Potentially inappropriate medications in elderly.

OBJECTIVE

To compare PRISCUS with Beers-Fick in detecting potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs) in elderly at their first outpatient geriatric visit.

METHODS

Retrospective medical record analysis by PRISCUS and Beers-Fick adapted to Brazilian pharmacopoeia, comparing the finding of PIMs at the first outpatient geriatric visit by both criteria.

RESULTS

Cases had mean age of 77.4 ± 7.7 years (64 females and 36 males), and mean consumption of 3.9 ± 2.5 drugs. This study found statistical significance for the numbers of women using benzodiazepines and men using salicylates. The mean was 0.5 ± 0.7 PIMs/patient by Beers-Fick criteria and 0.7 ± 0.8 PIMs/patient by PRISCUS. Medications most often reported by Beers-Fick criteria were: benzodiazepines, methyldopa and ergot-derived drugs. Medications most often reported by PRISCUS criteria were: benzodiazepines, antihypertensive drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants. No statistical significance was found when the number of elderly patients with PIMs was compared between both criteria. Statistical significance was found (PRISCUS versus Beers-Fick) for the consumption of long acting benzodiazepines and laxatives. Both criteria do not include drugs such as vitamins, herbal medications, and eye drops, reported by a percentage of cases.

CONCLUSION

Both criteria are useful to prevent PIMs in the elderly, with PRISCUS being more updated and comprehensive, but they are not complete for the Brazilian outpatient reality.