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Inappropriate prescribing in geriatric patients
Patrick J Barry1, Paul Gallagher, Cristin Ryan
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. pat_barry@eircom.net
Current Psychiatry Reports
|February 14, 2008
Summary
Older adults frequently experience inappropriate prescribing, leading to adverse drug reactions and increased healthcare costs. This review examines the causes, prevalence, and management of medication-related problems in geriatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Inappropriate prescribing is prevalent in older adults.
- Medication use and disease burden increase with age, elevating risks.
- Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute to significant morbidity, mortality, and costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the reasons for increased ADR susceptibility in older people.
- To assess the prevalence and measurement tools for inappropriate prescribing.
- To examine medication use in common geriatric syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on geriatric pharmacotherapy.
- Analysis of tools for identifying and measuring prescribing problems.
- Synthesis of evidence on medication effects in common geriatric syndromes.
Main Results:
- Older adults are uniquely vulnerable to ADRs due to physiological changes.
- Specific geriatric syndromes like falls and cognitive impairment are often linked to medication.
- Various tools exist to detect and quantify prescribing issues, with varying effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Addressing inappropriate prescribing is crucial for improving geriatric health outcomes.
- Understanding the link between medications and geriatric syndromes is key for safe and effective care.
- Recent literature offers valuable insights for healthcare providers managing older patients.
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