BACKGROUND: The predictive validity of Drug Utilization Review (DUR) and drugs-to-avoid criteria in elders is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between use of inappropriate drugs as determined by these explicit criteria and mortality and decline in functional status in community dwelling elders. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cohort study. SUBJECTS: The fourth wave (3234 participants) of the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. MEASURES: Two sets of inappropriate drug-use criteria: (1) DUR with respect to dosage, duplication, drug-drug interactions, duration, and drug-disease interactions; and (2) Beers-modified criteria regarding drugs-to-avoid were applied to drug use reported in an in-home interview. Death was identified from the National Death Index; change in four functional status measures (basic self-care, intermediate self-care, complex self-management, physical function) was determined during the following 3 years. RESULTS: Use of inappropriate drugs identified by either set of criteria was not significantly associated with mortality. The drugs-to-avoid criteria identified no significant associations between use of these drugs and decline in functional status. With DUR criteria, however, the association between use of inappropriate drugs and basic self-care was significant and pronounced among those with drug-drug or drug-disease interaction problems (Adj. OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.32-3.16). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the impact of inappropriate drug use may depend on the criteria applied. Further studies are needed that measure additional outcomes and use alternate measures of inappropriate drug use.
BACKGROUND: The predictive validity of Drug Utilization Review (DUR) and drugs-to-avoid criteria in elders is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between use of inappropriate drugs as determined by these explicit criteria and mortality and decline in functional status in community dwelling elders. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cohort study. SUBJECTS: The fourth wave (3234 participants) of the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. MEASURES: Two sets of inappropriate drug-use criteria: (1) DUR with respect to dosage, duplication, drug-drug interactions, duration, and drug-disease interactions; and (2) Beers-modified criteria regarding drugs-to-avoid were applied to drug use reported in an in-home interview. Death was identified from the National Death Index; change in four functional status measures (basic self-care, intermediate self-care, complex self-management, physical function) was determined during the following 3 years. RESULTS: Use of inappropriate drugs identified by either set of criteria was not significantly associated with mortality. The drugs-to-avoid criteria identified no significant associations between use of these drugs and decline in functional status. With DUR criteria, however, the association between use of inappropriate drugs and basic self-care was significant and pronounced among those with drug-drug or drug-disease interaction problems (Adj. OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.32-3.16). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the impact of inappropriate drug use may depend on the criteria applied. Further studies are needed that measure additional outcomes and use alternate measures of inappropriate drug use.
Authors: Juho Uusvaara; Kaisu H Pitkala; Hannu Kautiainen; Reijo S Tilvis; Timo E Strandberg Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2011-02-01 Impact factor: 3.923
Authors: Ilene H Zuckerman; Patricia Langenberg; Mona Baumgarten; Denise Orwig; Patricia J Byrns; Linda Simoni-Wastila; Jay Magaziner Journal: Med Care Date: 2006-08 Impact factor: 2.983
Authors: Francesco Landi; Andrea Russo; Rosa Liperoti; Christian Barillaro; Paola Danese; Marco Pahor; Roberto Bernabei; Graziano Onder Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2007-06-14 Impact factor: 2.953