Analyzing the Iatrogenic Triad: Discovering Strategies for Preventing Harm in the Elderly.

Objectives: The iatrogenic triad is a significant global health problem in the elderly population. This study aimed to evaluate the iatrogenic triad in the elderly and identify potential preventive measures to mitigate its occurrence. Materials and Methods: A preliminary observational study was conducted on 150 ambulatory elderly patients to assess potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), polypharmacy, and drug interactions. The AGS Beers Criteria 2019, Polypharmacy, Medication Complexity Regimen Index (MRCI), and Micromedex (a drug information software) were used to assess the harmful triad. Before and after data collection, we observed, identified, and unfolded potential strategies to avoid the harmful triad in the elderly population. Results: MRCI is 30.49 ± 13.77, suggesting a moderate level of complexity in the drug regimens of elderly patients. Among the PIMs identified by the AGS Beer criteria for 2019, glimepiride (45) and diclofenac (23) were found to be the most frequently prescribed. Moderate-level drug-drug interactions were identified between aspirin and metoprolol (20), metoprolol and metformin (13), and aspirin and enalapril (11). All drug-ethanol and drug-food interactions were rapid and often unknown to patients. Furthermore, the study found that MRCI and polypharmacy were significantly associated with the number of PIMs and drug interactions (p < 0.01). Based on data collection, this study identified three possible ways to prevent the iatrogenic triad in elderly patients: interaction, collaboration, and continuing education. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study sheds light on medication regimen complexity, PIMs, and drug interactions in elderly patients. The study also highlights three possible ways to prevent the iatrogenic triad: interaction, collaboration, and continuing education. By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can help prevent harm and improve the quality of care for elderly patients.

Potentially inappropriate medications, drug-drug interactions, and prescribing practices in elderly patients: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potentially inappropriate medications, potential drug-drug interactions, and prescribing practices in elderly ambulatory patients. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study on 275 elderly patients attending different outpatient departments. We used the Screening Tool for Older Person's Prescriptions criteria version two to identify potentially inappropriate medications, IBM Micromedex, to categorize potential drug-drug interactions as major and moderate. World Health Organization prescribing indicators were used to evaluate prescribing practices. RESULTS: The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications in 275 prescriptions was 21.9%. Diclofenac was the most common inappropriate drug (n=23). Metoprolol is the second most inappropriate drug (n=12). Amlodipine and clopidogrel, aspirin and furosemide, and aspirin and spironolactone together accounted for 71.42% of major interactions (n=15). Atorvastatin and clopidogrel was the most common moderate drug-drug interaction in our study (n=24). The average number of drugs per encounter, the percentage of drugs with a generic name, and the percentage of drugs from the essential drugs list must be improved. CONCLUSION: There is a need to provide awareness through education about the explicit criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications and prescribing indicators that aid in rational prescribing in the elderly.

Evaluation of Prescribing Patterns of Antibiotics Using Selected Indicators for Antimicrobial Use in Hospitals and the Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) Classification by the World Health Organization

Objectives: Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to the world, and irrational use of antibiotics is a major contributing factor. Evaluation of antimicrobial use is underway with the help of indicators and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of antibiotics into Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) categories. We aimed to evaluate the prescribing pattern of antibiotics using the AWaRe classification by the WHO and selected indicators for antimicrobial use in hospitals. Materials and Methods: A total of 1.000 prescriptions were analyzed during the study for antibiotic prescribing patterns. Antibiotic consumption was calculated using defined daily dose (DDD) methodology. The prescribing pattern was evaluated using the WHO classification of antibiotics into the categories AWaRe and using selected indicators (hospital and prescribing) for antimicrobial use in hospitals. Results: A total of 1.128 antibiotics were prescribed during the study. The 19-44 age group was prescribed a high number of antibiotics (n=510). Females were prescribed a high number of antibiotics compared with males (n=602). Azithromycin was the most commonly consumed antibiotic (14.97 DDD/1000/day). Four antibiotics from the Access category and five from the Watch category were prescribed in the study. The Watch category of antibiotics were consumed in a high number. There were no standard treatment guidelines in the hospital. In all, 98.0% of antibiotics were consistent with the hospital formulary and prescribed under generic names. The average number of antibiotics prescribed per patient was 1.12. The average duration of antimicrobial treatment was 5.24 days. The percentage of patients prescribed antimicrobials for pneumonia in accordance with treatment guidelines was 13.28%. Conclusion: Irrational use of antibiotics exists in hospitals. There is a need to maintain standard treatment guidelines in the hospital because it prevents irrational use of antibiotics.

Potentially inappropriate medications, drug-drug interactions, and prescribing practices in elderly patients: a cross-sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potentially inappropriate medications, potential drug-drug interactions, and prescribing practices in elderly ambulatory patients. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study on 275 elderly patients attending different outpatient departments. We used the Screening Tool for Older Person's Prescriptions criteria version two to identify potentially inappropriate medications, IBM Micromedex, to categorize potential drug-drug interactions as major and moderate. World Health Organization prescribing indicators were used to evaluate prescribing practices. RESULTS: The prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications in 275 prescriptions was 21.9%. Diclofenac was the most common inappropriate drug (n=23). Metoprolol is the second most inappropriate drug (n=12). Amlodipine and clopidogrel, aspirin and furosemide, and aspirin and spironolactone together accounted for 71.42% of major interactions (n=15). Atorvastatin and clopidogrel was the most common moderate drug-drug interaction in our study (n=24). The average number of drugs per encounter, the percentage of drugs with a generic name, and the percentage of drugs from the essential drugs list must be improved. CONCLUSION: There is a need to provide awareness through education about the explicit criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications and prescribing indicators that aid in rational prescribing in the elderly.

Tubercular Mastitis Mimicking as Malignancy: A Case Report.

Tubercular mastitis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis commonly seen in multiparous and lactating women in developing countries. It is a diagnostic challenge and commonly misdiagnosed as breast carcinoma. Tubercular mastitis is paucibacillary, and fine-needle aspiration cytology provides an accurate diagnosis - the presence of granulomas with Langerhans giant cells on histopathological examination warrants empirical treatment with anti-tubercular drugs. We report a case of a 31-year-old Indian female who consulted a local physician with chief complaints of a palpable, tender mass in her left breast, with pain, swelling, and purulent discharge past 15 days. The patient's past medical, surgical, medication history, and family history (concerning tuberculosis) were not significant. Initially, the patient suspected of breast malignancy based upon physical examination, mammography, and fine-needle aspiration cytology but an accurate diagnosis of tubercular mastitis made with repeated histopathological examination. Histopathologic examination of excised material showed granulomas composed of histocytes, Langerhans giant cells, and inflammatory cells. The patient underwent surgical drainage on the left breast and put on the anti-tubercular regimen for 6 months with her child also prescribed isoniazid for 6 months. The patient advised for regular follow-ups.