An observational study to determine the category and causes of the drug-related problems among geriatric inpatients

Abstract

Background: Geriatric patients are at a higher risk of drug-related problems (DRPs) because of age-related chronic diseases leading to the use of numerous therapeutic regimens, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. DRPs are associated with reduced quality of life, increased hospital admissions, prolonged hospital stays, and increased health-care costs. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed at identifying the category and causes of DRPs so that better strategies can be framed, thereby improving the quality of health care. Materials and Methods: The observational study was conducted among geriatric inpatients in a tertiary care hospital. The DRPs were identified using national and international standard guidelines. The Pharmaceutical Care Network of Europe (PCNE) classification version 9.01 was used to determine the category and causes of DRPs in the patients. Results: Seventy patients were enrolled in the study. A total of 102 DRPs were detected among these patients. The mean number of DRPs per patient was 1.45. According to the PCNE classification, 36 DRPs were related to treatment effectiveness, 27 were related to treatment safety, 25 were unnecessary drug treatments and 14 were related to cost effectiveness of the treatment. One hundred and fifty-one causes of DRPs were identified. The most commonly involved class of drugs in DRPs was antimicrobials. Conclusion: The number of DRPs noted in the present study was lower than those in the other studies. Majority of DRPs were treatment effectiveness-associated and caused due to errors in drug selection and use.