Browsing by Subject "GFR"

With advancing age the kidneys undergo anatomical and physiological changes. The most significant physiological changes are decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is declined approximately in two thirds of the aged. Dosages of drugs eliminated mainly by the kidney should be adjusted carefully in patients with renal insufficiency. Nevertheless, according to earlier studies renal insufficiency among elderly patients is underdiagnosed and renal function is often overlooked when prescribing. Serum creatinine level is used as a screening test for renal dysfunction. However, it is a poor measure among elderly patients. Instead, calculated GFR should be the preferred method in estimating kidney function among this patient group. The aim of this study was to assess if comprehensive medication review can improve the quality of drug therapy among aged nursing home residents with impaired renal function. The data consisted of 153 comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) conducted by Farenta Oy. CMR case reports were used to assess intervention recommendations made by pharmacists because of renal insufficiency, other kidney-related findings and resulting medication-related interventions. In addition, the prevalence of renal insufficiency, degree of renal insufficiency diagnoses and relationship between serum creatinine and estimated GFR were assessed. Clinical significance of the interventions was not assessed. The mean age of patients was 82,4 years. The estimated GFR was available for 145 patients (94,8%). 86,9% (n=126) had declined renal function (GFR<80 ml/min). Of these, serum creatinine levels were within normal range or under in 73,8% of all patients with renal insufficiency. Physicians had documented 4,8% of renal insufficiency cases in clinical patient files. Pharmacists identified inappropriate drugs due to renal function in 34,9% (n=44) of the patients with renal insufficiency. In total, pharmacists made 71 intervention recommendations. Physicians approved 60,6% of the pharmacists' recommendations as made. At least one intervention recommendation was approved as made in nearly one fourth (23,0%) of the patients with renal insufficiency. The most common drug-related intervention was changing the drug (25,4 %). Cardiovascular drugs accounted for 33,8% of the intervention recommendations, nervous system drugs 19,7 %. According to this study renal insufficiency among aged nursing home residents is common but underdiagnosed. Approximately one third of patients with renal insufficiency are using inappropriate medicines or dosages. These drug-related problems can be indentified and resolved during the comprehensive medication review procedure.