Research Abstract: Advanced Trainee - Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

The prevalence of suboptimal prescribing of medication in First Nations older adults in the Torres Strait (#21)

Tania Korinihona 1 , Fintan Thompson 2 3 4 , Sarah Russell 2 3 5 , Rachel Quigley 2 3 5 , Gavin Miller 3 , Betty Sagigi 6 , Edward Strivens 2 3 5
  1. Queensland Health, Metro North Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  2. Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
  3. Queensland Health, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
  4. University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  5. College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
  6. Queensland Health, Torres and Cape Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of suboptimal prescribing of medicines in First Nation older adults in the Torres Strait. This study will look at the rates of suboptimal prescribing, such as polypharmacy, over-prescribing, and under-prescribing and of anticholinergic burden.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The study period was from May 2015 to February 2018. It was conducted on 18 island and 5 mainland communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. Community dwellers in the Torres Strait Islands aged 45 years and older who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with complete medication histories were recruited in this study. The STOPP-START Criteria and Beer’s Criteria and the anticholinergic table were used to determine the prevalence.

Results: There were 254 participants with complete medication histories. The mean age was 65.7 (SD± 10.90, range 45 to 93), with 65.4% female. Suboptimal prescribing in this study was 74.4%. Of these, 49.2% of participants had polypharmacy, 44.4% were over prescribed, and 35.6% were under prescribed. Anticholinergic Burden were identified in 25.6% of participants. Polypharmacy was more prevalent in participants who were dependent with instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of suboptimal prescribing was 74.4%. Polypharmacy and overprescribing rates were above 40%, and anticholinergic burden was present in more than a quarter of the cohort. Results demonstrate the importance of regular monitoring of medication prescribing by health care workers, to reduce suboptimal prescribing practices within these communities. This may help to reduce adverse outcomes because of prescribing practices.