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Inappropriate prescribing for the elderly--a modern epidemic?
Gunhild Nyborg1, Jørund Straand, Mette Brekke
1Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. gunhild.nyborg@medisin.uio.no
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|February 22, 2012
Summary
Potentially inappropriate medication use affects one-third of elderly Norwegians, with women being at higher risk. This study identified key predictors for this medication harm in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric pharmacology
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- Elderly individuals frequently use multiple medications, increasing their susceptibility to adverse drug events.
- Drug-related harm, including side effects and interactions, poses a significant risk to the geriatric population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in Norwegian elderly outpatients.
- To identify predictors associated with PIM use in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, cross-sectional survey utilizing data from the Norwegian Prescription Database (2008).
- Inclusion of prescriptions for home-dwelling individuals aged 70 years and older.
- Application of the NORGEP criteria to identify PIMs and logistic regression to analyze predictors.
Main Results:
- 34.8% of the elderly population (28.5% men, 39.3% women) were exposed to at least one PIM.
- Psychoactive substances accounted for 59.9% of PIMs.
- Increased odds of PIMs were associated with a higher number of prescribers (OR 3.52 for ≥5 vs. 1-2) and female sex (OR 1.60).
Conclusions:
- Approximately one-third of elderly Norwegians are exposed to potentially inappropriate medications.
- Elderly women represent a particularly vulnerable group for PIM exposure.
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