Avaliação de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados e da polifarmácia em idosos de um centro de referência de Belém-Pará

Abstract

The excessive use of medications by the elderly not only brings potentially dangerous drug interactions but also susceptibility to adverse reactions, especially due to such interactions. In this context, it becomes necessary to discuss which medications are harmful to this target audience and their possible interactions, to identify possible less harmful alternatives. This work aimed to analyze the use of potentially inappropriate medications and the risks of iatrogenesis in elderly patients at CEMEC – Pará, according to Beers criteria. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study, in which data collection was done using a questionnaire model developed by the researchers, in patients treated at the Elderly Health outpatient clinic of the Center for Medical Specialties of Cesupa (CEMEC), from January 2020 to March 2022. In the present study, 300 patient records were evaluated. Of these, the vast majority were women, aged between 70 and 79 years. The results regarding the quantity of medications used by the elderly revealed that the majority use more than five. Regarding the presence of heart disease or chronic illness justifying such use, it was revealed that most elderly patients have some comorbidity. Furthermore, regarding the presence of potentially dangerous drug interactions in this target population, there was no prevalence of these harmful interactions. In view of this, it is concluded that it is necessary to have knowledge of potentially inappropriate medications for the elderly, to avoid deleterious effects on their health. However, this research was positive, as it found efficacy in medication prescriptions with a reduction in drug interactions, providing safety and comfort to patients.