USE OF POTENTIALLY INAPPROPRIATE DRUGS FOR THE ELDERLY IN AN INSTITUTION FOR LONG STAY

Abstract

We live in a change in the demographic profile, the decline of the average number of children per woman, in contrast with the increase in life expectancy. In the near future, a large portion of the population will be composed by the elderly. This fact leads to a public health problem, requiring a careful look in relation to protecting and promoting the health of the elderly. It is known that with the passing of years the population tends to present pathologies characteristics of age, resulting in patients polymedicated and/or making use of inappropriate medications. The objective of this research is to assess the requirements of 35 elderly patients residing in an institution of long permanence in South Catarinense Extreme, identifying the use of inappropriate medications as criterion of beers and Start/Stop, as well as score possible drug interactions. Based on the data obtained, it can be argued that 60% of individuals are female, most aged between 66 to 85 years; 6% are bearers of polipatologias and 66% in use from 5 to 10 medicines. The medications used 30% are inappropriate for elderly and 216 drug interactions were found, of these, 91% are moderate interactions and 9% of serious interactions. The survey enabled us to draw the attention of health professionals demonstrating high numbers in relation to the interactions and inappropriate use of medications, in addition to reporting the impact of this reality and their harm in the quality of life of the elderly.