Meeting abstract
EVALUATION OF MEDICAMENTS USAGE BY THE CLIENTS OF HOME FOR ELDERLY AND INFIRM PEOPLE IN POZEGA
Maja Župan
; Home for the elderly and infirm persons Požega, Filipa Potrebice 2a, Požega, Croatia
Damir Matoković
; General County Hospital Požega, Osječka 107, Požega, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, Osijek, Croatia
Božica Lovrić
; General County Hospital Požega, Osječka 107, Požega, Croatia
Tihomir Jovanović
; General County Hospital Pakrac and Hospital of Croatian Veterans, Bolnička ul. 74, Pakrac, Croatia
Jelena Tomac Jovanović
; High School Pakrac, Matije Gupca 10, Pakrac, Croatia
Sabina Cviljević
; General County Hospital Požega, Osječka 107, Požega, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: The life expectancy of people from decades in the decade is prolonged, and thus the share of older people in the total population has significantly increased. In Europe, the aging population is increasingly pronounced, not only because of the reduction in the number of births, but also because of the reduction of mortality, especially in elderly people which is stimulated by the advancement of medicine and better living conditions, leading to a prolonged life expectancy. Elderly persons are a very special and vulnerable age group because they often suffer from multiple chronic illnesses at the same time, therefore they take more medication than any other age group.
Aims: the objectives of the study are to answer whether age, gender and mobility of the respondents affect the average daily consumption of drugs, determine what percentage of respondents are exposed to polytherapy, are certain groups of medicines used according to global trends, and identification, statistical description and comparison with the rest of the respondent groups and the sample as a whole.
Methods: The conducted study is an observational cross-sectional research. The sample consisted of 120 respondents, located in the Nursing Home in Požega. The criterion for the selection of the respondents was that they were older than 65 and that the prescribed medicines were distributed by a nurse. Data on the type and quantity of drugs used by the respondents were collected directly from the primary health care physician and from the records of nurses about the distribution of the therapy. The drugs were classified according to the ATK classification system.
Results: HSD test results proved significant difference between the average daily consumption of medications and age groups. The smallest number of medications is taken by 48 oldest respondents – 5.8 medications per day, and the most by the middle-aged group – 7.3 medications per day. The average daily consumption of drugs of all respondents was 6.6 medications (the median is 6) and most used medications are from the groups N3, C2 and A1, which can be compared to similar studies conducted out in the world and in our country. 72.5% of respondents take five or more medications a day (polytherapy). Six clusters are recognized that make up the whole of the four characteristics (total consumption of medications, age, gender and mobility).
Conclusion: A large number the elderly are exposed to polytherapy. The results are an indication of the need for continuous education of primary care physicians, gerontologists and nurses to provide safe and rational use of medications in older persons.
Keywords
polytherapy; polypragmasy; older persons
Hrčak ID:
218595
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2018.
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