POTENTIALLY INAPPROPRIATE MEDICATION USE AMONG OLDER HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS IN A BRAZILIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the profile of the pharmacotherapy used by hospitalized elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted in philanthropic general Brazilian 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 were retrospectively analyzed (n=1.783). Polypharmacy (use of 5 or more drugs) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM – according to the Beers Criteria) were identified. Associations between gender, age, admission for cardiovascular disease or hospital stay and polypharmacy or PIM prescription were studied through univariate analysis (Pearson’s Chi-square test). The association between polypharmacy and PIM prescription was also evaluated. During the study period, 204 elderly were hospitalized (average age = 75). The most commonly prescribed drugs acted on the cardiovascular system (29%) and alimentary tract and metabolism (26%). Around 90% of the elderly were submitted to polypharmacy and 59% had at least one prescription of PIM. Hospital stay of five days or more was associated with polypharmacy and PIM prescription. This study allowed the diagnosis of a worrying drug utilization profile with a high number of PIM use and polypharmacy practice. Thus, arises the need to implement strategies to improve geriatric prescription.