Prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions in primary care and correlates with mild cognitive impairment

Potentially inappropriate prescribing is clearly associated with adverse health consequences among older people. Nevertheless, scarce evidence exists regarding the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) in Albania, a Western Balkans country.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PIP among older Albanian patients in primary care and to determine the associated sociodemographic and medical factors, including the presence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Cross-sectional study in two primary healthcare centers located in two different cities of Albania, a middle-income country in the Western Balkans. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool was applied to evaluate MCI. PIPs were assessed by two trained pharmacists using the Beers criteria 2019 update. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for possible risk factors predicting PIP in the study population.

At least one PIP was identified among 40.23 % of the participants (174 older patients) and 10.35 % had more than one PIP. MCI was detected among 79.31 % of the patients. The most commonly represented drug groups in PIP were diuretics (24.71 %), benzodiazepines in the presence of MCI and antidepressants (both 8.62 %). The lack of electrolytes monitoring was the most common reason for PIP. According to the multivariate analysis, the only statistically significant association observed was between PIP and number of drugs prescribed [three to four drugs (OR 3.34; 95% CI 1.65:6.76), five or more than five drugs (OR 4.08; 95% CI 1.42:11.69)].

About four out of 10 older Albanian patients experience PIP in primary care. Further studies are needed for a comprehensive estimation of the prevalence and factors associated with PIP, particularly among elderly with mild cognitive impairment.