Older Adults' Attitudes Toward Deprescribing in 14 Countries

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Primary Care

Background:

• Polypharmacy is common in older adults, increasing risks of adverse drug events.
• Understanding patient perspectives on deprescribing is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore older adults' attitudes toward deprescribing specific medications.
• To identify medications older adults wish to deprescribe and associated patient factors.

Main Methods:

• A cross-national survey of 1340 patients aged 65+ in primary care settings.
• Investigated patient characteristics and interest in deprescribing using multilevel multivariable logistic regression.

Main Results:

• 44% of patients desired deprescribing at least one medication.
• Diuretics, lipid-modifying agents, and renin-angiotensin system agents were most frequently targeted for deprescribing.
• Higher medication satisfaction and trust in general practitioners (GPs) were associated with lower odds of wanting to deprescribe.

Conclusions:

• Patient attitudes toward deprescribing vary significantly across countries.
• Deprescribing interventions should be tailored to specific cultural and clinical contexts.
• Open communication between patients and practitioners is vital for optimizing medication use.