engleski

Potentially inappropriate medicines according to the EU(7)-PIM list in older hospitalized patients

Introduction As to allow for the analysis of potentially inappropriate medicine (PIM) patterns in and across the Europe, an expert- consensus list of PIMs covering the drug markets of seven European countries, called EU(7)-PIM list, was recently consented. The primary aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the performance of EU(7)-PIM list in hospitalized elderly patients, using a non- interventional, observational study design. Second, we checked the Croatian market on the availability of PIMs as listed in the EU(7)- PIM list. Materials and Methods Acutely and electively admitted patients (65 years or >) to the Clinic of Internal Medicine University Hospital Dubrava were included in the study during a 15-month period. Patients’ data were retrieved by a careful review of patient’s admission documents, hospital record, and through the interview with the patient, or a patient’s family member or a caregiver, if needed. Supplementary information was obtained from the GP when necessary. PIMs were identified using the EU(7)-PIM list. Results Out of 276 patients included in the study, a total of 182 (65, 9 %) patients received 316 PIMs at hospital discharge (Table 1). The most frequently prescribed classes of PIMs were central nervous system (benzodiazepines, n=58 ; tramadol, n=30), alimentary tract and metabolism (proton pump inhibitors ; n=41) and cardiovascular system medications (trimetazidine, n=24) accounting for almost half of all PIMs (48, 4 %) (Table 2). Regarding the availability of drugs listed in EU(7)-PIM list at the Croatian market, out of the 275 active substances in the EU(7)-PIM list, 119 were available in Croatia with 102 products being only available on prescription. Conclusion The new EU(7)-PIM list detected a high number of patients taking PIMs. We expect the tool to be useful in prescription evaluation for the elderly inpatient and outpatient population on the Croatian market.

potentially inappropriate medicines, elderly patients

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