Evaluación del uso de medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados en adultos mayores del servicio de consulta externa del Hospital San Juan de Riobamba

Abstract

The main objective of this research study was to evaluated the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) in older adults in the outpatient area of the Hospital San Juan de Riobamba, in the period January - October 2023. The aging of the population in Ecuador, accompanied by an increase in chronic diseases has generated the need to analyze the use of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) due to the associated risks, such as adverse effects, drug interactions and additional costs for the health system and patients. The methodology used corresponded to a retrospective quantitative descriptive observational approach in which 193 medical records and prescriptions were analyzed using a database in Excel 2019, Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) were identified according to the Beers 2023 criteria. The results showed that 60,56% of the drugs included in these criteria are available in Ecuador. Thus, 598 drugs were prescribed to patients with an average age of 65.24 years, determining a prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) of 14.21% among the most frequently prescribed drugs, The most frequently prescribed medications included diclofenac (n=31), omeprazole (n=18), and acetylsalicylic acid (n=11). Finally, the most prevalent diseases were those of the musculoskeletal and endocrine systems. In this context, it was concluded that the high prevalence of Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM), especially in women, evidenced the need to implement prescription strategies and promote the rational use of medications, in order to reduce risks in this vulnerable population.