Yusuke Suzuki1, Mikio Sakakibara2, Nariaki Shiraishi3, Takashisa Hirose4, Masahiro Akishita5, Masafumi Kuzuya4. 1. Center for Community Liaison and Patient Consultations, Nagoya University Hospital, Japan. Electronic address: yus@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp. 2. Sugi Pharmacy Co., Ltd, Japan. 3. Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nihon Fukushi University, Japan. 4. Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan. 5. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Prescriptions to older adults were surveyed to elucidate factors associated with potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in Japan. METHODS: Adults aged ≥65 years, who were prescribed medications at 585 dispensing pharmacies across Japan, participated (N = 180,673). Data were collected between October 1 and October 31, 2014. RESULTS: Proportion of polypharmacy and that of PIMs increased with age (p < 0.001). Analgesic drugs were most commonly prescribed for the older adults aged 65-74 years, whereas benzodiazepines were prescribed most commonly for those aged over 75 years. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the increase of PIMs was explained by polypharmacy and mainly the use of central nervous systems (CNS) and psychotropic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of polypharmacy with age and the common use of CNS and psychotropic medications account for the PIMs in old age in the current nationwide survey.
OBJECTIVES: Prescriptions to older adults were surveyed to elucidate factors associated with potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in Japan. METHODS: Adults aged ≥65 years, who were prescribed medications at 585 dispensing pharmacies across Japan, participated (N = 180,673). Data were collected between October 1 and October 31, 2014. RESULTS: Proportion of polypharmacy and that of PIMs increased with age (p < 0.001). Analgesic drugs were most commonly prescribed for the older adults aged 65-74 years, whereas benzodiazepines were prescribed most commonly for those aged over 75 years. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the increase of PIMs was explained by polypharmacy and mainly the use of central nervous systems (CNS) and psychotropic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of polypharmacy with age and the common use of CNS and psychotropic medications account for the PIMs in old age in the current nationwide survey.