Utilization of drugs for the management of cardiovascular diseases at intermediate care facilities for older adults in Japan.

OBJECTIVES

No established approaches exist for the pharmacological management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). This study aimed to evaluate the use of drugs for CVD prevention and treatment (CVD-related drugs) in a major type of LTCF in Japan.

METHODS

This study included 1318 randomly selected residents at 349 intermediate care facilities for older adults (called Roken). Prescriptions were investigated at admission and two months after admission according to therapeutic categories. Logistic regression was used to identify residents' characteristics that were associated with prescriptions of CVD-related drugs.

RESULTS

Prescriptions of all types of drugs and CVD-related drugs decreased in 36 % and 16 % of residents, respectively. Half of the residents received antihypertensives, a quarter received antiplatelets and diuretics, whereas one-tenth received antidiabetics, oral anticoagulants, and lipid-modifying drugs. The prevalence of most of individual drug categories were similar among residents with different physical or cognitive function, except for fewer antihypertensive and lipid-modifying drugs in those with severe cognitive disability. Adjusted analyses for prescriptions at two months after admission revealed that bedridden residents were more likely to be prescribed diuretics but less likely to be prescribed antihypertensives, antiplatelets, or lipid-modifying drugs. Residents with severe cognitive disability were less likely to be prescribed antihypertensives or lipid-modifying drugs. A known history of cardiovascular events was associated with greater use of CVD-related drugs.

CONCLUSION

CVD-related drugs were commonly prescribed for Roken residents, including those with low physical and cognitive functions. Deprescribing may contribute to the optimization of pharmacotherapy in LTCF residents.