Abstract

EVALUATION OF PRESCRIBING PATTERN AND IMPACT OF POLYPHARMACY IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

V. Shivashankar*, Suji M. P.*

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible condition commonly affecting elderly patients and is frequently associated with multiple comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. Management of CKD often requires multiple medications, leading to polypharmacy, which increases the risk of adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and medication-related problems. Evaluating prescribing patterns and identifying potentially inappropriate medications are essential to improve therapeutic outcomes and ensure patient safety in geriatric populations. Objective: To evaluate prescribing patterns and assess the impact of polypharmacy among geriatric patients with chronic kidney disease and to identify potentially inappropriate medications using Beers Criteria 2023. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the nephrology department of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 80 geriatric patients with chronic kidney disease were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, prescribed medications, and laboratory findings were collected using structured data collection forms. Prescriptions were evaluated for polypharmacy, drug interactions, and potentially inappropriate medications using Beers Criteria 2023, and data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Most patients were males aged 65–74 years. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were common comorbidities. Polypharmacy was prevalent, with many patients receiving 11–15 medications. Antihypertensive drugs were most frequently prescribed, and potentially inappropriate medications were identified in several prescriptions. Conclusion: Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing were common, highlighting the need for regular prescription review and improved medication safety.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, Polypharmacy, Geriatric patients, Prescribing pattern, Beers Criteria, Potentially inappropriate medications.