Evaluation of drug use among people aged 65 and over

TITLE:EVALUATION OF DRUG USE AMONG PEOPLE AGED 65 AND OVER OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentially inappropriate medications (PIM), the drug utilisation habits, the relation of PIM and sociodemographic properties, and the the utilisation of non-drug treatment methods (complementary/alternative medicine, CAM) in people 65 and over. MATERIAL and METHODS: The study was perfomred between June 2016 and December 2015. A face-to-face questionnaire was applied in volunteering participants and the questionnaire included besides sociodemographic questions on drug reports, utilised drug since the last month and prescribed drugs of the last three months. Information on drugs and drug reports were retrieved from "medula" database, after receiving consent from the patient. PIM were evaluated according to STOPP/START and Beers-2015 criteria. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty patients participated in this study. Almost half were women (n=179;47%) and men (n=201; 53%). Their mean age was 71,6 (SD= 5,25; min= 65; max=91) and most were between 65 to 74 (n=281; 74%) years old. Most had a basic education (5 years) (n=133; 35%); were married (n=292; 77%) and were in the middle income group (n=230; 61%). Almost all patients (n=319; 83,9%) suffered of multi-morbidity (≥2 chronic conditions). Participants utilised three drugs a day (SD=2.2; min=0; max=13). Most drugs were taken in the morning and evening (n=163; 46,7%) and 40% (n=152) stated that they forgott to use their drugs sometimes. The most often used reminder was the placement of drugs to The most often used reminder (n=258 ;68%) was the placement of drugs to a visible place. Fifty three (13,9%) patients utilised a CAM method and mostly 'ginger' (n=8; 18,6% of remedy users). PIM was prevalent according to START criteria in 53% (n=204), STOPP criteria in 36% (n=137) and Beers-2015 criteria in 71% (n=271). The more the numbers of disease in drug reports increased the more PIM according to START, STOPP and Beers-2015 significantly increased (p<0,01). CONCLUSION: PIM is frequentlu encountered in eldelry patient in family practice and are closely related to morbidity and mortality. STOPP/START and Beers criteria are clically practical and appropriate instruments in the detection and management of PIM in patients 65 and over. Our findings suggest that elderly patients in family practice are suffering of PIM. Periodic administration of appropriate instruments (i.e.STOPP/START and/or Beers criteria) are warranted. Key Words: Aging, potentially inappropriate medications, STOPP, START, Beers criteria, polypharmacy, family practice, screening, prevention