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. 2019 Oct 28:18:eAO4877.
doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2020AO4877. eCollection 2019.

Factors associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly patients prescribed at hospital discharge

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Mariana Santos Magalhães  1 , Fabiana Silvestre Dos Santos  1 , Adriano Max Moreira Reis  1
Affiliations

Factors associated with the use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly patients prescribed at hospital discharge

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Mariana Santos Magalhães et al. Einstein (Sao Paulo). .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To analyze the frequency of use of potentially inappropriate medication prescribed to elderly at hospital discharge from a public hospital, considering the Brazilian Consensus on Potentially Inappropriate Medication for Elderly, and to identify the associated factors.

Methods: Patients aged ≥60 years, admitted in clinical and geriatric units of a public hospital were invited to participate in the study. The information about the use of medicines was collected from the patient's electronic record and through telephone contact. The Brazilian Consensus on Potentially Inappropriate Medication for Elderly was used to classify the medication, regardless of the clinical condition.

Results: A total of 255 elders were included in this study. The frequency of use of potentially inappropriate medication by elderly was 58.4%. The potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly was positively associated with the presence of depression (odds ratio of 2.208) and polypharmacy (odds ratio of 2.495). The hospitalization in a geriatric unit showed an inverse association with the potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly (odds ratio of 0.513).

Conclusion: The frequency of potentially inappropriate medication prescription to elderly upon hospital discharge was high. The presence of depression and polypharmacy were directly associated with use of potentially inappropriate medication in the elderly. Admission to the geriatric clinic has become a protection factor for the use of potentially inappropriate medication in elderly. Strategies to improve the elderly pharmacotherapy should implemented aiming at healthcare quality and safety in the transition of care.

Objetivo: Analisar a frequência de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos na prescrição de alta hospitalar de idosos de um hospital público, considerando o Consenso Brasileiro de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados para Idosos, e identificar os fatores associados.

Métodos: Pacientes com idade ≥60 anos, internados nas unidades de clínica médica e geriátrica de um hospital público, foram convidados para participar do estudo. As informações sobre o uso de medicamentos foram coletadas do prontuário eletrônico do paciente e confirmadas por contato telefônico. O Consenso Brasileiro de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados para Idosos independente da condição clínica foi utilizado para a classificação dos medicamentos.

Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 255 idosos. A frequência de uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos foi de 58,4%. O uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos foi associado positivamente à presença de depressão (razão de chance de 2,208) e polifarmácia (razão de chance de 2,495). A internação em unidade de geriatria apresentou associação inversa com uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos (razão de chance de 0,513).

Conclusão: A frequência de prescrição de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos na alta hospitalar foi alta. Depressão e polifarmácia estiveram diretamente associadas ao uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos. Ficar internado na clínica geriátrica mostrou-se fator protetor para uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos. Estratégias para melhorar a farmacoterapia do idoso devem ser implementadas, visando à qualidade assistencial e à segurança na transição do cuidado.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: none.

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