Introduction:

potentially inappropriate prescription in the elderly is a common occurrence, both in the community and hospital settings, given its high frequency of severe comorbidity and polypharmacy, and has significant clinical and economic repercussions.

Objective:

to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults.

Methods:

a cross-sectional analytical study of case series was carried out in older adults hospitalized in the "Lidia Doce Sánchez" nursing home in Bayamo between September 1, 2018 and September 1, 2019. The information was obtained from the analysis of clinical records and the application of the STOPP/START criteria. The analysis of the data was carried out through descriptive statistics, hypothesis contrast tests were used and the prevalence ratio was determined to determine the associated factors.

Results:

patients with ages equal to or greater than 75 years were frequent; of the male sex; with a primary education degree; with single marital status and malnourished. The average number of comorbidities per patient was 4.2 ± 2.5; being found as the main affections cardiovascular diseases. Polypharmacy was frequent. The risk relationship against potential inappropriate drug prescriptions is with advanced age, low level of education, comorbidity, malnutrition and polypharmacy. The potential omissions in the prescription are related to advanced age. Potential drug interactions increase the probability of presentation with advanced age, low level of education, malnutrition, comorbidity and polypharmacy.

Conclusions:

high polypharmacy and prescription of potentially inappropriate medications were found in older adults.

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