title: [Intervention in elderly patients with multiple morbidities and multiple medications: results of the prescription and the quality of life].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of an intervention using STOPP/START criteria and the Garfinkel algorithm on prescription and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly patients with multimorbidity and prescribed multiple medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A before-after intervention study on 381 patients over 67 years old and prescribed multiple medications by 71 Primary Care doctors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The doctors were trained in the STOPP / START criteria and Garfinkel algorithm. Each doctor then reviewed all the drugs of their selected patients and then made appointments with them for an initial medical consultation and clinical assessment. Treatment was modified according to the criteria and the HRQoL measured using the SF-12 questionnaire. Two months later, in a second medical consultation, a new clinical assessment was made and the HRQoL was measured. The dimensions of the HRQoL between the first and the second consultation were compared using the paired Student-t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention involved the removal of a mean of 1.5 drugs per patient. The dose was modified in 4% of drugs, and 8.9% of patients were prescribed a new drug. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), psychoactive drugs and proton pump inhibitors were the most modified. Social Function and Physical Component Summary of the HRQOL improved significantly (P<.05) after intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention using the Garfinkel algorithm and STOPP -START criteria improved HRQoL and reduced the number of prescribed drugs.
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Atención Primaria, León, España. Electronic address: jnaveiror@saludcastillayleon.es.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Naveiro-Rilo
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Atención Primaria, León, España.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diez-Juárez
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Atención Primaria, León, España.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Flores-Zurutuza
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Atención Primaria, León, España.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molina-Mazo
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Atención Primaria, León, España.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alberte-Pérez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D015897:Comorbidity; D065187:Controlled Before-After Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D019338:Polypharmacy; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Ancianos; Calidad de vida; Elderly; Intervención; Intervention; Medicación; Medication; Prescripción; Prescription; Quality of life