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. 2021 Apr;17(4):701-706.
doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.032. Epub 2020 Aug 12.

Evolution of potentially inappropriate medication use in nursing homes: Retrospective analysis of drug consumption data

Damien Cateau  1 , Olivier Bugnon  2 , Anne Niquille  3
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Free article

Evolution of potentially inappropriate medication use in nursing homes: Retrospective analysis of drug consumption data

Damien Cateau et al. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2021 Apr.
Free article

Abstract

Background: The use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs) is frequent in nursing homes (NHs), and leads to worsened health outcomes for their residents. Numerous initiatives to curb their use have been launched. Most studies of PIMs use in NHs, however, focused on their prevalence, and provide few insights on the evolution of their use.

Objective: The objective of this analysis is to measure the evolution of PIMs use in the nursing NHs of western Switzerland taking part in an integrated pharmacy service (IPS).

Methods: Drug consumption data from 166 NHs were collected for 2014 to 2018, through the monitoring of the IPS. These data were cross-referenced with validated PIMs lists (Beers' list and Norwegian General Practice-Nursing Home, NORGEP-NH) to compute the number of potentially inappropriate defined daily doses per average resident (DDD/res) in each NH. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the evolution of PIMs use over time, following the NORGEP-NH classification of PIMs and the drug classes involved.

Results: In 2018, the number of DDD/res was 7.3 (SD 1.9); of those, 2.2 (SD 0.8) were potentially inappropriate. Psycholeptics, psychoanaleptics and antihypertenseives were the most-used PIMs. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of potentially inappropriate DDD/res decreased by 0.03 per year (CI95 [-0.05; -0.01]).

Conclusions: This study complements others that focused on the prevalence of PIMs use in NHs. The statistically significant reduction in the use of PIMs is an encouraging sign, but is probably not clinically meaningful for NH residents. With the growing concerns of the potential harms of these drugs, more specific interventions and implementation strategies need to be developed to help clinicians further reduce their use in NHs.

Keywords: Beers' list; Defined daily dose; Deprescribing; NORGEP-NH; Nursing homes; Potentially inappropriate medication list.

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