Version 1
: Received: 20 May 2024 / Approved: 21 May 2024 / Online: 21 May 2024 (05:43:20 CEST)
How to cite:
Andrade, A.; Nascimento, T.; Cabrita, C.; Leitão, H.; Pinto, E. Potentially Inappropriate Medication: A Pilot Study in Institutionalized Older Adults. Preprints2024, 2024051349. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1349.v1
Andrade, A.; Nascimento, T.; Cabrita, C.; Leitão, H.; Pinto, E. Potentially Inappropriate Medication: A Pilot Study in Institutionalized Older Adults. Preprints 2024, 2024051349. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1349.v1
Andrade, A.; Nascimento, T.; Cabrita, C.; Leitão, H.; Pinto, E. Potentially Inappropriate Medication: A Pilot Study in Institutionalized Older Adults. Preprints2024, 2024051349. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1349.v1
APA Style
Andrade, A., Nascimento, T., Cabrita, C., Leitão, H., & Pinto, E. (2024). Potentially Inappropriate Medication: A Pilot Study in Institutionalized Older Adults. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1349.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Andrade, A., Helena Leitão and Ezequiel Pinto. 2024 "Potentially Inappropriate Medication: A Pilot Study in Institutionalized Older Adults" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.1349.v1
Abstract
Institutionalized older adults often face complex medication regimens, increasing their risk of adverse drug events due to polypharmacy, overprescribing, medication interactions or the use of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM). However, data on medication use and associated risks in this population remain scarce. This pilot study aimed to characterize the sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacotherapeutic profiles and the use of PIM among institutionalized elders residing in Residential Structures for Elderly People (ERPI) in the Faro municipality, located in the Portuguese region of the Algarve. We conducted a cross-sectional study in a non-randomized sample of 96 participants (mean age: 86.6 ±7.86 years) where trained researchers reviewed medication profiles and identified potentially inappropriate medications using the EU(7)-PIM list. Over 90% of participants exhibited polypharmacy (≥5 medications), with an average of 9.1 ± 4.15 medications per person. About 92% had potential drug interactions, including major and moderate interactions. More than 86% used at least one potentially inappropriate medication, most commonly central nervous system drugs. This pilot study demonstrates that institutionalized older adults may be at high risk of potential medication-related problems. Implementing comprehensive medication review programs and promoting adapted prescribing practices are crucial to optimize medication use and improve the well-being of this vulnerable population.
Keywords
drug interactions; institutionalized elderly; medication review; polypharmacy; potentially inappropriate medications
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Pharmacy
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
