BACKGROUND: The increase in the prescription of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in older adults with significant health consequences is a global concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PIM prescription in older adults as identified by Beers criteria 2015 and 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in older adults aged >65 years at a tertiary care postgraduate teaching hospital. All patients aged ≥65 years irrespective of their gender, admitted in the medical ward of the hospital with single/multiple comorbidities, and prescribed at least one daily medication, were included in the study. Data of patient history, patient case sheet, medication charts, laboratory reports, as well as radiological examinations test reports were retrieved from their files and were captured in a prevalidated data collection form. SPSS used for data analysis; multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of PIM prescribing and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for ORs were computed. RESULTS: Study included 323 patients; 61.3% were male, 74% patients were 65–70 years of age, and 78% patients were illiterate. The overall prevalence of PIM uses according to the Beers criteria 2015 and 2019 was 60.1% and 61.9%, respectively. No association found between PIMs prescribes and diagnosis category. Male gender, age 76–80 years, and education 10–12th class were found to be significantly related to PIM prescription. CONCLUSION: This study reflects a critical view of noncompliance of Beers criteria for geriatric healthcare even in tertiary care hospitals in India. Creatinine clearance rate should be kept in view when prescribing medicines for elderly inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prevalence in older adults is increasing day by day due to lack of knowledge among medical students and professionals. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge of medical students toward American Geriatric Society (AGS) Beers criteria for PIM prescribing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study employed a self-administered questionnaire which was validated and designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical interns and postgraduate residents on Beers criteria for PIMs in older adults. The study was conducted in Faridkot region of Punjab in 2019. This study will utilize a purposive sampling strategy and a convenience sampling of up to 183 participants. Mann–Whitney U or Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare different issues as appropriate. P values of <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Out of 183 questionnaires distributed, only 155 participants (response rate 84.6%) had filled the survey and were included in the study. 61.3% (n = 95) of the respondents were males. The mean knowledge score of 155 participants was (5.16 ± 1.56), where the highest score was 9 and the lowest score was 2 out of 10. 15.5% (n = 24) of the participant strongly agreed that Beers criteria use is necessary in clinical setting and would be very helpful. While 22.5% (n = 35) of the participants strongly agreed that PIMs cause adverse drug event (ADE) and drug-related problems (DRPs) in older adults. Age of the participant had a significant effect on the knowledge score (p = 0.009), and participant aged between 31 and 40 years had significantly higher knowledge scores compared with participants falls under 20–30 years. CONCLUSION: Medical students and postgraduate residents had average knowledge of PIMs and are unaware of the standard guidelines in older adults such as the Beers criteria. Lack of formal education or training about Beers guidelines was the main reason responsible for average knowledge among participants.

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