FREQUENCY OF RISK FACTORS THAT POTENTIALLY INCREASE HARM FROM MEDICATIONS IN OLDER ADULTS RECEIVING PRIMARY CARE

Main Article Content

McCarthy L
Dolovich L
Haq M
Thabane L
Kaczorowski J

Keywords

Older adults, primary care, medication

Abstract

Background


Many circumstances elevate patients, especially older adults, risk for drug-related morbidity and misadventures. Understanding the frequency of these situations can help with the design of initiatives to address or alter these circumstances with the aim of reducing medication therapy-related concerns and associated expenditures.


 


Objective


To describe the frequency of circumstances that may place older adults at higher risk for drug-related morbidity and misadventures in a large sample of elderly patients visiting family medicine clinics.


 


Methods


Elderly adults at 7 family medicine practices across Ontario self-completed the 10-item Medication Risk


Questionnaire (MRQ).


 


Results


Surveys were completed by 907 patients, with a mean age of 72.4 (SD 10.7) years and a mean number of


4.8 medical conditions (SD 2.3; min-max: 0-14). Many subjects were taking multiple medications (mean


6.9 (SD 3.8; min-max: 0-21)) and over 90% of respondents reported at least one indicator that potentially increases their risk of drug-related morbidity.


 


Conclusion


Number of medications, number of medical conditions and number of daily medication doses were the most frequently observed risks for medication-related issues in this large sample of elderly patients visiting family medicine clinics.

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