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Reduction in the use of potentially inappropriate drugs among old people living in geriatric care units between 2007 and 2013

  • Pharmacoepidemiology and Prescription
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Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this study were to investigate trends in the prevalence of potentially inappropriate drug use among old people living in geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten between 2007 and 2013 using six national quality indicators and to assess the impact of medication reviews on those quality indicators.

Methods

Data were collected concerning potentially inappropriate drug use, function in the activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive function, using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS). A comparison was made between the years 2007 and 2013, comprising 2772 and 1902 people, respectively, living in geriatric care in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. We conducted a parallel investigation of a separate corresponding population in Västerbotten County from 2012, where potentially inappropriate drug use was measured before and after 895 medication reviews which involved a clinical pharmacist.

Results

After controlling for age, sex, ADL and cognitive impairment, there was a significant improvement in five out of six quality indicators between 2007 and 2013. While 44 % of the people were exposed to one or more potentially inappropriate medications in 2007, this number had declined to 26 % by 2013. In the separate population from 2012, the frequency of potentially inappropriate drug use was significantly reduced amongst the people who had a medication review performed.

Conclusion

The extent of potentially inappropriate drug use declined between 2007 and 2013 according to the quality indicators used. Medication reviews involving clinical pharmacists might be an important factor in reducing potentially inappropriate drug use and improving drug treatment among old people.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported financially by grants from the Swedish Dementia Association, County Council of Västerbotten and Swedish Brainpower.

Description of authors’ roles

M. Gustafsson, H. Lövheim, M. Sjölander and J. Schneede analysed, interpreted the data and prepared the manuscript. P.O. Sandman, S. Karlsson and U. Isaksson were responsible for the study concept, design and acquisition of subjects. All authors carried out a critical revision of the manuscript, contributed with comments and approved the final version.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Maria Gustafsson, Jörn Schneede & Maria Sjölander

  2. Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Maria Gustafsson & Hugo Lövheim

  3. Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden

    Per-Olof Sandman

  4. Department of Nursing, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Stig Karlsson & Ulf Isaksson

  5. Arctic Research Centre at Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden

    Ulf Isaksson

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  1. Maria Gustafsson
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  2. Per-Olof Sandman
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Correspondence to Maria Gustafsson.

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Gustafsson, M., Sandman, PO., Karlsson, S. et al. Reduction in the use of potentially inappropriate drugs among old people living in geriatric care units between 2007 and 2013. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 71, 507–515 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-015-1825-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-015-1825-z

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