Beers versus STOPP criteria in polyharmacy community-dwelling older patients

Farm Hosp. 2016 May 1;40(3):150-64. doi: 10.7399/fh.2016.40.3.9706.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To assess potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) using Beers (2012 version) and STOPP (2008 version) criteria in polypharmacy, community-dwelling, older patients.

Methods: From the information collected in the invoicing data of the prescriptions and the electronic medical records, a sample was selected of 223 ≥ 65-year-old patients who were taking simultaneously 10 or more drugs per day. Beers and STOPP criteria were separately applied, and the results obtained with the two methods were compared.

Results: A total of 141 (63.2%) patients presented at least one Beers criterion. The two most frequently observed Beers criteria independent of diagnosis were the use of benzodiazepines and the use of non-COX-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With regard to Beers criteria considering diagnosis, the most frequent were the use of anticholinergic drugs in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms or benign prostatic hyperplasia, and the use of benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, zolpidem or H2-antihistamines, in patients with dementia or cognitive impairment. A total of 165 (73.9%) patients had at least one PIP according to the STOPP criteria. Duplicate drug classes and long-term use of long-acting benzodiazepines were the two most frequent STOPP criteria.

Discussion: Our study identified a high frequency of PIP in polymedicated community-dwelling older patients. Simultaneous application of Beers and STOPP criteria represents a useful tool to improve prescribing in this population group.

Objetivo: Evaluar la prescripcion potencialmente inapropiada (PPI) mediante la aplicacion de los criterios Beers (version 2012) y STOPP (version 2008) en pacientes mayores, polimedicados y residentes en la comunidad. Metodos: A partir de la informacion recogida en los datos de facturacion de recetas y de las historias clinicas electronicas se selecciono una muestra de 223 pacientes de 65 o mas anos, que tomaban simultaneamente 10 o mas medicamentos/dia. Se aplicaron separadamente los criterios de Beers y STOPP y se compararon los resultados obtenidos con ambos metodos. Resultados: Un total de 141 pacientes (63,2%) presentaban al menos un criterio de Beers. Los dos criterios de Beers independientes del diagnostico observados con mas frecuencia fueron el uso de benzodiazepinas y el uso de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos no selectivos de ciclooxigenasa-2. Con respecto a los criterios de Beers considerando el diagnostico, los mas frecuentes fueron el uso de anticolinergicos en pacientes con sintomas del tracto urinario inferior o con hiperplasia benigna de prostata y el uso de benzodiazepinas, antipsicoticos, zolpidem o antihistaminicos H2, en pacientes con demencia o deterioro cognitivo. Un total de 165 (73,9%) pacientes tenian al menos una PPI segun los criterios STOPP. La duplicidad terapeutica y el uso prolongado de benzodiazepinas de vida media larga fueron los dos criterios STOPP mas comunes. Discusion: Nuestro estudio identifico una alta frecuencia de PPI en pacientes mayores, polimedicados y residentes en la comunidad. La aplicacion simultanea de los criterios de Beers y STOPP constituye una herramienta util para mejorar la prescripcion en este grupo de poblacion.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Drug Prescriptions / standards*
  • Drug Prescriptions / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polypharmacy*
  • Potentially Inappropriate Medication List*
  • Spain