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Racial-Ethnic Variations in Potentially Inappropriate Psychotropic Medication Use Among the Elderly

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Abstract

Objective

Psychotropic drugs are among the most frequently prescribed medications to the elderly in the USA. Yet, many of those drugs have been used inappropriately. Increased risks of potentially inappropriate psychotropic medication (PIPM) utilization are associated with several patient and provider characteristics. However, little is known whether and to what extent patient race and ethnicity is related to PIPM use patterns among the elderly.

Methods

We used multiyear (2012–2015) Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Among elderly psychotropic drug users (N = 7616), we identified PIPM prescription fills based on a Beers criterion, a list of drugs (by generic names) that should be avoided at any circumstances among the elderly. Logistic regression was used for the likelihood analysis.

Results

The likelihood of filling PIPMs was higher among Hispanics than among Whites (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.46). No differences were found between Whites and Blacks. The prevalence of PIPM use is high in all racial groups (43–52%).

Conclusion

We found differences in the use of PIPMs by patient race and ethnicity between 2012 and 2015: among elderly psychotropic medication users, Hispanics were more likely than Whites to receive PIPMs. More clinical and policy efforts should aim to reduce PIPM use in all groups, particularly among Hispanic, given potentially negative health consequences related with the use of inappropriate medications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Des Moines University - Public Health, 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA

    Dooyoung Lim

  2. Pennsylvania State University - Health Policy and Administration, 601E Donald H. Ford Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Jeah Jung

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  1. Dooyoung Lim
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  2. Jeah Jung
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Correspondence to Dooyoung Lim.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

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Appendix

Appendix

Fig. 2
figure 2

Adjusted rates of potentially inappropriate psychotropic medication (PIPM) use by racial-ethnic group between 2012 and 2015. Note: PIPM rates were adjusted for time and respondents’ health and socio-demographic factors

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Table 3 A list of potentially inappropriate psychotropic medications suggested by 2012 Beers Criteria by psychotropic therapeutic categories
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Table 4 Results from the logistic regression of potentially inappropriate psychotropic medication (PIPM) use with interaction terms between race-ethnicity and geographical regions
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Lim, D., Jung, J. Racial-Ethnic Variations in Potentially Inappropriate Psychotropic Medication Use Among the Elderly. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 6, 436–445 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-018-00541-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-018-00541-0

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