Evaluation of appropriateness of prescription and polypharmacy in the geriatric population: a cross sectional study at a comprehensive geriatric clinic in a tertiary care hospital
Journal Title: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Year 2016, Vol 8, Issue 3
Abstract
Objective: To assess the prescription quality in a comprehensive geriatric clinic and to determine the frequency of inappropriate prescription and polypharmacy.Methods: Both males and female patients above the age of 60 y attending a comprehensive geriatric clinic of a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Medications taken by the patients, excluding vitamins, minerals and herbal medications were counted in each patient and analyzed by considering their medical history and using universally accepted tools like medication appropriateness index, START, STOPP & Beer’s criteria. In this study, polypharmacy was considered as having 6 or more medications per prescription. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in the study. Around 82 (68.33%) patients had less than 6 prescribed medications and 38 patients (31.66%) were on 6 or more than 6 medications. The number of medications used by the patients is 4.37±2.33. Around 21 (17.5%) were on medications that are not indicated, 25 patients (20.83%) were receiving medications which are to be avoided in elderly as per the Beer’s and STOPP criteria. Medication was underused in 24 patients (20%) as per START criteria. When both overused drugs and drugs to be avoided were considered for assessment of inappropriateness, 39 patients (32.5%) were found to be receiving inappropriate medication. Among the drugs to be avoided in elderly, amitriptyline was the most common drug and was used in 15 (12.5%) patients. Antihypertensives were the most common potential prescribing omissions in geriatric patients.Conclusion: Polypharmacy is seen in a significant proportion of geriatric patients. Inappropriate prescription and potential prescribing omissions were observed in a significant proportion of geriatric patients.Keywords: Polypharmacy, Geriatrics, Beer’s criteria, STOPP criteria
Authors and Affiliations
Mukta N Chowta, Prabha M. Adhikari, Sheetal Raj, Mridula Laxman, Ahalya Kariappa, Jincy George, Meenakshi A. Shetty
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP577779
- DOI -
- Views 52
- Downloads 0
FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF EFAVIRENZ LIQUISOLID COMPACTS
Objective: The present research is aimed to enhance the dissolution rate of Efavirenz using liquisolid compact technology.Methods: About 16 different formulations were developed using factorial design with carriers (Neus...
IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES AND TOTAL PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID CONTENTS OF RUMEX VESICAIUS L.
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the total phenolic and total flavonoids contents and evaluate the antioxidant potential of different solvent extracts of Rumex vesiarius L.Methods: The antioxidant pote...
ENHANCEMENT OF SOLUBILITY AND DISSOLUTION RATE OF TELMISARTAN BY TELMISARTAN-OXALIC ACID CO-CRYSTAL FORMATION
Objective: Telmisartan (TMS), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used for the prevention and treatment of hypertension has a very low solubility in water, so its dissolution rate is low. The aim of this study is to im...
METHOD DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION AND STABILITY STUDIES FOR DETERMINATION OF BUMETANIDE IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM BY RP-UPLC
Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a new, simple, accurate, precise and reproducible RP-UPLC method for the estimation of bumetanide in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form.Methods: Acquity SB C18, 2 x 1...
AN ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Objective: To an assessment of potential drug-drug interactions in hypertensive patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Erode for a pe...