Inappropriate prescribing in older persons: A systematic review of medications available in different criteria

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to systematically review all potentially inappropriate medications for older persons included in prescribing criteria published in the last decade.

Methods: A systematic review of published studies was performed. Articles describing the development of criteria for PIM Use in Older Adults published in the last decade and which provided a list of medications that should be considered inappropriate were included. The searches were conducted on Pubmed/Medline for articles published from 1st of January 2006 to 31st of December 2015. We analyzed the medications/classes reported in all criteria, most common classes and how many indications each medication made.

Results: From 778 articles, 14 articles were included in our analysis (containing 14 different criteria). Europe was responsible for 8 criteria (57.2% of total) followed by Asia (3 criteria) and USA (2 criteria). More than 85% used a Delphi method. There were 729 different medications/classes reported in all criteria. Diazepam was included in all 14 criteria followed by amitriptyline (13 criteria) and doxepin (12 criteria). We found benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, antihistamines and antipsychotics were the most common drugs reported as potentially inappropriate for older persons.

Conclusion: The present study systematically compiled all medications included in 14 different criteria published last decade. Benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, antihistamines and antipsychotics were the most common drugs reported as potentially inappropriate for older persons. These results could help health professionals and panel experts to plan future criteria.

Keywords: Drug-related side effects; Geriatrics; Inappropriate prescribing; Prescription drugs.