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Potentially inappropriate prescribing in people with dementia: An Australian population‐based study
Author(s) -
Eshetie Tesfahun C.,
Nguyen Tuan A.,
Gillam Marianne H.,
Kalisch Ellett Lisa M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.5160
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , cohort , medical prescription , risperidone , galantamine , beers criteria , cohort study , population , psychological intervention , pediatrics , psychiatry , gerontology , geriatrics , disease , donepezil , environmental health , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , pharmacology
Objective To investigate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) using the Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria in people with dementia compared with people without dementia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% sample of pharmacy claims. People with dementia were defined as those dispensed a medicine for dementia (cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, or risperidone for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia) between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015, aged 65 years or older at 1 January 2016 and alive at the end of 2016. An age‐ and gender‐matched comparison cohort of people not dispensed medicines for dementia was identified. PIP prevalence was determined between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016. Results In total, 8280 people dispensed medicines for dementia and 41 400 comparisons not dispensed medicines for dementia were included: 63% were female and the median age was 82 years. PIP prevalence was 79% among people with dementia compared with 70% among the comparison group ( P < .0001). Use of anticholinergics, long‐term use of high‐dose proton pump inhibitors, and use of benzodiazepines were the most common instances of PIP in people with dementia. After adjustments for age, gender, comorbidity, and number of prescribers, people with dementia were more likely to be exposed to PIP than comparisons (adjusted OR 1.44, 95% CI, 1.35‐1.53, P < .0001). Conclusions PIP was more common in people dispensed medicines for dementia than comparisons. These results highlight the need for effective interventions to optimize prescribing in people with dementia.