Potentially inappropriate medication among community-dwelling older adults : A public health issue in Burkina Faso

Abstract

PIM is defined as a lack of demonstrated indication, high risk of side effects, and a sub-optimal cost effectiveness and/or cost benefit. Little data on potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) in older adults with comorbidity are available in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and the factors associated with the use of PIM in community-dwelling older adults in Burkina Faso. In 2012, we did a cross-sectional household survey which included 389 older adults in Bobo-Dioulasso. Updated 2012 Beers criteria were used to assess the PIM in older adults aged ≥ 60 years. Medications from formal medical source (prescribing) and informal source (informal market, over-the counter and traditional medicines) were included. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the use of PIM. Proportion of older adults used at least one PIM was 59% (196/332). The most common PIM were traditional medicines 28.97% (62/214), diclofenac 21.03% (45/214) 17.5% (45/214), ibuprofen 7.76% (38/214), aspirin 7.01% (15/214), nifedipine 5.61% (12/214) and reserpine 5.61% (12/214). Polypharmacy (≥ 3 drugs), is the independent factor associated with PIM. Our findings highlight the need to think about integrated health care system in order to reduce the PIM among older adults with multiple comorbidities..

Keywords: potentially inappropriate medication, older adults, comorbidity