Simple Screening Method Using Active Intervention and Structured Interview Techniques for Extraction of Outpatients Complaining of Geriatric Syndromes Associated with Medications at Pharmacies

Abstract

Geriatric syndromes associated with medications have been a social problem in Japan due to a rapid growing aging population in recent years. The aim of this study was to extract outpatients complaining of geriatric syndromes associated with medications at a pharmacy in Japan. We interviewed 206 outpatients individually by asking whether there were any symptoms labeled as geriatric syndromes they were conscious of after explaining about polypharmacy including typical symptoms such as drowsiness, depression, forgetfulness, reduced appetite, lightheadedness/dizziness, difficulty urinating and constipation with the use of a polypharmacy leaflet. The results showed that the prevalence of geriatric syndromes associated with medications was 7.8%, and moreover that the more medications patients take, the more they are likely to complain about their health problems. Especially, five or more medications were found to be associated with the increased frequency of geriatric syndromes in the outpatients. The present study suggests a simple screening method using active intervention and structured interview techniques for extraction of outpatients complaining of geriatric syndromes associated with medications at pharmacies.