Evaluation of potentially inappropriate medications among hospitalized geriatric patients in tertiary care referral hospital using STOPP/START criteria

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and potential prescribing omission (PPO) among hospitalized geriatric patients using STOPP and START criteria respectively, to study morbidity and drug use pattern and to collect feedback from the physicians to improve rational drug therapy. MethodOLOGY: A prospective observational study was carried out for a period of 12 months among patients aged ≥65 years. The study was conducted in three phases. During first phase, the patient's data were recorded in data collection form and analyzed using STOPP/START criteria. During second phase, the results of first phase were introduced to the physicians along with the criteria and feedback form. During third phase, the prescriptions were re-assessed to determine the acceptance of criteria. ResultsA total of 210 patients were included in the study during the entire study period with 108 patients in first phase and 102 patients in third phase. The prevalence of PIM detected using STOPP criteria during first and third phase were 43.5% and 40.2% respectively. Similarly the prevalence of PPO detected using START criteria during first and third phase were 52.8% and 53.9% respectively. ConclusionThe study shows that there is high prevalence of PIM and PPO among hospitalized geriatric patients which are unacceptable and there should be consensus for considering such evidence based screening tools while prescribing drugs to elder peoples.