An observational study in Older People, sponsored by Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani. Recruiting at 2 sites in Italy. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-04-01.
Sponsored by Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani · Observational
This observational study will determine the prevalence of underprescription in a cohort of elderly patients, recruited at the time of an outpatient geriatric visit, or hospitalized, upon admission to a geriatric ward.
Polypharmacy in older patients is associated with both inappropriate drug prescribing and underprescription or omission of appropriate medications. Potential prescriptive omission (PPO), defined as the underprescription of potentially beneficial drugs, is increasing across all care settings and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. However, in some cases, PPO may represent a legitimate medical decision.
The aim of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of underprescription by differentiating between justified and inappropriate potential prescriptive omissions (PPOs) in elderly patients in both hospital and outpatient settings, using the Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START) criteria, version 3.
Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani is the lead sponsor of 41 studies on the registry; 21 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Older patients at admission to a geriatric ward or at the time of outpatient geriatric visits
Exclusion Criteria:
Geriatric patients admitted to a geriatric hospital unit or attending an outpatient geriatric clinic
Rate of potential prescription omissions (PPOs)
Prevalence of potential prescription omissions (PPOs) will be evaluated by Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria version 3 in aged patients enrolled on admission to geriatric departments of participating centers or during geriatric outpatient clinic visits
Time frame: at baseline and 3 months later
Characterisation of the potential prescription omissions (PPOs)
The reasons for underprescription will be investigated to differentiate between justified and inappropriate potential prescriptive omissions (PPOs). Patients and/or their family members and/or the general practitioner will be interviewed to assess the potential reasons related to underprescription.
Time frame: at baseline and 3 months later
Plan to share: No
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Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani