Sevgi Didem ŞAHİN, Serap ÖKSÜZ, Gülseren PAMUK, Kurtuluş ÖNGEL
Türk Geriatri Dergisi - 2026;29(3):334-343
Introduction: The Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) Version 3 is a tool designed to identify potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults according to these criteria. Materials and Method: This prospective descriptive study was conducted between January 1 and March 1, 2025, with 389 participants enrolled in the Home Health Care Unit of a university hospital. After obtaining ethical approvals, the data recorded through the hospital information management system were evaluated according to the Version 3 criteria and the presence of polypharmacy. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 26.0 software; descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used. Results: It was found that all 389 participants had at least one chronic disease, with an average of three chronic diseases per individual. The most common disease was hypertension (77.1%), and the most frequently used medications were beta-blockers. At least one potentially inappropriate medication use was detected in 45.8% of the participants. The most common potentially inappropriate medication use was the use of proton pump inhibitors (32.1%). In the logistic regression analysis, dementia/Alzheimer's disease and rheumatic diseases were found to be significant determinants of potentially inappropriate medication use. Conclusion: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use are common among older adults receiving home health care. The Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions Version 3 is an effective tool for evaluating the rationality of pharmacotherapy and preventing inappropriate prescribing in clinical practice.
