Assessment of inappropriate medication use in elderly inpatients of a tertiary care hospital in south-eastern India using the modified updated Beers criteria 2003

Background Inappropriate medication use (IMU) in the elderly population is an issue in disease management and healthcare provision. The aim of this observational 6-month study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of inappropriate prescribing and evaluate drug-related problems and morbidity in a geriatric inpatient population. Methods The study was conducted in all departments of a tertiary care hospital, reviewing the prescriptions of 135 elderly (aged ≥60 years) patients selected by randomised sampling. The modified updated Beers criteria 2003 were used to determine the prevalence of IMU. Results Of the selected patients, 25.9% (i.e. 35 of the 135 patients) were found to be receiving at least one inappropriate medication, of which the most frequently used inappropriate medication was digoxin (48.6%). Out of 135 patients, 58 (43.0%) had an incidence of one or more drug interactions. Patients receiving at least one inappropriate medication had a higher possibility of having a drug interaction than patients who were not receiving any inappropriate medications. Conclusions The prevalence of inappropriate prescribing in this study is notable compared to the rates reported in other countries. Advanced age, polypharmacy, multiple comorbidities and long-term hospitalisation are the possible aetiological factors of IMU.