Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the profile of the pharmacotherapy used by hospitalized elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Brazilian charitable general hospital. Drug prescriptions for hospitalized elderly patients (age≥60 years), dated from May to September 2010, were the source of data for this study and retrospectively analyzed (n=1,783). Polypharmacy (use of 5 or more drugs) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs – according to the Beers Criteria) were identified. Associations between sex, age, admission for cardiovascular disease or hospital stay and polypharmacy or PIM prescription were studied using univariate analysis (Pearson’s Chi-square test). The association between polypharmacy and PIM prescription was also evaluated. A total of 204 elderly were hospitalized (mean age = 75 years) during the study period. The most commonly prescribed drugs acted on the cardiovascular system (29%) and the alimentary tract and metabolism (26%). Around 90% of the elderly were submitted to polypharmacy and 59% had, at least, one prescription of PIMs. A hospital stay of five days or more was associated with polypharmacy and PIM prescription. This study revealed a worrying drug utilization profile of high PIM use and polypharmacy practice. There is a need to implement strategies to improve geriatric prescribing.
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