An investigation of inappropriate medication use and dangerous drug combinations in elderly patients with polypharmacy
Journal Title: Medical Science and Discovery - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 8
Abstract
Objective: Polypharmacy is common among the elderly patients. The aim of this study was to determine drugs used inappropriately in elderly with polypharmacy or causing a dangerous drug combination (DDC) and to investigate the relation between drug interaction and emergency department (ED) presentation symptoms. Methods: This prospective study was performed with elderly patients aged over 65. Patients’ demographic characteristics, presentation symptoms, comorbid diseases, and the names, numbers, dosages and side-effect of drugs used were recorded. Results: DDC was present in 94.6% of patients, and 24.3% presented to the ED with drug interaction-related symptoms. The mean age of the patients with DDCs was 72.4±6.7 years, 68.3±5.5 years among those without DDC(p=0.016).The most common comorbid disease was hypertension(75.1%), the most commonly used drug group was anti arrhythmics (15.4%),and the most commonly used medication was aspirin(6.5%). The relation was observed between drug interaction-related presentation symptoms and coronary artery disease (CAD) (p=0.044). Correlation was determined between DDC and the anti-hypertensive drug group (p<0.001).Correlation was determined between drug interaction and subjects with presentation symptoms of dyspnea and bleeding (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Numbers of drugs used and frequency of presentation to hospital were higher in patients with DDCs (p<0.001; 0.040 respectively).Positive correlation was determined between frequency of presentation and number of drugs used(r: 0.514; p <0.001). Conclusion: DDCs are more common as age increases in elderly. This situation especially remarkable in subjects with CAD and antihypertensive drugs users. Presentations to hospital caused by drug-drug interactions most commonly involve dyspnea and bleeding, and a higher number of drugs increase rates of DDC development and numbers of hospital presentations.
Authors and Affiliations
Huseyin Baltacioglu, Oguz Eroglu, Figen Coskun
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP520645
- DOI 10.17546/msd.451266
- Views 45
- Downloads 0
1984A/G adrenomedullin (rs3814700) gene polymorphism: can it be responsible for unexplained recurrent early pregnancy loss?
Objective: The etiology of recurrent miscarriage (RM) is heterogeneous and the current data cannot be able to cover all the aspects of RM. Adrenomedulline (ADM) has been very popular with the discovery of vital functions...
Family history in chronic psychotic disorders
Objective: Psychosis is a set of symptoms that consist of delusions, hallucinations an thought disorders. In DSM 5, psychoses were collected under the title of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. The ai...
What is the amniotomy effect on non stress test in patients meconium stained amniotic fluid?
Objective: Meconium stained amniotic fluid is a frequently encountered situation, it can really disturb an obstetrician, as it increases the rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality and it is difficult to prevent meconi...
A rare cause of acute abdomen: Spontaneous uterine rupture by percrete placenta
The uterine rupture during pregnancy is one of the most serious complications, increase morbidity and maternal and fetal mortality. The uterine rupture by percreta placenta is very rare situation. In this article, the ca...
The comparison of magnetic resonance urography with the combination of diuretic renal scintigraphy and urinary ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow up of ureteropelvic junction obstruction
Objectives:To evaluate the efficiency and reliability of MRU in diagnosis and follow up of children with UPJO.Methods:Thedata of64 patients with the diagnosis of primary UPJO were analysed. All patients underwent Anderso...