Potentially Inappropriate Drugs Linked to Higher Risk of Fracture and Death: Study

Introduction to potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) is linked to a greater risk of fracture-specific hospitalizations and mortality, and higher hospital costs, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the European Journal of Health Economics. In this study, PIMs were defined according to the Meds75+ database maintained by the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea).

Medications are divided into four categories: A "Suitable for the older persons," B "There is little evidence, practical evidence or efficacy in older persons," C "Suitable for older persons, with specific cautions," and D "Avoid use in older persons."

The most commonly used international criteria (Beers, STOPP/START, and Laroche) were taken into account when creating the database.

Nationwide registers were used to follow over 20,000 community-dwelling people aged 65 years between the years 2002 and 2013. Matching persons were identified from the non-users group for those persons who purchased PIMs during the 12-year follow-up.

The study indicates that the risk of fracture-specific hospitalization and mortality is higher when initiating PIMs. Previous studies conducted in Europe have not investigated hospital costs associated with PIM use with as long a follow-up as this study.

PIM prescription always requires clinical grounds, which take account of the risks related to medication treatments. The purpose of the Meds75+ database is to support clinical decision-making on the pharmacotherapy of patients over 75 years of age and to improve the safety of medication in primary health care. Meds75+ is available free of charge at Fimea's website.

Source-Eurekalert