Healthy Aging Research
Open Access

Abstract

Potentially inappropriate medication prevalence and associated factors such as depression and dementia: An analysis of middle-aged and elderly Brazilians

Vanessa Sgnaolin

Introduction: PIM use constitutes a public health problem. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) use and the associated factors, such as signs and symptoms of depression and cognitive deficit among middle-aged and elderly Brazilians.

Methods: A cross-sectional population study was performed with 2,350 people, aged between 55-103 years, registered in the primary health care. PIM was defined by updated 2019 Beers criteria. Studied variables were sociodemographic, lifestyle and health, and signs and symptoms of depression and cognitive deficit. Multinomial regression analysis was executed.

Results: The prevalence of PIM use was 65.4%. Former and current smokers, regular self-perception of health, polypharmacy, and individuals with signs and symptoms of depression and cognitive deficit were significantly associated with PIM use. Antiarrhythmics, antihistamines and antiadrenergic agents were the highest PIM class used for individuals with signs and symptoms of depression and cognitive deficit.

Conclusions: PIM is prevalent among middle-aged people, a population that was previously under-researched, as well as among elderly people. Cognitive impairment alone or together with depression symptoms were associated factor for a PIM use. Knowledge of the pharmacoepidemiology of PIM is an important for the promotion of the rational use of drugs in public health. Keywords: Potentially inappropriate medication, Middle age, Elderly, Depression, Dementia, Public health

Published Date: 2021-01-24; Received Date: 2019-07-16