[Differential aspects of drug prescriptions in elderly people living in the northeast area of Granada: study of 366 individuals].
BACKGROUND
The geriatric population consumes greater numbers of medicines than other age groups. We compared drug prescription and consumption in elderly persons residing in a nursing home or living in their own home.


METHODS
We studied 366 elderly men and women (older than 65 years) who lived either in nursing homes or in their own home. The variables recorded were the most frequent diseases, number and types of drugs prescribed per person, and adverse reactions of the most frequently prescribed drugs.


RESULTS
The most common diseases recorded among subjects living at home were arterial hypertension and rheumatic diseases; among those in nursing homes, the most common ailment was dementia. Subjects in nursing homes were prescribed more different drugs (2.8 +/- 1/person) than individuals living on their own (1.8 +/- 1/person). The percentage of adverse reactions was highest in ambulatory patients (64%) and in patients taking benzodiazepines (56%). A large proportion of all prescriptions (74.5%) were for solid galenic forms.


CONCLUSIONS
We draw attention to the greater consumption of drugs by elderly persons residing in nursing homes, as well as the prescription of benzodiazepines and analgesic-antiinflammatory drugs within old age.
Rodríguez
F
F
Unidad de Farmacología Clínica, Hospital Universitario de Granada.
Martínez
B
B
Saucedo
R
R
Cobos
F
F
García Morillas
M
M
Luna
J
J
Puche
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain