title: Quality use of allopurinol in the elderly.
abstract: Allupurinol is a commonly prescribed drug. However, the use of this drug is not based on evidence and guidelines. We audited Allopurinol prescriptions in patients aged 65 years and over in a teaching hospital over 22 weeks. In 47% of patients the dose was higher than recommended and in 40% it was lower. Quality use of medications is an important issue to maintain quality of life in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karlson
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011787:Quality of Health Care
chemical_list: D006074:Gout Suppressants; D000493:Allopurinol