Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can be costly in terms of health and health care utilization. ADRs are common in elderly patients because they tend to take multiple drugs and to be more sensitive to drugs than non-elderly patients. Reducing inappropriate drug use could prevent some ADRs. This study examines the prevalence of, and risk factors for, inappropriate prescription drug use among community-dwelling elderly (age 65+) persons in the United States based on 1997 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data. The MCBS is a nationally representative survey of Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. and included 9,421 community-dwelling elderly persons in 1997. This study defines inappropriate drug use based on a list of drugs that in almost all cases should be avoided in the elderly (1997 Beers’ criteria). In 1997, the prevalence of this potentially inappropriate prescription drug use was 19.3% among all community-dwelling elderly persons and 24.1% among those with prescription drug use. Correlates of this inappropriate drug use include older age, female gender, non-metropolitan residence, poor general health, presence of drug insurance coverage and using a greater number of drug prescriptions. There is substantial variation in the rates of inappropriate drug use among elderly persons with different sources of drug coverage. Persons with drug coverage from HMOs have the lowest rate while those with Medicaid coverage have the highest rate. The independent effects of these risk factors and others are explored through multiple regression models to identify potential policy mutable factors to reduce inappropriate drug use among the elderly.
Learning Objectives: Participants should be able to: 1) recall the nature and prevalence of inappropriate prescription drug use among community-dwelling elderly persons in the U.S., and 2) discuss some of the risk factors for such inappropriate prescription drug use and potential policy options for reducing the problem
Keywords: Elderly, Drug Safety
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.