Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing in hospitalized older adults: a detailed analysis of clinical data
Authors:
Peter Petráško 1; Martina Slováčiková 1,2; Lucia Kukučková 1; Diana Ponošová 1; Katarína Dostálová 1,3; Štefánia Moricová 1,3
Authors‘ workplace:
Oddelenie dlhodobo chorých, Univerzitná nemocnica Bratislava-Kramáre
1; Lekárska fakulta Slovenskej zdravotníckej univerzity v Bratislave, Katedra posudkového a revízneho lekárstva
2; Fakulta verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej zdravotníckej univerzity v Bratislave
3
Published in:
Geriatrie a Gerontologie 2026, 15, č. 2: 60-66
Category:
Original Article
doi:
https://doi.org/10.61568/geri/50-6703/20260311/143075
Overview
The article provides insight into the pharmaco-therapy of geriatric patients characterized by polypharmacotherapy and polypragmasia. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of patients admitted to the long-term care department at University Hospital Bratislava (UNB, Nemocnica akademika L. Dérera), with a specific focus on patients aged 65 years and older (geriatric patients). The evaluation included the number of medications administered and the prevalence of potentially inappropriate pharmacological treatment, which was assessed according to established clinical guidelines. Polypharmacy was identified in 90.7 % of patients at admission and in more than 94 % at discharge. The occurrence of potentially inappropriate medications increased from 38.1 % at admission to 43.2 % at discharge. These findings were compared with results from other studies conducted in similar healthcare environments, highlighting the importance of the topic and the need for targeted interventions. The study aims to emphasize the significance of adhering to available recommendations for rational and safe pharmacotherapy in geriatric care. Treatment plans should be individualized, regularly reviewed, and tailored to the specific needs of elderly patients. Polypragmasia was assessed using the national list of criteria for medications and therapeutic approaches considered inappropriate for older adults.
Keywords:
elderly patients – polypharmacy – polypragmasia – potentially inappropriate medication
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Labels
Geriatrics General practitioner for adults Orthopaedic prostheticsArticle was published in
Geriatrics and Gerontology
2026 Issue 2
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