Pattern of drug use in geriatric patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.
Ninety-nine elderly patients aged between 65 and 84 years presenting for surgery have been studied as to their pattern of current drug use. Of these 47 (48%) were found to be on medication. Ten were on drugs prescribed by their physicians while 37 (37.5%) were on self-prescribed drugs. The self-prescribed drugs used were analgesics 23%, haematinics 8%, anti-inflammatory agents 6%, benzodiazepines 4%, steroids 2%, and oral hypoglycaemic agent 1%. Apart from the analgesics, patients did not know the names of the drugs they were taking. The dangers in the use of self-prescribed drugs in anaesthesia are highlighted and a plea is made for persistent effort to elicit information of drug use among the elderly presenting for general anaesthesia in order to avoid drug interactions.
Amanor-Boadu
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Department of Anaesthesia, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004347:Drug Interactions; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012646:Self Administration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013256:Steroids; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006397:Hematinics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D013256:Steroids