Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications for elder people in gerontological nursing.

OBJECTIVE: To identify polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) for elder people with chronic health situations and its implications for gerontological nursing. METHOD: Descriptive and transversal study, conducted from March to September 2016 by pharmaceutical residents in the clinic of Endocrinology of a hospital in Mid-West region of Brazil. RESULTS: 44 elder people with an average age of 69.5 (± 6.79) years old had their assessed prescriptions. We identified 65 medications prescribed 253 times, in which 10 PIM (15.4%) were prescribed 51 times. 33 seniors (72.7%) had at least one PIM, of those, 66.7% were polymedicated. Of the total, 22 elder people (50%) were subjected to polypharmacy and made use of at least one PIM. CONCLUSION: The results showed high incidence of PIM and polypharmacy, as well as their physiological impacts to the elder population. The study provokes discussions about that the trained nurse in human aging has skills and competencies able to enhance interventions related to pharmacotherapy.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications for elder people in gerontological nursing / Polifarmacia y medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados para ancianos en la enfermería gerontológica / Polifarmácia e medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos na enfermagem gerontológica

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) for elder people with chronic health situations and its implications for gerontological nursing. Method: Descriptive and transversal study, conducted from March to September 2016 by pharmaceutical residents in the clinic of Endocrinology of a hospital in Mid-West region of Brazil. Results: 44 elder people with an average age of 69.5 (± 6.79) years old had their assessed prescriptions. We identified 65 medications prescribed 253 times, in which 10 PIM (15.4%) were prescribed 51 times. 33 seniors (72.7%) had at least one PIM, of those, 66.7% were polymedicated. Of the total, 22 elder people (50%) were subjected to polypharmacy and made use of at least one PIM. Conclusion: The results showed high incidence of PIM and polypharmacy, as well as their physiological impacts to the elder population. The study provokes discussions about that the trained nurse in human aging has skills and competencies able to enhance interventions related to pharmacotherapy.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar polifarmacia y medicamentos potencialmente inapropiados (MPI) para ancianos con situaciones crónicas de salud y sus implicaciones para enfermería gerontológica. Método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado de marzo a septiembre de 2016 por residentes farmacéuticos, en el ambulatorio de endocrinología de un hospital en el Centro-Oeste de Brasil. Resultados: Cuarenta y cuatro ancianos con edad media de 69,5 (± 6,79) años tuvieron sus prescripciones evaluadas. Se identificaron 65 medicamentos prescritos 253 veces, siendo que 10 MPI (15,4%) fueron prescritos 51 veces. Treinta y tres ancianos (72,7%) presentaron al menos un MPI, de los que el 66,7% eran polimedicados. Del total, 22 ancianos (50%) estaban sometidos a la polifarmacia y utilizaban al menos un MPI. Conclusión: Los resultados evidenciaron alta incidencia de MPI y polifarmacia, así como sus impactos fisiológicos a la población anciana. El estudio provoca discusiones acerca de que el enfermero capacitado sobre el envejecimiento humano tiene habilidades y competencias que potencializan intervenciones relacionadas a la farmacoterapia.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar polifarmácia e medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (MPI) para idosos com situações crônicas de saúde e suas implicações para enfermagem gerontológica. Método: Estudo descritivo, transversal, realizado de março a setembro de 2016 por residentes farmacêuticos, no ambulatório de endocrinologia de um hospital no Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Resultados: Quarenta e quatro idosos com idade média de 69,5 (± 6,79) anos tiveram suas prescrições avaliadas. Identificaram-se 65 medicamentos prescritos 253 vezes, sendo que 10 MPI (15,4%) foram prescritos 51 vezes. Trinta e três idosos (72,7%) apresentaram pelo menos um MPI, desses, 66,7% eram polimedicados. Do total, 22 idosos (50%) estavam submetidos à polifarmácia e faziam uso de pelo menos um MPI. Conclusão: Os resultados evidenciaram alta incidência de MPI e polifarmácia, bem como seus impactos fisiológicos à população idosa. O estudo provoca discussões acerca de que enfermeiro capacitado sobre o envelhecimento humano possui habilidades e competências capazes de potencializar intervenções relacionadas à farmacoterapia.