Prescribing Pattern and Medication Inappropriateness in Geriatric Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
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Date
2020-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JK Science
Abstract
Background: Altered hepatic, renal and GIT function along with multiple comorbidities makes use of certaindrugs inappropriate in geriatric population. Identification and rectification of mistakes and lacunae in thecurrent prescribing pattern is crucial for ensuring appropriate and rational prescribing. Purpose: To study theprescribing pattern and medication inappropriateness in geriatric patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Material and Methods: Details of the prescribed drugs were obtained from the files of the 60 hospitalisedgeriatric patients and the prescribing pattern was studied. Medication inappropriateness was assessed and theinappropriate drugs were classified into various categories using Beers criteria given by American GeriatricSociety. Number of prescriptions having potential for drug interactions was also calculated. Results: Averagenumber of drugs per prescription was 7.7 with antibiotics being the most commonly prescribed drugs.49.13% were prescribed by brand names. 12.12% drugs were prescribed inappropriately and 20% prescriptionshad one or more inappropriate drug. Potential drug-drug interactions that should be avoided in older adultswere found in 11.6% prescriptions. Conclusion: A considerable fraction of the prescriptions of geriatricpatients were inappropriate and incidence of polypharmacy was very high. There is a pressing need to educatethe physicians about the mistakes in the prescribing pattern of geriatric patients and the adverse effect it canhave on the health of these patients.
Description
Keywords
Beers criteria, Geriatric population, Medication inappropriateness, Prescribing pattern
Citation
Khurana Ieti, Bhutani Garima, Rani Seema, Saini Rahul. Prescribing Pattern and Medication Inappropriateness in Geriatric Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. JK Science Journal of Medical Education and Research. 2020 Oct; 2020 Oct: 116-121