Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Malaysia. haniki@iium.edu.my
  • 3 Department of Family Medicine & Non-Communicable Disease Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Malaysia
Qual Life Res, 2019 Jul;28(7):1913-1920.
PMID: 30830646 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-019-02153-5

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between potentially inappropriate medication (PIM)/potential prescribing omission (PPO) and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among community-dwelling hospitalized elderly patients.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that took place in a Malaysian tertiary hospital. Patients ≥ 65 years old with at least one medication on admission were recruited. The patients' prehospitalization medications were reviewed to identify PIMs/PPOs using version 2 of the STOPP/START criteria. HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). The association between the presence of PIM/PPO and the patients' HRQoL was analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Multiple linear regression models were applied to determine the effect of exposure to PIM/PPO on the patients' HRQoL, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS: Out of 517 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 502 patients (97%) accepted to be involved in the study and completed the HRQoL questionnaire. The mean (SD) age was 72.4 (5.9) years. 393 (78.3%) of the patients had problems in at least one EQ-5D dimension with pain/discomfort problem being the most reported complaint. The mean (SD) values of the EQ-5D index and the EQ-VAS were 0.734 (0.214) and 59.6 (14.2), respectively, which are lower than those seen in the general Malaysian population. PIM and PPO were found in 28.5% and 45.6% of the patients, respectively. No significant differences were found in the EQ-5D dimensions, EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS between patients who had PIM/PPO and those who did not. Age, sex, and comorbidities were significantly associated with the patients' HRQoL.

CONCLUSION: PIM and PPO are not uncommon among hospitalized elderly patients; however, it does not significantly affect their HRQoL as measured by the EQ-5D-3L instrument.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.