Characterization of potentially inappropriate medications use in Indian elderly population and their impact on quality of life using Beers criteria

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is principal cause of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly patients, which include over prescribing, under prescribing, and misprescribing. METHODS: Elderly subjects (≥60 years), of either sex, receiving two or more medications for one or more chronic ailments, attending Geriatrics Outpatient Department (OPD), at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, were included. Their prescriptions were assessed for PIMs by using Beers criteria 2015 and were further followed up at least once in 6 months for adverse events, telephonically. The results were analyzed by using suitable regression models and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty patients average age of 65.4 ± 4.7 years were enrolled. Eighty‐eight percent of the people were having greater than or equal to two ailments. Each patient was prescribed 6.7 ± 2.1 medications with 65% of prescriptions having one or more PIMs. Out of the total prescribed drugs, 15% were satisfying Beers criteria for PIMs. There were 63 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported. A statistically significant correlation was observed among comorbidities, number of prescribed medications, PIMs, and ADRs. Quality of life (QOL) of the elderly patients was negatively corelated with polypharmacy and female sex. CONCLUSION: A risk‐benefit analysis of prescribed medications is part and parcel of prescribing, especially in elderly patients. In order to decrease further risks associated with inappropriate prescribing, there is need for indigenous guidelines and intensive training.