Abstract This study aimed to describe potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use according to the Beers criteria among older adults followed in a comprehensive medication management (CMM) service, the pharmacists´ interventions, and the clinical outcomes of PIM use. All older adults in a CMM service delivered in the Brazilian public primary care system were included in the study (n = 389). Two methodological approaches were developed: (I) cross-sectional - prevalence of PIM use and associated factors were identified (univariate analysis - Pearson’s chi-square; multivariate - logistic regression); (II) documental analysis of the negative clinical outcomes potentially associated with PIM use and pharmacists’ interventions. The prevalence of PIM use was 48.3%, and it was independently and positively associated with the use of ≥ 5 drugs. For 21.3% of PIMs, a potential negative clinical outcome was identified. The most common negative clinical outcome was hypotension (35.1% of the negative outcomes), fractures or diagnosis of osteoporosis (21.1%), and hypoglycemia (14.0%). For most of them (78.9%), an intervention was performed to mitigate harm or discontinue use. A high prevalence of PIM was detected and was associated with polypharmacy. A significant proportion of PIM showed potential negative clinical outcomes that were identified by clinical pharmacists, and the majority of pharmacists’ interventions aimed at its mitigation or deprescription. Overall, our findings reinforce the potential of CMM services for reducing PIM use and the occurrence of negative outcomes.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the frequency of drug therapy problems among older adults in Primary Health Care, and to analyze the factors associated with their identification in the initial patient assessment, carried out by pharmacists offering medication therapy management services. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted with data from 758 older adults followed up in medication therapy management services in Primary Health Care in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Betim, and Lagoa Santa (MG, Brazil). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the factors associated with identification of four or more drug therapy problems in the initial clinical assessment. Results A total of 1,683 drug therapy problems were identified, 73.6% of older patients had at least one problem. The most frequent problems were nonadherence (23.0%) and the need for additional drug therapy (18.0%). Polypharmacy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and aged 75 years or older remained positively and statistically associated with identification of four or more drug therapy problems (p<0.05). Conclusion There is a high frequency of problems related to medication use among older users of Primary Health Care, and the medication therapy management services should be prioritized to the older patients, who present with polypharmacy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and age ≥ 75 years, since they are more likely to have more drug therapy problems.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de interações medicamentosas entre idosos acompanhados em um Serviço de Gerenciamento da Terapia Medicamentosa na Atenção Primária e fatores associados. Métodos: Para definir as interações medicamentosas, foi utilizado o critério de Beers de 2015 e, em um segundo momento, as interações medicamentosas propostas por Dumbreck para pacientes com diabetes, depressão e insuficiência cardíaca. A análise dos fatores associados foi realizada por análise univariada (χ2 de Pearson) e multivariada (regressão logística). Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5% para todas as análises. Resultados: A média da idade da população foi de 70,2±7,8 anos, 52,2% estavam na faixa etária de 60 a 69 anos, e 61,3% eram do sexo feminino. Dentre os idosos, 94,5% usavam dois medicamentos ou mais (condição para que ocorressem interações medicamentosas). A prevalência de interações medicamentosas dos critérios de Beers foi de 4,9%. Após análise multivariada, doença do sistema nervoso central, arritmia, número de medicamentos e sexo feminino foram positivamente associados com presença de interações medicamentosas. A prevalência das interações medicamentosas propostas por Dumbreck foi de 27,2%. Após análise multivariada, número de medicamentos, insuficiência cardíaca e índice de comorbidade de Charlson superior a 1 foram positivamente associados com presença de interações medicamentosas. Conclusão: A abordagem holística e individualizada no gerenciamento da terapia medicamentosa de pacientes idosos é importante, tendo em vista a prevalência das interações medicamentosas e a necessidade de minimizar consequentes eventos adversos.

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of drug interactions and associated factors among older adults followed up in a Comprehensive Medication Management Service at Primary Care. Methods: Firstly, the Beers criteria 2015 was used to define drug interactions; later, drug interactions proposed by Dumbreck for patients with diabetes, depression, and heart failure were evaluated. The associated factors were assessed by univariate (Pearson's χ2) and multivariate analyses (logistic regression). The significance level of 5% was set for all analyses. Results: The mean age of the studied population was 70.2±7.8 years; 52.2% were between 60 and 69 years, and 61.3% were female. Among the older adults, 94.5% used two or more drugs (condition for the occurrence of drug-drug interaction). The prevalence of drug interaction according to the Beers criteria was 4.9%. After multivariate analysis, diseases of the central nervous system, arrhythmia, number of medications, and female sex were positively associated with drug interaction. The prevalence of drug interaction according to Dumbreck was 27.2%. After multivariate analysis, the number of medications, the presence of heart failure, and Charlson comorbidity index greater than 1 were conditions positively associated with drug interactions. Conclusion: The holistic and individualized approach used in comprehensive medication management services for older patients is important, considering the prevalence of drug interactions and the need to minimize adverse events.