Abstract

REYES EXPOSITO, Arelys; PEREZ DAVISON, Gema  and  MARTINEZ SANCHEZ, Gregorio. Medication mistakes associated to the older adult in the health area of university polyclinics “Plaza”, City of Habana. Rev Cubana Farm [online]. 2006, vol.40, n.3. ISSN 0034-7515.

A descriptive study of older adults living in a health area of Plaza municipality was conducted to detect and classify those problems associated to medication and to find out the information needs of health professionals who have cared for them. Data were taken through interviews administered to both patients and physicians, and later statistically processed. Cardiovascular system and inflammatory disorders constituted the most frequent illnesses (64 and 62 % respectively). Similarly, the use of pharmaceuticals to treat these problems was predominant. 82.5 % of the studied patients presented with problems due to real medication whereas it was evident that drugs are not always adequately used in the older adult. The above-mentioned remark was associated to the level of knowledge of physicians on drug surveillance and to the suitable adjustment of therapy to the older adult. These aspects were rated as unsatisfactory, so the problems to be overcome and the corrective measures to be applied were identified.

Keywords : Older adult; geriatric patient; pharmaceutical care; drug surveillance; adverse drug reactions; drug interactions.