[Evolution of drug prescription pattern in elderly: Retrolective study in a general hospital center in France]

Abstract

Background: Collaboration between general practitioners and hospital clinicians remains a major challenge for the healthcare system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of drug prescription after an hospital stay in geriatric rehabilitation department of Bagnères-de-Bigorre hospital center, over a one year period.

Method: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of drug prescriptions for patients during their hospital admission and followed up at 6 and 12 months after their discharge.

Results: A total of 50 patients were included with a mean age of 88.9 (±7.5). The average number of drug per patient decreased from (8.5±3) at hospital admission to 6.7 (±2.8) after discharge and maintained during 6 months (6.8±2.7) and 12 months (6.9±2.9). The number of patients taking more than 10 drugs decreased by 15% (n=16 [33%] at hospital admission and n=9 [18%] at hospital discharge), re-increased during the follow-up period (n=10; [21%] and n=13 [27%] respectively 6 and 12 months after discharge) but did not reach the baseline ratio. The qualitative analysis also shows an improvement of the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) [-3%] concerning mainly drugs with high atropinic burden (-20% at hospital discharge, -12% at 6 months and -18% at 12 months).

Conclusion: According to the indicators of our study, general practitioners followed, both quantitatively and qualitatively, modifications of drug prescriptions performed during hospitalization in patients over 65, in a short (6 months) and medium delay (12 months).

Keywords: Deprescribing; Déprescription; Elderly; Healthcare system; Lien hôpital-ville; Medication prescription; Personnes âgées; Prescription médicamenteuse.