Half of Older Persons Exposed to Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing

A study published in the British Medical Journal estimated that about 50 percent of older men and women are exposed to potentially inappropriate drug prescribing every year, with hospitalization independently associated with a higher increased risk, reports Medical Xpress . The study's authors call for better coordination of care, particularly for older individuals with complex care needs, to help lower the risk of medication errors, adverse drug events, and re-hospitalizations. The researchers analyzed data from 44 general practices in Ireland from 2012 to 2015, including 38,229 community residents. The average subject age was 77, while 43 percent of the subjects were men and 10 percent to 15 percent were hospitalized at least once a year. The general degree of potentially inappropriate prescribing ranged from 45.3 percent of subjects in 2012 to 51 percent in 2015. Hospitalization was associated with a higher rate of potentially inappropriate prescribing regardless of age, sex, number of prescription items, other conditions, and health coverage. Among participants who were hospitalized, the probability of potentially inappropriate prescribing after admission was consistently higher than prior to admission.