The drug burden index medication use in older people in north-east Nigeria

Authors : Roland OKORO, Algoni IDRİS

Pages : 332-341

Doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2022.1139776

View : 43 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2022-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background and Aims: Evidence has shown that physical and cognitive impairment in older people is linked with the Drug Burden Index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DBI);. The study aimed to describe the prescription pattern of DBI medications, estimate the frequency of con- traindicated DBI medication use, determine the rate of exposure to high-risk DBI medications, and identify the potential pre- dictors of exposure to high-risk DBI medications.. Methods: This one-year retrospective study was conducted in a secondary healthcare facility. It included patients over 65 years of age who were prescribed at least one anticholinergic and/or sedative medication. The study data were summarized using descriptive statistics, while multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential predictors of expo- sure to high-risk DBI medications. Statistically, a significant level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most patients were exposed to cardiovascular drugs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(57.5%); followed by antihistamines insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(25.8%);. A total of 23 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6.3%); contraindicated DBI medications were identified. Sixty insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(19.6%); older patients were prescribed high-risk DBI medications. Pa- tients over 70 years were 3.08 times significantly more likely to be exposed to high-risk DBI medications. Also, patients with a low number of non-DBI co-medications insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.40, 95% CI 1.03 - 11.23);, polypharmacy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AOR 7.38, 95% CI 2.20 – 24.73);, and those that had contraindicated DBI medications insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AOR 3.93, 95% CI 1.14 – 13.53); were significantly more likely to be exposed to high-risk DBI medications. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that most older people in the study were exposed to anticholinergic medications. A considerable proportion of these older people were exposed to contraindicated and high-risk DBI medications. Patients over 70 years of age, a low number of non-DBI co-medications, polypharmacy, and contraindicated DBI prescriptions were the significant predictors of exposure to high-risk DBI medications.
Keywords : Anticholinergic medications, Sedative medications, Drug Burden Index, Older People, North East, Nigeria, Maiduguri

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