Inappropriate Medication Use as a Risk Factor for Self‐Reported Adverse Drug Effects in Older Adults

Elderly with mental health conditions usually use multiple medications, which predisposes them to inappropriate use of medications, which is defined as medications that should be avoided due to their risk; this outweighs their benefit given that safer alternatives are available. This study aimed to examine potentially inappropriate medication use among older patients with anxiety disorder. This study used a cross-sectional retrospective study design using twelve months of data extracted from the Electronic Health Record (EHR) database for older adults diagnosed with anxiety disorder and treated in the ambulatory care setting. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) use was evaluated using the 2019 Beers criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample. Pearson's chi-square tests (for categorical variables) and t-tests (for continuous variables) were utilized to measure the differences in independent variables between patients with and without PIMs. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the associations between PIMs use and identify potential factors for PIMs use among older adults with anxiety disorder. Analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis Software version 9.4 (SAS® 9.4). The study sample includes 371 older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with anxiety disorder; their average age was (72.1 ± 5.8) years. PIMs use was highly prevalent among older adults with anxiety (66.6%). About 35.6% of the study sample used one PIM, 22.6% used two PIMs, and 8.4% used three PIMs. The most frequently prescribed PIMs were NSAIDs and gastrointestinal agents. The adjusted regression analysis found that PIMs use was less likely among men than women. In addition, PIMs use was more likely among women with diabetes, cancer, and polypharmacy. Future studies on strategies and interventions rationing PIMs use in older adults with anxiety disorder are necessary given the high prevalence of PIMs and polypharmacy within this population.

2019 AGS Beers Criteria for older adults

Inappropriate use of medications has become an international cause for concern in geriatric patients, who are at high risk of drug-related morbidity. This study is the first attempt to determine the prevalence of inappropriate drug use in elderly Lebanese outpatients, using community pharmacy data, and to identify factors that predict potentially inappropriate drug intake in this population. Records of elderly patients aged > or =65 years were selected from different community pharmacies. Each patient profile was reviewed and to confirm patient record information, in-person interviews were conducted with elderly patients between November 2004 and May 2005 by qualified pharmacists. Based on a literature review describing guidelines for the inappropriate use of medications in the elderly, courses of therapy were assessed and classified as either appropriate or inappropriate. Courses of therapy that were judged inappropriate were further classified according to the specific area of inappropriate use (i.e. Beers' criteria, duplicate therapy, indication, dose, dose frequency including missing doses, duration and discontinuation of therapy, adverse effects, drug-drug and/or drug-disease interactions, and poor memory). Statistical analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of inappropriate medication use and to identify potentially predictive factors of such use arising from patients' sociodemographic characteristics, health factors and drug regimen intake. A total of 350 elderly patient profiles were reviewed, from which 277 evaluable records were obtained. More than half (59.6%) of the patients taking drugs at the time of the study were taking at least one inappropriate medication. Inappropriate medication use was most frequently identified in terms of Beers' criteria (22.4%), missing doses (18.8%) or incorrect frequency of administration of drugs (13.0%). Factors predicting potentially inappropriate drug intake included female sex (65.7% vs 53.3% for males, p = 0.03) and alcohol intake (p = 0.007). There were also significant associations between the likelihood of use of an inappropriate drug and (i) increased number of medical illnesses (p < 0.00002); and (ii) consumption of an over-the-counter drug (OTC) and/or prescription drug (p = 0.048 and p = 0.0035, respectively). The likelihood of use of an inappropriate drug was higher again when patients concurrently used both OTC and prescription drugs (p < 0.0002). The present study is the first to describe and assess inappropriate medication use by elderly outpatients in the Lebanese community setting. With increasing availability of newer and more appropriate medications, use of potentially inappropriate drugs may decrease. Pharmacists have a major role to play in counselling patients about the importance of appropriate drug use.

Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use in older adults is a major public health problem associated with morbidity and mortality. Aging is associated with metabolic changes and decreased drug clearance, increased drug-drug interactions, prescribing cascades, and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between a common geriatric syndromes and PIM use among older adults. Study participants were recruited among patients admitted to Istanbul Medical School Geriatrics outpatient clinic between June 2000 and June 2014 and were evaluated retrospectively by a geriatrician using the patients' records according to Beers 2012 criteria. Among the 667 enrolled patients, 421 (63.1%) were women and 246 (36.9%) were men. The use of PIM was not associated with age or sex. Polypharmacy (OR 4.86, 95% CI 3.25-7.27, p < 0.001), malnutrition (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.52-4.76, p = 0.001), depression (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.7-3.95, p < 0.001), presence of fall in the previous year (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.51-3.32, p < 0.001), and dementia (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.08-2.65, p = 0.021) were independently associated with the use of PIM. The results of our study suggest that PIM use is independently associated with presence of polypharmacy, malnutrition, depression, falls and dementia in older outpatients. Identifying the association of inappropriate medication use with common geriatric syndromes in older people can help to prevent, delay, and reduce PIM use and related adverse health outcomes.

Instruments to Identify Prescription Medication Misuse, Abuse, and Related Events in Clinical Trials: An ACTTION Systematic Review

Background The elderly population is often in continuous use of several medications and is more subject to the "iatrogenic triad" of polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medication use and drug-drug interactions. However, few studies have investigated these three factors concomitantly. Purpose To assess the prevalence and inter-relationship of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions in older adults, together with their associated factors. Setting city of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Methods a cross-sectional, observational and door-to-door epidemiologic study in community-dwelling older adults was conducted. Main outcome measure The primary outcomes were polypharmacy, inappropriate medication use (2012 Beers and 2015 STOPP criteria) and drug-drug interactions. Associated factors were also investigated using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results a total of 368 (92%) older adults were in continuous use of at least one drug. There was a high prevalence of polypharmacy (44.6%), drug-drug interaction (72.3%) and PIMs byBeers (42.1%) and PIMs bySTOPP (46.2%). Analysis of the inter-relationship of the criteria (polypharmacy, PIMs STOPP and drug-drug interactions) revealed that 108 (29.3%) of the older adults had all three criteria concomitantly and multivariate analysis showed that frailty and having a caregiver were associated with this "iatrogenic triad". Conclusion A high prevalence of iatrogenic effectsfrom drugs was found in the older adults assessed. One in every three elderly participants of the study had all three iatrogenic criteria concomitantly, highlighting the major public health impact of this problem. The results of this study can serve to inform new preventive and educational strategies for health professionals.

Inappropriate medication use is a major problem for the elderly. Although increasing attention has been paid to inappropriate prescription medication use, most previous research has been limited to the investigation of prevalence and trends. Few studies provide the empirical evidence for the adverse effect of inappropriate medication use on health outcomes at the national level. This study is the first attempt to assess the relationship between inappropriate prescription use and health status for the elderly in the United States. Based on the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, inappropriate medication use in a national representative elderly population was first identified using Beers criteria. A survey type of ordered probit model was then estimated to quantify the effect of inappropriate drug use on patient self-perceived health status measured using a five-point scale (poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent). After controlling for a set of possible confounding factors, it was found that individuals using inappropriate medications in Round 1 were more likely than those not using inappropriate medications to report poorer health status in Round 2. Other risk factors for poor health status include a higher number of prescriptions, being black, having low education, and having one or more chronic diseases. This study provides strong evidence of a significant adverse effect of inappropriate medication use on patient health status. These findings lend partial support to the use of Beers criteria in assessing the quality of prescribing and the appropriateness of medication use in the elderly population.

To determine the prevalence and patient-specific predictors of the use of 10 presumptively inappropriate medications used to treat medical conditions among nursing home residents, and to use this information to examine alternative screening strategies using computerized assessment data to identify residents who are at high risk of receiving inappropriate medications. Retrospective, cross-sectional study. All persons residing in all 252 nursing homes in two states during the last 6 months of 1991 (N = 21,884). Data were from Minimum Data Set Plus (MDS+) assessments, gathered as part of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) Multistate Nursing Home Casemix and Quality Demonstration Project. The MDS+ is an expanded version of the federally mandated Minimum Data Set (MDS) that includes additional information on medications and their doses and schedules (frequency, standing vs prn). The reliability of the MDS has been demonstrated previously. Medications were defined as inappropriate using explicit criteria from published literature. Outcome measures were the standing use of each or any of 10 presumptively inappropriate medications used to treat medical (rather than psychiatric or behavioral) conditions. Potential predictors of inappropriate medication use included patient demographic characteristics, payer, a proxy measure for length of stay and admission source, functional status, number of standing medications, and state. A total of 12% of residents were prescribed one or more of 10 presumptively inappropriate medications on a standing basis, a figure that differed substantially between states (14.0% vs 7.4% (P < .001)). The most prevalent inappropriate medications were dipyridamole (5.4% of residents), amitriptyline (3.3%), and methyldopa (1.8%). Among patients receiving 0 to 3, 4 to 6, and 7+ medications, 5%, 12%, and 19%, respectively, were receiving at least one inappropriate medication. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the strongest predictors of inappropriate medication use were state and the total number of standing medications prescribed. Including other statistically significant predictors of inappropriate medication use (age > 65 years, never having been married, severe functional limitations, being a long-stay patient, and medical diagnosis) did not substantially improve the overall predictive ability of the model. A substantial proportion of nursing home residents receives presumptively inappropriate medications to treat medical conditions. Selecting persons prescribed large numbers of medications for further review may be the most efficient method for nursing home or pharmacy personnel to identify residents at high risk of receiving inappropriate medications. Extensive additional information on residents' characteristics, although widely available through the Minimum Data Set, does not significantly improve the ability to identify residents receiving inappropriate medications for medical conditions. State-specific policies or provider practices also influence the likelihood of presumptively inappropriate medication use among nursing home residents and deserve further investigation.

BackgroundAppropriate drug prescribing in the pediatric population is challenging, given this age group’s unique pharmacokinetics. This has inevitably led to a high incidence of adverse drug reactions in this population. To address this issue, the Pediatric Pharmacy Association (PPA) compiled a list of 67 drugs that are inappropriately used in the pediatric population called the Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs “KIDs list”.AimTo estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) use in pediatric wards based on the KIDs list criteria.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted and included pediatric patients who were admitted to five pediatric wards during 3 years (2019–2021). The drugs in the KIDs list were matched to the hospital formulary and 11 matched drugs were included in the study. For each individual drug, the patient’s electronic file was reviewed to determine the prescription appropriateness according to the KIDs list criteria.ResultsAmong 3,166 pediatric patients admitted to pediatric wards, a total of 415 patients received a PIM listed in the KIDs list. The mean age was 8.6 (± 4.9) years old, and 60.0% (n = 251/415) were males. The overall prevalence of PIM use was 13.0% (n = 415/3166). Among the prescribed PIM, metoclopramide was the most commonly prescribed PIM 42.8% (n = 178/415), followed by tramadol 37.6% (n = 156/415).ConclusionGiven the high prevalence of inappropriate medication use in the pediatric wards, future research on strategies and interventions should be recommended to limit the use of PIMs and provide safer alternatives for the pediatric population.

Inappropriate medication use poses a sizable health safety hazard in the elderly owing to aging-associated physiological and anatomic changes. Inappropriate drug prescribing and polypharmacy in this population elevate the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADR). The study aimed at assessing the prevalence and predictors of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) use in elderly patients according to updated Beers Criteria 2019. Medical records of 402 patients aged ≥65 years admitted to a tertiary care hospital from June 2018 to May 2019 were analyzed. The patients who received at least one PIM based on the 2019 Updated Beers Criteria were considered as test cases and others as control. Data were presented as descriptive statistics, and logistic regression was performed to assess the factors affecting the outcomes. The mean age was found to be 73.7 ±6.4 years in the test and 70.5±5.5 years in the control group. The prevalence of PIMs to be used with caution was found to be 54%. Whereas the prevalence of PIMs to be avoided and to be used with reduced dose was found to be 45% and 1%, respectively. The most prescribed PIMs were aspirin, diuretics, long-acting sulfonylureas, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Increasing age, polypharmacy, and the number of drugs in medication history were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with a substantial risk of PIM use. The risk of developing serious and moderate drug-drug interactions (DDIs) was significantly high in the test group (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. A high prevalence of PIMs was observed in this study. Age, polypharmacy, and ≥ 3 drugs in medication history were identified as risk factors for PIM use, and at a higher risk of developing DDIs. Continuous medication reviews by clinical pharmacists can aid in reducing the occurrence of PIMs amongst geriatrics.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, the association of PIM use, and activities of daily living in 65 years and older home care patients. Method: The study included 322 patients aged 65 and over who applied to Home Care Unit. Consent was obtained from those who agreed to participate in the study. A questionnaire containing demographic data, drug use information, and Katz Daily Living Activities Index was used which was prepared by the researcher in this study. The drugs used by the patients were evaluated according to the 2015 Beers criteria and inappropriate active substances were detected. The data were defined by statistical analyzes such as mean, percentage, standard deviation, and frequency. Chi-squared test and Student's t-test were used in the analysis. The significance level was accepted as p&amp;lt;0.05. Results: The mean age of the patients was 80.2±8.2 years, and 63.4% (n=204) were female. 70.5% (n=227) of the elderly have three or more chronic diseases. The most common diseases were hypertension (56.2%), diabetes (30.0%), and heart failure (29.8%). 79.2% (n=255) of the group uses four or more drugs. 83.3% (n=260) of the patients get help to use the drugs. 51.6% (n=166) of the patients were fully dependent on activities of daily living and 3.4% (n=11) were fully independent, the level of dependency increases with age (p&amp;lt;0.05). The PIM rate was 61.5% in patients. PIM use was found to be significantly higher in those with more disease, in those who used more drugs, and in females (p&amp;lt;0.05). No relationship was found between inappropriate medication use and addiction level. Conclusion: In this study, it was found that more than half of home care patients aged 65 and over had inappropriate drug use. It was determined that inappropriate medication use increased with polypharmacy, and polymorbidity, and there was no correlation between addiction levels.

Comparison of the association between disease burden and inappropriate medication use across three cohorts of older adults

The goal of this study is to identify correlates and the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use among underserved elderly African Americans. This cross-sectional study recruited 400 elderly African Americans living in South Los Angeles, and used structured, face-to-face surveys. These elicited data pertaining to the type, frequency, dosage, and indications of all medications used by participants. Seventy percent of participants engaged in PIM use and used at least one medication that was classified as "Avoid" (27%) and "Use Conditionally" (43%) through Beers Criteria. Significant correlations emerged between PIM use and the number of autonomic and central nervous system, neurological and psychotherapeutic medications, medication duplications, and drug-drug interactions. Our findings point to the need for multidisciplinary team programs of health care providers that include primary and specialist physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers. Together, they can improve health outcomes, enhance the quality of life, and reduce morbidity and mortality due to inappropriate medication use.

Prevalence and factors associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in older medicare beneficiaries with cancer.

Potentially inappropriate medication use is a major safety issue in the elderly and may cause a substantial proportion of drug-related hospital admissions. Hospitalisation could result in a change in the quantity and type of drugs, but its effect on potentially inappropriate drug use is still unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the potentially inappropriate medication prevalence in patients > or =70 years of age at admission to and at discharge from an acute medical geriatric unit, and to identify the factors associated with no longer being a potentially inappropriate drug user at hospital discharge. A prospective drug surveillance study was undertaken in 2018 elderly patients (> or =70 years of age) admitted to an acute medical geriatric unit in Limoges University Hospital, France. Prescribing patterns were established at admission and at discharge. Potentially inappropriate medication use was evaluated according to a list derived from the Beers criteria and adapted to French practice. "To be no longer a potentially inappropriate drug user at discharge" was defined as using at least one potentially inappropriate medication at admission and not using it at discharge. The numbers of drugs used at admission/discharge were 6.2 +/- 3.1/5.4 +/- 2.5. The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use decreased from 66% (95% CI 63.8, 68.0) at admission to 43.6% (95% CI 41.3, 45.9) at discharge. At discharge, 535 subjects were no longer potentially inappropriate medication users. Multivariate analysis showed that no longer being a potentially inappropriate medication user was associated with the number of drugs used (4-6 drugs vs < or =3 odds ratio [OR] 1.20; 95% CI 0.86, 1.68; 7-9 drugs vs < or =3 OR 1.37; 95% CI 0.97, 1.93; > or =10 drugs vs < or =3 OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.10, 2.44), age (80-89 years vs 70-79 years OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.03, 1.85; > or =90 years vs 70-79 years OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.22, 2.83), cerebral vasodilator use (OR 2.87; 95% CI 2.31, 3.57), analgesic use (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.06, 2.25) and concomitant use of psychotropic drugs of the same therapeutic class (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.29, 2.92). Hospitalisation in geriatric services results in a reduction in potentially inappropriate medication use. Improved pharmacological education of practitioners, especially with regard to drug adverse effects, is desirable to improve management of geriatric patients.