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Drug use by the elderly in Italy
A Nobili1, M Tettamanti, L Frattura
1Laboratorio di Neuropsichiatria Geriatrica, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche M. Negri, Milan, Italy.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Elderly individuals aged 75 and older exhibit high drug consumption, with nearly 20% of medications going unreported by general practitioners (GPs). This highlights the need for careful prescribing and thorough medication history collection in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Polypharmacy is a significant concern in the elderly population.
- Accurate medication records are crucial for patient safety and effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate drug consumption patterns in individuals aged 75 and older living independently.
- To identify the prevalence of unreported drug use among this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in Turin, Italy.
- Data were collected from 261 elderly participants (≥75 years) via general practitioner (GP) visits and home interviews by social workers.
- Medication inventories, sociodemographic data, disability, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms were assessed.
Main Results:
- Nearly all participants (91-95%) were taking at least one drug.
- A substantial proportion (18.8%) of recorded drugs were not initially reported by GPs.
- The average number of drugs per person was 3.2 for men and 3.8 for women, with cardiovascular, nervous system, and alimentary tract medications being most common.
Conclusions:
- High drug consumption is prevalent in the 'old-old' population (≥75 years).
- A significant percentage of medication use goes unreported by general practitioners, necessitating improved medication history-taking.
- An essential therapeutic approach, focusing on drugs with proven efficacy, is recommended for this age group.