title: Aging, Genetic Variations, and Ethnopharmacology: Building Cultural Competence Through Awareness of Drug Responses in Ethnic Minority Elders.
abstract: Unique drug responses that may result in adverse events are among the ethnocultural differences described by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. These differences, often attributed to a lack of adherence on the part of the older adult, may be linked to genetic variations that influence drug responses in different ethnic groups. The paucity of research coupled with a lack of knowledge among health care providers compound the problem, contributing to further disparities, especially in this era of personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics. This article examines how age-related changes and genetic differences influence variations in drug responses among older adults in unique ethnocultural groups. The article starts with an overview of age-related changes and ethnopharmacology, moves to describing genetic differences that affect drug responses, with a focus on medications commonly prescribed for older adults, and ends with application of these issues to culturally congruent health care.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA dwoods@apu.edu.
authors.forename: Diana Lynn
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Janet C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mentes
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cadogan
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003580:Cytochromes / Q000235:genetics; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D020834:Ethnopharmacology / Q000379:methods*; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008913:Minority Groups; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003580:Cytochromes; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: gerontology; nursing practice; transcultural health