Potentially Inappropriate Medications and Polypharmacy

One cross-sectional study conducted by Anrys and colleagues1 published in JAMDA has reported that the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications was 88.3% among nursing home residents aged ≥65 years. The definition of potentially inappropriate medications is the use of a drug where a clinical indication does not exist or the use of an indicated drug in conditions where the risk outweighs the benefit.2 Anrys and colleagues also reported that polypharmacy (use of 5 or more drugs) was significantly associated with potentially inappropriate medications.