Survey on geriatricians’ experiences of adverse drug reactions caused by potentially inappropriate medications: commission report of the Japan Geriatrics Society.
OBJECTIVE
The Japan Geriatrics Society (JGS) developed the guidelines for medical treatment and its safety in the elderly and the list of potentially inappropriate medication use, a Japanese version of the Beers list, in 2005. The JGS working group in collaboration with the Japan Broadcasting Corporation conducted the survey to geriatricians to investigate their experiences of adverse drug reactions (ADR) caused by potentially inappropriate medications.


METHODS
In September 2008, the survey mails were sent to all the JGS certified geriatricians (n=1492). The questionnaire consisted of 1 year of experiences of ADR of any type, past experiences of ADR by the use of antipsychotic benzamides, hypnotic benzodiazepines, digoxin (≥0.15 mg/day), vitamin D3 (alfacalcidol≥1.0 µg/day) and additional drugs, and their attitudes to reduce the dose/number of drugs for the prevention of ADR.


RESULTS
A total of 425 geriatricians responded (response rate 29%). Seventy-two percent experienced ADR within 1 year. Past experiences of ADR were reported by 79% for antipsychotic benzamides, 86% for hypnotic benzodiazepines, 70% for digoxin and 37% for vitamin D3. Free responses included frequent ADR by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiplatelet, anti-arrhythmic, antidiabetic and antidepressant drugs. Reduction of drugs for ADR prevention was attempted by 93%.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey showed that most geriatricians experience ADR and take preventive measures for ADR. The results can be used for education and the development of new guidelines.
Akishita
Masahiro
M
Department of Geriatric Medicine, The University of Tokyo, and Tokyoo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. akishita-tky@umin.ac.jp
Arai
Hiroyuki
H
Arai
Hidenori
H
Inamatsu
Takashi
T
Kuzuya
Masafumi
M
Suzuki
Yusuke
Y
Teramoto
Shinji
S
Mizukami
Katsuyoshi
K
Morimoto
Shigeto
S
Toba
Kenji
K
D000368:Aged; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires