PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF MEDICATIONS IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS VISITING OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, KATHMANDU
Dharma Prasad Khanal, Pharsuram Adhikari* and Anu Yadav
ABSTRACT
Background: The aging of the population is increasing, with frequent use of medicines. Comorbidities and more than two medications are common among the elderly, leading to inappropriate use of medication and potential health problems. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate prescriptions in elderly patients using WHO core indicators and Beer’s criteria to identify polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing practices. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational method was adopted for the analysis of medications prescribed in an outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 in 163 adults aged 60 years and older. The use of potentially inappropriate medications in elderly patients was analyzed using the updated Beer's Criteria updated until 2023, and drug interactions were checked using the “Drugs.com” Drug Interaction Checker. Results: Among 163 patients, the average number of prescribed drugs per prescription was 2.98. Cardiovascular drugs (18.9%) and gastrointestinal drugs (18.9%) were commonly prescribed fallowed by Musculoskeletal & NSAIDs (13.1%) in which Amlodipine, Pantoprazole and Aceclofenac respective class of drugs were prescribed. Approximately 42.3% of patients experienced at least one potentially inappropriate medication as per the Beers criteria. Poly-pharmacy was observed in 8% of total prescriptions. Conclusion: Polypharmacy is practiced with average 2.98 drugs per encounter and potentially inappropriate medications are frequently prescribed among elderly attending Outpatient Department.
Keywords: Geriatric, Beer’s criteria, elderly, potentially inappropriate medicine.
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