Inappropriate prescribing in older patients with cancer.

Abstract

e20550 Background: Inappropriate medication use is common among community dwelling and hospitalized older adults but understudied in the oncology population. We measured the incidence of inappropriate prescribing among older cancer patients attending an oncology day-ward for systemic therapy. Methods: The tools used to identify inappropriate prescribing were the Beers’ criteria (both Independent [ID] of and Considering diagnosis [CD] – 2012 version) and the STOPP tool (Screening Tool of Older People’s potentially inappropriate Prescriptions). The setting was an urban based hospital oncology day-ward. Consecutive subjects ≥ 70 years were screened and all had both tools applied to their prescription drugs, cross referenced with their current active medical diagnosis. Results: Medication lists were collected from 96 patients from November 1st 2012 to January 31st2013: 52% male, mean age 75 years (range 70-88). The most common cancers were colorectal (24%), breast (23%), lung (11%) and prostate (11%). 38 patients (40%) were on 0-4, 49 (51%) on 5-9 and 9 (9%) on >9 medications. The total number of inappropriate prescriptions (Beers ID and CD “medications to avoid”) was 34, prescribed in 29 (30%) patients. The most common drug prescribed inappropriately as per these criteria was the antiemetic, metoclopramide (n=10, 29%). An additional 70 prescriptions were dispensed for Beers “medications to use with caution” in 55 (57%) patients - predominantly vasodilators. The STOPP tool identified 13 inappropriate prescriptions in 12 patients (13%). The two most commonly prescribed inappropriate medications were long acting benzodiazepines (n=4) and long term use of sedating antihistamines (n=3). Conclusions: This study identified a high rate of inappropriate prescribing among this population using both tools, with a higher rate identified by the Beers Criteria. Routine application of a validated tool to identify inappropriate prescribing has merit in the oncology setting to minimize risk to patients. However, the development of an easy to apply tool that considers the underlying cancer diagnosis, prognosis, cancer treatment and necessary supportive therapy is warranted.