ASSESSMENT OF INAPPROPRIATE MEDICATION USE IN JORDANIAN ELDERLY HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS USING 2015 BEERS CRITERIA Introduction: Inappropriate prescribing in the elderly is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Using 2015 Beers criteria update, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of inappropriate medication prescribing among elderly non-critically ill inpatients and to identify factors associated with inappropriate prescribing. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study included patients aged 65 years and over admitted to the internal medicine and surgical wards. Using 2015 Beers criteria, we assessed potentially inappropriate medication prescribing, both prior to admission and during the hospital stay. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictors of PIM. Results: Among 351 patients, the use of at least one PIM was identified in 29.3% of cases prior to admission, 98% of which continued to receive PIMs during the hospital stay. Additionally, at least one potentially inappropriate medication was identified in 47.2% of patients during the hospital stay. The most common PIMs prior to admission were proton pump inhibitors (26.2%), followed by alpha blockers (5.1%) and digoxin (4%). Proton pump inhibitors were also the most common PIMs in the hospital (42.5%), followed by alpha blockers (4.8%) and metoclopramide (4.3%). According to the binary logistic regression analysis, factors that significantly affected PIM prescription in the hospital were the number of drugs prescribed in the hospital (odds ratio 1.222, P=0.001) and medical ward admission (odds ratio 1.686, P=0.035). Conclusion: There is an alarmingly high prevalence of PIM use among Jordanian elderly patients, with polypharmacy being its major factor.

Background: Inappropriate prescribing can cause significant morbidity and mortality in geriatric patients. Studies implementing the updated 2015 American Geriatrics Society (ACG) Beers Criteria in the identification of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) are lacking. In addition, there is limited information regarding PIM use in critically ill older adults.Objective: To investigate the prevalence, patterns and determinants of PIM among elderly critically ill patients in Jordan.Setting: critical care unit (surgical, medical, cardiac) at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan Method: A cross-sectional study conducted over a 5-month period. Patients 65 years and older, taking at least one medication and admitted to critical care unit, were included. PIM were identified and classified in accordance with the American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria. Results:One hundred and fifty-four patients were included (55.8% males), the mean age was 75.4 ± 7.1 years. The median number of prescribed medications was 11 (IQR=6). The use of at least one PIM was identified in 51 (33.1%). In 90 cases (58.4%), medications to be used with caution in older adults were also evaluated. Patients who received at least one PIM were prescribed a higher total number of medications in the hospital (13 vs. 11.5, P<0.05). Diabetes was also significantly associated with PIM prescription (84.3% vs. 49.5%, P<0.005).Conclusion: PIM prevalence among ICU elderly patients was high (every third patient). The factors associated with PIM prescription included the total number of medications and presence of diabetes mellitus.