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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

Potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Andrea L Weston1, Andrea M Weinstein, Cynthia Barton

  • 1Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, California, USA. andrea.weston@ucsf.edu

The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
|October 22, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are frequently used by patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Reducing PIM use may improve cognitive symptoms in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increases vulnerability to medication side effects.
  • Cognitive-impairing medications pose a significant risk to MCI patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • Identify patient characteristics associated with PIM use in MCI.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 689 patients with MCI.
  • Utilized the 2003 Beers Criteria to identify PIMs.
  • Analyzed demographic and clinical factors associated with PIM use.

Main Results:

  • 20.8% of MCI patients used at least one PIM.
  • Anticholinergics (35.7%) and benzodiazepines (31.5%) were the most common PIMs.
  • PIM use was higher in women and those on multiple medications; lower in patients with myocardial infarction history.

Conclusions:

  • MCI patients frequently use PIMs that can impair cognition.
  • Further research is warranted to evaluate the impact of PIM reduction on cognitive function in MCI.

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