Scientific Poster Session II - Systematic Reviews/Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study addresses the lack of systematic reviews on the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) among geriatrics in GCC countries. It aimed to estimate PIP prevalence, and determine associated factors.

Methods:

The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies using validated explicit criteria for PIP; conducted in all care settings in GCC countries; reporting PIP prevalence among adults aged =60; and published in English. It excluded studies lacking explicit criteria and non-primary research articles. The literature search used specific search terms in the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 2010 to December 2023, The search initially found 650 records, reduced to 301 after removing duplicates using EndNote 20. After title and abstract screening, 234 records were excluded, leaving 67 for full-text review. The final selection of 19 studies ensured they met inclusion criteria and reported relevant outcomes, following the PRISMA guidelines. The JBI Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. .

Results: The selected 19 studies were published between 2013 and 2023, mostly from Saudi Arabia (52.6%) and within hospital settings (73.7%). They predominantly had cross-sectional study design and used Beers Criteria (89.5%). They included 66,636 patients (range: 135-23,417). The median (IQR) prevalence of PIP was 52.8% (38.9–63.1) with common PIMs including NSAIDs, PPIs, skeletal muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, and TCA antidepressants. Predictors for PIP included polypharmacy, multiple chronic diseases, advanced age, and female gender.

Discussion: This first systematic review highlights a high PPI prevalence among geriatrics and underscore the need for more comprehensive research to inform targeted interventions.. Most of the studies at moderate-high risk of bias, common limitations included inappropriate sample frames, short observation periods, small sample sizes, and reliance on single-center data.

Other:

Not registered with PROSPERO due to the study’s objectives nature and full PICO concept was not applicable.

Self-funded.

Presenting Author

Authors