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Background: Older adults with dementia who are on polypharmacy are more vulnerable to the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM), which can significantly increase the risk of adverse events and drug-related problems (DRPs). Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to map the prevalence of PIM use, polypharmacy, and hyper-polypharmacy among older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia attending memory clinics. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost CINAHL, and Ovid International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) were systematically searched from inception to April 22, 2024. Observational studies assessing the PIMs use among older adults with CI or dementia were screened. A random- effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool the prevalence estimates. Results: Of 5,787 identified citations, 11 studies including 4,571 participants from 8 countries were included. Among all the included studies the pooled prevalence of PIM use was 38% (95% confidence interval (CIn): 27– 50%), highlighting a notable range from 20% to 78%. The analysis identified anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and non-benzodiazepine sedatives as the most common PIMs. Subgroup analysis revealed a higher pooled prevalence of PIM in the USA (39%; 95% CIn: 10– 78, I2 (%) = 98, 3 studies) and Australia (36%, 95% CIn: 12– 70, I2 (%) = 96, 2 Studies). Additionally, pooled prevalence of polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy was reported as (60%; 95% CIn: 46– 73, I2 (%) = 95, 3 studies), and (The prevalence of hyper-polypharmacy was 17.6%; 1 study) respectively. Conclusions: The definition of PIMs significantly impacts study results, often more than geographical variations. The variability in criteria and tools like the Beers or Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria across studies and regions leads to differing prevalence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning methods have gained much attention in health sciences for predicting various health outcomes but are scarcely used in pharmacoepidemiology. The ability to identify predictors of suboptimal medication use is essential for conducting interventions aimed at improving medication outcomes. It remains uncertain whether machine learning methods could enhance the identification of potentially inappropriate medication use among older adults compared with traditional methods. This study aimed to (1) to compare the performances of machine learning models in predicting use of potentially inappropriate medications and (2) to quantify and compare the relative importance of predictors in a population of community-dwelling older adults (>65 years) in the province of Québec, Canada. We used the Québec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System and selected a cohort of 1 105 295 older adults of whom 533 719 were potentially inappropriate medication users. Potentially inappropriate medications were defined according to the Beers list. We compared performances between 5 popular machine learning models (gradient boosting machines, logistic regression, naive Bayes, neural networks, and random forests) based on receiver operating characteristic curves and other performance criteria, using a set of sociodemographic and medical predictors. No model clearly outperformed the others. All models except neural networks were in agreement regarding the top predictors (sex and anxiety-depressive disorders and schizophrenia) and the bottom predictors (rurality and social and material deprivation indices). Including other types of predictors (eg, unstructured data) may be more useful for increasing performance in prediction of potentially inappropriate medication use. • Potentially inappropriate medications are commonly used in older adults. Being a woman and mental diseases are known to be associated with potentially inappropriate medications use. • When compared with logistic regression, machine learning models did not increase performance for prediction of potentially inappropriate medication. Models ranked predictors similarly, except neural networks. • Our findings reveal that in the specific context of predicting potentially inappropriate medications using medical and administrative databases, classical models yield competitive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications is recommended for older adults and may improve health outcomes and quality of life in persons living with Parkinson disease (PD). Patient attitudes, beliefs, and preferences play a crucial role in the success of deprescribing interventions. We aimed to examine the attitudes and beliefs about medication burden and deprescribing among persons living with PD. Methods: We administered a survey to participants of Fox Insight, a prospective longitudinal study of persons living with PD. The survey included the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire and additional questions about adverse drug effects. We used logistic regression models to explore potential predictors of treatment dissatisfaction and willingness to deprescribe. Results: Of the 4945 rPATD respondents, 31.6% were dissatisfied with their current medications, and 87.1% would be willing to deprescribe medications. Male sex was associated with a greater willingness to deprescribe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–1.93). A greater belief that the medication burden was high or that some medications were inappropriate was associated with treatment dissatisfaction (aORs 3.74, 95% CI 3.26–4.29 and 5.61, 95% CI 4.85–6.50), and more willingness to deprescribe (aORs 1.74, 95% CI 1.47–2.06 and 2.87, 95% CI 2.41–3.42). Cognitive impairment was the adverse drug effect participants were most concerned about when prescribed new medications to treat nonmotor symptoms. Conclusions: Persons with PD are often dissatisfied with their overall medication load and are open to deprescribing. Medications that are associated with cognitive impairment might be prioritized targets for deprescribing interventions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are medications whereby the harms may outweigh the benefits for a given individual. Although overprescribed to older adults, their direct costs on the healthcare system are poorly described.This was a cross‐sectional study of the cost of PIMs for Canadians aged 65 and older, using adapted criteria from the American Geriatrics Society. We examined prescription claims information from the National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System in 2021 and compared these with 2013. The overall levels of inflation‐adjusted total annual expenditure on PIMs, average cost per quarterly exposure, and average quarterly exposures to PIMs were calculated in CAD$.Exposure to most categories of PIMs decreased, aside from gabapentinoids, proton pump inhibitors, and antipsychotics, all of which increased. Canadians spent $1 billion on PIMs in 2021, a 33.6% reduction compared with 2013 ($1.5 billion). In 2021, the largest annual expenditures were on proton pump inhibitors ($211 million) and gabapentinoids ($126 million). The quarterly amount spent on PIMs per person exposed decreased from $95 to $57. In terms of mean cost per person, opioids and antipsychotics were highest ($138 and $118 per exposure). Some cost savings may have occurred secondary to an observed decline of 16.4% in the quarterly rate of exposure to PIMs (from 7301 per 10,000 in 2013 to 6106 per 10,000 in 2021).While expenditures on PIMs have declined in Canada, the overall cost remains high. Prescribing of some seriously harmful classes of PIMs has increased and so directed, scalable interventions are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aims of this study were to measure the prevalence of polypharmacy and describe the prescribing of selected medications known for overuse in older people with polypharmacy in primary care. Methods: This was a multinational retrospective cohort study across six countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. We used anonymized longitudinal patient‐level information from general practice databases hosted by IQVIA. Patients ≥65 years were included. Polypharmacy was defined as having 5–9 and ≥10 distinct drug classes (ATC Level 3) prescribed during a 6‐month period. Selected medications were: opioids, antipsychotics, proton pump inhibitors (PPI), benzodiazepines (ATC Level 5). We included country experts on the healthcare context to interpret findings. Results: Age and gender distribution was similar across the six countries (mean age 75–76 years; 54–56% female). The prevalence of polypharmacy of 5–9 drugs was 22.8% (UK) to 58.3% (Germany); ≥10 drugs from 11.3% (UK) to 28.5% (Germany). In the polypharmacy population prescribed ≥5 drugs, opioid prescribing ranged from 11.5% (France) to 27.5% (Spain). Prescribing of PPI was highest with almost half of patients receiving a PPI, 42.3% (Germany) to 65.5% (Spain). Benzodiazepine prescribing showed a marked variation between countries, 2.7% (UK) to 34.9% (Spain). The healthcare context information explained possible underreporting for selected medications. Conclusions: We have found a high prevalence of polypharmacy with more than half of the older population being prescribed ≥5 drugs in four of the six countries. Whilst polypharmacy may be appropriate in many patients, worryingly high usage of PPIs and benzodiazepines supports current efforts to improve polypharmacy management across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study used time-varying independent variables allowing for adjusts for changes in exposures over time. • There was no independent association between the use of PIM and the risk of death among older adults. • The association between the use of PIM and the risk of death varied according to the age of older adults. Investigate the association between potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and the risk of death among community-dwelling older Brazilian adults. Participants from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging Cohort Study (SABE) in São Paulo, Brazil, between 2000 and 2016 were included. The dependent variable was all-cause mortality, measured as the time elapsed until death. The exposure of interest was the use of PIM according to the Beers Criteria 2019 version. All covariates, except for sex and education, were considered time-varying. PIM use was not associated with mortality after adjusting for covariates (HR = 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.88–1.12). There was a significant interaction between PIM use and age (HR = 0.98; 95 % CI: 0.96–0.99). The association between PIM use and the risk of death was moderated by age. Future studies should consider the impact of necessary medication omissions when assessing the mortality risk associated with PIM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults requiring care often have multiple morbidities that lead to polypharmacy, including the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), leading to increased medical costs and adverse drug effects. We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the actual state of drug prescriptions and the background of polypharmacy and PIMs. Methods: Using long-term care (LTC) and medical insurance claims data in the Ibaraki Prefecture from April 2018 to March 2019, we included individuals aged ≥ 65 who used LTC services. The number of drugs prescribed for ≥ 14 days and the number of PIMs were counted. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the association between the backgrounds of individuals and the number of drugs; logistic regression analysis was used for the presence of PIMs. PIMs were defined by STOPP-J and Beers Criteria. Results: Herein, 67,531 older adults who received LTC services were included. The median number of total prescribed medications and PIMs was 7(IQR 5–9) and 1(IQR 0–1), respectively. The main PIMs were loop diuretics/aldosterone antagonists (STOPP-J), long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (Beers Criteria), benzodiazepines/similar hypnotics (STOPP-J and Beers Criteria), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (STOPP-J and Beers Criteria). Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of medications and presence of PIMs were significantly higher in patients with comorbidities and in those visiting multiple medical institutions. However, patients requiring care level ≥1, nursing home residents, users of short-stay service, and senior daycare were negatively associated with polypharmacy and PIMs. Conclusions: Polypharmacy and PIMs are frequently observed in older adults who require LTC. This was prominent among individuals with comorbidities and at multiple consulting institutions. Utilization of nursing care facilities may contribute to reducing polypharmacy and PIMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults are at risk of adverse drug events during transition of care from hospital to community, thus optimal communication about medications at discharge is essential. Standardization of medication discharge plan (MDP) is lacking. This study aimed to (1) create a standardized MDP for older adults using consensus‐based principles, (2) create a short‐version MDP and (3) generate a practical guide. Modified Delphi was used to establish consensus on guiding principles for the MDP. Additionally, participants were asked about guiding principles deemed most essential, patient prioritization, the format and mode of transmission of the MDP. Twenty‐six guiding principles reached consensus, with 17 prioritized for a short‐version MDP. The practical guide includes explanations of the guiding principles, criteria for patient selection and recommendations on the format and mode of transmission. The results of this study will assist implementation of MDPs when older adults are discharged from hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2023 update of the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for optimizing medication use in older people. While this update is based on a rigorous review of evidence from clinical trials and research studies published between 2017 and 2022, its application in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may present unique challenges and considerations. LMICs often face different health care realities compared with high-income countries, such as limited access to medications, varying prescribing practices, and resource constraints. As a result, the Beers Criteria® 2023 update, which includes the addition, deletion, and revision of medicines based on new evidence, may not be entirely applicable or feasible in these settings. This commentary aims to explore the implications of the 2023 Beers Criteria® update for LMICs, highlighting the need for context-specific adaptations and strategies to optimize medication use and improve health outcomes for older people in resource-limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medication use in older adults is increasing, therefore, reducing the risk of suboptimal medicine use is imperative in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Research suggests that factors such as personal beliefs and beliefs about medicines may be associated with non-adherence and inappropriate medicine use. Aim: To systematically review and identify quantitative research on the influence of beliefs about medicines and the relationship with suboptimal medicine use in older adults. Method: Searches were conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for quantitative studies (inception to March 2023). Inclusion criteria: (1) exposure: participants' beliefs (personal, cultural, and medication-related), (2) outcomes: polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medicines use, or non-adherence, and (3) participants: community-dwelling adults 65 years or above. Study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal (Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist) were completed independently by two investigators. Data were combined in a narrative synthesis and presented in a summary of findings table. Results: Nineteen articles were included: 15 cross-sectional and four cohort studies. Outcomes of included papers were as follows; adherence (n = 18) and potentially inappropriate medicine use (n = 1). Ten studies found stronger beliefs in the necessity of medicines and/or fewer concerns led to better adherence, with one paper contradicting these findings. Three studies did not find associations between adherence and beliefs. One study confirmed an association between unnecessary drug use and a lack of belief in a "powerful other" (e.g. doctor). Conclusion: Further investigation is necessary to (1) ascertain the importance of necessity or concern beliefs in fostering adherence and, (2) examine the influence of beliefs on polypharmacy and inappropriate medicine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications is recommended for older adults and may improve health outcomes and quality of life in persons living with Parkinson disease (PD). Patient attitudes, beliefs, and preferences play a crucial role in the success of deprescribing interventions. We aimed to examine the attitudes and beliefs about medication burden and deprescribing among persons living with PD. Methods We administered a survey to participants of Fox Insight, a prospective longitudinal study of persons living with PD. The survey included the revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire and additional questions about adverse drug effects. We used logistic regression models to explore potential predictors of treatment dissatisfaction and willingness to deprescribe. Results Of the 4945 rPATD respondents, 31.6% were dissatisfied with their current medications, and 87.1% would be willing to deprescribe medications. Male sex was associated with a greater willingness to deprescribe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–1.93). A greater belief that the medication burden was high or that some medications were inappropriate was associated with treatment dissatisfaction (aORs 3.74, 95% CI 3.26–4.29 and 5.61, 95% CI 4.85–6.50), and more willingness to deprescribe (aORs 1.74, 95% CI 1.47–2.06 and 2.87, 95% CI 2.41–3.42). Cognitive impairment was the adverse drug effect participants were most concerned about when prescribed new medications to treat nonmotor symptoms. Conclusions Persons with PD are often dissatisfied with their overall medication load and are open to deprescribing. Medications that are associated with cognitive impairment might be prioritized targets for deprescribing interventions in this population.

Abstract Background Older adults requiring care often have multiple morbidities that lead to polypharmacy, including the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), leading to increased medical costs and adverse drug effects. We conducted a cross-sectional study to clarify the actual state of drug prescriptions and the background of polypharmacy and PIMs. Methods Using long-term care (LTC) and medical insurance claims data in the Ibaraki Prefecture from April 2018 to March 2019, we included individuals aged ≥ 65 who used LTC services. The number of drugs prescribed for ≥ 14 days and the number of PIMs were counted. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the association between the backgrounds of individuals and the number of drugs; logistic regression analysis was used for the presence of PIMs. PIMs were defined by STOPP-J and Beers Criteria. Results Herein, 67,531 older adults who received LTC services were included. The median number of total prescribed medications and PIMs was 7(IQR 5–9) and 1(IQR 0–1), respectively. The main PIMs were loop diuretics/aldosterone antagonists (STOPP-J), long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (Beers Criteria), benzodiazepines/similar hypnotics (STOPP-J and Beers Criteria), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (STOPP-J and Beers Criteria). Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of medications and presence of PIMs were significantly higher in patients with comorbidities and in those visiting multiple medical institutions. However, patients requiring care level ≥1, nursing home residents, users of short-stay service, and senior daycare were negatively associated with polypharmacy and PIMs. Conclusions Polypharmacy and PIMs are frequently observed in older adults who require LTC. This was prominent among individuals with comorbidities and at multiple consulting institutions. Utilization of nursing care facilities may contribute to reducing polypharmacy and PIMs. Graphical Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to design and evaluate a clinical decision support system (CDSS) identifying inappropriate prescription patterns in the elderly to be used at community pharmacies. Methods: The study was carried out in 20 community pharmacies during a 6-month period on patients ≥65 years. A CDSS was developed and integrated into the pharmacy automation systems to automatically check the medications of the patients for the presence of any potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Depending on the preference of the pharmacist the recommendations were communicated with the prescriber or not. The number and characteristics of the PIMs, prescribers’ acceptance status of the recommendations, and usability of the CDSS were recorded. Results: During the 6-month period 1250 prescriptions each from an individual patient were evaluated. The median (interquartile range) age of the patients was 73 (63-81) years. The total number of PIMs was 1359 and 59% of the patients had at least one PIM. The most frequently identified PIMs involved proton pump inhibitors (16%) and selective beta-blockers (11.9%). The pharmacists communicated with the prescribers regarding 24.4% of the PIM-involving prescriptions and 85.8% of the prescribers accepted the recommendations. The usability of the CDSS was found to be good. Conclusion: It is anticipated that the widespread use of this product would prevent drug-related adverse events, hospitalizations, morbidities, and mortalities; thus, would improve patients’ health and quality of life, as well as lead to better clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes.

Abstract Background Long-term exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs could be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to measure the association between previous cumulative anticholinergic and sedative drug exposure (Drug Burden Index) and cognitive decline. Methods A cohort study (MEMORA cohort) was conducted in a French memory clinic for patients attending a consultation between November 2014 and December 2020, with at least 2 Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) measurements (≥ 6 months apart) and available medication data from the local Primary Health Insurance Fund database (n = 1,970). Drug Burden Index was linearly cumulated until each MMSE measurement and was used to categorise patients according to their level of exposure (no exposure, moderate, or high). The longitudinal association between Drug Burden Index and MMSE was assessed using a multivariate linear mixed model, adjusted for age, education level, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, functional autonomy, and behavioural disorders. Results Overall, 1,970 patients were included with a mean follow-up duration of 2.78 years (± 1.54) and 2.99 visits per patients (5,900 MMSE + Drug Burden Index measurements collected). At baseline, 68.0% of patients had moderate cumulative anticholinergic and sedative drug exposure and a mean MMSE of 21.1. MMSE decrease was steeper in patients with moderate and high Drug Burden Index ( -1.74 and -1.70/year, respectively) than in patients with no exposure (-1.26/year) after adjusting for age, education, anxiety and depressive disorders, functional autonomy, and behavioural disorders (p

Abstract Background Polypharmacy is a global public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and trends in the use of commonly used and potentially inappropriate medications among older Korean patients. Methods Individuals aged ≥ 65 years who were prescribed any medication between 2014 and 2018 were selected from the Korean National Health Information Database. Joinpoint regression analyses were used to determine trends in the age-adjusted polypharmacy rates by age group. The prescription rates of the most commonly used medications and the most commonly used potentially inappropriate medications were analysed by year or age group for patients with polypharmacy using the chi-square and proportion difference tests. Results This study included 1,849,968 patients, 661,206 (35.7%) of whom had polypharmacy. Age-adjusted polypharmacy rates increased significantly between 2014 and 2018 (P = 0.046). Among patients with polypharmacy, the most commonly prescribed medications were aspirin (100 mg), atorvastatin, metformin, glimepiride, and rosuvastatin. The most commonly prescribed and potentially inappropriate medications were alprazolam, diazepam, amitriptyline, zolpidem, and dimenhydrinate. There was a significant decrease in the prescription rates for each of these drugs in 2018 compared with 2014 among patients with polypharmacy (all P

Alaa A Alhubaishi,1 Shahad O Alkhaldi,2 Al-Jawhara K Abanumay,2 Sadeem M Alzaidy,2 Abdulhadi M Alqahtani,3 Amal M Badawoud,1 Abdulrahman S Ali,4 Haya F Almoharb,5 Lolwa M Alsharekh,5 Ghadah H Alshehri1 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2PharmD Candidate, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Clinical Research Department, Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmacy, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ghadah H Alshehri, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966118239314, Email ghALShehri@pnu.edu.saBackground: Dementia is a common neurogenerative disease among older adults. Therefore, they are more prone to potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), which is medication that causes more harm rather than protecting the health of an individual. Hence, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has recognized the risk of certain medication classes on this population and released PIM according to Beers criteria, which is a helpful guide for clinicians to ensure the safety of medication before it is prescribed. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of PIM use among older adults with dementia as a risk factor in comparison to other older adults without dementia.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in an outpatient setting in a tertiary hospital targeting elderly patients aged 65 years old or over from January 2020 to September 2022. A total of 598 patients were screened, and 270 patients met the inclusion criteria. The eligible patients were then divided into two groups: 168 were in a non-dementia group and 102 were in a dementia group.Results: PIM use was reported in patients with and without dementia. The most inappropriate medication that was prescribed comprised atypical antipsychotics PIM for both patients with and without dementia. However, the prevalence was higher in the dementia group for quetiapine (75% vs 24% respectively), olanzapine (82% vs 17% respectively) or risperidone (92% vs 7%, respectively). Anticholinergics were highly prescribed in older adult without dementia as compared to dementia patient and was statistically significant for solifenacin (96% vs.3.6% respectively) and amitriptyline (88% vs 11% respectively).Conclusion: Among elderly patients in outpatient care settings, the prevalence of PIM use is considered high in dementia patients for antipsychotics, while a higher use of benzodiazepine and anticholinergics was found in non-dementia patients.Keywords: beers criteria, potentially inappropriate medication, dementia, older adults, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Older adults with dementia who are on multiple medications are more vulnerable to the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), which can significantly increase the risk of adverse events and drug-related problems. PIMs use is prevalent and varies among older adults with dementia or cognitive impairment (CI) attending memory clinics. However, the prevalence of PIMs, polypharmacy, and hyper-polypharmacy among older adults with dementia or CI who are attending memory clinics is not well understood. We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analyses to examine the overall estimate of the prevalence of the PIMs, polypharmacy, and hyper-polypharmacy use among older adults attending memory clinics, with dementia or CI. The secondary objective of this study will be to compile a list of commonly implicated PIMs and to investigate factors that may be associated with using PIMs in this population. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Cochrane library, EBSCOhost CINAHL, and Ovid International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) will be systematically searched by a researcher (R.S.) with the help of a librarian (C.C.). All databases will be searched from inception to May 05, 2023. Cross-sectional, cohort, randomized clinical trials, quasi-experimental, and case-control studies will be included if they assess PIM’s use among older adults with dementia and/or CI. A step-by-step guide by Pai et al. [Natl Med J India. 2004;17(2):86–95] will be followed when conducting this systematic review (S.R.). The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist will be followed for reporting this SR. Conclusion: The findings from this SR/MA will identify the pooled prevalence of PIMs, providing a more precise estimate of the true prevalence of the PIMs, polypharmacy, hyper-polypharmacy in older adults with dementia or CI who are attending memory clinics at primary, secondary, or tertiary healthcare settings by considering the results of multiple studies.

Background: Long-term exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs could be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to measure the association between previous cumulative anticholinergic and sedative drug exposure (Drug Burden Index) and cognitive decline. Methods: A cohort study (MEMORA cohort) was conducted in a French memory clinic for patients attending a consultation between November 2014 and December 2020, with at least 2 Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) measurements (≥ 6 months apart) and available medication data from the local Primary Health Insurance Fund database (n = 1,970). Drug Burden Index was linearly cumulated until each MMSE measurement and was used to categorise patients according to their level of exposure (no exposure, moderate, or high). The longitudinal association between Drug Burden Index and MMSE was assessed using a multivariate linear mixed model, adjusted for age, education level, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, functional autonomy, and behavioural disorders. Results: Overall, 1,970 patients were included with a mean follow-up duration of 2.78 years (± 1.54) and 2.99 visits per patients (5,900 MMSE + Drug Burden Index measurements collected). At baseline, 68.0% of patients had moderate cumulative anticholinergic and sedative drug exposure and a mean MMSE of 21.1. MMSE decrease was steeper in patients with moderate and high Drug Burden Index (-1.74 and -1.70/year, respectively) than in patients with no exposure (-1.26/year) after adjusting for age, education, anxiety and depressive disorders, functional autonomy, and behavioural disorders (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Long-term exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs is associated with steeper cognitive decline. Medication review focusing on de-prescribing these drugs could be implemented early to reduce cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Design and Setting Participants and Methods Results Conclusion Older women experience more adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than older men. However, the underlying basis for this sex difference is unclear. Sex (biological status) and/or gender (sociocultural constructs) influences on patterns of inappropriate prescribing in multimorbid older adults may be one reason for this ADR sex difference. In this secondary analysis, we examined whether incident ADR sex differences could be related to concurrent sex differences in potentially inappropriate prescribing.A retrospective secondary analysis of sex differences in the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), potential prescribing omissions (PPOs), and ADRs among the 1537 participants (47.2% female, median [IQR] age 78 [72–84] years) was undertaken in the SENATOR clinical trial database, conducted in six large European medical centers.We looked specifically for male/female differences relating to PIMs and PPOs (defined by STOPP/START version 2 criteria) identified within 48 h of acute hospitalization. We also assessed sex differences for ADRs identified at 14 days from admission or discharge, whichever came first. ADRs were assessed by blinded endpoint adjudication panel consensus.During hospitalization, significantly more females experienced ≥1 ADR compared to males (28% and 21%, respectively; odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.10–1.78, p < 0.005). Nine of the 11 STOPP‐criteria PIMs showing a significant sex difference occurred more often in females. Of the four START‐criteria PPOs showing a significant sex difference, all occurred more often in females. Some sex‐associated PIMs reflect higher prevalence of related conditions in older women.We conclude that specific STOPP‐criteria PIMs and START‐criteria PPOs were identified more frequently in older women than older men during acute hospitalization, possibly contributing to higher ADR incidence in older women. Prescribers should appreciate sex differences in exposure to potentially inappropriate prescribing and ADR risk, given the preponderance of older women over older men in most clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Polypharmacy is an important condition that causes adverse outcomes such as drug-drug interactions, falls, increased hospitalizations and mortality. In our study, we aimed to evaluate polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use according to two different criteria in home care patients. Materials and Methods: Our observational and cross-sectional, single-center study included all patients who receive home health care service from our unit and agree to participate. A face-to-face information form was carried out to measure the patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, drug use, and level of knowledge about the use of drugs. Inappropriate medication use was evaluated using Beers and STOPP criteria. Results: 179 individuals, most of whom were female (n=124; 69.2%), participated in this study. The mean age was 83,54 ± 7.53. The mean number of chronic diseases was 2.14. The average number of drugs was 5.80 ± 3.18. There was a relationship between polypharmacy and high education level and being married (p=0.005; p=0.007). There was a statistically significant relationship between the number of chronic diseases and the number of drugs used (p>0.001). Inappropriate medication use was present in 66 (36.8%) patients and the most frequently used inappropriate drugs were antipsychotics (n=38; 21.2%) according to Beers criteria. According to the STOPP criteria, inappropriate medication use was present in 33 (18.4%) patients, and the most common inappropriate drug use was NSAIDs (n=5; 2.7%). Conclusion: Rates of polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use according to both criteria were found to be high. Physicians should plan the drugs used in this group carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to design and evaluate a clinical decision support system (CDSS) identifying inappropriate prescription patterns in the elderly to be used at community pharmacies. Methods: The study was carried out in 20 community pharmacies during a 6-month period on patients ≥65 years. A CDSS was developed and integrated into the pharmacy automation systems to automatically check the medications of the patients for the presence of any potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Depending on the preference of the pharmacist the recommendations were communicated with the prescriber or not. The number and characteristics of the PIMs, prescribers' acceptance status of the recommendations, and usability of the CDSS were recorded. Results: During the 6-month period 1250 prescriptions each from an individual patient were evaluated. The median (interquartile range) age of the patients was 73 (63-81) years. The total number of PIMs was 1359 and 59% of the patients had at least one PIM. The most frequently identified PIMs involved proton pump inhibitors (16%) and selective beta-blockers (11.9%). The pharmacists communicated with the prescribers regarding 24.4% of the PIM-involving prescriptions and 85.8% of the prescribers accepted the recommendations. The usability of the CDSS was found to be good. Conclusion: It is anticipated that the widespread use of this product would prevent drug-related adverse events, hospitalizations, morbidities, and mortalities; thus, would improve patients' health and quality of life, as well as lead to better clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Contemporary data on the quantity and quality of medication use among older adults are lacking. This study examined recent trends in the number and appropriateness of prescription medication use among older adults in the United States. Methods Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and March 2020 were used, and 6 336 adult participants aged 65 and older were included. We examined the number of prescription medication, prevalence of polypharmacy (≥5 prescription drugs), use of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), and use of recommended medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor [ACEI]/angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs] plus beta-blockers among patients with heart failure and ACEI/ARBs among patients with albuminuria). Results There has been a slight increase in the prevalence of polypharmacy (39.3% in 2011–2012 to 43.8% in 2017–2020, p for trend = .32). Antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic medications, and antidepressants are the most commonly used medications. There was no substantial change in the use of PIM (17.0% to 14.7%). Less than 50% of older adults with heart failure received ACEI/ARBs plus beta-blockers (44.3% in 2017–2020) and approximately 50% of patients with albuminuria received ACEI/ARBs (54.0% in 2017–2020), with no improvement over the study period. Polypharmacy, older age, female, and lower socioeconomic status were generally associated with greater use of PIM but lower use of recommended medications. Conclusions The medication burden remained high among older adults in the United States and the appropriate utilization of medications did not improve in the recent decade. Our results underscore the need for greater attentions and interventions to the quality of medication use among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polypharmacy is a global public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and trends in the use of commonly used and potentially inappropriate medications among older Korean patients. Methods: Individuals aged ≥ 65 years who were prescribed any medication between 2014 and 2018 were selected from the Korean National Health Information Database. Joinpoint regression analyses were used to determine trends in the age-adjusted polypharmacy rates by age group. The prescription rates of the most commonly used medications and the most commonly used potentially inappropriate medications were analysed by year or age group for patients with polypharmacy using the chi-square and proportion difference tests. Results: This study included 1,849,968 patients, 661,206 (35.7%) of whom had polypharmacy. Age-adjusted polypharmacy rates increased significantly between 2014 and 2018 (P = 0.046). Among patients with polypharmacy, the most commonly prescribed medications were aspirin (100 mg), atorvastatin, metformin, glimepiride, and rosuvastatin. The most commonly prescribed and potentially inappropriate medications were alprazolam, diazepam, amitriptyline, zolpidem, and dimenhydrinate. There was a significant decrease in the prescription rates for each of these drugs in 2018 compared with 2014 among patients with polypharmacy (all P < 0.001), whereas there was a significant increase in alprazolam prescription among patients aged ≥ 85 years when analysed by age group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study revealed an increasing prevalence of polypharmacy among older adults. Additionally, it highlighted that the utilisation of commonly prescribed potentially inappropriate medications, such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants, has remained persistent, particularly among patients aged ≥ 85 years who practiced polypharmacy. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for the development of robust polypharmacy management strategies to ensure medication safety among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives and methods: This observational pilot study carried out among residents aged 65 and over in a residential facility for dependent elderly people had the following objectives: determine the rate of acceptance by doctors of the pharmacist's deprescribing proposals; draw up the map of the incriminated drugs and the reasons according to the Stop/Start list; and test deprescribing support. Results: Of the 152 proposals concerning 93 patients, the acceptance rate is 45.4%, which varies greatly depending on the drugs and doctors. Proton pump inhibitors and benzodiazepines total more than half of the proposals (56.6%). The main reasons are the lack of indication (proton pump inhibitors) and use beyond 4 weeks (benzodiazepines). Statins and antiplatelet/anticoagulants are also affected. Conclusion: Deprescribing makes pharmacists partners of doctors in health establishments. In view of drug iatrogenics linked to polypharmacy, deprescribing should be a priority for any health authority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging is a global phenomenon. Each country in the world faces an increased number of older persons in the total population. With aging, a high prevalence of multiple chronic diseases occurs, leading to the use of complex therapeutic regimens and often to polypharmacy. Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a medicine prescribed to a patient for whom the risks outweigh the benefits. Today, several tools are used to evaluate the use of pharmacotherapy in older adults, one of them is the 2019 AGS Beers Criteria. In this prospective, pilot study, we aimed to investigate if the number of PIMs in elderly patients would be significantly reduced if a clinical pharmacist performed a pharmacotherapy review. The study included 66 patients over 65 years of age who were hospitalized at the 1200-bed university hospital. The intervention was conducted by a clinical pharmacist who reviewed the patients' pharmacotherapy and provided written suggestions to physicians. The pharmacotherapy was again reviewed at the patients' discharge from the hospital. A total number of 204 PIMs were identified in the pharmacotherapy of the study population. At discharge, the number of PIMs decreased to 67. A total of 67% of the pharmacist's suggestions were accepted by the physicians. The pharmacist's intervention led to significant decrease in the number of PIMs on patients' discharge letters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the influencing factors of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in the elderly with osteoporosis. METHODS: Data of elderly inpatients with osteoporosis in Guangyuan Central Hospital from Jan. to Jun. 2022 were collected. Beers criteria of American Geriatrics Society (2023 Edition) were used to analyze PIM of patients, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of PIM. RESULTS: PIM was present in 449 cases (71. 61%) of 627 patients included, of which 367 cases (58. 53%) were drug-related, 143 cases (22. 81%) were associated with disease or symptoms, 211 cases (33. 65%) were associated with caution of drug use, 33 cases (5. 26%) were associated with drug interactions, and 29 cases (4. 63%) were associated with renal function. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients with length of stay < 10 d, clinical diagnosis ≤7 kinds of diseases, number of drug varieties ≤15, non-surgery and no antibiotics, the risk of PIM was higher in patients with length of stay ≥15 d, clinical diagnosis ≥14 kinds of diseases, number of drug varieties ≥31, surgery and antibiotics, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly osteoporosis patients with multiple diseases have a higher incidence of PIM. The main influencing factors for PIM are length of stay ≥15 d, clinical diagnosis ≥14 kinds of diseases, number of drug varieties ≥31, surgery during hospitalization and use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults often consume high amounts of medicines, some of which may not be suitable for their age. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on elderly people (>60 years) diagnosed with chronic diseases and taking at least one medication. The consumption of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) was analyzed using the EU(7)-PIM List. Of the 65 elderly included, the majority were women (83.1%), diagnosed with hypertension (60.0%), and took 4.09 ± 2.104 medicines. More than 58% consumed at least one PIM. Nervous system PIMs were the most prevalent (29.2%, n = 19). There is a high prevalence of PIM use among the elderly, necessitating regular evaluation for safer medication use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the association of pneumonia admission with polypharmacy and specific drug use in community-dwelling older people. Methods: Using health insurance and long-term care insurance data from Kure city in Japan, we retrospectively collected data for older community-dwelling people (aged =65 years) from April 2017 to March 2019. The outcome was pneumonia admission. We carried out multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the association of pneumonia admission with polypharmacy (=5 drugs), the use of psychotropic drugs or anticholinergics with adjustment for patient backgrounds, such as comorbidity, and the daily life independence level for the older people with disability. Results: Of 59 040 older people, 4017 (6.8%) participants were admitted for pneumonia in 2 years. The ratio of polypharmacy, and the use of psychotropic drugs and anticholinergics in the admission group were significantly higher than the non-admission group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that polypharmacy (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.41), and the use of conventional antipsychotic drugs (odds ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.90), atypical antipsychotic drugs (odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.37-2.05) and anticholinergics (odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.33) were significantly associated with pneumonia admission. Conclusion: The present results suggest that polypharmacy, and the use of psychotropic drugs and anticholinergics are risk factors for pneumonia admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: A potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a pharmaceutical agent that poses a greater risk of harm than potential benefit to elderly patients. This study aimed to detect PIMs and their risk factors in hospitalized elderly patients with kidney disease. Methods: This cross‐sectional study assessed medication orders of elderly patients (≥65 years old) with kidney diseases admitted to the hospital. In the first 6 months, we retrospectively evaluated all medications to identify PIMs according to the 2019 Beers criteria. In the second phase, a clinical pharmacist prospectively evaluated all medications and suggested modifications as needed. Data were analyzed to determine risk factors for prescribing PIMs. Results: Based on our evaluation of 258 patients, we observed that the utilization of PIMs was prevalent among the study population. Of the total patients evaluated, 273 instances of PIM use were identified, with only 23.3% of patients not having any PIMs. Notably, proton pump inhibitors and benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed PIMs. The risk of experiencing a PIM was significantly amplified by a higher degree of polypharmacy, with odds approximately 2.68 times higher (p < 0.01). Several factors were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of having a PIM, including being male, undergoing hemodialysis, having chronic kidney disease or other comorbidities, and having an extended hospital stay. The second phase of study, in terms of addressing these issues, physicians adhered to 67.5% of the 120 recommendations made by pharmacists regarding the discontinuation of PIM usage. Conclusion: High prevalence of PIMs was detected in our study population. Preventing medication‐associated harms in the elderly can reduce the financial burden imposed on healthcare systems. Therefore, routine evaluation of medications with clinical pharmacists and/or implementation of computerized medication decision support systems is recommended to prevent PIMs use. Keypoints: The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication in the elderly with kidney diseases according to the Beers 2019 criteria, is still high.Considering the persistent evaluation of medication therapy in elderly patients by consultation with clinical pharmacists would facilitate decreasing medication errors.Preventing medication errors would potentially lead to decreased risk of adverse drug reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers can be defined as people with higher risk of developing medication-related problems due to aging and polypharmacy. Aim: To assess the medication exposure of patient with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers. Method: Ancillary cross-sectional study based on baseline medication data of the PHARMAID RCT. The PHARMAID study was a multi-center RCT assessing an integrated pharmaceutical care at a psychosocial program. Older outpatients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their older caregivers were eligible for inclusion. Baseline medication data were used to assess the medication exposure, illustrated by the number of medications, the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) using the EU(7)-PIM list and the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Results: Seventy-three dyads were included in this ancillary study. The mean numbers (SD) of medications used by patients was 6.8 (2.6) and by caregivers was 4.7 (3.7). Overall, 60.3% of patients used at least one PIM and 47.9% of caregivers. Regarding the medication regimen complexity, the mean MRCI was 16.3(8.1) for patients and 11.3(10.5) for caregivers. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the relevance of carrying out medication review with patients, but also with their caregivers who can be considered as hidden patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy, the presence of potentially inappropriate medications and related factors in older adults receiving palliative care. This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in 213 patients who were served from palliative care services. Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale and Charlson Comorbidity Index were applied. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of 5 or more medicines while the use of 10 or more medicines was considered as hyper-polypharmacy. PIM was assessed according to the TIME-to START and TIME-to STOP criteria. A total of 213 patients were included, mean age was 78.00 ± 9.08 years. Polypharmacy was present in 59.2 % of the patients and hyper-polypharmacy was present in 10.8 %. There was a statistically significant correlation between polypharmacy and marital status, history of falls, mid-upper arm, and calf circumference (p = 0.017, p = 0.022, p = 0.010, p = 0.003, respectively). The rate of inappropriate medication use of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, analgesics, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system drugs was high. There was at least one inappropriate medication use in 56.3 % of older adults. PIMs use was 18.3 % according to TIME-to-START criteria and was 48.4 % according to TIME-to-STOP criteria. There was a higher rate of PIMs use according to TIME criteria in the group with polypharmacy than non-polypharmacy (p

Abstract Background Evidence shows that potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults significantly increases the utilization of healthcare resources. PIM is widely prescribed in older adults, however little is known about its association with healthcare resource utilization in Africa, particularly Ethiopia. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to examine the presence of an association between healthcare expenditure and the frequency of PIM used. Methods This observational study was conducted from 06 September 2021 to 30 December 2022. A total of 151 hospitalized older adult patients were included in the study. The data collection format was designed to capture relevant information. STATA V.15.0 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model regression were conducted. Statistical significance was set at a p-value

The Beers criteria is a tool for evaluating potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in elderly patients widely used in various fields, such as clinical practice, teaching research, supervision and administration. The 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria (AGS Beers criteria) for PIM use in older adults are the seventh overall update, using the development methodology following previous versions, which includes the rigor of the evidence review and synthesis process. This paper provides a detailed interpretation of the new version of AGS Beers criteria. The AGS Beers criteria aims to reduce the incidence of PIM in older adults by optimizing drug selection. The 2023 AGS Beers criteria can also be used in the education of clinicians and patients, assessment of care quality, health care costs and drug use patterns in older adults. In addition to the five tables associated with PIM as main contents, several drugs and criteria have been added based on updated evidence, mainly on the revisions and streamlining of existing drugs and criteria. The added and revised content mainly involves anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents and hypoglycemic agents. The synthesis of anticoagulation recommendations has been added in the new version of AGS Beers criteria. Thirty-three drugs were removed due to low usage or not on the U.S. market. The 2023 AGS Beers criteria summarizes seven principles on the application of Beers criteria to ensure proper clinical use. Overall, the 2023 AGS Beers criteria have improved its accuracy and utility, which can better identify and reduce PIM prescriptions for the elderly patients and further guide the clinical development of rational drug use regimens.

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated that potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) occurs commonly in elderly patients with cancer, with higher prevalence of PIM than general elderly, which may lead to adverse effects on prognosis of the patients. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a systematic and comprehensive review of previous studies to provide support and reference for future studies. PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang Data were systematically searched to summarize and analyze the screen tools of PIM, prevalence of PIM, main drugs involved, influencing factors and the relationship between PIM and adverse outcomes. The results showed that the prevalence of PIM varied when different PIM screen tools were used in older patients with cancer, and the list of medications commonly used for supportive care that are of concern in older patients provided by the NCCN Guidelines for Older Adult Oncology (2020.v2) demonstrated advantages in providing individualized medication management for elderly patients with cancer. Polypharmacy, age, and comorbidities were significantly associated with the development of PIM. Benzodiazepines and analgesics are commonly used as high-risk drugs in elderly patients with cancer. PIM may be associated with higher mortality rates, drug interaction rates, adverse event rates, emergency and hospital readmission rates in elderly patients with cancer. It is hoped that this article will provide a reference for conducting studies related to PIM in elderly patients with cancer in China and provide support for promoting the safe and rational use of medication in elderly patients with cancer.

Abstract Background With the rapid aging trend of China's population, the issue of drug rational use in older adults has become more and more prominent. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmaceutical treatment plays a cardinal role in alleviating motor and non-motor symptoms to improve the quality of life of patients with PD. Patients with PD have complex medical needs yet little is known about the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) among them in China. We quantify the prevalence of PIM use and identify its predictors among older persons with PD in China. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting records of ambulatory visits of older adults with PD between 2015 and 2017. Beneficiaries aged 65 and above were eligible for inclusion. The prevalence of patients exposed to overall PIMs and PIMs related to motor and cognitive impairment was calculated based on Beers Criteria 2015 version. Potential predictors of PIM concerning patients’ characteristics were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 14,452 older adults with PD were included. In total, 8,356 (57.8%) patients received at least one PIM; 2,464 (17.1%) patients received at least one motor-impairing PIM and 6,201 (42.9%) patients received at least one cognition-impairing PIM. The prevalence of overall PIM use was higher in patients of older age group (54.7% [65–74] vs. 59.5% [75–84; OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.31] vs.65.5% [≥ 85; OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.38–1.80) and females (61.4% [female] vs. 55.0% [males; OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72–0.82). Conclusions Prescribing PIMs for older adults with PD was common in China, especially for females and older age groups, yet younger patients were more inclined to be prescribed with motor or cognition-impaired PIMs. Our findings represent a clear target awaiting multidimensional efforts to promote the rational prescribing of medications for this vulnerable population.

Background China's aging adults are increasing, and have increasing prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy, leading to a high risk of drug-drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. There are few studies on potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in the elderly, and PIM in this group has not yet received sufficient attention clinically. Objective To perform a retrospective analysis of the PIM prevalence and associated factors in elderly outpatients in a hospital using the 2019 Updated AGS Beers Criteria? for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults (hereinafter referred to as the 2019 Beers Criteria), providing precise medication guidance for clinical rational use of medications in the elderly. Methods Prescriptions of older outpatients written from January to December 2021 were collected from the "Smart Pharmacy Platform" of Changsha Hospital of Hunan Normal University on January 10, 2022. Each prescription was evaluated independently to find whether there was a PIM using the 2019 Beers Criteria. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the associated factors of PIM. Results The prescriptions of 39 275 outpatients were collected in the analysis, who had an average age of (74.0±6.8) years, an average number of diagnosed illnesses of (1.49±0.81), and an average number of types of drugs used of (2.70±1.75). The overall prevalence of PIM was 31.72% (12 458/39 275), involving 11 134 cases of drug-related PIM, 23 cases of disease- or symptom-related PIM, 2 109 cases of medication should be used with caution-related PIM in elderly patients, 99 cases of drug-drug interactions-related PIM that should be avoided in elderly patients, 2 cases of avoiding drug-related PIM and 8 cases of reducing drug-dose-related PIM in elderly patients with renal insufficiency. The departments with higher incidence of prescribing PIM were neurology〔1 908 (61.17%) 〕, geriatrics〔972 (49.49%) 〕, and general medicine〔1 495 (42.21%) 〕. The major prescribed PIM included benzodiazepines, proton pump inhibitors, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glimepiride. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, number of diagnosed illnesses and the number of types of medication were independently risk factors of PIM (P

Background: Evidence shows that potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in older adults significantly increases the utilization of healthcare resources. PIM is widely prescribed in older adults, however little is known about its association with healthcare resource utilization in Africa, particularly Ethiopia. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to examine the presence of an association between healthcare expenditure and the frequency of PIM used. Methods: This observational study was conducted from 06 September 2021 to 30 December 2022. A total of 151 hospitalized older adult patients were included in the study. The data collection format was designed to capture relevant information. STATA V.15.0 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear model regression were conducted. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05. The findings are presented in tables, figures, and text. Results: The total healthcare expenditure was higher in PIM users (385,368.6 ETB) than in non-PIM users (131,267.7 ETB). The median expenditures for medical supplies (p = 0.025), investigations (p = 0.033), and total healthcare expenditure (p = 0.023) were significantly higher in patients with two and more PIMs than in those with no or one PIM. However, after model adjustment, the total healthcare expenditure was not significantly different across the frequency of PIMs used. Number of medications (adjusted B = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.035, 0.101, p < 0.001) and taking blood and blood-forming organ class of medication (adjusted B = 0.151, 95% CI: 0.005, 0.297, p = 0.042) were associated with higher total healthcare expenditure, whereas the total healthcare expenditure was significantly lower in those patients with diseases of the nervous system (adjusted B = -0.307, 95% CI: -0.502, -0.112, p = 0.002) and respiratory system (adjusted B = -0.196, 95% CI: -0.327, -0.065, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The total healthcare expenditure is nearly three times higher in PIM users. However, its association with the frequency of PIM use was not statistically significant in the final model. Deprescribing medications after evaluating the benefit-risk ratio may help to reduce the healthcare expenditures of older adult patients. Further similar, adequately powered, comparative study is also warranted to identify the actual effect of PIM use on healthcare expenditures in the local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults are often prescribed medications that are potentially dangerous and geriatricians have specialized training in treating polypharmacy that may benefit these patients. To examine this, we compared potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prescribing rates between geriatricians and similar general internists in the United States. Methods: Using national cross‐sectional data from 2013 to 2019, we compared annual PIM prescribing rates between 2815 outpatient geriatricians certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1994–2018 and general internists matched 1:1 on IM certification exam score and year, residency exam pass rate, gender, and US birth and/or US medical school. PIM prescribing was based on the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) PIM physician annual prescribing measures which consider medications flagged as potentially inappropriate in the American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria® guideline. We also examined prescribing of appropriate alternative medications. Prescribing rates were calculated as the percentage a physician's patients with Medicare fee‐for‐service part D enrollment seen in the outpatient setting in a given year (mean: 150 patients per physician) with a PIM prescription they prescribed. Results: Across 30,677 physician‐year observations, geriatricians were 16.7% less likely (95% confidence interval (CI): −19.8 to −13.7, p < 0.001) to prescribe a PIM (7.2% versus 8.7% of patients respectively) and 2.7% more likely (95% CI: 0.8 to 4.5, p = 0.004) to prescribe an appropriate alternative medication (52.0% versus 50.7% of patients respectively). Lower PIM prescribing was observed for most medication sub‐types including central nervous system, anticholinergic, pain, and endocrine medications. In sensitivity analyses, differences in prescribing were similar when comparing recently trained physicians with more experienced physicians. Conclusion: Findings suggest geriatricians in the United States prescribe PIMs at lower rates than general internists. This highlights the value geriatricians provide as well as opportunities to embed key principles of geriatric care into internal medicine training and health care delivery systems. See related editorial by David B. Reuben in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a progressive and often fatal infection to a chronic disease. Currently, people living with HIV (PLHIV) have near-normal life expectancy; however, they face accelerated ageing and a rise in non--AIDS-defining HIV-associated conditions. Comorbidities increase the number of prescribed drugs and, therefore, the risk of polypharmacy and prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Still, there are no specific tools to identify PIMs in older PLHIV, which opens a pathway to investigate the particularities in the prescription of medication in this population. Methods: We conducted a scoping review in 5 electronic databases for studies reporting the use of tools to identify PIMs in older PLHIV. No language or date restrictions were applied. To complete the search, abstracts published in the most relevant HIV Conferences and Events in their editions from 2010 to 2022 were screened. Results: Of 50,193 records returned (13,701 of the databases and 36,492 of the Congresses), 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were single-centre and conducted in Europe. Twenty-eight studies were cross-sectional, and most researchers used explicit criteria, mainly Beers and STOPP-START criteria, to identify PIMs. Conclusions: Potentially inappropriate prescribing is frequent among older PLHIV. Explicit conventional tools to identify PIMs in older populations may need to be adapted to tackle the needs of PLHIV. Implicit tools may be more valid, although their use is more time-consuming, and standardization is complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid aging trend of China's population, the issue of drug rational use in older adults has become more and more prominent. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Pharmaceutical treatment plays a cardinal role in alleviating motor and non-motor symptoms to improve the quality of life of patients with PD. Patients with PD have complex medical needs yet little is known about the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) among them in China. We quantify the prevalence of PIM use and identify its predictors among older persons with PD in China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting records of ambulatory visits of older adults with PD between 2015 and 2017. Beneficiaries aged 65 and above were eligible for inclusion. The prevalence of patients exposed to overall PIMs and PIMs related to motor and cognitive impairment was calculated based on Beers Criteria 2015 version. Potential predictors of PIM concerning patients' characteristics were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 14,452 older adults with PD were included. In total, 8,356 (57.8%) patients received at least one PIM; 2,464 (17.1%) patients received at least one motor-impairing PIM and 6,201 (42.9%) patients received at least one cognition-impairing PIM. The prevalence of overall PIM use was higher in patients of older age group (54.7% [65–74] vs. 59.5% [75–84; OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.31] vs.65.5% [≥ 85; OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.38–1.80) and females (61.4% [female] vs. 55.0% [males; OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.72–0.82). Conclusions: Prescribing PIMs for older adults with PD was common in China, especially for females and older age groups, yet younger patients were more inclined to be prescribed with motor or cognition-impaired PIMs. Our findings represent a clear target awaiting multidimensional efforts to promote the rational prescribing of medications for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide an integrated approach for deprescribing practice in oncology setting. Data sources: The data on deprescribing in oncology settings has been retrieved from the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. We used "deprescribing," "potentially inappropriate medication" and "cancer" as a keyword for the conducting general search. The articles relevant to guidelines or tools used to deprescribe in cancer care were included. Data summary: The nature of cancer, its treatment strategies, adverse effects of therapy and multimorbidity impact negatively on quality of life (QoL). Further, they invite polypharmacy which puts the patient at higher risk of drug-related problems like drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and addition of potentially improper medications, etc. In older adults with cancer, the incidence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) was between 41% and 52%. Over the decades, multiple strategies have been developed to assess the appropriateness of therapy. One such approach is deprescribing. OncPal and oncoSTRIP (Systematic Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing) are the cancer specific guidelines whereas BEERs criteria, Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment/Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions criteria (START/STOPP criteria), medication appropriateness index (MAI) are the cancer nonspecific tools to identify PIM among cancer patients. Here, we provided an integrative approach and algorithm for deprescribing in oncology setting which includes patient and caregiver goals, life expectancy (LE), review of medications, determining medication appropriateness, assessment of time to benefit (TTB), symptomatic and asymptomatic care, identifying medications to cease, implementation of the plan, monitoring and reviewing. Conclusion: Deprescribing in oncology setting is a novel and effective patient-centric approach to counteract the use of PIM, which helps to mitigate polypharmacy, drug–drug interactions, and adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A process redesign, partnered pharmacist medication charting (PPMC), was recently piloted in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital. The PPMC model was intended to improve medication safety and interdisciplinary collaboration by having pharmacists work closely with medical officers to review and chart medications for patients. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the impact of PPMC on potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use. Methods: A pragmatic concurrent controlled study compared a PPMC group to both early best-possible medication history (BPMH) and usual care groups. In the PPMC group, pharmacists initially documented the BPMH and collaborated with medical officers to co-develop treatment plans and chart medications in ED. The early BPMH group included early BPMH documentation by pharmacists, followed by traditional medication charting by medical officers in ED. The usual care group followed the traditional charting approach by medical officers, without a pharmacist-collected BPMH or collaborative discussion in ED. Included were older people (≥65 years) presenting to the ED with at least one regular medication with subsequent admission to an acute medical unit. PIM outcomes (use of at least one PIM, PIMs per patient and PIMs per medication prescribed) were assessed at ED presentation, ED departure and hospital discharge using Beers criteria. Results: Use of at least one PIM on ED departure was significantly lower for the PPMC group than for the comparison groups (χ², p = 0.040). However, PIM outcomes at hospital discharge were not statistically different between groups. PIM outcomes on ED departure or hospital discharge did not differ from baseline within the comparison groups. Discussion: In conclusion, PIM use on leaving ED, but not at hospital discharge, was reduced with PPMC. Close interprofessional collaboration, as in ED, needs to continue on the wards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deprescribing reduces polypharmacy in older adults. A thorough study of the effect of deprescribing interventions on clinical outcomes in older adults is presently lacking. As a result, we evaluated the impact of deprescribing on clinical outcomes in older patients. Meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched from the time of creation to March 2023. Randomized controlled trial with participants at least 60 years old. Mortality, falls (number of fallers), hospitalization rates, emergency department visits, medication adherence, HRQoL (health-regulated quality of life), incidence of ADR (adverse drug reactions), PIM (potentially inappropriate medication), and PPO (potentially prescription omission) were evaluated in the meta-analysis. A total of 32 RCTs (18,670 patients) were included. Deprescribing interventions significantly reduced proportions of older adults with PIM, PPO, and the incidence of ADRs. The interventions group also improved medication compliance. Compared to routine care, deprescribing interventions significantly improve clinical outcome indicators for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The elderly population is affected by chronic diseases and lifelong medication. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria is a comprehensive approach to medication usage in the older population to reduce potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use. The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of PIMs in elderly patients upon discharge from tertiary care hospital settings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using the AGS Beers Criteria 2019. Methods: The data was obtained from the medical records of 1237 patients (>65 years) who were discharged from medical or surgical wards at two hospitals affiliated with King Abdulaziz Medical City. The data was analyzed to determine the prevalence of PIM prescription, and the proportional odds of the independent factors influencing outcomes were estimated using ordinal regression analysis for criteria 1 and 2, while Binary regression analysis was conducted for criterion 3. Results: There were approximately equal numbers of male and female participants in our study (male: 50.8 % vs. female: 49.2 %). One-third of the patients were above the age of 80 years, with 41 % being between the ages of 70 and 80 years. Moreover, almost 70 % of the samples had chronic illnesses. The overall prevalence of PIMs was 29.2 %, with 11 % of PIMs to be avoided in elderly patients and 17 % to be used with caution in the elderly, while disease-specific PIMs were identified in 1.2 % of the patients. The most common PIM class was proton pump inhibitors (44.41 %), and patients discharged from the surgical unit were more likely to be prescribed PIMs. Proton pump inhibitors (44.41 %) were the most inappropriately prescribed drug class, and patients discharged from the surgical unit were more likely to be prescribed PIMs. Conclusion: The study noticed that male gender, the presence of multiple diseases, and obesity are associated with more than one PIM prescription. There is a need to streamline the surgical department’s prescription procedure to eliminate prescription disparities. Prescription monitoring is recommended to avoid medication errors, particularly in patients who are taking multiple medications.

Abstract Background and Aims A potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is a pharmaceutical agent that poses a greater risk of harm than potential benefit to elderly patients. This study aimed to detect PIMs and their risk factors in hospitalized elderly patients with kidney disease. Methods This cross‐sectional study assessed medication orders of elderly patients (≥65 years old) with kidney diseases admitted to the hospital. In the first 6 months, we retrospectively evaluated all medications to identify PIMs according to the 2019 Beers criteria. In the second phase, a clinical pharmacist prospectively evaluated all medications and suggested modifications as needed. Data were analyzed to determine risk factors for prescribing PIMs. Results Based on our evaluation of 258 patients, we observed that the utilization of PIMs was prevalent among the study population. Of the total patients evaluated, 273 instances of PIM use were identified, with only 23.3% of patients not having any PIMs. Notably, proton pump inhibitors and benzodiazepines were the most frequently prescribed PIMs. The risk of experiencing a PIM was significantly amplified by a higher degree of polypharmacy, with odds approximately 2.68 times higher (p

Abstract Background Potentially inappropriate medication use is prevalent among older adults in primary care, leading to increased morbidity, adverse drug reactions, hospitalizations, and mortality. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool for identifying PIMs in older adults within the primary care setting. The tool is composed of a list of criteria and was created based on consensus among experts from three Spanish-speaking countries, including two from Latin America. Methods A literature review was conducted to identify existing tools, and prescription patterns were evaluated in a cohort of 36,111 older adults. An electronic Delphi method, consisting of two rounds, was used to reach a formal expert consensus. The panel included 18 experts from Spain, Colombia, and Argentina. The content validity index, validity of each content item, and Kappa Fleiss statistical measure were used to establish reliability. Results Round one did not yield a consensus, but a definitive consensus was reached in round two. The resulting tool consisted of a list of 5 general recommendations per disease, along with 33 criteria related to potential problems, recommendations, and alternative therapeutic options. The overall content validity of the tool was 0.87, with a Kappa value of 0.69 (95% CI 0.64—0.73; Substantial). Conclusions The developed criteria provide a novel list that allows for a comprehensive approach to pharmacotherapy in older adults, intending to reduce inappropriate medication use, ineffective treatments, prophylactic therapies, and treatments with an unfavorable risk–benefit ratio for the given condition. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of these criteria on health outcomes.