Assessment of Potentially Inappropriate Medications Using the EU (7)-PIM List, in a Sample of Portuguese Older Adults' Residents in Nursing Homes.

Abstract

Prescription of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in older adults is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The EU (7)-PIM list was created for the European market to improve pharmacotherapy in older adults.PurposeThis work aims to characterize the medication profile and assess the presence of PIM, using the EU (7)-PIM list in older adults’ residents at nursing homes.MethodsRetrospective data were collected from the anonymized nursing home records. After PIM identification, a descriptive analysis was performed, and a generalized linear model for dependent negative binomial-type variables was constructed to assess the risk of PIM.ResultsOf the 210 participants (mean age 85.10), 82.40% were polymedicated. PIM was observed in 86.4% participants (mean per patient = 2.30± 0.10). The most common PIM were proton pump inhibitors (n = 121, 57.62%), followed by anxiolytics (n = 96, 45.71%). 64.30% of all patients take 2–4 PIM and 5.80% take five or more PIM. The occurrence of PIM is influenced by the number of prescribed medicines (RR 1.14; 95% CI 1.1.-1.17) and the presence of digestive system diseases (RR 1.05; 95% CI 1.0–1.09).ConclusionThe high prevalence of PIM observations highlights the necessity of the implementation of guidelines to prevent PIM.