POTENTIALLY INAPPROPRIATE MEDICATIONS IN GERIATRICS ACCORDING TO AGS BEERS’ CRITERIA 2023 AT 4TH FLOOR OPD PHARMACY-HAMAD HOSPITAL-QATAR
Abdelmonem B. Yousif*, Rana Z. M. Darweesh, Ebtihal Abdelmoneim Hassan, Abdullah Ahmed Areqi
ABSTRACT
The largest category of patients to whom we see inappropriate medication being prescribed is the elderly, who also tend to suffer the most from it. Additionally, because the body changes with age, that age group is more likely to be taking multiple medications at once, some of which may not be suitable for them. The American Geriatrics Society released the Beers Criteria in an effort to address this problem, and it is a widely used tool for identifying and steering clear of medications that could be harmful to elderly people. This study aims to assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to elderly patients at the 4th floor OPD Pharmacy-Hamad General Hospital in Qatar, in accordance with the 2023 AGS Beers Criteria, and to examine the clinical implications of these prescriptions. 10,072 prescriptions in total were examined. The 2023 Beers Criteria categorized medications as potentially unsuitable. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. According to the study, geriatric prescribing guidelines are well implemented, as evidenced by the high compliance rate of 92.76% with the Beers Criteria. However, 7.24% of prescriptions included potentially inappropriate medications, with common drugs including aspirin, amitriptyline, and anticoagulants such as warfarin and rivaroxaban. Cardiovascular issues, central nervous system toxicity, and risks of bleeding were the main causes of non-compliance. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of current practices in adhering to the Beers Criteria.
Keywords: Potentially Inappropriate Medications, Beers Criteria, Geriatric, Elderly
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