OBJECTIVE:
To identify major health problems, drug usage profile and drug-related problems (DRPs) involved in the treatment of frail elderly people of Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais state, Brazil.
METHODS:
The study assessed 260 medical records of elderly patients served by Centro Mais Vida, Juiz de Fora-MG, between August and September 2010. The diseases were grouped according to the International Classification of Diseases - 10th review, the drugs according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System and the DRPs according to the Dáder method.
RESULTS:
It was observed that 73.8% of the elderly people were female and 42.7% were aged 60-69 years. We found 1,300 diseases, of which 31.07% were of circulatory system, 19.85% endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases and 13.46% of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Among the 1,737 drugs, the ones of cardiovascular system (42.8%), followed by alimentary tract and metabolism (23.7%) and nervous system (18.2%) were the most prevalent. Among all drugs, 53.9% presented some DRPs, being DRP 1 (not using the drug needed) the most frequent (37.4%).
CONCLUSION:
The results highlight the need to review drug regimens of elderly patients, aiming to encourage rational and effective use of medicines. The data also show the need for more complete studies about the evaluation of DRP risks in the elderly population.
Drug Evaluation; Frail Elderly; Polypharmacy; Health Services for the Elderly
