Introduction:

Inappropriate prescription of medications in older adults can increase the risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions, causing higher numbers of consultations, hospital admissions, readmissions, and/or prolonged stays, all of which put well-being and quality of life at risk for these patients.

Objective:

To determine the association between potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) and factors such as frailty, sex, age, multiple pathologies, and polypharmacy.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out using the STOPP/ START criteria and the Beers criteria. A total of 3,325 prescriptions for patients treated by a Health Care Provider (HCP) in Medellín during 2023 were analyzed.

Results:

The general PIP percentage in the patients studied was 31.5%, out of which 19.5% met any of the Beers criteria and 14.4% met any of the STOPP/START criteria. The main medications identified using the Beers criteria were proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), followed by diuretics, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. A significant association was found between PIP and the variables sex and number of medications, with a greater probability of PIP in women compared to men (OR: 1.80 95% CI 1.64-2.86) and those receiving a prescription with 8-9 medications (OR: 0.10 95% CI 0.06-0.24) or more than ten of them (OR: 0.21 95% CI 0.18-0.38).

Conclusions:

The safe use of medications among older adults requires tools that promote adequate prescription and contribute to achieving therapeutic objectives.