Potentially Inappropriate Medications Use and Associated Factors Among Older Patients on Follow-Up at the Chronic Care Clinic of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia
Shambel Nigussie, Fekade Demeke Bayou
Abstract
Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) often cause to poor health outcomes in elderly patients. There is a dearth of information on potentially inappropriate medications prescribing patterns among this population in Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. To assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use and associated factors among elderly patients on follow-up at the chronic care clinic of Hiwot Fana Comprehensive specialized Hospital in eastern Ethiopia. A retrospective cross-sectional study using medical records of 419 elderly patients was conducted. Elderly patient's aged ≥ 65 years who were treated in the ambulatory care clinic were included. Systematic random sampling technique was used. Potentially inappropriate medications use was identified by using 2023 updated American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria and Screening Tool of Older People's Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions criteria and Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment criteria. The multivariable analysis was employed to identify factors associated with PIMs use. The strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of four hundred nineteen patients’ medical records were reviewed. Of these, four hundred eleven patients’ medical records were fulfilled the inclusion criteria and considered for final analysis. About 234(56.9%) study population were females. The prevalence of PIMs use was 28.5% and 18.5%, according to Beers and STOPP criteria, respectively. In accordance with Beers criteria, male sex (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.10- 2.87), diabetes mellitus (AOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19- 0.62), and chronic kidney disease (AOR: 6.68, 95% CI: 2.55-9.32) were found to be the determining factors for PIMs use. According to STOPP criteria, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were the primary factors influencing PIM use. Comparative to other study findings from across the world, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications use was low. Based on Beers criteria: male sex, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease were found to be the determinant factors for PIMs use. Deep vein thrombosis, Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced age were significant factor of PIMs use according STOPP criteria.