Potentially inappropriate prescribing among older adults receiving home health care service: A retrospective study in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

To address the risks associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) in older adults, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of PIP in home health care patients in the Taif Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia. Using the Beers, STOPP, and START criteria, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 400 older adults aged 65 and over who received home health care between February and October 2023. Results indicated that 38.5% of patients had at least one PIP incident, with polypharmacy present in 80.6% of PIP cases. PIP was more prevalent among females and those aged 75 and older. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) were noted in 80.6% of cases, while potentially inappropriate omissions (PIOs) were recorded in 26.5%. The most frequent cause of PIMs was a lack of a clear indication, affecting 23.3% of total prescriptions. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs) were commonly omitted in diabetic patients with renal disease. Findings highlight the need for regular prescription reviews to reduce PIP and improve patient outcomes.