Underutilization of aspirin in older patients with prior myocardial infarction at the time of admission to a nursing home.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of aspirin use in older patients with prior myocardial infarction at the time of admission to a nursing home.


METHODS
In a prospective study, the prevalence of aspirin use in 350 consecutive older patients with documented Q-wave myocardial infarction and no contraindications to aspirin use was investigated in patients aged 60 years or older at the time of admission to a nursing home.


METHODS
A large, long-term, healthcare facility.


METHODS
The patients included 231 women and 119 men, mean age 81 +/- 8 years (range 60 to 100).


RESULTS
Of the 350 patients with documented Q-wave myocardial infarction and no contraindications to aspirin therapy, 60 patients (17%) were receiving aspirin at the time of admission to the nursing home.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a marked underutilization of aspirin in the treatment of older patients with documented prior myocardial infarction at the time of admission to a nursing home.
Aronow
W S
WS
Hebrew Hospital Home, Bronx, New York 10475, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
D001241:Aspirin