METHODS:
Data for 2008 were obtained from the Norwegian Prescription Database containing all prescriptions filled in Norwegian pharmacies. The study population included people aged 70-89 years who filled prescriptions for weak opioids, strong opioids, anxiolytic BZD, hypnotic BZD, and/or z-hypnotics. A MUI was developed based on Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes, defined daily doses, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical subgroups, and number of prescribers.
RESULTS:
Forty-two percent of elderly Norwegians filled at least one prescription in one of the medication subgroups in 2008. MUI Level 1 (least) usage was shown by 56.6% of users (23.8% of the general population), Level 2 by 29.7% (12.5%), Level 3 by 11.3% (4.8%), and Level 4 (most) by 2.4% (1.0%). People using strong opioids were the most likely to use other restricted medications. In addition, female participants had a higher MUI than did male participants, and older users higher than younger users. Cancer or palliative care patients attained twice the MUI points than did the others.
CONCLUSIONS:
Polypharmacy was found to be common within these restricted drug categories for the older persons. MUI provides a convenient approach to summarizing drug usage and will be useful in detecting trends and regional differences and determining the impact of interventions.
- Forfattere: Neutel, Ineke; Skurtveit, Svetlana; Berg, Christian Lie
- Publisert: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 2012 ;Volum 21.(2) s. 199-206. FHI UiO