To identify the risk factors for potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, focusing on age and the number of medical facilities consulted.
Approach:
Study Design: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study involving 351 outpatients from Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital and Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital.
Data Collection: Data on prescribed medications, comorbidities, and medical institutions consulted were obtained from electronic medical records.
Statistical Analysis: Spearman’s correlation, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze associations.
Key Findings:
Age was positively correlated with the number of prescribed medications (r = 0.476; p < 0.0001).
Gastrointestinal medications were the most frequently prescribed, with proton pump inhibitors being the most common PIMs.
Patients prescribed ≥1 PIM consulted significantly more medical facilities than those without PIMs.
Independent risk factors for PIM use included age, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, and neuropsychiatric disorders (excluding dementia).
Interpretation:
Advanced age and fragmented healthcare utilization are significantly associated with PIM prescriptions.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may be subject to biases inherent in such designs.
Data were collected from only two hospitals, which may limit generalizability.
Conclusion:
Strategies promoting coordinated care and medication reviews may reduce the number of inappropriate prescriptions in older adults.
