The Prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in the Elderly at the Primary Care Level in Kazakhstan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: These potentially inappropriate prescribing is associated with the development of undesired medical reactions in elderly patients, and increase the frequency of hospitalizations, the number of aggravations and the cost of treatment. All of these adverse events are preventable. For detection of PIP and to prevent the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in elderly patients, it is necessary to screen for potentially inappropriate prescribing. AIM: The aim of the study is to study the prevalence of PIP and the factors associated with these prescriptions at the level primary link in Kazakhstan. METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was carried out at the primary care level, in five clinics in Kazakhstan. The study involved 205 patients over 65 years old who received regular outpatient treatment for chronic diseases. Patients’ current diagnoses and prescription medicines were reviewed and the STOPP and START tools applied. RESULT: The prevalence of PIP in terms of STOPP criteria was 54% (114 patients). In general, we have identified 181 cases of PIP. The most commonly prescribed PIP were moxonidine (20%), glimeperide (16.5%), and PPI (20%). The prevalence of prescribing omissions in terms of START criteria was 22% (48 patients). Overall 66 cases of prescribing omissions were identified. The most commonly prescribed omissions were statins (6%) and ACE inhibitors (4%). Comparative analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of polymorbidity on the prevalence of PIP (p < 0.001) and number of prescribed medicines on the prevalence of PIP (p < 0.05). We have found a statistically significant effect of age on the presence of prescribing omissions of patients. (p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: Our results showed a high prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing at the primary care level in Kazakhstan. Screening tools should be incorporated into the everyday practice of primary care doctors.