Paper Type |
: |
Research Paper |
Title |
: |
Drug prescribing pattern in elderly patients in a teaching
hospital |
Country |
: |
India |
Authors |
: |
Veena D.R, Padma L, Sapna Patil |
 |
: |
10.9790/0853-0153942  |
Abstract:Objective: The present study was undertaken to study prescribing pattern of various drugs in elderly
patients & also to evaluate inappropriate prescribing with the help of Beers criteria. Material & methods: The
study was conducted in Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Medical College & Hospital from June 2012 to August 2012. A total
of 106 case records of inpatients >/65years in medicine wards were reviewed. Relevant information was
recorded in a structured proforma & data was evaluated. Results: Most of the cases were from respiratory
system (35.84%), followed by cardiovascular system (14.15%). The most commonly prescribed drugs were
antimicrobials (16.94%). Polypharmacy was observed in 94(88.67%) patients. According to Beers criteria,
23(21.69%) patients were prescribed inappropriately & all these were drugs to be generally avoided in older
adults. Conclusion: This study has shown the patterns of diseases prevalent in geriatric patients, drug use
among them and also suggests that drugs to be avoided in elderly are among the most frequently
inappropriately prescribed drugs. Prevalence of polypharmacy was high which is usually unavoidable in the
elderly.
Keywords:Beers criteria, elderly, polypharmacy
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