[Potentially inappropriate prescribing in patients over 65 years-old in a primary care health centre]

To identify potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PPI) and prescribing omissions (OP) by means of the STOPP/START criteria, as well as associated factors in ≥65year old patients in a Primary Care setting in Spain.

A cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Centro de Salud Monóvar, Primary Health Care.

6months.

247patients.

≥65years patients who attended an urban Primary Care clinic 2 or more times were studied. Terminally ill and nursing home residents were excluded.

Data were collected from electronic clinical records. STOPP and START criteria were evaluated in each clinical record, including age, sex, co-morbidity, number of chronic prescriptions.

PPI and OP identified by STOPP and START criteria, respectively.

A total of 81 patients (32.8%) had PPI, with the most common being the long-term use of long-acting benzodiazepines in 17 (6.9%). OP was found in 73 (29.6%) patients, with the most common being the omission of statins in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and/or one or more major cardiovascular risk factors in 21 (8.5%). After adjustment by gender and age, correlations were found between PPI and multiple medication (OR: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.15-3.53; P=.014), and OP and polypharmacy (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.32-4.24; P=0.004).

Inappropriate prescribing in older people is frequent, and is mainly associated with long-acting benzodiazepines. There are diabetic patients who do not have statins prescribed. Multiple medication is associated with PPI and OP.