Evaluation of drug related problems among hospitalised elderly patients at a secondary hospital in East Borneo

Abstract

Background: The elderly population often requires increased drug intake (polypharmacy) due to diminished organ function, particularly in the liver and kidneys, responsible for processing medications. Identifying drug-related problems (DRPs) in this demographic is crucial for mitigating morbidity, mortality, and overall drug therapy costs. Objective: This study aimed to identify DRPs and their determinants in hospitalised geriatric patients. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted in the Secondary Hospital in East Borneo from January 2019 - December 2021. Data were collected from medication charts, including patients aged 60-79, medical progress notes, and laboratories. DRPs were identified and classified using Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe’s (PCNE) classification V9.0. Results: Of the 614 included patients, 79% were aged 60-69 years, 56.0% were male, and 73% were prescribed ≥ five medications. DRPs were identified in 75.2% of patients, primarily related to treatment effectiveness (27.19%) and treatment safety (53.42%). Causes included inappropriate monitoring (14.5%), improper drug combinations (51.79%), excessive drug dosage (16.61%), and inadequate drug dosage (13.51%). Conclusion: The high frequency of DRPs, specifically concerning treatment effectiveness and safety, highlights the need for enhanced monitoring and prescribing procedures, contributing to preventing and treating future DRPs in the elderly population.