analysis Software version 9.2 (SAS® 9.2).

Results

This study included 4073 older adults with a mean age of 72.6 (± 6.2) years. The majority of the study population was female (56.8%). The Prevalence of PIMs to be avoided among older adults was 57.6% where 39.9% of the older adults population were prescribed one PIMs, 14.5% two PIMs, and 3.3% were on three or more PIMs. The most commonly prescribed PIMs were gastrointestinal agents (35.6%) and endocrine agents (34.3%). The prevalence of PIMs to be used with caution was 37.5%. Polypharmacy and existence of certain chronic comorbidities were associated with high risk of PIMs use among older patients.

Conclusions

Given high prevalence of PIMs occurrence among this population, future research on strategies and interventions rationing PIMs use in the geriatric population are warranted.

Rural workload and factors associated with the use of medication by elderly people

OBJECTIVE

Identify the prevalence and factors associated with the use of medication by elderly rural workers and verify the association between the use of medication and rural workload.

METHOD

Cross-sectional, exploratory study, conducted among elderly rural workers from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The data was collected through interviews, using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Ninety-five elderly people participated in the study. Prevalence of medication use was 32% higher among women than men, and the type of medication most used by women was for the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. One additional degree in the frustration level with farm work resulted in a 1% increase in the probability of elderly people using medication.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to consider strategies that seek to reduce the physical and mental demand of rural work, through investments in public policies that enable elderly people to reduce rural labor for subsistence purposes and, consequently, their workload.

Factors associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medications by older adults in primary health care: An analysis comparing AGS Beers, EU(7)-PIM List , and Brazilian Consensus PIM criteria

BACKGROUND

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) for the older adults are those with an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio when more effective and safe therapeutic alternatives are available and is an important public health problem.

PURPOSE

To analyze the factors associated with the use of PIM by the older adults and to investigate the agreement of PIM use frequency using the 2015 American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults - 2015 AGS Beers Criteria, the Brazilian consensus on potentially inappropriate medication for older adults (BCPIM) and the European union list of potentially inappropriate medications - EU (7)-PIM List.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two primary health care centers in southeastern Brazil. The 2015 AGS Beers Criteria, BCPIM, and EU (7)-PIM List were used for the classification of PIM. The association between PIM use and independent variables was assessed by multiple logistic regression. The level of agreement of PIM use among the three criteria was measured with the Cohen's kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

A total of 227 patients ≥60 years of age were included in the study. The frequency of PIM use was 53.7% for 2015 AGS Beers, 55.9% for BCPIM and 63.4% for the EU (7)-PIM List. The agreement between 2015 AGS Beers and BCPIM and between this and the EU (7)-PIM List was high, and moderate between the 2015 AGS Beers and the EU (7)-PIM List. Logistic regression showed association of PIM use with polypharmacy, self-reported neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal diseases, age ≤70 years, preserved cognition and positive self-perception of health.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of PIM use by the older adults of health centers investigated is high. Strategies for improving the pharmacotherapy of the older adults in primary health care should be implemented.

Prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy in the older people: 2006-2014

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To analyse the prevalence, risk factors and evolution over time of polypharmacy and self-medication in the older people in Spain from 2006-2014.

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is a public health problem for older people worldwide which causes different negative effects on their health, increasing health costs and pharmaceutical spending. However, previous studies do not include nationally representative samples and none of them provide updated data.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study with community-dwelling older adults (N = 26,277) who participated in the National Health Survey in Spain in 2006 and 2011/2012 and the European Health Survey in Spain in 2009 and 2014.

METHODS

Polypharmacy (defined as use of five or more medications in the last 2 weeks), excessive polypharmacy (defined as use of ten or more medications in the last 2 weeks) and self-medication (defined as use of medications without a prescription) were evaluated. A logistic regression was used for to know the association between polypharmacy and self-medication with the sociodemographic characteristic.

RESULTS

The participants were 62% female and 38% male. The mean medication consumption was 2.96 (SD ± 2.11). Prevalence of polypharmacy was present in 21.9%, prevalence of excessive polypharmacy was 0.6%, and prevalence of self-medication was 10.7%. The most commonly used medications were for blood pressure (51.6%), pain (42.8%) and cholesterol (28.2%). Polypharmacy is associated with sex (females), age, being separated/divorced/widowed, lack of education, higher body mass index, being bedridden during the last 2 weeks and self-medication.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of polypharmacy and prevalence of self-medication are considerable, and they increased significantly from 2006-2014.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

To deal with polypharmacy is a big challenge for nurses. These data suggest to establish innovative clinical strategies in which the health professionals and the patients are involved to improve the personal behaviour with medicines and to reduce the risks and costs of polypharmacy and self-medication.

What is the epidemiology of medication errors, error-related adverse events and risk factors for errors in adults managed in community care contexts? A systematic review of the international literature

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiology of medication errors and error-related adverse events in adults in primary care, ambulatory care and patients' homes.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCE

Six international databases were searched for publications between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Two researchers independently extracted data from eligible studies and assessed the quality of these using established instruments. Synthesis of data was informed by an appreciation of the medicines' management process and the conceptual framework from the International Classification for Patient Safety.

RESULTS

60 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 53 studies focused on medication errors, 3 on error-related adverse events and 4 on risk factors only. The prevalence of prescribing errors was reported in 46 studies: prevalence estimates ranged widely from 2% to 94%. Inappropriate prescribing was the most common type of error reported. Only one study reported the prevalence of monitoring errors, finding that incomplete therapeutic/safety laboratory-test monitoring occurred in 73% of patients. The incidence of preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) was estimated as 15/1000 person-years, the prevalence of drug-drug interaction-related adverse drug reactions as 7% and the prevalence of preventable ADE as 0.4%. A number of patient, healthcare professional and medication-related risk factors were identified, including the number of medications used by the patient, increased patient age, the number of comorbidities, use of anticoagulants, cases where more than one physician was involved in patients' care and care being provided by family physicians/general practitioners.

CONCLUSION

A very wide variation in the medication error and error-related adverse events rates is reported in the studies, this reflecting heterogeneity in the populations studied, study designs employed and outcomes evaluated. This review has identified important limitations and discrepancies in the methodologies used and gaps in the literature on the epidemiology and outcomes of medication errors in community settings.

Patient, Physician, and Health-System Factors Influencing the Quality of Antidepressant and Sedative Prescribing for Older, Community-Dwelling Adults

OBJECTIVE

To identify determinants of potentially inappropriate (PI) antidepressant and anxiolytic/sedative prescribing for older, community-dwelling adults.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Office visits from the 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study measuring associations between various patient and physician factors and prescribing of PI antidepressants, and PI sedatives among elderly, using Beers 2012/2015 criteria, a clinical decision model, and multivariate logistic regressions.

DATA COLLECTION

Visits by older adults (≥65 years) involving medications were extracted to identify visits with antidepressants and sedatives.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Black race, asthma, depression, osteoporosis, payment type, consultation time, and computer systems with prescribing support were associated with reduced odds of PI antidepressant prescribing among users. Income, chronic renal failure, diabetes, and obesity were associated with reduced odds of PI sedative prescribing. Female sex, white race, depression, increasing number of medications, and physician specialty were associated with increased odds of PI sedative prescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

Various patient and health-system factors influence the quality of antidepressant and sedative prescribing for older community-dwelling adults. Longer consultations and the use of computer systems with prescribing support may minimize potentially inappropriate antidepressant prescribing. As medication numbers increase, exposure to PI sedatives is more likely, requiring medication review and monitoring.

Potentially inappropriate home medications among older patients with cardiovascular disease admitted to a cardiology service in USA

Background

The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) may pose more risks than benefits to patients and is a major factor contributing to the likelihood of serious adverse drug reactions and negative health outcomes among older patients.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted in a tertiary care center in USA where home medications of the older patients were reviewed and analyzed upon hospital admission over three months, from March till May 2016. Inclusion criteria were age of 65 years and above, history of cardiovascular disease, and admission to the cardiology service. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with PIMs, by applying the updated Beers 2015 criteria.

Results

A total of 404 patients were included in the study and were taking a total of 4669 medications at home, an average of 11.6 ± 4.5 medications per patient. The proportion of PIMS was 20% of all medications reported, with an average of 2.4 PIM per patient, and 87.4% of patients were receiving at least one PIM. Significant association was found between use of PIMs and number of home medications, female gender, and number and types of comorbidities. Comorbidities associated with more PIMs were heart failure, atrial fibrillation/flutter, history of falls/fractures, cerebrovascular accident, and depression. The most commonly prescribed PIMs were: drugs that may exacerbate or cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion or hyponatremia (29.7%), scheduled use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) > 8 weeks in non-high-risk patients (11.3%), and benzodiazepines (8.1%).

Conclusions

A high prevalence of PIMs in older patients with cardiovascular disease was observed. Provider education and detailed assessment of medication lists upon hospital admission by multidisciplinary teams can help in preventing the use of PIMs.

Potentially inappropriate medications among older adults in Pelotas, Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of potentially inappropriate medications among older adults.

METHODS

This is a population-based cross-sectional study with 1,451 older individuals aged 60 years or more in the city of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2014. We have investigated the use of medications in the last 15 days. Using the Beers criteria (2012), we have verified the use of potentially inappropriate medications and their relationship with socioeconomic and demographic variables, polypharmacy, self-medication, and burden of disease.

RESULTS

Among the 5,700 medications used, 5,651 could be assessed as to being inappropriate. Of these, 937 were potentially inappropriate for the older adults according to the 2012 Beers criteria (16.6%). Approximately 42.4% of the older adults studied used at least one medication considered as potentially inappropriate. The group of medications for the nervous system accounted for 48.9% of the total of the potentially inappropriate medications. In the adjusted analysis, the variables female, advanced age, white race, low educational level, polypharmacy, self-medication, and burden of disease were associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medications.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to known the possible consequences of the use of medication among older adults. Special attention should be given to the older adults who use polypharmacy. Specific lists should be created with more appropriate medications for the older population in the National Essential Medicine List.

OBJETIVO

Avaliar o uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados entre idosos.

MÉTODOS

Estudo transversal de base populacional com 1.451 idosos com 60 anos ou mais em Pelotas, RS, em 2014. Investigou-se o uso de medicamentos nos últimos 15 dias. Utilizando os critérios de Beers (2012), verificou-se a potencial inadequação dos medicamentos e sua relação com variáveis socioeconômicas e demográficas, polifarmácia, automedicação e carga de doença.

RESULTADOS

Dentre os 5.700 medicamentos utilizados, 5.651 puderam ser avaliados quanto à inadequação. Destes, 937 eram potencialmente inadequados para idosos segundo os critérios de Beers de 2012 (16,6%). Cerca de 42,4% dos idosos usaram no mínimo um medicamento considerado potencialmente inapropriado. O grupo de medicamentos para o sistema nervoso correspondeu a 48,9% do total de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados. Na análise ajustada, as variáveis sexo feminino, idade avançada, cor da pele branca, baixa escolaridade, polifarmácia, automedicação e carga de doença mostraram-se associadas ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados.

CONCLUSÕES

É importante que sejam bem conhecidas as possíveis consequências do uso de medicamentos entre idosos. Atenção especial deve ser dada aos idosos que fazem uso de polifarmácia. É necessário existir listas específicas com medicamentos mais adequados para uso em idosos na Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics of Outpatients Could Modify Their Attitude Towards Misusing Medications in Northern Jordan

Background

Potentially inappropriate drug use, including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It also contributes to unnecessary expenditure on health services. This survey was undertaken to investigate the incidence of drug misuse and associated socioeconomic/demographic characteristics in Irbid, Jordan.

Design and Methods

The present cross section study was conducted using a validated 5-point Likert scale questionnaire to be self-reported by 480 outpatients visiting clinics in three major medical centres in Irbid, Jordan between 20th October 2015 and 27th November 2015. Descriptive analysis, chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression models were performed.

Results

Patients demonstrated distinctive attitudes towards medication misuse (P<0.001). Whereas around 40% of patients sometimes stopped taking medications earlier than prescribed or doubled the dose in case of missing a dose, three quarters and two fifth of participants neither used expired drugs nor continued to take a drug when adverse drug reactions occurred, respectively. Also, there were significant associations (P<0.05) between patients’ attitudes towards misusing medications and characteristics like age, gender, income and marital status. For instance, senior patients (>45 years) tended to double a medication’s dose in case of no improvement, and to use others’ leftover drugs without medical supervision. Further, male and female patients exhibited different attitude towards misusing medications. Unemployment and little earnings increased the risk for not using drugs properly. Furthermore, married patients were less likely to misuse medications. In particular, the educational level of patients was found to play a major role in modifying patients’ attitudes towards potentially inappropriate drug use. Patients holding one or more university degrees were at lower risk for using medications inappropriately.

Conclusions

This survey indicated that northern Jordanians inappropriately used medications to a great extent, suggesting that the current policies should be revised, and emphasising the importance of running public antidrug misuse awareness campaigns and establishing advanced educational/training events targeting healthcare professionals.

Potentially inappropriate medications use in community-based aged patients: a cross-sectional study using 2012 Beers criteria

Background

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) should be avoided by the aged population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PIMs among Lebanese aged outpatients using Beers criteria of 2012. The secondary objectives were to identify the correlates of the PIMs use and to compare the PIMs prevalence rates as per Beers criteria of 2003 and 2012.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among aged outpatients of different accredited community pharmacies across Lebanon. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire. The Beers criteria of 2012 were used to evaluate PIMs. The association between PIMs used and independent variables were analyzed by logistic regression. The differences between PIMs use according to Beers criteria 2003 and 2012 were calculated using chi-squared and McNemar’s tests.

Results

A total of 248 outpatients were analyzed. We identified 112 (45.2%) out of 248 patients taking PIMs. The leading classes of medications identified to cause PIMs were those acting on the central nervous system (71.4%). The factors associated with PIMs use were age, osteoporosis, Alzheimer/dementia, diabetes, and alcohol consumption. PIMs use increased significantly between Beers criteria 2003 and 2012 (Chi-squared test, P<0.001; McNemar’s test, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study showed a high prevalence of PIMs use in Lebanon, which is associated with various correlates. Education of health care providers and medication review should be considered to improve medication safety of older adults.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing andthe risk of adverse drug reactions in critically ill older adults

Background:

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in the elderly is associated with increased risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), but there is limited information regarding PIM use in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to describe the prevalence and factors associated with the use of PIM and the occurrence of PIM-related adverse reactions in the critically ill elderly.

Methods:

This study enrolled all critically ill older adults (60 years or more) admitted to medical or cardiovascular ICUs between January and December 2013, in a large tertiary teaching hospital. For all patients, clinical pharmacists listed the medications given during the ICU stay and data on drugs were analyzed using 2012 Beers Criteria, to identify the prevalence of PIM. For each identified PIM the medical records were analyzed to evaluate factors associated with its use. The frequency of ADRs and, the causal relationship between PIM and the ADRs identified were also evaluated through review of medical records.

Results:

According to 2012 Beers Criteria, 98.2% of elderly patients used at least one PIM (n=599), of which 24.8% were newly started in the ICUs. In 29.6% of PIMs, there was a clinical circumstance that justified their prescription. The number of PIMs was associated with ICU length of stay and total number of medications. There was at least one ADR identified in 17.8% of patients; more than 40% were attributed to PIM, but there was no statistical association.

Conclusions:

There is a high prevalence of PIM used in acutely ill older people, but they do not seem to be the major cause of adverse drug reactions in this population. Although many PIMs had a clinical circumstance that led to their prescription during the course of ICU hospitalization, many were still present upon hospital discharge. Therefore, prescription of PIMs should be minimized to improve the safety of elderly patients.

Potentially Inappropriate Medications by Beers Criteria in Older Outpatients: Prevalence and Risk Factors

BACKGROUND

Prescription of inappropriate medicine to elderly patients is a major public health care concern. The Beers criteria have been commonly employed as a screening tool to identify the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). The present study investigated the prevalence of PIM use according to the Beers criteria as well as factors related to PIM use.

METHODS

Data obtained from a retrospective survey included 25,810 outpatients aged ≥65 years from a university medical center in Seoul, Korea. PIMs were defined using the Beers criteria. Factors associated with PIM use were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of all participants, 7,132 (27.6%) were prescribed at least one PIM. The most commonly prescribed PIMs were alprazolam (11.2%), clonazepam (10.8%), zolpidem (8.7%), quetiapine (8.4%), and hydroxyzine (5.4%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, having five or more prescription medicines (odds ratio [OR], 11.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.38 to 13.66) and five or more prescribing doctors (OR, 4.40; 95% CI, 3.59 to 5.39) were strongly associated with PIM. In a likelihood ratio test for trend, an increasing number of medications and prescribing doctors were both significantly associated with PIM.

CONCLUSION

At a university medical center, the number of medications and the number of prescribing doctors was associated with PIM in older outpatients.

Utilização de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados por idosos em domicílio

Resumo O objetivo foi avaliar a frequência de utilização em domicílio de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados por idosos e analisar a significância clínica. Trata-se de estudo transversal retrospectivo, recorte de um estudo de utilização de medicamentos desenvolvido em um hospital público. Os medicamentos inapropriados foram classificados empregando os três grupos de critérios explícitos incluídos na Lista de Beers de 2012. Houve inclusão de 190 idosos na pesquisa e a prevalência encontrada para utilização de medicamentos inapropriados foi 44,2%. As classes terapêuticas de medicamentos inapropriados mais utilizados foram antiinflamatórios não esteroidais, agentes cardiovasculares, benzodiazepínicos e antidepressivos. Identificou-se associação positiva entre utilização de medicamentos inapropriados e polifarmácia, polipatologia e hipertensão. Na Rename 2013 identificou-se 35(34,3%) fármacos inapropriados. O estudo demonstrou alta prevalência de utilização de medicamentos inapropriados pelos idosos. As consequências clínicas da utilização de medicamentos inapropriados são importantes para a saúde pública devido ao risco de eventos adversos e impacto negativo na funcionalidade do idoso. Na atenção ao idoso é importante desenvolver ações para promover o uso racional de medicamentos.

A Systematic Review of Opioid and Benzodiazepine Misuse in Older Adults

OBJECTIVE

The authors assessed the prevalence of opioid and benzodiazepine prescription drug misuse in older adults, the risk factors associated with misuse, and age-appropriate interventions.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, a literature search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE for peer-reviewed journal articles in English through April 2014 with updates through November 2015 was conducted for reports on misuse of prescription benzodiazepines and opioids in older adults. Relevant publications were reviewed that included participants age ≥65 years. Reference lists were manually searched for key identified articles and geriatric journals through April 2016. Information on the study design, sample, intervention, comparators, outcome, time frame, and risk of bias were abstracted for each article.

RESULTS

Of 4,932 reviewed reports, 15 were included in this systematic review. Thirteen studies assessed the prevalence of prescription drug misuse and included studies related to opioid shopping behavior, assessment of morbidity and mortality associated with opioid and/or benzodiazepine use, frequency and characteristics of opioid prescribing, frequency of substance use disorders and nonprescription use of pain relievers, and health conditions and experiences of long-term benzodiazepine users. One study identified risk factors for misuse, and one study described the effects of provider education and an electronic support tool as an intervention.

CONCLUSION

There is a dearth of high quality research on prescription drug misuse in older adults. Existing studies are heterogeneous, making it difficult to draw broad conclusions. The need for further research specific to prescription drug misuse among older adults is discussed.

Application of three different sets of explicit criteria for assessing inappropriate prescribing in older patients: a nationwide prevalence study of ambulatory care visits in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the national prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed in ambulatory care clinics in Taiwan according to three different sets of regional criteria and the correlates of PIM use.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

This analysis included older patients who visited ambulatory care clinics in 2009 and represented half of the older population included on the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database.

PARTICIPANTS

We identified 1,164,701 subjects who visited ambulatory care clinics and were over 65 years old in 2009.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

PIM prevalence according to the 2012 Beers criteria, the PIM-Taiwan criteria and the PRISCUS criteria was estimated separately, and characteristics of PIM users were explored. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine patient factors associated with the use of at least one PIM. Leading PIMs for each set of criteria were also listed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of having at least one PIM at the patient level was highest with the Beers criteria (86.2%), followed by the PIM-Taiwan criteria (73.3%) and the PRISCUS criteria (66.9%). Polypharmacy and younger age were associated with PIM use for all three sets of criteria. The leading PIMs detected by the PIM-Taiwan and PRISCUS criteria were all included in the 2012 Beers criteria. Non-COX-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the Beers criteria and benzodiazepines in the PIM-Taiwan and PRISCUS criteria accounted for most leading PIMs.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PIMs was high among older Taiwanese patients receiving ambulatory care visits. The prevalence of PIM and its associated factors varied according to three sets of criteria at the population level.

Uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados entre idosos do Município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil: um inquérito de base populacional

Resumo Avaliou-se o uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados entre idosos de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, de acordo com os critérios de Beers 2012 e STOPP, bem como os fatores associados a esse uso. Estudo transversal com 621 idosos não institucionalizados, abordados por entrevista domiciliar. As variáveis explicativas foram sexo, idade, escolaridade, percepção da saúde, restrição de atividades nos últimos 15 dias, capacidade funcional, história de internação hospitalar, número de doenças autorreferidas e polifarmácia. Realizou-se análise de regressão de Poisson multivariada. Observou-se alta prevalência de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados, 43,8% (IC95%: 37,8%-47,8%) e 44,8% (IC95%: 40,9%-48,8%), segundo os critérios de Beers 2012 e STOPP respectivamente. Sexo feminino e polifarmácia se mantiveram independentemente associados ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados, de acordo com os critérios de Beers. Para o critério STOPP, as variáveis independentemente associadas ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inadequados foram sexo feminino, percepção de saúde regular e polifarmácia. Esforços são necessários para se qualificar a prática da polifarmácia entre idosos.

Identification and prevalence of adverse drug events caused by potentially inappropriate medication in homebound elderly patients: a retrospective study using a nationwide survey in Japan

OBJECTIVES

A nationwide large-scale survey was conducted to identify the prevalence and causal medications of adverse drug events (ADEs) that are caused by potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) given to homebound elderly patients, factors associated with ADEs, and measures taken by pharmacists to manage ADEs and their effects on ADEs.

SETTINGS

A questionnaire was mailed to 3321 pharmacies nationwide. It asked about the details of PIMs and ADEs of up to 5 patients for whom home visits were provided by a pharmacist. Questionnaire forms were filled in by pharmacists who visited the patients.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Between 23 January and 13 February 2013, comprehensive assessment forms were sent to 3321 pharmacies. Data collected from 1890 pharmacies including data of 4815 patients were analysed and 28 patients of unknown sex were excluded. Their average age was 82.7 years. PIMs were identified based on the 2003 Beers Criteria Japan.

RESULTS

There were 600 patients who did not provide valid answers regarding the medications. In the remaining 4243 patients, one or more medications that were considered to be PIMs had been prescribed to 48.4% of patients. PIM-induced ADEs were found in 8% of these patients by pharmacists during home visits. The top ADE-inducing medications were strong anticholinergic antihistamines, benzodiazepines, sulpiride and digoxin. The most common ADEs associated with benzodiazepines were frequent lightheadedness, somnolence and sleepiness, which increase the risk of falls and subsequent fractures in elderly patients. The following factors associated with ADEs were identified: sex, pharmacist awareness of prescription issues, frequency of visits and time spent at patients' homes, and the frequency of detailed checks for patient adverse reactions by pharmacists.

CONCLUSIONS

The PIM prevalence associated with home healthcare in Japan was relatively high, as reported in previous studies. The present study suggests that pharmacists could reduce the incidence of PIMs and consequent ADEs.

A comparison of the Beers and STOPP criteria for identifying the use of potentially inappropriate medications among elderly patients in primary care

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Explicit criteria for evaluating the appropriateness of medication use among the elderly have been extensively employed in several countries. The aim of the current study was to assess and characterize the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) according to the Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria and compare these data with the 2012 Beers criteria.

METHODS

A prospective survey of the medications used by elderly patients was performed. A total of 142 participants were randomly selected via systematic sampling. The Beers and STOPP criteria were applied to evaluate the use of PIMs among the sample. All of the medications included in these criteria were assessed for their availability in Brazil. The prevalence of PIMs was chosen as an occurrence measure and compared among the exposure group using the prevalence ratio (PR) as a measure of association.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PIM use in the sample was 33.8% according to the STOPP criteria and 51.8% using the 2012 Beers criteria. The most prevalent PIMs according to the Beers criteria were short-acting nifedipine (17.4%) and glyburide (11.9%); according to the STOPP criteria, they were acetylsalicylic acid (32.9%), clonazepam (10.1%) and diclofenac (6.3%). The use of four or more drugs (polypharmacy) was associated with a higher prevalence of PIM use (PR = 3.11, 95% CIs = 1.65-5.85).

CONCLUSIONS

The 2012 Beers criteria identified more PIMs than the STOPP criteria. This difference highlights the need to develop national criteria.

Optimization of decision support tool using medication regimens to assess rehospitalization risks

BACKGROUND

Unnecessary hospital readmissions are costly for the U.S. health care system. An automated algorithm was developed to target this problem and proven to predict elderly patients at greater risk of rehospitalization based on their medication regimens.

OBJECTIVE

Improve the algorithm for predicting elderly patients' risks for readmission by optimizing the sensitivity of its medication criteria.

METHODS

Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and medication data were reused from a study that defined and tested an algorithm for assessing rehospitalization risks of 911 patients from 15 Medicare-certified home health care agencies. Odds Ratio analyses, literature reviews and clinical judgments were used to adjust the scoring of patients' High Risk Medication Regimens (HRMRs). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis evaluated whether these adjustments improved the predictive strength of the algorithm's components.

RESULTS

HRMR scores are composed of polypharmacy (number of drugs), potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) (drugs risky to the elderly), and Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) (complex dose forms, dose frequency, instructions or administration). Strongest ROC results for the HRMR components were Areas Under the Curve (AUC) of .68 for polypharmacy when excluding supplements; and .60 for PIM and .69 for MRCI using the original HRMR criteria. The "cut point" identifying MRCI scores as indicative of medication-related readmission risk was increased from 20 to 33.

CONCLUSION

The automated algorithm can predict elderly patients at risk of hospital readmissions and its underlying criteria is improved by a modification to its polypharmacy definition and MRCI cut point.

Patient- and clinic visit-related factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use among older home healthcare service recipients

Objectives

Taiwanese National Health Insurance (TNHI) provides home healthcare services to patients with skilled nursing needs who were homebound or lived in nursing homes. Studies on potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for older home healthcare service recipients (HHSRs) are growing, but comparisons among newer criteria of PIMs have not been applied. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and correlates of PIMs based on three different instruments published after 2010 among older HHSRs.

Materials and Methods

We performed cross-sectional analysis of the TNHI Research Database. A total of 25,187 HHSRs aged more than 65 years in 2009 were included. Medication lists independent of chronic conditions from the 2012 Beers criteria, PIM-Taiwan criteria, and the PRISCUS (Latin for “old and venerable”) criteria were used. Analysis was performed separately at patient and clinic-visit level. T-tests, chi-square analysis, and multivariate logistic regressions were used where appropriate.

Results

The prevalence of having at least one PIM at patient and clinic-visit level was highest with the Beers (82.67%, 36.14% respectively), followed by the PRISCUS (68.49%, 25.13%) and PIM-Taiwan (63.04%, 19.21%) criteria. At patient level, polypharmacy (odds ratio (OR) 2.53 to 4.90), higher number of clinic (OR 1.15 to 1.41), hospital (OR 1.24 to 1.64), and physician (OR 1.15 to 1.41) visits were associated with PIM use for all 3 sets of criteria. At clinic-visit level, internist/family physicians (OR 1.26 to 1.72) and neurologists/psychiatrists (OR 1.73 to 5.87) were more likely to prescribe PIMs than others. Psychotropic drugs and first generation antihistamines accounted for most of the top ten PIMs.

Conclusion

The prevalence of PIMs was high among older Taiwanese HHSRs. Polypharmacy and certain medical specialties were associated with a higher likelihood of PIM prescriptions. Provider education and medication review and reconciliation should be considered.