Potentially Inappropriate Medications Use among Older Adults with Comorbid Diabetes and Hypertension

Abstract Background Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are medications that should be avoided among older adults due to their risk which offsets their benefit. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of PIMs use and to evaluate its associated factors among older adults with comorbid diabetes and hypertension using the 2019 Beers criteria.Methods A cross-sectional retrospective study design was used. This study included 1,853 older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with comorbid diabetes and hypertension visited an ambulatory care setting in a large hospital in the central region of Saudi Arabia. The primary outcome was the prevalence of PIMs use based on the updated 2019 American Geriatric Society (AGS) Beers Criteria. The secondary outcome was the factors associated with the presence of PIMs use (use of one or more PIMs) by referencing the Beers Criteria list.Results Almost one out of two individuals had PIMs use with the average number of medication taken was seven; where 40.3% of the older adults taken one PIMs, and about 16% were using two or more PIMs. The most commonly prescribed PIMs were the use of gastrointestinal and endocrine medications. High risk of PIMs use was among those with ischemic heart disease and anxiety comorbidities and those using multiple medications (i.e., polypharmacy).Conclusions Given higher PIMs use among older adults with diabetes and hypertension comorbidities, tailored strategies and interventions to minimize the PIMs use in this population are warranted. There is a need for greater vigilance when managing patients with comorbid conditions to avoid the use of inappropriate medications.