Dr. Nana Entsuah and Dr. Cheryl Wisseh Explore “Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use among Underserved Older Latino Adults” in Publication

Dr. Nana Entsuah and Dr. Cheryl Wisseh co-authored a study entitled “Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use among Underserved Older Latino Adults,” published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Additional authors of the paper include Ebony King, Mohsen Bazargan, Sayaka W. Tokumitsu, and Edward K. Adinkrah.

The study focused on medication use among Latino adults aged 65 years and older. Specifically, the authors examined the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use within this vulnerable population. In this study, the authors found that 55% of the sample population were taking five or more medications at the time, thereby increasing their risk of polypharmacy. The publication also investigated the relationships between economic limitations, healthcare inaccessibility, overall health status, and PIM usage.

“Due to metabolic changes and reduced drug clearance associated with the aging process, the use of unnecessary or inappropriate medications in older adults is a great concern. Inappropriate medication use renders elderly patients at an increased risk of drug-drug interactions and adverse drug events. Our study highlights a disparity in the use of inappropriate medications amongst older Latino adults,” Dr. Entsuah explained.

“Polypharmacy likely increases emergency room/acute care utilization because, if the patient has limited access to care, they might use the emergency room or urgent care as a regular source of care,” said Dr. Wisseh. “Furthermore, limited access to care means that there aren’t enough touch points for the patient to see a pharmacist or other qualified clinician that can do a comprehensive medication and medical profile review and identify PIMs. Thus, there may be a need for more pharmacists that work in the emergency room space to deliver comprehensive medication management services to older adult patients that visit the emergency room frequently.”

“Close monitoring is necessary in this vulnerable population to ensure medication appropriateness and promote patient safety. It is our hope that the findings of our study will continue to illuminate gaps in equitable care and inform on mechanisms to address these,” Dr. Entsuah added.

In the publication, the authors concluded that “…improving access to health care and thereby continuity of care among older Latino adults with multimorbidity has the potential to reduce both polypharmacy and PIM use. Programs that increase access to regular care and continuity of care should be prioritized among multimorbid, undeserved, Latino older adults in an effort toward improved health equity.”