Perception of potentially inappropriate medication in elderly patients by Slovak physicians

The aim of the present study was to determine the risk perception of potentially inappropriate drug treatment of elderly patients by Slovak physicians. In Slovakia, a list of such drugs is not available.

The study sample consisted of 600 patients aged > or =65 years hospitalized at the Department of Internal Medicine in a Slovak general hospital between 1 December 2003 and 31 March 2005. The use of potentially inappropriate drugs at the time of hospital admission and discharge was compared. Potentially inappropriate drug use was defined by Beers 2003 criteria. In addition, 206 physicians were asked to mark the drugs that they considered potentially inappropriate for elderly patients out of a list provided in a questionnaire analysis.

Out of 600 patients 20.2% and 20% were treated with at least one potentially inappropriate drug at the time of hospital admission and discharge, respectively. Hospitalization had no significant influence on the number of potentially inappropriate medicines used. The most frequently prescribed potentially inappropriate drugs were digoxin >0.125 mg/day and ticlopidine. Out of 206 responding physicians only 4.9% considered ticlopidine as potentially inappropriate for elderly patient. On the other hand, more than 20% of respondents were aware of the potential inappropriateness of amitriptyline, diazepam and chlordiazepoxide. Mentioned drugs were observed in less than 2% of study population (n = 600).

The results of the questionnaire analysis in physicians as well as the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication demonstrate that Slovak clinicians are aware of the risk of certain treatments in elderly patients.