Identification and analysis of potentially inappropriate drug prescriptions for elderly patients in a hospital

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify and analyze the prevalence of potentially inappropriate drug prescriptions for elderly patients over 65 years of age, according to Beer's criteria, as well as to describe the adverse reactions arising from these prescriptions. This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study, developed in a hospital of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample consisted of 55 medical records, from which 342 prescriptions were analyzed. It was noted that 47.3% (26) of medical records and 51.2% (175) of the prescriptions contained potentially inappropriate medications. Regarding side effects, the prevalence was 42.3% (11) observed in 26 medical records. The Diazepam drug was largely responsible for reactions of 45.4% (5), being the most common type of reactions drowsiness and lethargy with 54.5% (6). It was concluded that the prevalence of inappropriate prescriptions is high, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions, thus complicating the clinical symptoms and prolonging hospitalization.