Identifying and Resolving Drug-Related Problems in Geriatric Patients

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Aging leads to physiological changes, affecting drug responses and increasing geriatric patients' risk for drug-related problems.
• Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are common in older adults, complicating medication regimens and adherence.
• Drug therapy problems in geriatric patients include inappropriate medication use and adherence issues, often exacerbated by complex regimens and costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe key physiological changes associated with aging in geriatric patients.
• To highlight the essential roles of pharmacists, physicians, and advanced practice providers (APPs) in managing geriatric pharmacotherapy.
• To discuss methods for assessing and optimizing drug therapy regimens for older adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of geriatric physiological changes impacting drug therapy.
• Exploration of the multidisciplinary team's role (pharmacists, physicians, APPs) in addressing drug therapy problems.
• Discussion of assessment tools like the American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria and Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) / Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START).

Main Results:

• Geriatric patients are at high risk for drug-related problems due to age-related changes and multimorbidity.
• A collaborative approach across the care continuum is vital for successful drug therapy management.
• Pharmacists, physicians, and APPs must actively identify, assess, and resolve drug therapy problems.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing drug therapy in geriatric patients requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary effort.
• Routine medication assessment, reconciliation, deprescribing, and adherence support are key strategies.
• Utilizing evidence-based tools aids in appropriate medication selection and prevention of prescribing cascades.