Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados em uso por idosos que buscaram atendimento odontológico

Abstract

The aging process brings the possibility of multiple diseases occurrence and concomitant consumption of various drugs, including potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) for older adults. Identifying the use of such drugs can contribute to rational and safe use in this particular population. The objective of the present study was to identify PIMs among the medications used by older patients and potential drug interactions between PIMs for the older adults and medications commonly prescribed by dentists. An analytical and cross-sectional study was achieved, which included 34 older adults who sought dental care at two Oral Surgery clinics at a brazilian public university. The study took place between the months of March 2020 and October 2022, through an exploratory form. All drugs were classified in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system. The Beers Criteria were used to identify the PIMs used by the older patients. The average age of the individuals included was 65.4 years, the major genre was male. Approximately 80% of the sample reported not consuming alcohol or tobacco. Arterial hypertension and mellitus diabetes were the most prevalent self-reported chronic disease and the most frequently encountered drugs were those with action on the Cardiovascular (51.5%) and Nervous (17.4%) Systems. Polypharmacy was found in 29.4% (n=10) of the volunteers. 29 PIMs were identified and the use of at least 1 was observed in 52.9% (n=18) of patients, with benzodiazepines being more prevalent. Among the PIMs that should be avoided for the older adults, there are those commonly used by dentists, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the association between benzodiazepines and opioids. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence in the use of at least 1 MPI in the pharmacotherapy of older patients who sought dental care. Thus, there is a need for dentists to be aware of such situations in order to avoid prescribing or monitoring the use of PIMs among older patients.