Abstract

RISK FACTORS TOWARDS MEDICATION RELATED PROBLEMS IN ELDERLY POPULATION

Abhishek Pradhan, Jayasree B.* and A. R. Shabaraya

ABSTRACT

An adverse drug reaction is an injury caused by taking medication. ADRs may occur following a single dose or multiple dose. Medication related problems in elderly population caused by several risk factors. The purpose of the study was to assess the risk factors towards medication related problems in elderly population. The prospective observational study involved 150 elderly people and was conducted in community of Mangalore for 6 months from January 2021 to June 2021. The study was conducted among elderly population above 60 years of age. Analysis of the risk factors to medication related problems was conducted. It was found that several factors contributed towards increase in the numbers of MRP and it included gender, age, polypharmacy and co-morbidities. Patients of age between 70-80 had the prevalence of MRP as 73.21%. Patients of age greater than 80 were having high prevalence of 88.88%. 68.29% of male patients were having the prevalence of MRP and 75% of female patients having the prevalence of MRP. 60.67% patients had high occurrence of MRP who were consuming more than 5 drugs followed by 68.75% of the people who were having 2 comorbidities. The study concluded that pharmacists could be instrumental in promoting better medication use and ensure that the elderly patients received appropriate medications for their conditions. This also included in considering the physiologic factors, co-morbidities, polypharmacy etc. and thereby minimizing the risk of potential medication related problems.

Keywords: Medication related problems, Elderly population, Prevalence.