Prevalence and correlates of potentially inappropriate prescribing among ambulatory older patients in the year 2001: Comparison of three explicit criteria

Prevalence and predictors of potentially inappropriate medications among home care elderly patients in Qatar

“…The study identified poly-pharmacy as the main predictor of PIMs use. Interestingly, this prevalence was three times higher than that found in ambulatory visits [6,7] and about double that identified in two large elderly outpatient centres [6,8,9].…”

“…Compared to the general ambulatory elderly patients, those receiving home-based healthcare are at increased risk of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) use [6][7][8][9]. Data on appropriateness of prescribing among these patients however is limited.…”

Inappropriate Medication in a National Sample of US Elderly Patients Receiving Home Health Care

“…This prevalence is three times as high as that found among ambulatory visits 5,6 and about twice as high as that found among elderly outpatients at two large outpatient centers utilizing electronic health records. 12 Our estimated prevalence is also double the rate found in previous studies of elderly patients admitted to single home health agencies in the US 13,14 and of home care patients in eight European countries.…”

“…Expert consensus panels have defined potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) as medications that generally should be avoided among patients 65 years or older either because they are ineffective or because associated adverse effects outweigh potential benefits and a safer alternative exists. 3,4 Recent studies examining the prevalence of PIM use in various medical settings in the US have found that at least one PIM was prescribed in 8-13% of ambulatory visits, 5,6 50% of nursing home residents, 7 and 17% of emergency department visits. 8 PIM use among elderly home health patients in the US remains unknown.…”

Potentially inappropriate medications among elderly Brazilian outpatients

“…32 In other studies that used the 2003 version of the Beers criteria, the PIMs that were most prescribed were long-action benzodiazepines, propoxyphene, amitriptyline and antihistamines. 10,12,14,27,33 Estrogen, muscle relaxants, ticlopidine, chlordiazepoxide and anti-inflammatory agents have also been cited. 12,27,33 In Brazil, Carvalho observed that anti-inflammatory agents, methyldopa, digoxin and benzodiazepines with long half-life were the PIMs most used by elderly people in the city of São Paulo.…”