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Inappropriate Prescribing Among Elderly Home Care Patients in Japan

Background: Although several previous studies have examined the prevalence and risk factors associated with inappropriate prescribing (IP) among elderly patients, as identified by the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ potentially inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria, no research has been conducted among elderly home care patients. Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of IP and its risk factors as identified by the STOPP/START criteria among elderly home care patients in Japan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Home care settings in Japan. Participants: Eighty-nine patients aged 65 years or older who received regular home visiting services from Yamato Clinic between May 2013 and June 2013. Main Outcome Measure: The prevalence of IP and its risk factors as identified by the STOPP/START criteria. Results: Of the study population, 40.4% had at least one potentially inappropriate medication and 60.7% had at least one incidence of underprescribing. Risk factors for potentially inappropriate medications were hypertension, constipation, and polypharmacy, while those for underprescription were osteoporosis and polypharmacy. Conclusion: The prevalence of IP among elderly home care patients is high, with risk factors that include not only polypharmacy but also several specific underlying medical conditions.