Appropriateness of Medication Prescribing in Hospitalized Older Adults in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in the Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: The prescribing of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a major health problem among older adults because of the high risk of adverse drug events. The number of older adults in the Philippines is increasing, and little is known about medication prescribing in this population. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with PIM in older patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of patients aged ≥60 years admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital over a 3-month period. We used version 2 of the STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions) criteria to identify PIM prescribing. RESULTS: Included in this study were 328 older patients prescribed at least one medication; the median age was 65.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 62–71), and 53.7% were women. The median number of medications prescribed was five (IQR 2–8). In total, 128 (39%) patients had at least one PIM, and the most common criterion was antimuscarinic/anticholinergic drug burden. PIM was significantly associated with polypharmacy (odds ratio 5.44; 95% confidence interval 1.54–19.20). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PIM using STOPP version 2 was 39% in this sample of hospitalized older adults and was significantly associated with polypharmacy. There is a need to raise awareness about medication prescribing in the care and management of older patients.