Potentially inappropriate prescribing in elderly: study in a tertiary care teaching Hospital in India

Context: Health related problems of elderly in India needs special attention. There are no prescribed guidelines for elderly in India, various physiological and age related factors contribute to unwanted reactions in elderly. In clinical practice it is very difficult for choose an appropriate medication for them. Considering all this problems we need an appropriate prescription pattern for elderly. Objective: To analyze the prescription appropriateness in elderly using beers and STOPP criteria and to identify the mishaps in prescriptions. Materials and Methods: All patients having age ≥ 65 years admitted in general medicine department during the study period was observed. Prospective and retrospective data were collected from patient medication record. Results and Discussion: 43.7% prescriptions showed inappropriateness in prescriptions and beers criteria were identified in more prescriptions. Conclusion: Inappropriateness in prescriptions common in our hospital and this mishaps point out for careful attention to elderly prescription pattern. Inappropriateness can minimized by selection of appropriate medication and need a team effort also point out the need of a proper guidelines for elderly patients.