Rational Drug Use in Elderly Patients in a Primary Care Center

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate rational drug usage of elderly patients at a primary care centre. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Tokat Sulusaray Central Family Health Centre, Turkey, from 1st January to 30th June, 2018, and comprised patients aged >65 years. Data was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire evaluating medicine usage habits. Data was analysed using SPSS 20 . Results: Of the 291 patients, 164(56.4%) were females. The overall mean age was 72.76 +/- 7.126 years (range: 65-96 years). Leftover drug-keeping habit was found in 155(53.3%) subjects, and 177(60.8%) did not use unprescribed drugs. Conclusions: The drug usage habits of the elderly were not found to be rational, as more than half the subjects had leftover drugs at home.