Potentially inappropriate prescribing according to the STOPP/START criteria for older adults

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence and possible predictors of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and potentially prescription omissions (PPOs) according to the Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria in geriatric patients.

A total of 374 patients (140 male, 234 female) aged ≥65 years were included. Comprehensive demographic and clinical data including age, gender, current diagnoses/medications, comorbid diseases and medical problems were noted.

There were 154 (41.2 %) patients with at least one PIM. Most common PIMs were proton pump inhibitors for peptic ulcer disease (9.6 %), calcium-channel blockers (6.4 %) and anticholinergic/antispasmodic drugs (5.9 %) in chronic constipation. There were 274 (73.3 %) patients with at least one PPO. Most common PPOs were calcium-vitamin D supplement in osteoporosis (OP) (39.6 %), statin (22.5 %) and antiplatelet therapies (16.0 %) in diabetes mellitus (DM) with cardiovascular risk factors. PIM was independently associated with female gender (OR = 2.21, p = 0.003), number of medications (OR = 1.35, p < 0.001), Katz scores of daily life activities (OR = 0.87, p = 0.013) and OP (OR = 0.29, p < 0.001). PPO was independently associated with age (OR = 1.06, p = 0.009), Geriatric Depression Scale score (OR = 1.20, p = 0.007), DM (OR = 6.50, p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR = 5.29, p = 0.010), number of medications (OR = 0.88, p = 0.019), and incontinence (OR = 0.39, p = 0.043).

High prevalence of PIMs and PPOs were found in geriatric patients. Number of medications, female gender, and dependency were associated with PIM. Age, higher scores of Geriatric Depression Scale, DM, and COPD were related with PPOs.