Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions and Hospital Outcome among Geriatric Patients

Background and aims . High risk medications use is common at hospitals and poses a major risk for frail older adults. The study aims to determine the association between Potentially Inappropriate Prescrip-tions (PIPs) and hospital outcome among geriatric patients. Methods . A retrospective cohort study including 152 older adults (age ≥ 60 years). These patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Geriatrics hospital from August 1 st , 2021 to January 1 st , 2022. Age, sex, clinical data and medications used throughout admission were extracted for each patient. The target outcome was in-hospital mortality. PIPs were identified in accordance with Screening Tool of Older Per-sons’ potentially inappropriate Prescriptions version 2 (STOPP v. 2). Logistic regression analysis was done to test the association between use of PIPs and in-hospital mortality. Descriptive statistics was performed for PIPs and medications use near the end of life. Results . PIPs occurred in 67.8% (103 patients) of participants. Multi-variate regression analysis revealed independent predictors of mortality including older age (OR = 1.075; 95% CI: 1.020-1.134; P .007), delirium/ altered mental status on admission (OR = 2.688; 95% CI: 1.086-6.651; P .032), and utilizing of ≥ 3 PIPs (OR = 4.049; 95% CI: 1.320-12.421; P .014). Use of anticholinergics in patients with delirium or dementia was the most frequently reported PIPs among participants. Conclu-sions. PIPs are common and significantly associated with mortality among hospitalized older adults. The study provides an overview for high risk medications and recommends a structured medication reviews and de-prescribing practice for frail older adults.