Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics among Hospitalized Geriatric Patients at a Private Academic Health System in the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

Background:Antibiotics are crucial for treating infections in older adults, but misuse can lead to drug-resistant bacteria, posing a global health challenge requiring urgent action. This study aimed to analyze the prescribing pattern of antibiotics among hospitalized older adults and identify factors influencing antibiotic use. Materials and Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study focused on older adults hospitalized at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, UAE, for a period of 12 months. Patients with a hospital stay over 24 hr, receiving at least one antibiotic, were included. Data were collected using a standardized tool from electronic medical records and analyzed using classifications like Charlson Comorbidity Index and various WHO classifications, including AWaRe and INRUD prescribing indicators. Results:The study included 102 patients who received a total of 338 antibiotics. The most frequently prescribed class was systemic antibacterials, specifically cephalosporins and penems (41.25%). Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most used individual agent. High antibiotic prescribing rates related to skin and soft tissue infections (18.63%), pneumonia (18.04%), sepsis (17.75%), urinary tract infection (10.35%), and fracture and injury (8.57%). Patients generally received an average of 3.31 antibiotic agents. Most antibiotics prescribed were broad spectrum (81.95%), with 72.78% falling under the WHO AWaRe “Watch” group, indicating potential for resistance. Most antibiotics were from the national Essential Medicines List (82.24%) and prescribed using generic names (55.02%). The study also identified the total number of medications prescribed during hospital stay was found to correlate with the number of antibiotics prescribed. Conclusion:The study unveiled a divergence from the WHO antibiotic prescribing guidelines. It recommends conducting large-scale surveillance studies along with instituting institutional and national guidelines to curb antibiotic misuse and overuse in tertiary care hospitals.

KEYWORDS

• Antibiotics
• Geriatric population
• Prescribing indicators
• Prescribing pattern
• Resistance
• United Arab Emirates

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

• DOI10.5530/jyp.2024.16.14Copy

RELATED ARTICLES

Matched on section and article type within this issue of JYP.

• Article · VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1Cardioprotective Potential of Cardiboost, a Standardized Extract from Terminalia arjuna Bark against H2O2 Induced Oxidative Stress in H9c2 CardiomyocytesKuluvar Gouthamchandra, Heggar Venkataramana Sudeep, Amritharaj Amritharaj, Anusha Sathish, Lingaraju Harakanahalli Basavegowda, T. P Prasanna Kumar, Shyam Prasad Kodimule · pp. 10–16Original ArtcileSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1Innovative Formulation of Tridax procumbens Ethosomes: A Study on Properties and Drug Release KineticsVinitha Vinayagam, Kamatchi Palaniraja, Yuvanishi Ravi, Aravindhan Jayashankar, Vijayan Venugopal · pp. 17–23Original ArtcileSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1Synthetic and in vivo Antiepileptic Activity of “Benzene Sulfonic Acid and its Derivatives”Rohit Jaysing Bhor, Sanket Satish Patare, Rahul Bapusaheb Shirole, Karan Suresh Kadam, Mahesh Hari Kolhe, Rajshree Ghogare · pp. 24–32Original ArtcileSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol Ameliorates D-galactose/ Aluminium Chloride-Induced Alzheimer’s-Like Cognitive Deficit in Rats via Neurogenesis in their HippocampusFatin Nadzirah Zakaria, Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas, Mohamad Taufik Hidayat Baharuldin, Che Norma Mat Taib, Hasiah Ab Hamid, Hafizah Abdul Hamid, Samaila Musa Chiroma · pp. 33–41Original ArtcileSame type: Article