Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: September | Volume: 8 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 228-233
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20210931
Prevalence of Diseases in Elderly Patients with Medication Related Problems
Abhishek Pradhan1, Fathimath Kamila Thasneem2, A R Shabaraya3
1Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice,
2Student, Doctor of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice,
3Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Mangalore, Karnataka- 574143
Corresponding Author: Fathimath Kamila Thasneem
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The elderly population commonly known as geriatrics constitute nearly 21% of the world population. With the increasing age, the human body undergoes physiologic changes, leading to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations, hence making this sector of the patients more prone to medication related problems. Medication related problems are any unwanted events or circumstances that occur during the drug therapy which has the potential to interfere with the desired goals of health outcomes.
Methods: A community based observational study was conducted in different places of Dakshina Kannada district for a duration of 6 months by enrolment of 150 patients aged above 60 years of either sex diagnosed with any disease except for cancer and bed ridden patients. The data was collected with the help of patient interview forms and was analysed.
Results: Out of the 150 patients, 107 patients were identified with medication related problems. The total number of identified medication related problems were 196. From this study it was found that the medication related problems were more prevalent in cardiovascular disorders and endocrine disorders. As hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the most common diseases found among the elderly, the risk factors for developing medication related problems in such patients include the need of additional drug therapy or adequate monitoring of the clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: It was found that the geriatrics suffering from multiple co-morbidities, undergoes multiple drug therapies thereby leading to medication related problems. Hence in order to ensure optimum care, a targeted approach is essential.
Keywords: Medication related problems, Geriatrics, Hepler-Strand classification.
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