AIMS: To assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) use in a population of community-based multicompartment compliance aid (MCA) users in north-east Scotland.
METHODS: Data for MCAs dispensed by 48 of the 50 community pharmacies in Aberdeen City between 1 June to 31 October 2014, together with concurrently prescribed medications, patient demographics and Carstairs index of social deprivation were recorded. Drug-specific quality indicators for PIMs from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare were applied and bivariate logistic regression analysis used to assess for associations with demographic variables.
RESULTS: The median age was 82 years (range 12-105 years, 59% female). A total of 1977 PIMs were identified affecting 57.8% of patients. A quarter of patients were prescribed ≥10 medications and 43% had a prescription containing at least one clinically significant drug-drug interaction (DDI). Ten drug groups accounted for 76% of all DDIs. A significant increase in the risk for at least one PIM was associated with female sex (for all indicators of PIM use), age <80 years (three or more psychotropic medicines [OR 5.88, 2.96-11.70, P < 0.001]) and lower socioeconomic status (prescription of ≥10 medications [OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.16-1.78], prescription of a long-acting benzodiazepine [OR: 1.84, CI: 1.14-2.98]).
CONCLUSIONS: MCA use is associated with a significant incidence of PIMs particularly affecting those younger than 80 years and those living in deprived areas. Our findings indicate the need for a more aggressive multidisciplinary approach to the review of the medications prescribed to MCA users.
}, year = {2017}, journal = {Br J Clin Pharmacol}, volume = {83}, pages = {1515-1520}, month = {12/2017}, issn = {1365-2125}, doi = {10.1111/bcp.13220}, language = {eng}, }