Prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drugs in outpatient hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: It has been documented that NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drugs) reduce the effectiveness of some antihypertensive drugs. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the prescription of NSAID and the variables associated in outpatients with hypertension and explore some characteristics of the physicians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study, included patients with hypertension from the Family Medicine Unit No. 24 in Mante, Tamaulipas. From the patients, sociodemographic data, clinical history and pharmacological treatments were obtained. From the physicians, sociodemographic and academic information were collected. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 63 ± 11 years and 31.7% were prescribed NSAIDs. When compare exposed versus non-exposed to NSAIDs, being in uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled hypertension, multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The variables associated to the prescription of NSAIDs were: uncontrolled hypertension, multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The 56.7% of the physicians were women, 83.3% with experience >10 years and 33.3% with current certification by the Council in Family Medicine. CONCLUSIONS: The inappropriate prescription of NSAIDs revealed the need to implement actions to mitigate the potential risk for the hypertension patients to present a complication.

ANTECEDENTES: Los antiinflamatorios y los antirreumáticos no esteroideos (AINE) disminuyen la eficacia de algunos antihipertensivos. OBJETIVO: Analizar el patrón de prescripción de AINE y las variables asociadas en pacientes ambulatorios con diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial, así como explorar algunas características de los médicos prescriptores. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal de pacientes con hipertensión de la Unidad de Medicina Familiar 24 en Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas. De los pacientes se registraron datos sociodemográficos, antecedentes patológicos y tratamientos farmacológicos; y de los médicos, información sociodemográfica y académica. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 63 ± 11 años, 31.7 % recibía AINE y al contrastarlos con quienes no los recibían, se identificó mayor proporción de obesidad, presión arterial más elevada, más casos en descontrol de la hipertensión arterial, multimorbilidad y polimedicación. Las variables asociadas a la prescripción de AINE fueron estar en descontrol de la hipertensión arterial, multimorbilidad y polimedicación; 56.7 % de los médicos prescriptores fue del sexo femenino, 83.3 % con antigüedad superior a 10 años y 33.3 % con certificación vigente. CONCLUSIONES: La prescripción inapropiada de AINE reveló la necesidad de implementar acciones para mitigar el riesgo potencial de los pacientes hipertensos de presentar una complicación.

Factors Associated with Readmission within 30 Days of Hospital Discharge of Psychiatric Patients: Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Readmission, defined as any admission after discharge from the same hospital, has negative implications for health outcomes. This study aims to identify the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with hospital readmission among psychiatric patients. METHODOLOGY: This case-control study analyzed 202 clinical records of patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital between 2019-2021. The sample was selected using simple random sampling. Qualitative variables were presented using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests for association. Quantitative variables were described using central tendency measures and dispersion of data, investigated with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test as appropriate. Regression analysis was conducted to determine factors linked to readmission. p < 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: Women accounted for a higher readmission rate (59%). Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia had a higher readmission rate (63%), experienced longer transfer times to the hospital during readmissions, and had shorter hospital stays. Polypharmacy and pharmacological interactions were associated with readmission. Olanzapine treatment was identified as a risk factor for readmission (ExpB = 3.203, 95% CI 1.405-7.306, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest avoiding polypharmacy and medications with high side effect profiles to reduce readmissions. This study offers valuable insights for clinical decision-making from admission to discharge planning, aiming to enhance the quality of care.

[Potentially inappropriate medication in older adults with palliative care at home]. / Medicación potencialmente inapropiada en adultos mayores con necesidades paliativas en domicilio.

INTRODUCTION: Older adults with advanced chronic diseases and palliative care needs are more exposed to polypharmacy and use of potentially inappropriate medication, which generates a high risk of adverse events and impaired quality of life. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of potentially inappropriate medication use among older adults with palliative care needs receiving home care services after hospital discharge. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study of pharmacy dispensing and electronic health records, of older adults in a home care system and with palliative care needs according to the screening with the NECPAL tool or the PROFUND and/or PALIAR indexes. Dispensed medications during 180 days after admission to home care were analyzed. Medications were classified as potentially inappropriate according to the LESS-CHRON criteria. RESULTS: We included 176 patients, mean age 87.4 years, 67% were women; 73% were pluripathologic patients and 22% had one chronic progressive disease. Mortality at 6 months was 73%. Median frequency of dispensed medications per patient was 9.1 (IQR = 4-9.7). The frequency of potentially inappropriate medication dispensation among patients was 87%, mainly antihypertensives, benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. CONCLUSION: This study observed that dispensation of potentially inappropriate medication among older adults with palliative care needs and home care services is very high. This emphasizes the need for effective patient-centered interventions to prevent inadequate prescription and stimulate de-prescription.

Introducción: Los adultos mayores con enfermedades crónicas avanzadas y necesidad de cuidados paliativos están más expuestos a la polifarmacia y a consumir medicación potencialmente inapropiada, la cual genera un alto riesgo de eventos adversos y alteración de la calidad de vida. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la frecuencia de consumo de medicación potencialmente inapropiada de adultos mayores con necesidad de cuidados paliativos que ingresaron a cuidados domiciliarios luego de una hospitalización. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal observacional de registros de dispensación e historias clínicas electrónicas, de adultos mayores en un sistema de cuidados domiciliarios y con necesidades de cuidados paliativos según el rastreo con la herramienta NECPAL, los índices PROFUND y/o PALIAR. Se analizó el consumo de fármacos durante los 180 días posteriores al ingreso a cuidados domiciliarios. Se clasificaron los fármacos como potencialmente inapropiados según criterios de LESS-CHRON. Resultados: Se incluyeron 176 pacientes, edad promedio 87.4 años, 67% mujeres; 78% eran pluripatológicos y 22% presentaban una enfermedad única crónica progresiva. La mortalidad a los 6 meses fue 73%. La mediana de consumo de fármacos por paciente fue 9.1 (RIC = 4-9.7). El 87% consumía medicación potencialmente inapropiada, principalmente antihipertensivos, benzodiacepinas y antipsicóticos. Conclusión: Este estudio observó que los adultos mayores, con necesidad de cuidados paliativos en cuidados domiciliarios, tienen un alto consumo de medicación potencialmente inapropiada. Esto refuerza la necesidad de implementar intervenciones efectivas centradas en el paciente, para prevenir la prescripción inadecuada y estimular la de-prescripción.

Prevalence of polypharmacy and drug interaction in older adults with rheumatic disease.

INTRODUCTION/AIM: Older people with rheumatic diseases tend to have a greater number of associated comorbidities, which will require the use of more drugs, increasing the risk of hospitalizations, complications, and drug interactions. In Mexico, there has been an estimated prevalence of polypharmacy of up to 55%, however there are scarce reports on the topic in our elderly population with rheumatic diseases. We aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and the association of drug interactions in patients treated for rheumatic disease. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients undergoing treatment for rheumatic diseases who were treated in geriatrics and rheumatology clinics from January to December 2021. The presence of polypharmacy and drug interactions was evaluated using the BOT Plus Pharmacological Surveillance System. The prevalence of polypharmacy and the association of drug interactions were estimated. RESULTS: We evaluated 320 patients, with a mean age of 67.05±5.8 years, predominantly female (85%). The prevalence of polypharmacy was 68.1% (n=218), of which 214 (98.1%) patients had related drug interactions; 27.1% were severe and 53.2% as moderate interactions. Factors related with increased risk of drug interactions were being exposed to hypertension increased the risk of drug interactions (POR 1.75, 95% CI 1.44-2.14; P<0.001), having osteoarthritis (POR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04-1.42; P=0.032) and thyroid disease (POR 1.45, 95% CI 1.28-1.65; P=0.001). The most prevalent serious interactions were leflunomide-methotrexate in 27 (46.5%) patients and buprenorphine-tramadol in 8 (13.7%). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of polypharmacy and drug interactions was observed in elderly patients with rheumatic diseases. The main associated factors were comorbidities, particularly high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and thyroid diseases.

Lists of potentially inappropriate medications for older people in primary care: a systematic review of health outcomes.

This study is a systematic literature review of the association between lists of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) in clinical practice and health outcomes of older adults followed up in primary health care. For this purpose, the PRISMA protocol was used to systematize the search for articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central, LIVIVO and LILACS databases, in addition to the gray literature. Studies with randomized clinical trials were selected, using explicit criteria (lists) for the identification and management of PIM in prescriptions of older patients in primary care. Of the 2,400 articles found, six were used for data extraction. The interventions resulted in significant reductions in the number of PIM and adverse drug events and, consequently, in potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) in polymedicated older adults. However, there were no significant effects of the interventions on negative clinical outcomes, such as emergency room visits, hospitalizations and death, or on improving the health status of the older adults. The use of PIM lists promotes adequate medication prescriptions for older adults in primary health care, but further studies are needed to determine the impact of reducing PIM on primary clinical outcomes.

Psychotropic Medication Use and Polypharmacy Among Children and Adolescents Initiating Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Severe Challenging Behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence, trends, and factors associated with psychotropic medication use and polypharmacy among children and adolescents initiating intensive behavioral therapy for severe challenging behavior over a 10-year period. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective observational study, we examined data from caregiver interviews and patient medical records on the number and types of psychotropic medications prescribed to patients initiating intensive behavioral therapy between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Trends in medication use and polypharmacy across the 10-year period were analyzed using regression analysis, while differences in demographics and clinical factors for patients with use and polypharmacy were analyzed using nonparametric statistical analysis with odds ratios presented for significant factors. RESULTS: Data from all 302 pediatric patients initiating intensive behavioral therapy across the 10-year period were analyzed. Among all patients and all years, 83.8% were taking at least 1 psychotropic medication and 68.2% experienced polypharmacy. There were no changes in the prevalence of use, mean number of medications taken, or polypharmacy across the 10-year period. Patients diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or anxiety disorder, as well as those exhibiting self-injurious behavior had higher use of psychotropic medication and polypharmacy and were taking more medications overall. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotropic medication use and polypharmacy were extremely high for children and adolescents with severe challenging behavior, but use and polypharmacy did not change over the 10-year period of data collection. Further research is needed to establish the generality of these findings to other regions of the US.

Polypharmacy and Associated Health Outcomes in the PARI-HD Study.

Background: A growing body of evidence points to potential risks associated with polypharmacy (using ≥5 medications) in older adults, but most evidence is derived from studies where racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented among research participants. Objective: Investigate the association between polypharmacy and cognitive function, subjective health state, frailty, and falls in Hispanic older adults. Methods: Panama Aging Research Initiative-Health Disparities (PARI-HD) is a community-based cohort study of older adults free of dementia at baseline. Cognitive function was measured with a neuropsychological test battery. Frailty assessment was based on the Fried criteria. Subjective health state and falls were self-reported. Linear and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine association. Results: Baseline evaluations of 468 individuals with a mean age of 69.9 years (SD = 6.8) were included. The median number of medications was 2 (IQR: 1-4); the rate of polypharmacy was 19.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.1-23.3). Polypharmacy was inversely associated with self-rated overall health (b =-5.89, p < 0.01). Polypharmacy users had 2.3 times higher odds of reporting two or more falls in the previous 12 months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.06-5.04). Polypharmacy was independently associated with Fried's criteria for pre-frailty (OR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.36-5.96) and frailty (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 1.83-14.42). Polypharmacy was not associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusions: These findings illustrate the potential risks associated with polypharmacy among older adults in Panama and may inform interventions to improve health outcomes in this population.

STOPP-START Criteria Used to Identify the Elderly Population Prone to Potentially Inadequate Prescribing in a Colombian Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Elderly people have multiple comorbidities that often require treatment with multiple medications. Having strategies to lessen the risks associated with pharmacological interactions and potentially inadequate prescribing (PIP) is of major importance. The STOPP- START criteria are useful in identifying PIP along with other tools, such as LASA (look alike/sound alike) drugs and high-risk medications (HRM). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clinically and sociodemographically characterize the population with PIP according to the STOPP-START criteria in hospitalized elderly patients over 6 months in a third-level hospital in Colombia, South America. We also aimed to calculate the prevalence of PIP, LASA drugs and HRM and to identify other problems related with medication. Finally, we proposed an algorithm for the identification of PIP in this population. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in hospitalized patients older than 60 years during the first semester of 2021 to identify PIP according to STOPP- START criteria. An analysis of clinical and sociodemographic variables was conducted, as well as the construction of an algorithm to identify PIP in the elderly in a semiautomated way. Data were collected and analyzed using the software SPSS 2021, using descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency. RESULTS: The prevalence of PIP in the study population was 25%. Furthermore, 60% of patients had one problem related to medication, and 27% used at least one LASA drug or HRM. CONCLUSION: This study allows one to characterize, for the first time, the Colombian population prone to PIP, as well as the construction of an algorithm that identifies PIP in a semiautomated way.

Validated medication deprescribing instruments for patients with palliative care needs: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with life-limiting illnesses are prone to unnecessary polypharmacy. Deprescribing tools may contribute to minimizing negative outcomes. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify validated instruments for deprescribing inappropriate medications for patients with palliative care needs and to assess the impact on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases (until May 2021). A manual search was performed in the references of enrolled articles. The screening, eligibility, extraction, and bias risk assessment were carried out by 2 independent researchers. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Out of the 5791 studies retrieved, after excluding duplicates (n = 1050), conducting title/abstract screening (n = 4741), and full reading (n = 41), only 1 study met the inclusion criteria. In this included study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted, which showed a high level of bias risk overall. Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with limited life expectancy and polypharmacy were allocated to 2 groups [intervention arm (deprescribing); and control arm (usual care)]. Deprescribing was performed with the aid of the STOPPFrail tool. The mean number of inappropriate medications and monthly medication costs were significantly lower in the intervention arm. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, fractures, mortality, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of several instruments to support deprescribing in patients with palliative care needs, only 1 of them has undergone validation and robust assessment for effectiveness in clinical practice. The STOPPFrail tool appears to reduce the number of inappropriate medications for older people with limited life expectancy (and probably palliative care needs) and decrease the monthly costs of pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, the impact on patient safety and humanistic outcomes remain unclear.

Validated medication deprescribing instruments for patients with palliative care needs palliative care: A systematic review. / [Artículo traducido] Instrumentos validados de desprescripción de medicamentos para los pacientes con necesidades de cuidados paliativos: una revisión sistemática.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with life-limiting illnesses are prone to unnecessary polypharmacy. Deprescribing tools may contribute to minimizing negative outcomes. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify validated instruments for deprescribing inappropriate medications for patients with palliative care needs and to assess the impact on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in LILACS, PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases (until May 2021). A manual search was performed in the references of enrolled articles. The screening, eligibility, extraction, and bias risk assessment were carried out by two independent researchers. Experimental and observational studies were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Out of the 5,791 studies retrieved, after excluding duplicates (n = 1,050), conducting title/abstract screening (n = 4,741), and full reading (n = 41), only one study met the inclusion criteria. In this included study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted, which showed a high level of bias risk overall. Adults 75 years or older (n = 130) with limited life expectancy and polypharmacy were allocated to two groups [intervention arm (deprescribing); and control arm (usual care)]. Deprescribing was performed with the aid of the STOPPFrail tool. The mean number of inappropriate medications and monthly medication costs were significantly lower in the intervention arm. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of unscheduled hospital presentations, falls, fractures, mortality, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of several instruments to support deprescribing in patients with palliative care needs, only one of them has undergone validation and robust assessment for effectiveness in clinical practice. The STOPPFrail tool appears to reduce the number of inappropriate medications for older people with limited life expectancy (and probably palliative care needs) and decrease the monthly costs of pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, the impact on patient safety and humanistic outcomes remain unclear.

Integrated approach to reducing polypharmacy in older people: exploring the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant potential therapy.

Increased life expectancy, attributed to improved access to healthcare and drug development, has led to an increase in multimorbidity, a key contributor to polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is characterised by its association with a variety of adverse events in the older persons. The mechanisms involved in the development of age-related chronic diseases are largely unknown; however, altered redox homeostasis due to ageing is one of the main theories. In this context, the present review explores the development and interaction between different age-related diseases, mainly linked by oxidative stress. In addition, drug interactions in the treatment of various diseases are described, emphasising that the holistic management of older people and their pathologies should prevail over the individual treatment of each condition.

Impacto da polifarmácia e o uso de medicamentos associados ao risco de quedas de idosos / Impact of polypharmacy and the use of medicines associated with the risk of falls in the elderly / Impacto de la polifarmacia y el uso de medicamentos asociados al riesgo de caídas en los adultos mayores

Objetivo: associar a polifarmácia e as classes medicamentosas com o risco de quedas de idosos. Método: estudo transversal e quantitativo, realizado em um ambulatório na cidade de São Paulo ­ SP, com 117 idosos, no período de março a novembro de 2019. A coleta dos dados foi realizada pela transcrição integral dos receituários e pela Escala de Risco de Quedas de Downton. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram o Mann-Whitney e o Qui-Quadrado, sendo considerado um nível de significância de 5% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: o risco de quedas apresentou correlação significativa com o número de medicamentos, média de seis ao dia (p<0,0001) e as classes medicamentosas, os anti-hipertensivos (p<0,0001), os antidiabéticos orais (p=0,027), os diuréticos (p<0,0001) e os antidepressivos (p=0,042). Conclusão: portanto, ressalta-se a importância da avaliação dos fatores relacionados ao aumento do risco de quedas, para planejar e implementar estratégias no cuidado da saúde do idoso

Objective: to associate polypharmacy and medication classes with the risk of falls in the elderly. Method: cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out in an outpatient clinic in the city of São Paulo ­ SP, with 117 elderly people, from March to November 2019. Data collection was carried out by full transcription of prescriptions and the Falls Risk Scale from Downton. The statistical tests used were the Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square, considering a significance level of 5% and a confidence interval of 95%. Results:the risk of falls presented significantly with the number of medications, an average of 5.8 per day (p<0.0001) and the medication classes, antihypertensives (p<0.0001), oral antidiabetics (p =0.027), diuretics (p<0.0001) and antidepressants (p=0.042). Conclusion:therefore, the importance of evaluating factors related to the increased risk of falls is highlighted, to plan and implement strategies in the health care of the elderly

Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic generated a great impact on health systems. We compared evolution, polypharmacy, and potential drug-drug interactions (P-DDIs) in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 hospitalizations during first wave of pandemic. Prescriptions for hospitalized patients ≥ 18 years (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 rooms) between April and September 2020 were included. The computerized medical decision support system SIMDA and the physician order entry system Hdc.DrApp.la were used. Patients in COVID-19 rooms were divided into detectable and non-detectable, according to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Number of drugs, prescribed on day 1, after day 1, and total; polypharmacy, excessive polypharmacy, and P-DDIs were compared. 1,623 admissions were evaluated: 881 COVID-19, 538 detectable and 343 non-detectable, and 742 non-COVID-19. Mortality was 15% in COVID-19 and 13% in non-COVID-19 (RR [non-COVID-19 vs. COVID-19]: 0.84 [95% CI] [0.66-1.07]). In COVID-19, mortality was 19% in detectable and 9% in non-detectable (RR: 2.07 [1.42-3.00]). Average number of drugs was 4.54/patient (SD ± 3.06) in COVID-19 and 5.92/patient (±3.24) in non-COVID-19 (p<0.001) on day 1 and 5.57/patient (±3.93) in COVID-19 and 9.17/patient (±5.27) in non-COVID-19 (p<0.001) throughout the hospitalization. 45% received polypharmacy in COVID-19 and 62% in non-COVID-19 (RR: 1.38 [1.25-1.51]) and excessive polypharmacy 7% in COVID-19 and 14% in non-COVID-19 (RR: 2.09 [1.54-2.83]). The frequency of total P-DDIs was 0.31/patient (±0.67) in COVID-19 and 0.40/patient (±0.94) in non-COVID-19 (p=0.022). Hospitalizations in the COVID-19 setting are associated with less use of drugs, less polypharmacy and less P-DDIs. Detectable patients had higher mortality.

Polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications and associated factors among older adults with hypertension in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the prevalence and associations of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use among older adults with hypertension treated in primary care. METHODS: a cross-sectional study carried out with older adults with hypertension treated at a Family Health Strategy unit. Data collection included analysis of medical records, interviews and multidimensional assessment of older adults. Socio-demographic information and clinical variables were collected. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: polypharmacy prevalence was 38.09%, and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), 28.57%. There was a significant association between polypharmacy and PIM use, altered sleep and ethnicity. PIM use was associated with polypharmacy, worse family functioning, and absence of a caregiver. Cognitive decline reduces the prevalence of these medications. CONCLUSIONS: polypharmacy and PIM use among older adults with hypertension represent a problem in this population, especially among the most vulnerable.

Construção de aplicativo móvel como estratégia para adesão medicamentosa de idosos / Construction of a mobile application as a strategy for medication adherence in the elderly population

Objetivo: Descrever o processo de desenvolvimento de um aplicativo como estratégia para promover a adesão medicamentosa de idosos. Métodos: Pesquisa metodológica de produção tecnológica. Foram seguidas as etapas de levantamento de dados, montagem de banco de dados e desenvolvimento do software. Realizou-se uma revisão narrativa da literatura sobre o tema. Resultados: Para o desenvolvimento da ferramenta tecnológica realizou-se inicialmente um protótipo do aplicativo. O objetivo central foi criar um programa de aplicação para lembrar o horário de medicamentos através de avisos sonoros e informações na tela, com foco na autonomia do processo saúde-doença do público idoso, utilizando-se de uma linguagem acessível, com fontes grandes e legíveis, com cores específicas para a tela de fundo e os Ooblets adequados para o entendimento do público-alvo. Conclusão: O aplicativo contribui na adesão medicamentosa por parte dos idosos, além de auxiliar os cuidadores sobre o uso correto, horário adequado e dosagem correta. A tecnologia proposta proporciona a corresponsabilização dos longevos no seu processo saúde-doença e adesão à terapêutica prescrita. Descritores: Tecnologia; Saúde do Idoso; Polimedicação; Cuidados de Enfermagem.

Objective: To describe the process of developing an application as a strategy to promote medication adherence in the elderly population.Methods:Methodological research of technological production. The steps of data survey, database assembly and software development were followed. A narrative review of the literature on the theme was performed.Results:In order to develop the technological tool, a prototype of the application was initially made. The central objective was to create an application program to remember the medication schedule through sound warnings and on-screen information, focusing on theautonomy of the health-disease process of the elderly population, using an accessible language, with large and legible fonts, with specific colors for the background screen and Ooblets suitable for the understanding of the target audience.Conclusion: Theapplication contributes to medication adherence by the elderly patients, in addition to helping caregivers regarding the correct use, appropriate time, and correct dosage. The proposed technology provides the co-responsibility of the elderly citizens in their health-disease process and adherence to the prescribed therapy. Descriptors:Technology; Health of the Elderly; Polypharmacy; Nursing Care.

Perfil medicamentoso e frequência de polifarmácia em idosos de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde / Drug profile and frequency of polypharmacy in elderly people in a Primary Care Unit / Perfil farmacológico y frecuencia de polifarmacia en ancianos en una Unidad Básica de Salud

Objetivo: identificar o perfil medicamentoso e a frequência de polifarmácia em idosos cadastrados e que fazem acompanhamento em uma unidade básica de saúde. Método: estudo observacional e retrospectivo, realizado em uma unidade básica de saúde de um município do Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais. Foi realizada amostragem aleatória e estratificada para coleta de dados de prontuários físicos e eletrônicos de idosos atendidos nos anos de 2019 e 2020, analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultados: entre 448 prontuários foram analisados, porém somente 208 (46,4%) foram válidos. Os medicamentos mais prescritos foram losartana (n=72; 34,6%), sinvastatina (n=60; 28,8%) e metformina (n=51; 24,5%). Observou-se 24,0% de frequência de polifarmácia (n=51), maior frequência de mulheres (n=42; 30,2%) e com significativa associação com diabetes mellitus (p=0,034). Conclusão: a polifarmárcia foi detectada, mais presente nas mulheres, sendo que medicamentos mais utilizados foram relacionados à hipertensão arterial, dislipidemias e diabetes mellitus. Destaca-se a incompletude de informações nos prontuários analisados(AU)

Objective: to identify the medication profile and frequency of polypharmacy in registered elderly people who are followed up at a primary care unit. Method: observational and retrospective study, carried out in a primary care unit in a municipality in Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais. Random and stratified sampling was carried out to collect data from the physical and electronic medical records of the elderly assisted in the years 2019 and 2020, analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: among 448 medical records analyzed, 208 (46.4%) were considered valid for inclusion in the study. The most prescribed drugs were losartan (n=72; 34.6%), simvastatin (n=60; 28.8%) and metformin (n=51; 24.5%). There was a 24.0% frequency of polypharmacy (n=51), a higher frequency of wome (n=42; 30.2%) and with a significant association with diabetes mellitus (p=0.034). Conclusion: polypharmacy was detected, more present in women, and the most used drugs were related to arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus. The incompleteness of information in the analyzed medical records stands out. Descriptors: Health of the Elderly; Aged; Primary Health Care; Polypharmacy(AU)

Objetivo: identificar el perfil farmacológico y frecuencia de polifarmacia en ancianos registrados en seguimiento en una unidad básica de salud. Método: estudio observacional y retrospectivo, realizado en una unidad básica de salud de un municipio del Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio y estratificado para recolectar datos de las historias clínicas físicas y electrónicas de los ancianos atendidos en los años 2019 y 2020, analizados mediante estadística descriptiva. Resultados: de 448 historias clínicas analizadas, 208 (46,4%) fueron consideradas válidas para su inclusión en el estudio. Los fármacos más prescritos fueron Losartán (n=72; 34,6%), Simvastatina (n=60; 28,8%) y Metformina (n=51; 24,5%). La frecuencia de polifarmacia estuvo en el 24,0% (n=51), mayor frecuencia de mujeres (n=42; 30,2%) y con asociación significativa con diabetes mellitus (p=0,034). Conclusión: se detectó la polifarmacia, más presente en las mujeres; los fármacos más utilizados estuvieron relacionados con hipertensión arterial, dislipidemia y diabetes mellitus. Se destaca la incompletitud de la información en las historias clínicas analizadas(AU)

Polypharmacy, physical activity, and sedentary time in older adults: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To map out the studies that have investigated the associations of polypharmacy and/or potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use with physical activity and sedentary time in older adults. METHODS: We conducted a literature search from inception to December 2022 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. INCLUSION CRITERIA: observational studies including older adults (≥60 years); English, Portuguese, and Spanish languages; any definition of polypharmacy; implicit and explicit criteria of PIM use; physical activity and/or sedentary time data. RESULTS: Fourteen cross-sectional studies were included; 11 defined polypharmacy as ≥5 medications (prevalence ranging from 9.5 % to 57 %). No study reported information on PIM use. Most studies included participants aged <80 years. Twelve studies included self-reported measures of physical activity, while two studies used accelerometer-measured physical activity. Ten studies included analyses adjusted for confounders, and nine considered polypharmacy as an outcome. All of them demonstrated an inverse association between physical activity and polypharmacy, irrespective of the definition of polypharmacy and the assessment method employed (self-reported or accelerometry). One study reported an inverse association between polypharmacy (as the exposure) and physical activity (as the outcome). None of the studies investigated the association between sedentary time and polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence suggests an inverse association between physical activity and polypharmacy in older adults. However, the relationship between PIM use, physical activity, and sedentary time remains unknown. Longitudinal studies utilizing objectively-measured physical activity and sedentary time are needed to better clarify the relationship between these movement behaviors and polypharmacy and/or PIM use in older adults.

Tackling potentially inappropriate prescriptions in older adults: development of deprescribing criteria by consensus from experts in Colombia, Argentina, and Spain.

BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriate medication use is prevalent among older adults in primary care, leading to increased morbidity, adverse drug reactions, hospitalizations, and mortality. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool for identifying PIMs in older adults within the primary care setting. The tool is composed of a list of criteria and was created based on consensus among experts from three Spanish-speaking countries, including two from Latin America. METHODS: A literature review was conducted to identify existing tools, and prescription patterns were evaluated in a cohort of 36,111 older adults. An electronic Delphi method, consisting of two rounds, was used to reach a formal expert consensus. The panel included 18 experts from Spain, Colombia, and Argentina. The content validity index, validity of each content item, and Kappa Fleiss statistical measure were used to establish reliability. RESULTS: Round one did not yield a consensus, but a definitive consensus was reached in round two. The resulting tool consisted of a list of 5 general recommendations per disease, along with 33 criteria related to potential problems, recommendations, and alternative therapeutic options. The overall content validity of the tool was 0.87, with a Kappa value of 0.69 (95% CI 0.64-0.73; Substantial). CONCLUSIONS: The developed criteria provide a novel list that allows for a comprehensive approach to pharmacotherapy in older adults, intending to reduce inappropriate medication use, ineffective treatments, prophylactic therapies, and treatments with an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio for the given condition. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of these criteria on health outcomes.

Incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is recognized as a global public health problem and one of the greatest challenges related to the aging population. Few studies have investigated the incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly individuals. These studies provided important information on the issue but were developed in high-income countries. This study investigates the incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care over a period of 11 years. METHODS: This was a census-based prospective longitudinal study that included people aged 60 years or older living in a small municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The baseline occurred in 2010 and the second wave of the study occurred in 2021. The study population consisted of elderly individuals who did not use polypharmacy at baseline and were reinterviewed in 2021 (N = 128). Data collection in the first and second waves was performed through a household survey using a structured questionnaire. The dependent variable was polypharmacy, defined as the simultaneous use of 5 or more drugs. The independent variables included sociodemographic, health and functionality factors. For multivariate analyses, Poisson regression with robust variance was used, estimating the relative risk and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The incidence of polypharmacy was 46.1% in the 11-year period. The highest number of health problems was a risk factor for polypharmacy (RR = 1.177; 95% CI 1.093-1.267). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of polypharmacy among elderly people assisted in primary health care in Brazil is high. The number of diseases is a risk factor for polypharmacy. These results have implications for future primary health care practices and may support the development of policies, actions and services aimed at reducing polypharmacy and promoting the rational use of drugs in the population at higher risk.

Impact of oral health on frailty syndrome in frail older adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to correlate oral and general health in frail and non-frail older adults. METHODS: This observational study included 52 older adults, of whom 35 were frail (Frail Group), and 17 were non-frail (Non-Frail Group), according to Fried's self-reported test addressing oral health variables, number of systemic diseases, and medications in use. The geriatric oral health assessment index was used to assess the oral hygiene of the groups. RESULTS: The number of preserved teeth in dentulous older adults was significantly higher in the Non-Frail Group (p=0.048). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the use of dental prostheses or in the detection of soft tissue lesions. Overall, 74.3% of the Frail Group had a "bad" geriatric oral health index score, which significantly differed from that of the Non-Frail Group (p=0.045). The numbers of systemic diseases and medicines used were higher in the Frail Group than in the Non-Frail Group (p<0.001), demonstrating the pathophysiological characteristics of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in frailty syndrome. CONCLUSION: The results showed a clear correlation between oral and general health conditions and frailty syndrome.