Medicines prescription quality for geriatric patients

Authors

  • Teodoro Oscanoa Servicio de Geriatría del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. Lima Perú; Profesor de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Mayor de San Marcos. Lima, Perú
  • Gerardo Lira Servicio de Geriatría del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. Lima Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15381/anales.v66i3.1339

Keywords:

Prescriptions, drug, aged, drug therapy, medication errors

Abstract

Objective: To determine major polypharmacy (more than 4 drugs) medicines prescription quality among frail elderly inpatients. Materials and Methods: The setting was the Geriatric Department of Almenara Hospital, in Lima, Peru. Inappropriate prescribing was measured in 76 frail elderly inpatients applying the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). Results: The number of regularly scheduled medications was 456 (5,92±1,03 per patient); 69 (90,8%) patients had more than 1 medication with MAI criteria rated as inappropriate. The most common problems involved were unpractical directions (75%), duration (69,7%), effectiveness (52,6%), and cost (52,6%). The most common drug types with MAI problems included cardiovascular (61,8%), gastric (28,9%), central nervous system (27,6%) and musculoskeletal (17,1%). Multivariable analysis revealed that the number of prescriptions (p<0,001) and 3 of the quality of life indicators as measured by the Coop/Wonca (physical form p<0,001, pain p<0,05, and social support p <0,05) were related to higher MAI scores. The number of drugs per patient on admission decreased at discharge (5,92±1,03 and 3,4±1,40 respectively, p<0,05). Conclusions: Prescribing major polypharmacy inappropriate medications is frequent in frail elderly inpatients.

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Published

2005-09-19

Issue

Vol. 66 No. 3 (2005)

Section

Trabajos originales

License

Copyright (c) 2005 Teodoro Oscanoa, Gerardo Lira

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How to Cite

1.
Oscanoa T, Lira G. Medicines prescription quality for geriatric patients. An Fac med [Internet]. 2005 Sep. 19 [cited 2024 Jul. 27];66(3):195-202. Available from: https://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/anales/article/view/1339