[Impacts of a cardiological consultation on the medical treatment of elderly patients].
The prevalence of prescription medication use among older people increases with advancing age and is related to their comorbidities. Cardiovascular medication is the medication category that is the most commonly prescribed. We retrospectively determined the repercussion of the cardiological consultation of the Hôpital de gériatrie de Genève on the cardiovascular medication. For the year 2001, 191 hospitalized patients were randomely selected and their treatment before and after the consultation was compared. The treatment was simplified after consultation considering the number of medication classes, drugs, and pills. Adverse effect (11% of consultations) is the main reason for interrupting a medication. The number of medication before consultation is an important factor to decide whether the treatment needs to be simplified. The medication cost is not modified. By simplifying treatment the cardiological consultation reduces the adverse effects of medication and probably improves therapeutic adherence. A prospective study is necessary to confirm these data and estimate their long term consequences.
Hamel
J J
JJ
Service de Médecine Interne, HUG, Genève. johnjohn.hamel@hcuge.ch
Hermann
F
F
Grandjean
R
R
Perrenoud
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D002309:Cardiology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents