Factors associated to potentially inappropriate prescribing in older patients according to STOPP/START criteria: MoPIM multicentre cohort study

Optipharm: Enhancing pharmacological management skills in healthcare students for geriatric care through gamified e-learning

BACKGROUND

Complexities in older patient care and frequent polypharmacy requires tailored tools, specific skills and interdisciplinary collaborations. Traditional disease-centered education often overlooks these issues. Despite digital gamification's relevance in health education, limited exploration exists for gamified platforms addressing polypharmacy, especially within comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA).

OBJECTIVE

This study outlines Optipharm's design, a gamified e-learning tool designed to enhance health students' education in managing polypharmacy among older adults. It also assesses its usability using a validated scale.

METHODS

Optipharm development utilized gamification techniques guided by pedagogical principles. Learning objectives addressed clinical and educational gaps in older adult care. Hosted on a Moodle system, the platform housed a structured clinical case as a SCORM file, a usability scale, a certificate of achievement, and a literature library. Optipharm was assessed by 304 medical students from the University of Navarre, Spain, using the SUS-G-Sp scale.

RESULTS

An immersive gamified e-learning tool simulating clinical practice settings was developed, requiring users to assume the role of healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary outpatient consultations. The interface, with a 2D cartoon-style aesthetic, aligns with learning objectives, integrating engaging storytelling and clear instructions for CGA in Phase 1 and pharmacological optimization in Phase 2. The evaluation of Optipharm's usability revealed very positive perceptions among users, with high agreement rates on usability items.

CONCLUSION

Optipharm represents a pioneering gamified tool designed to simulate clinical scenarios, allowing users to engage as healthcare professionals within multidisciplinary teams and address medication-related challenges in older patients with polypharmacy. It provides a secure, interactive learning environment with clear educational objectives and seamless integration of gamification elements, enhancing users' knowledge and skills in managing complex medication regimens. As a platform for experiential learning and knowledge exchange, Optipharm contributes to shaping the future of health education and fostering a culture of patient-centred care among future healthcare professionals.

Application of STOPP/START criteria in older patients in primary care using RStudio®

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the frequency of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in outpatients according to STOPP/START criteria, and to identify risk factors. For this purpose, an algorithm was developed and validated in RStudio® based on the information collected in the electronic prescription.

METHODS

The data corresponds to dispensations from two pharmacies in Spain made to patients over 18 years, over 4 years. For the analysis, only patients aged ≥ 65 years who are targeted by the STOPP/START criteria are included. The statistical programming language RStudio® was used to develop the algorithm. The STOPP criteria used as models for the implementation of the method were L2 and B12. A logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 15,601 treatment plans were obtained from 2312 patients ≥ 65 years (56% women), of whom 46.6% had polypharmacy (≥ 5 drugs) and 9.3% had excessive polypharmacy (≥ 10 drugs). In this group, PIPs were detected in 57% of patients and in 38% of their treatment plans; of these PIPs the most common were those related to the use of benzodiazepines for more than 28 days (D5 criterion) in 25.9% of patients, followed by the use of opioids prescribed without an associated laxative (L2 criterion) in 13.8% and finally, drugs duplication (A3 criterion) in 5.7%. The most numerous duplications related to criterion A3 were benzodiazepines (39%) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (37.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The method developed and validated in RStudio® with different STOPP criteria allows us to analyse the pharmacological treatment of many patients using different databases and to identify those at risk of suffering a PIP according to the STOPP criteria. Our results indicate a high prevalence of PIPs in patients ≥ 65 years, with polypharmacy being the most common risk factor affecting PIP.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing in polymedicated older adults with atrial fibrillation and multimorbidity: a Swedish national register-based cohort study

Introduction

Current research on potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in polymedicated older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) and multimorbidity is predominantly focused on PIP of oral anticoagulants (OAC). Our study aimed to assess (i) the overall prevalence of PIP in older multimorbid adults with AF, (ii) potential associated factors of PIP, and (iii) the association of PIP with adverse health outcomes in a nationwide sample of Swedish older adults.

Methods

Swedish national registries were linked to establish a cohort with a 2-year follow-up of older adults (≥65y) who, on 1 January 2017, had a diagnosis of AF and had at least one comorbidity (n = 203,042). PIP was assessed using the reduced STOPP/START version 2 screening tool. The STOPP criteria identify potentially inappropriate prescribed medications (PIM), while the START criteria identify potential prescribing omissions (PPO). PIP is identified as having at least one PIM and/or PPO. Cox regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between PIP and adverse health outcomes: mortality, hospitalisation, stroke, bleeding, and falls.

Results

PIP was highly prevalent in older adults with AF, with both polypharmacy (69.6%) and excessive polypharmacy (85.9%). In the study population, benzodiazepines (22.9%), hypnotic Z-medications (17.8%) and analgesics (8.7%) were the most frequent PIM. Anticoagulants (34.3%), statins (11.1%), vitamin D and calcium (13.4%) were the most frequent PPO. Demographic factors and polypharmacy were associated with different PIM and PPO categories, with the nature of these associations differing based on the specific type of PIM and PPO. The co-occurrence of PIM and PPO, compared to appropriate prescribing, was associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes compared to all appropriately prescribed medications: cardiovascular (CV) (Hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval] = 1.97 [1.88-2.07]) and overall mortality (HR = 2.09 [2.03-2.16]), CV (HR = 1.34 [1.30-1.37]) and overall hospitalisation (HR = 1.48 [1.46-1.51]), stroke (HR = 1.93 [1.78-2.10]), bleeding (HR = 1.10 [1.01-1.21]), and falls (HR = 1.63 [1.56-1.71]).

Conclusion

The present study reports a high prevalence of PIP in multimorbid polymedicated older adults with AF. Additionally, a nuanced relationship between prescribing patterns, patient characteristics, and adverse health outcomes was observed. These findings emphasise the importance of implementing tailored interventions to optimise medication management in this patient population.

Applicability of STOPP/START prescribing criteria in integrated Swedish administrative health registries and a Swedish population-based cohort

PURPOSE

The STOPP/START criteria are frequently applied in observational studies to assess potentially inappropriate prescribing in older adults. This study aimed to assess the applicability of the three available STOPP/START versions in two distinct data sources.

METHODS

To evaluate the applicability of the three versions of STOPP/START criteria, we used two observational data sources: (i) Integrated Swedish administrative health registries (ISHR) encompassing routinely collected health data and (ii) the population-based Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K), based on health professional-led clinical assessments. The Anatomical Therapeutic Classification code (ATC) was used to categorise medications. Diseases were categorised using the international classification of diseases version 10 (ICD10).

RESULTS

The first STOPP/START version demonstrated an applicability rate of 80% in ISHR and 84% in SNAC-K. The second version demonstrated an applicability of 64% in ISHR and 74% in SNAC-K. The third version showed an applicability of 66% in ISHR and 77% in SNAC-K. Challenges in applicability included broad definitions, vague terminology, and the lack of information on disease severity, symptomatic traits, and stability of certain conditions.

CONCLUSION

The applicability of the STOPP/START criteria in observational studies seems to have decreased in more recent versions of the tool. Population-based studies with comprehensive clinical assessments may offer higher applicability compared to studies based on administrative data. Future versions of the STOPP/START criteria should prioritise clear and unambiguous definitions to improve their applicability in research and promote result generalisability and comparability.

Multidisciplinary medication review during older patient hospitalization according to STOPP/START criteria reduces potentially inappropriate prescriptions: MoPIM cohort study

PURPOSE

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy in older adults converts the detection and adequacy of potentially inappropriate drug prescriptions (PIDP) in a healthcare priority. The objectives of this study are to describe the clinical decisions taken after the identification of PIDP by clinical pharmacists, using STOPP/START criteria, and to evaluate the degree of accomplishment of these decisions.

METHODS

Multicenter, prospective, non-comparative cohort study in patients aged 65 and older, hospitalized because of an exacerbation of their chronic conditions. Each possible PIDP was manually identified by the clinical pharmacist at admission and an initial decision was taken by a multidisciplinary clinical committee. At discharge, criteria were re-applied and final decisions recorded.

RESULTS

From all patients (n = 674), 493 (73.1%) presented at least one STOPP criteria at admission, significantly reduced up to 258 (38.3%) at discharge. A similar trend was observed for START criteria (36.7% vs. 15.7%). Regarding the top 10 most prevalent STOPP criteria, the clinical committee initially agreed to withdraw 257 (34.2%) prescriptions and to modify 93 (12.4%) prescriptions. However, the evaluation of final clinical decisions revealed that 503 (67.0%) of those STOPP criteria were ultimately amended. For the top 10 START criteria associated PIDP, the committee decided to initiate 149 (51.7%) prescriptions, while a total of 198 (68.8%) were finally introduced at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical committee, through a pharmacotherapy review, succeeded in identifying and reducing the degree of prescription inadequacy, for both STOPP and START criteria, in older patients with high degree of multimorbidity and polypharmacy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02830425.

Influence of Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use on Older Australians' Admission to Emergency Department Short Stay

Older people in the emergency department (ED) often pose complex medical challenges, with a significant prevalence of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) in Australia. A retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive patients aged over 65 years admitted to the emergency short stay unit (ESSU) aimed to identify polypharmacy (five or more regular medications), assess PIM prevalence, and explore the link between pre-admission PIMs and ESSU admissions. STOPP/START version 2 criteria were used for the PIM assessment, with an expert panel categorizing associated risks. Polypharmacy was observed in 161 patients (80.5%), who were older (mean age 82 versus 76 years) and took more regular medications (median 9 versus 3). One hundred and eighty-five (92.5%) patients had at least one PIM, 81 patients (40.5%) had STOPP PIMs, and 177 patients (88.5%) had START omissions. Polypharmacy significantly correlated with STOPP PIM (OR 4.8; 95%CI: 1.90-12.1), and for each additional medication the adjusted odds of having a STOPP PIM increased by 1.20 (95%CI: 1.11-1.28). Nineteen admissions (9.5%) were attributed to one or more PIMs (total 21 PIMs). Of these PIMs, the expert panel rated eight (38%) as high risk, five (24%) as moderate risk, and eight (38%) as low risk for causing hospital admission. The most common PIMs were benzodiazepines, accounting for 14 cases (73.6%). Older ESSU-admitted patients commonly presented with polypharmacy and PIMs, potentially contributing to their admission.

Elderly patients whose hospitalization was medication-related were more likely to receive medication recommendations by clinical pharmacist than patients whose hospitalization was unlikely medication-related in non-geriatric units

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients are often polymedicated, and drug-related hospitalizations are common in this population. In our hospital, pharmacists from the mobile geriatric team (MGT) coordinate medication reviews (MR) for elderly patients hospitalized in non-geriatric wards, to prevent iatrogenic.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work is to determine whether the drug-related origin of hospitalizations can be considered as a targeting criterion for performing MRs.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We conducted a retrospective study of data from patients who received a MGT's MR between March 2021 and December 2022, from a single center of more than 1000 beds. The drug-related origin of the hospitalization was estimated as probable or unlikely by the AT-HARM10 tool. Between the two groups, we compared the number of potentially inappropriate prescriptions detected by the PIM-check and START/STOPP tools, drug-drug interactions (DI), unintended discrepancies (UDI) at entry reconciliation, the drug burden index (DBI), and the number of drug-related problems (DRP) i.e., START/STOPP score + DI + UDI. Linear regression of the number of DRP by AT-HARM10 score was computed.

RESULTS

110 patients were included. 56 hospitalizations were estimated MRH and 54 non-MRH. Mean age (85.1 ± 7.0), ADL (3.8 ± 1.9), IADL (2.0 ± 1.6), and number of medications at entry (8.9 ± 3.8) were comparable in the 2 groups. Compared with non-MRH group, MRH group had a higher number of START/STOPP criteria (5.7 ± 3.5 vs 3.0 ± 2.6; p < 0.05), PIM-check overuses (2.1 ± 1.7 vs 1.4 ± 1.4; p < 0.05), DI (8.4 ± 9.0 vs 4.7 ± 4.7; p < 0.05), UDI at entry (4.0 ± 3.34 vs 2.2 ± 2.1; p < 0.05), and higher DBI score (0.9 ± 0.7 vs 0.3 ± 0.4; p < 0.05). The number of DRP was higher in group P (17.6 ± 10.8 vs 9.8 ± 6.3; p < 0.00.5). Linear regression showed a positive correlation between AT-HARM10 score and the number of DRP (r = 0.5, p < 0.05) with a coefficient of 7.7 (CI95% = [4.3; 11.1]) and an intercept of 9.8.

DISCUSSION

These results allow us to consider AT-HARM10 score as a targeting criterion for performing MR for elderly patients, as part of a curative approach to drug iatrogenic for these patients.

Opportunities and challenges of pharmacovigilance in special populations: a narrative review of the literature

The relatively new discipline of pharmacovigilance (PV) aims to monitor the safety of drugs throughout their evolution and is essential to discovering new drug risks. Due to their specific and complex physiology, children, pregnant women, and elderly adults are more prone to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Additionally, the lack of clinical trial data exacerbates the challenges faced with pharmacotherapy in these populations. Elderly patients tend to have multiple comorbidities often requiring more extensive medication, which adds additional challenges for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in delivering safe and effective pharmacotherapy. Clinical trials often have inherent limitations, including insufficient sample size and limited duration of research; as some ADRs are attributed to long-term use of a drug, these may go undetected during the course of the trial. Therefore, the implementation of PV is key to insuring the safe and effective use of drugs in special populations. We conducted a thorough review of the scientific literature on PV systems across the European Union, the United States, and China. Our review focused on basic physiological characteristics, drug use, and PV for specific populations (children, pregnant women, and the elderly). This article aims to provide a reference for the development of follow-up policies and improvement of existing policies as well as provide insight into drug safety with respect to patients of special populations.

Statin therapy in multimorbid older patients with polypharmacy- a cross-sectional analysis of the Swiss OPERAM trial population

Background

Statin therapy in multimorbid older individuals with polypharmacy is controversial, particularly in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Thereby, physicians must weigh potential benefits against potential side effects, drug-drug interactions, and limited life expectancy.

Aim

To assess the prevalence and determinants of potentially inappropriate statin therapy in multimorbid older patients.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of patients aged ≥70 years with multimorbidity and polypharmacy in the Swiss study center of OPERAM, a cluster-randomized trial on pharmacotherapy optimization to reduce drug-related hospital admissions. We assessed potential underuse (no statin but formal indication) and potential overuse (statin but no formal indication, including predicted >60% one-year mortality based on the Walter Score) based on current guidelines for patients in secondary and primary cardiovascular prevention. We assessed the association of potential statin overuse and underuse with six patient characteristics (age, gender, number of diagnoses, number of medications, mental impairment, being housebound) in LASSO-selection analyses.

Results

Of 715 multimorbid older adults (79.7 ± 6.5 years, 39.9% women), 337 (47%) were on statin. Statin therapy was appropriate in 474 (66.3%), underused in 130 (18.2%), and overused in 111 (15.5%) patients. In participants in secondary cardiovascular prevention (n = 437), being female (odds ratio [OR] 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-4.22) was significantly associated with potential underuse while being housebound (OR 3.53, 95%CI 1.32-9.46) and taking ≥10 medications (OR 1.95,95%CI 1.05-3.67) were associated with potential overuse. In participants in primary cardiovascular prevention (n = 278), 28.1% were potentially under- (9%) or overusing (19%) a statin, with no identified risk factor.

Conclusion

A third of hospitalized multimorbid older patients with polypharmacy potentially (either) overused or underused statin therapy. Among patients in secondary cardiovascular prevention, women were at risk for potential statin underuse. Housebound patients and those taking ≥10 medications were at risk for potential overuse of a statin. Physicians should carefully evaluate the indication for statin prescription in multimorbid older patients with polypharmacy.

Inappropriate prescribing in geriatric rural primary care: impact on adverse outcomes and relevant risk factors in a prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Several tools have revealed an association between potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and adverse outcomes, but the one most fitted for the rural population has not been determined.

AIMS

We investigated the performance of the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to the Right Treatment (START) in identifying inappropriate prescribing and its association with adverse outcomes among older rural primary health care users.

METHODS

A cohort of consenting outpatients aged ≥ 65 years in a rural Greek primary care center was assessed for PIM and potential prescribing omissions (PPO) using the START/STOPP version 2 criteria. Medications, comorbidities, functional status, and laboratory data were recorded along with 6-month incidence of emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death prospectively.

RESULTS

Among 104 participants (median age 78 years, 49.1% women, receiving a median of 6 drugs), PPO was found in 78% and PIMs in 61%. PIM was multivariately correlated with multimorbidity (p = 0.029) and polypharmacy (p < 0,001), while drug-PPO was only associated with multimorbidity (p = 0.039). The number of PIM predicted emergency department visits and hospitalizations at 6-month follow-up (p value 0.011), independent of age, sex, frailty, comorbidities, and total medication number.

DISCUSSION

The START/STOPP tool is useful in identifying inappropriate prescribing patterns leading to increased utilization of acute care services in older adults followed at a rural primary care setting.

CONCLUSION

Inappropriate prescribing as identified by the START/STOPP criteria is prevalent among older adults with multimorbidity in rural primary care, and independently associated with future acute care visits.

Sex Differences in Multimorbidity, Inappropriate Medication and Adverse Outcomes of Inpatient Care: MoPIM Cohort Study

There is no published evidence on the possible differences in multimorbidity, inappropriate prescribing, and adverse outcomes of care, simultaneously, from a sex perspective in older patients. We aimed to identify those possible differences in patients hospitalized because of a chronic disease exacerbation. A multicenter, prospective cohort study of 740 older hospitalized patients (≥65 years) was designed, registering sociodemographic variables, frailty, Barthel index, chronic conditions (CCs), geriatric syndromes (GSs), polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) according to STOPP/START criteria, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Outcomes were length of stay (LOS), discharge to nursing home, in-hospital mortality, cause of mortality, and existence of any ADR and its worst consequence. Bivariate analyses between sex and all variables were performed, and a network graph was created for each sex using CC and GS. A total of 740 patients were included (53.2% females, 53.5% ≥85 years old). Women presented higher prevalence of frailty, and more were living in a nursing home or alone, and had a higher percentage of PIP related to anxiolytics or pain management drugs. Moreover, they presented significant pairwise associations between CC, such as asthma, vertigo, thyroid diseases, osteoarticular diseases, and sleep disorders, and with GS, such as chronic pain, constipation, and anxiety/depression. No significant differences in immediate adverse outcomes of care were observed between men and women in the exacerbation episode.

A combination of Beers and STOPP criteria better detects potentially inappropriate medications use among older hospitalized patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Research on potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and medication-related problems (MRP) among the Chinese population with chronic diseases and polypharmacy is insufficient.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PIM and MRP among older Chinese hospitalized patients with chronic diseases and polypharmacy and analyze the associated factors.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in five tertiary hospitals in Beijing. Patients aged ≥ 65 years with at least one chronic disease and taking at least five or more medications were included. Data were extracted from the hospitals' electronic medical record systems. PIM was evaluated according to the 2015 Beers criteria and the 2014 Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria. MRPs were assessed and classified according to the Helper-Strand classification system. The prevalence of PIM and MRP and related factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 852 cases were included. The prevalence of PIM was 85.3% and 59.7% based on the Beers criteria and the STOPP criteria. A total of 456 MRPs occurred in 247 patients. The most prevalent MRP categories were dosages that were too low and unnecessary medication therapies. Hyperpolypharmacy (taking ≥ 10 drugs) (odds ratio OR 3.736, 95% confidence interval CI 1.541-9.058, P = 0.004) and suffering from coronary heart disease (OR 2.620, 95%CI 1.090-6.297, P = 0.031) were the influencing factors of inappropriate prescribing (the presence of either PIM or MRP in a patient).

CONCLUSION

PIM and MRP were prevalent in older patients with chronic disease and polypharmacy in Chinese hospitals. More interventions are urgently needed to reduce PIM use and improve the quality of drug therapies.

Cardiovascular risk factors, clinical manifestations and management of myocardial infarction in elderly and long­living patients depending on geriatric status

Aim. To study cardiovascular risk factors, clinical manifestations and management of myocardial infarction (MI) in elderly and long­living patients depending on geriatric status.

Material and methods. Out of 92 patients with MI (mean age, 81,6±4,2), 3 following groups were formed: "frailty" — 35 (38,0%), "prefrailty" — 16 (17,4%), and "no frailty" — 41 (44,6%). The following questionnaires were used: Age Is Not a Hindrance, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, balance test, Gait Speed Test, Timed Up and Go test, grip test, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test, Geriatric Depression Scale.

Results. Frailty probability in patients is higher in the presence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1,73 m2, a stroke, and heart failure. In the event of clinical manifestations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients without frailty sought medical assistance earlier (in the first 2 hours — 26,8% of patients (χ2=7,8, p=0,005). Most patients with prefrailty and frailty called an ambulance later, but in the first 12 hours — 68,8 and 74,3%, respectively (χ2=15,6, p=0,012). The prevalence of thrombolysis is 23,2%, percutaneous coronary intervention — 30,4% and did not depend on geriatric status. The probability of multivessel disease is higher in patients with or at risk of malnutrition. The main hemodynamic parameters, echocardiography, laboratory parameters in patients with MI did not depend on geriatric status. According to the STOPP/START criteria, frail patients with more often received nonrecommended inhospital medicines.

Conclusion. Frailty in patients with MI was associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, later medical assistance, and more frequent non-recommended treatment.

Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medication in older patients with cardiovascular diseases-STOPP/START-based study

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the use of STOPP/START criteria in the identification of Potentially inappropriate medication and potential prescribing omissions in older patients with cardiovascular diseases in Bulgaria. Excessive morbidity and mortality has been linked to drug-related problems and increased use of healthcare services and is an understudied problem for Bulgaria.

Materials and methods

A prospective, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 543 older patients across 25 pharmacies in Bulgaria. Socio-demographic characteristic, disease profile, symptoms, and medication data were collected. The questionnaire was developed for the purposes of the EUROAGEISM project. Out of all 543 patients, only those with documented cardio-vascular diseases were extracted and the medication profile per patient was evaluated for Potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs) and potentially prescribing omissions (PPOs) using STOPP/START criteria version 2. In addition, several risks for potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIPs), PPOs and PIMs were calculated with the focus being on the Odds and Risks to develop a PIP.

Results

Four hundred and twenty eight from 531 patients with known therapy for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were included in the analysis of PIP (40.52% aged 65-69 years, 61.88% female, 64% had up to 6 comorbidities, and 21.72% presenting with polypharmacy). A total of 71 PIMs in 64 patients with polypharmacy were identified during applying STOPP criteria. 56% of patients taking above five medicines daily had PIMs. The majority of PIMs (31%) were related to CVDs treatment, followed by PIMs in the treatment of endocrine diseases (22.54%), duplication of medicines (8.46%) and prolonged treatment with benzodiazepines (8.46%). Forty four PPOs were identified with START criteria. 22.72% were related to lack of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the presence of gastroesophageal disorders, and the same percentage was for lack of Calcium-vitamin D supplementation in osteoporosis. Applying the methodology of risks calculation the sample risk for PPO was 2.1% and for PIM 3.4%. At sample level the relative risk for PPO was 62% out of the risk for PIM and at population level varied between 42.8 and 89.8% and it is statistically significant. The number needed to treat for the event to happen is 77.5, meaning that at every 78 prescriptions there is a chance to appear PIP.

Conclusion

Application of methodologies for detection of potentially inappropriate prescribing is not part of routine clinical practice in Bulgaria. Our study demonstrates a high percentage of potentially inappropriate medication among older patients with polypharmacy. Along with the aging population in Bulgaria, economic burden of polypharmacy and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, it is especially important to address potentially inappropriate medication use in cardiovascular patients. There is a considerable necessity for implementation of measures for early detection of potentially inappropriate medication and potentially prescribing omission as a part of de-prescribing strategies in older patients.

Comprehensive Multimorbidity Patterns in Older Patients Are Associated with Quality Indicators of Medication-MoPIM Cohort Study

Multimorbidity is increasing and poses a challenge to the clinical management of patients with multiple conditions and drug prescriptions. The objectives of this work are to evaluate if multimorbidity patterns are associated with quality indicators of medication: potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) or adverse drug reactions (ADRs). A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted including 740 older (≥65 years) patients hospitalised due to chronic pathology exacerbation. Sociodemographic, clinical and medication related variables (polypharmacy, PIP according to STOPP/START criteria, ADRs) were collected. Bivariate analyses were performed comparing previously identified multimorbidity clusters (osteoarticular, psychogeriatric, minor chronic disease, cardiorespiratory) to presence, number or specific types of PIP or ADRs. Significant associations were found in all clusters. The osteoarticular cluster presented the highest prevalence of PIP (94.9%) and ADRs (48.2%), mostly related to anxiolytics and antihypertensives, followed by the minor chronic disease cluster, associated with ADRs caused by antihypertensives and insulin. The psychogeriatric cluster presented PIP and ADRs of neuroleptics and the cardiorespiratory cluster indicators were better overall. In conclusion, the associations that were found reinforce the existence of multimorbidity patterns and support specific medication review actions according to each patient profile. Thus, determining the relationship between multimorbidity profiles and quality indicators of medication could help optimise healthcare processes. Trial registration number: NCT02830425.

Evaluating Inappropriate Medication Prescribing Among Elderly Patients in Palestine Using the STOPP/ START Criteria

Background

Elderly patients suffer from chronic diseases and are prone to polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP). This study aimed to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) among elderly patients in a tertiary care hospital setting and to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective observational study reviewed patient data from two major Palestinian hospitals. The collected data included patient demographics, comorbidities, and medications administered during hospitalization and discharge. The study included 247 patients aged ≥ 65 years hospitalized between January 2019 and December 2019. The STOPP/START criteria version 2 was used to identify the prevalence of PIMs and PPOs. Clinical pharmacists verified the data, and SPSS was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, one-tailed bivariate correlations, and Pearson’s test were applied to the variables of interest to examine their association with the STOPP/START criteria.

Results

A total of 247 patients were included in the study, and 50.2% were females. As a result, 165 (66.8%) participants were identified with PIPs, including 30 patients with PPOs, 91 with PIMs, and 44 with both. Furthermore, the prevalence of PIP during hospitalization and discharge was 56.29% and 64.39%, respectively. Polypharmacy (5–9 medications) was 44.5% and 52.1% during hospitalization and discharge, respectively, and excessive polypharmacy (ten medications or more) was 33.6% and 16.4% during hospitalization and discharge, respectively. Moreover, 47.3% of the patients had a comorbidity index of ≥ 5.

Conclusion

This study identified a high prevalence of PIPs among elderly patients during hospital admission and discharge. In addition, more than half of the geriatric patients in this study had PIP and a high prevalence of polypharmacy. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of adapting evidence-based tools, such as the STOPP/START criteria, to optimize patient medication therapy and guide prescribers in identifying and resolving PIMs and PPOs.

Successful Integration of Clinical Pharmacists in an OPAT Program: A Real-Life Multidisciplinary Circuit

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programs encompass a range of healthcare processes aiming to treat infections at home, with the preferential use of the intravenous route. Although several barriers arise during the implementation of OPAT circuits, recent cumulative data have supported the effectiveness of these programs, demonstrating their application in a safe and cost-effective manner. Given that OPAT is evolving towards treating patients with higher complexity, a multidisciplinary team including physicians, pharmacists, and nursing staff should lead the program. The professionals involved require previous experience in infectious diseases treatment as well as in outpatient healthcare and self-administration. As we describe here, clinical pharmacists exert a key role in OPAT multidisciplinary teams. Their intervention is essential to optimize antimicrobial prescriptions through their participation in stewardship programs as well as to closely follow patients from a pharmacotherapeutic perspective. Moreover, pharmacists provide specialized counseling on antimicrobial treatment technical compounding. In fact, OPAT elaboration in sterile environments and pharmacy department clean rooms increases OPAT stability and safety, enhancing the quality of the program. In summary, building multidisciplinary teams with the involvement of clinical pharmacists improves the management of home-treated infections, promoting a safe self-administration and increasing OPAT patients' quality of life.

Potentially Inappropriate Medication and Polypharmacy in Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Inappropriate prescribing in the elderly is a risk factor for higher adverse drugs reactions, hospitalisation, and mortality rates. Therefore, it is necessary to identify irrational prescriptions and implement interventions to improve geriatric clinical practices in nursing homes. This study aimed to examine and compare the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications in nursing home residents using three different updated criteria: 2019 Beers criteria, PRISCUS list, and v2 STOPP criteria, and to determine the prevalence of potential prescribing omissions according to v2 START criteria. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 218 residents were involved in this study. Data on drug use were collected from medical charts. Information was screened with the software CheckTheMeds. Potentially inappropriate medications were present in 96.3%, 90.8%, and 35.3% of residents, according to the STOPP, Beers, and PRISCUS criteria or list, respectively. Inappropriate medication was found to be significantly associated with polypharmacy and severe or moderate drug–drug interactions with the three tools and with pathologies and unnecessary drugs only for STOPP criteria. The most frequent inappropriate medications were benzodiazepines and proton pump inhibitors. A regular use of software to review medications in nursing home residents would help to reduce the risk of these drug-related problems.