Potentially Inappropriate Use of Psychotropic Medications in Hospitalized Elderly Patients in France

Background: In France, there is evidence to suggest that 50% of elderly individuals are prescribed psychotropic medications. However, it is known that use of these agents increases the risk of falls, fractures and delirium in older people.

Objective: To study the consumption of ‘potentially inappropriate medication’ (PIM) among patients aged ≥75 years, paying particular attention to psychotropic drugs and the factors influencing the use of ‘potentially inappropriate psychotropics’ (PIPs).

Method: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective multicentre cohort of 1306 hospitalized French patients aged ≥75 years (the SAFEs [Sujet Âgé Fragile: Évaluation et suivi (Frail Elderly Subjects: Evaluation and follow-up)] cohort). The present analysis involved the 1176 patients for whom there was information on the usual treatments being taken in the 2 weeks before hospitalization. The drugs were coded according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification; the Beers list as updated in 2003 defined which medications were considered PIPs. Standardized geriatric assessment variables were recorded on inclusion in the study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors linked to use of psychotropics and PIPs.

Results: The mean number of drugs taken was 5.7 ± 2.9 per patient. Twenty-eight percent of patients took at least one PIM. The number of patients who had taken at least one psychotropic drug in the 2 weeks before hospitalization (mean 1.6 ± 0.9 psychotropics per patient) was 589 (50.1%). More than half of both the 510 patients with a depressive syndrome and the 543 patients affected by dementia were treated with psychotropics. Multivariate analysis showed that prescription of psychotropics was linked to the presence of a dementia syndrome (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1, 1.9; p = 0.03), the presence of a depressive syndrome (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.3, 2.1; p < 0.001), living in an institution (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.5, 3.4; p < 0.001), use of more than five drugs (OR = 3.2; 95% CI 2.5, 4.2; p < 0.001) and Charlson’s co-morbidity score >1 (OR = 0.6; 95% CI 0.5, 0.8; p = 0.001). Nineteen percent of all psychotropics prescribed were PIPs. Of these PIPs, 66.5% were anxiolytics, 28.4% were antidepressants and 5.1% were antipsychotics. Use of PIPs in the multivariate analysis was associated only with consumption of more than five drugs (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.1, 2.5; p = 0.01).

Conclusion: PIM use is common among hospitalized older adults in France. The most important determinant of risk of receiving a psychotropic medication or a PIP was the number of drugs being taken. The elderly, who have multiple comorbidities, complex chronic conditions and are usually receiving polypharmacy, are at increased risk for adverse drug events. These adverse events are often linked to problems that could be preventable such as delirium, depression and falls. Regular review of prescriptions would help optimize prescription of psychotropics in the elderly. The Beers list is a good tool for evaluating PIMs but is too restrictive with respect to psychotropics; in the latter respect, the list could usefully be widened.