Multiple medication use in diabetic patients aged

Abstract

Background: Multiple medication use is especially common in those with diabetes aged due to multiple illnesses, certain chronic diseases and disabling of the growing demand for care, treatment advances, but also some over-prescription.
Aims: To assess the achievement of treatment goals in a population of older diabetics, to analyze drug consumption and to derive a practical driving prevention.
Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was interested in 600 cases of diabetic patients older than 60 years, recruited from the diabetes followed at the National Institute of Nutrition and Health Unit in Tunis Sidi Hassine involving three local clinics to during the years 2009-2010.
Results: The average age of the study population was 70 ± 0.5 years with extremes from 65 to 92 years. In our study, 91% of patients between 2 and 5 chronic diseases and the majority of subjects suffering from disabilities. The number of drugs prescribed in our subjects (all dosage forms combined) varies between 1 and 4,with a peak of interest to patients treated with 2-4 drugs, encountered in 91% of cases.The similarity of shapes and colors of certain drugs often confusing.
Conclusion: Multiple medication use is common in older diabetic subjects. Hence the need for good coordination between prescribers to prevent abuse and ensure the correct therapeutic education of patients and their families.