Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) among older (≥ 65 years) people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Additionally, the secondary objective was to analyse the relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and compliance with STOPP-Beers criteria associated with Top-10 drugs classes to avoid (TOP-10-A) of European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational single-centre study. PLWHIV aged 65 years-old or over on ART attending at hospital pharmacy outpatient service from December-2019 to March-2020 were included. Patients were classified by age group: 65-69, 70-75 and more than 75 years. Moreover, was analysed the relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and compliance with STOPP-Beers Criteria associated with Top-10-A drugs. RESULTS: A total of 19 individuals were included. Overall polypharmacy was observed in 16 PLWHIV (84.2%). A PIP included Top-10-A was identified in 9 (47.4%) PLWHIV. Benzodiazepines were the most prevalent group of prescribed drugs in 6 patients (30.0%). Complex patients were observed in 57.9% (MRCI index value greater than 11.25). Similarly, the sum of criteria STOPP-Beers was higher in older patients. Student's t test showed the existence of a statistically significant relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and sum of STOPP-Beers Criteria (p <0.05) in elderly PLWHIV. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of PIPs is highly prevalent in older PLWHIV. Consistent with data, presence of PIPs were associated a presence of higher pharmacotherapeutic complexity and sum of STOPP-Beers Criteria. The basis for a new revised care plan for PLWHIV focussed on optimising overall patient care pharmacotherapeutic complexity and its possible consequences.