Potentially inappropriate medication use as predictors of hospitalization for residents in nursing home

Abstract

Background Hospitalization of nursing home (NH) residents impose a significant healthcare burden. However, there is still a lack of information regarding the risk of hospitalization from inappropriate prescribing in NH residents. We aimed to estimate the nationwide prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use among NH residents using the Korean tool and 2019 Beers criteria and to assess their associations with hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visits. Methods We included older adults aged 65 years or above who were admitted to NHs between July 2008 and December 2018 using national senior cohort database. The prevalence of PIM use based on the Korean medication review tool and Beers criteria on the date of admission to NH was estimated. And the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of polypharmacy, numbers of PIM, each PIM category for hospitalization/ED visits within 30 days of admission to NH was calculated using Cox proportional hazard model to show the association. Results Among 20,306 NH residents, the average number of medications per person was 7.5 ± 4.7. A total of 89.3% and 67.9% of the NH residents had at least one PIM based on the Korean tool and 2019 Beers criteria, respectively. The risk of ED visits or hospitalization significantly increased with the number of PIMs based on the Korean tool (1–3: aHR = 1.24, CI 1.03–1.49; ≥4: aHR = 1.46, CI 1.20–1.79). Having four or more PIMs based on the Beers criteria increased the risk significantly (aHR = 1.30, CI 1.06–1.53) while using 1–3 PIMs was not significantly associated (aHR = 1.07, CI 0.97–1.19). Residents with any potential medication omission according to the Korean criteria, were at 23% higher risk of hospitalization or ED visits (aHR = 1.23, CI 1.07–1.40). Conclusions This study demonstrated that PIMs, based on the Korean tool and Beers criteria, were prevalent among older adults living in NHs and the use of PIMs were associated with hospitalization or ED visits. The number of PIMs based on the Korean tool showed dose-response increase in the risk of hospitalization or ED visits.

Trends in commonly used and potentially inappropriate medications in older Korean patients with polypharmacy

“…Increased use of potentially inappropriate medications has also been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including falls, confusion, and mortality [ 15 ]. In a study conducted in Korea, Chae et al showed that an increased number of prescriptions for potentially inappropriate medications was associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits or hospitalisations among older adults living in nursing homes [ 16 ]. Older adults practising polypharmacy are at a heightened risk of consuming potentially inappropriate medications and are more prone to experiencing medication-related harm compared to younger adults [ 5 , 16 ].…”

“…In a study conducted in Korea, Chae et al showed that an increased number of prescriptions for potentially inappropriate medications was associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits or hospitalisations among older adults living in nursing homes [ 16 ]. Older adults practising polypharmacy are at a heightened risk of consuming potentially inappropriate medications and are more prone to experiencing medication-related harm compared to younger adults [ 5 , 16 ]. Nevertheless, there has been a scarcity of comprehensive studies on trends in the utilisation of potentially inappropriate medications among older adults practising polypharmacy in Korea [ 17 ].…”