Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS AND EVALUATE EFFECTS OF POLYPHARMACY IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Ayesha Fatima*, Amtul Baseer, Maimuna Maheen, Adiba Naaz and
Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ateeq Ur Rahman

ABSTRACT

Background: Polypharmacy is the use of an excessive number of medications in the same time period or the simultaneous administration of several medications. Using several drugs can lead to potential issues such drug interactions, unpleasant drug responses, decline in medication adherence, unnecessary prescription costs, and an increase in inappropriate medication use. Aim: This study aims to assess polypharmacy within a tertiary care teaching hospital using the MAI and Beer’s criteria 2019. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted at multispecialty tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of six months, involving 100 patients. Clinical notes and medication charts were well documented and analyzed using MS Excel. Results: The mean age of the participants is 53.01, with male predominance (65%). A total of 1052 drugs were prescribed. In accordance with MAI criteria, 298 drugs were deemed inappropriate with the highest inappropriateness ranking in the indication. Based on Beer’s criteria 2019, 58 (14.01) % of the 413 drugs prescribed to 41 older adults were PIMs. With the highest number of PIMs being 24 where caution is advised in older adults. The participants were greatly impacted by the patient counseling, which promoted the safe and efficient use of medication, which directly affects the participants' health. Conclusion: Upon analysis, MAI (28.3 %) was found to be more inappropriate than the Beer's Criteria 2019 (14.01%). A physician and a clinical pharmacist can reduce polypharmacy through interventions such as deprescribing, reducing dosages, increasing patient adherence, preventing adverse effects and interactions, and thus improving patient health.

Keywords: Polypharmacy, MAI, Beers Criteria, Drug- drug interaction, Adverse drug reactions.