Stephanie Sakr1, Souheil Hallit2, Maria Haddad1, Lydia Rabbaa Khabbaz3. 1. Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Quality Control Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon; Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon; Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, P.O. Box 60096, Jal Eddib, Lebanon; Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Kaslik, Lebanon; Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon; Occupational Health Environment Research Team, U1219 BPH Bordeaux Population Health Research Center Inserm-Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Sante Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: Souheilhallit@hotmail.com. 3. Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Quality Control Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon; Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: Lydia.khabbaz@usj.edu.lb.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare, according to Beers and STOPP criteria, the frequency and causes of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly, as well as the relationship between PIMs use and patient's treatment satisfaction, evaluated using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM). METHOD: 350 patients (mean age = 73.49 years), taking a total of 1893 medications, were enrolled from community pharmacies. RESULTS: 6.2% and 20.4% of the medications were inappropriate according to the STOPP and Beers lists respectively; 103 (29.4%) and 210 (60%) patients had at least one PIM according to STOPP and Beers criteria respectively. The most common cause of PIM was a full dose of proton pomp inhibitor for >8 weeks (STOPP) and using a drug that exacerbates/causes syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (Beers). The number of medications taken by the participant, advanced age, female gender, prescription of medications for anxiety/depression, ulcers/gastroesophageal reflux, rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy significantly increased the PIMs number. When using STOPP criteria, all TSQM subscale scores were significantly lower among patients with PIM use compared to those without PIM. The same trend was observed for Beers critertia, with a significant difference reached for side effects and convenience subscales only. CONCLUSION: Selecting the appropriate tools to assess PIMs, prescribers and patient education regarding the risks associated with PIMs, and patient's perception and satisfaction regarding his treatment, are critical issues to be addressed among older adults.
OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare, according to Beers and STOPP criteria, the frequency and causes of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly, as well as the relationship between PIMs use and patient's treatment satisfaction, evaluated using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM). METHOD: 350 patients (mean age = 73.49 years), taking a total of 1893 medications, were enrolled from community pharmacies. RESULTS: 6.2% and 20.4% of the medications were inappropriate according to the STOPP and Beers lists respectively; 103 (29.4%) and 210 (60%) patients had at least one PIM according to STOPP and Beers criteria respectively. The most common cause of PIM was a full dose of proton pomp inhibitor for >8 weeks (STOPP) and using a drug that exacerbates/causes syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (Beers). The number of medications taken by the participant, advanced age, female gender, prescription of medications for anxiety/depression, ulcers/gastroesophageal reflux, rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy significantly increased the PIMs number. When using STOPP criteria, all TSQM subscale scores were significantly lower among patients with PIM use compared to those without PIM. The same trend was observed for Beers critertia, with a significant difference reached for side effects and convenience subscales only. CONCLUSION: Selecting the appropriate tools to assess PIMs, prescribers and patient education regarding the risks associated with PIMs, and patient's perception and satisfaction regarding his treatment, are critical issues to be addressed among older adults.