BACKGROUND: Use of inappropriate medications among elderly is common. An association between potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in elderly and adverse outcomes such as impaired muscle strength, functional status, increased healthcare expenditure, and increased risk of hospitalization and death has been demonstrated.  Yet there are few studies addressing this issue.

OBJECTIVE: This study focuses on the prevalence of the use of potentially inappropriate medications in hospitalized elderly.

DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was done between June and December 2012 involving 150 patients. Patient data including period of hospital stay, medical illnesses and medication list at discharge were obtained from the in-patient records. The chi-squared test for categorical variables was used to compare the characteristics of participants receiving and not receiving inappropriate medications.

SETTING: The study collected data from 150 patients admitted to a teaching hospital at Bangalore, Karnataka.

PATIENTS: The sample was composed of 150 patients aged > 60 years admitted with multiple co morbidities.

MEASUREMENTS: The percentage of patients prescribed PIMs as defined using a modified Beers list was measured. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for PIM use were computed.

RESULTS: Of the 150 patients, 17.3% received at least 1 PIM, and 7% received 3 or more. Most common category of PIM  use were Prazosin, followed by benzodiazepines 

 PIM use was directly associated with no: of comorbidities and Polypharmacy

CONCLUSION:  There is a widespread use of potentially inappropriate medications among elderly patients in the population studied. Physicians should be more aware of the Beer’s criteria when treating the elderly.

KEYWORDS: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIM), Beers criteria (BC), Polypharmacy, geriatric, elderly.

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