Praktické lekárnictvo 4/2020

Potentially inappropriate drugs in the elderly

Background: Elderly people (aged ≥ 65) have a high risk of potentially inappropriate drugs used (PID) due to polypharmacy. A concrete way of pharmacotherapy requires a complex approach in each patient. Objectives: The aim was analyse the prevalence of PID using two medication lists within the Slovak Chamber of Pharmacists´ awareness campaign. Methods: Pilot phase of an observational retrospective study was conducted in November 2019. A sample of 51 patients from two retirement homes was evaluated. PID were identified using the Beers criteria (2019) and STOPP/START criteria, version 2 (2015). Results: The use of PID is associated with polypharmacy. In total, patients were taking 439 medicines. PID use was found in 38.27% of patients. After medication review, the most common PID were Nervous system medicines (48.81%), Alimentary tract and Metabolism medicines (18.45%) and Cardio-vascular medicines (17.86%). Conclusion: The increasing trend of polypharmacy highlight the need for systematic monitoring of treatment therapy in which the pharmacist, as a specialist in the field of medication, is indispensable. The efficiency of such study in identifying PID could enhancing the patient safety and pharmacotherapy among the elderly.

Keywords: elderly, potentially inappropriate drugs, polypharmacy, pharmacist