Drug-related problems in older adults in outpatient settings: Results from a 6-year long prospective study in a tertiary hospital of north India

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dc.contributor.authorKaur U.
dc.contributor.authorChakrabarti S.S.
dc.contributor.authorGupta G.K.
dc.contributor.authorSingh A.
dc.contributor.authorGambhir I.S.
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-13T07:06:30Z
dc.date.available2025-01-13T07:06:30Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractAim: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are a common cause of hospitalization in older patients. So far, these issues have been studied in hospitalized settings, and evidence on patterns and outcomes of DRPs, such as adverse drug reactions, is relatively scarce in older outpatients. The main aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description and possible solutions for DRPs in older adults in outpatient settings. Methods: The study was carried out from January 2015 to September 2021 in a tertiary hospital in north India. Patients aged ?50 years with DRPs were enrolled. DRPs causing hospitalization, drug interactions and drug�disease interactions were identified, along with preventive measures. Results: Of 10 400 patients registered, 1031 DRPs occurred in 666 patients (9.9%). Adverse drug reactions were the major DRPs (n = 933, 8.9%). Metabolic disorders were the commonest DRP in individuals aged ?65 years compared with gastrointestinal disorders in the 50�64 years group. Drug interactions and drug�disease interactions contributed to 20.1% and 7.9% of patients, respectively. Nearly 15.8% of DRPs directly led to hospitalization, with drug-induced metabolic disturbances and movement disorders as the common causes. The Naranjo scale was not applicable in 35.3% of patients, and drug interactions were the commonest cause. Frequent monitoring, omission of unnecessary drugs, slow titration and proper instructions on therapy, together, could avoid one-third of DRPs. Conclusion: One out of 10 prescriptions of older outpatients carries a DRP. New-onset metabolic and neurological disturbances should prompt a thorough drug history. A multifaceted holistic approach can prevent significant drug-related morbidity and requires future evaluation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 285�291. � 2023 Japan Geriatrics Society.
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/ggi.14650
dc.identifier.issn14441586
dc.identifier.urihttps://dl.bhu.ac.in/ir/handle/123456789/2350
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherJohn Wiley and Sons Inc
dc.subjectcardiovascular drugs
dc.subjectdiuretics
dc.subjectdrug-induced movement disorders
dc.subjectmetabolic disturbances
dc.subjectpharmacovigilance
dc.titleDrug-related problems in older adults in outpatient settings: Results from a 6-year long prospective study in a tertiary hospital of north India
dc.typeArticle
journal.titleGeriatrics and Gerontology International
journalvolume.identifier.volume24

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