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  • Title: [Multiple drug use by the elderly in need of care and nursing and possibility of reducing this practice].
    Author: Gill K, Hermans J, Vermeij P.
    Journal: Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd; 1996 May 18; 140(20):1076-80. PubMed ID: 8692325.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To determine and evaluate the simultaneous use of multiple drugs in elderly people (aged > or = 65 years). DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Region Rijnstreek, the Netherlands. METHOD: In 200 consecutive persons who were evaluated for admission to a hospice or a nursing home, and who used > or = 5 drugs simultaneously, the drug use was determined and evaluated according to published guidelines and on the premise that the use of drugs ought to be reduced. RESULTS: A total number of 1131 persons (mean age: 80.4 years (SD: 6.4)) were evaluated in two study periods (January 1993-February 1994 and March-October 1994). The 200 selected patients (17.7%) used a mean of 6.9 drugs (SD: 1.9). Evaluation of these pharmacotherapeutic regimens, abolishing drugs deemed redundant, interaction screening and checks on dosage showed a number of opportunities for improvement although only a slight reduction in the number of drugs could be achieved (to 5.3 (SD: 1.9)). CONCLUSION: In practice, systematic re-evaluation of actual pharmacotherapeutic regimens on a regular basis is necessary. The increasing possibilities for self-medication should be taken into consideration.
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