Abstract
Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as having persistent, elevated systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or above and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or above. Hypertension is a silent killer disease. In India, the majority of the population are poor including the elder people. According to American Geriatrics society (AGS), geriatric patients ≥ 65 years, as the age proceeds front it give rise to social, economic and health issues. Hence in such a scenario it is necessary to survey the proper drug utilisation in order to achieve rational therapy in geriatric population. To evaluate appropriateness of prescription in hypertensive geriatric patients using Beers criteria 2012. A prospective observational study done for a period of six months at General Medicine inpatient department of Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga. A total of 130 geriatric patients aged ≥65 years in which 67 were males and 63 are females. According to Beers criteria 2012, Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) was more prevalent in 65-74 years age group. 104(80%) patients were prescribed appropriately. The PIM most commonly belong to Category A and Alprazolam is the most common drugs. Inappropriate medications are most common in geriatrics patients. A Beers criterion is one of the well-established method for evaluating appropriateness of prescribing.
