Assessment of Prescription Trends and Quantifying Medication Appropriateness in Geriatric Stroke Patients

Abstract

In order to ensure sensible drug use, prescription pattern studies are crucial, especially for elderly stroke patients who are more likely to experience adverse events, polypharmacy, and drug interactions. This prospective observational study, conducted over six months in a tertiary care hospital, 120 stroke cases (≥65 years) were examined to evaluate prescription trends, medication burden, and compliance with WHO prescribing guidelines. 72.5% of the patients experienced an ischemic stroke, and 27.5% experienced a hemorrhagic stroke; the frequency was higher in men (60%). Ages 65 to 70 were the most affected (56.6%). Seizures (22.5%) and pneumonia (13.3%) were the predominant complications, while the most common risk factors were hypertension (85%), alcohol use (65%), and diabetes (33.3%). According to chi-square analysis, 45% of patients were in the hospital for 6–10 days, and there was a significant correlation between the kind of stroke and length of stay (p < 0.05). The most commonly prescribed medications were pantoprazole (67.5%), atorvastatin (88.3%), and aspirin (97.5%). Single antiplatelet therapy (66.6%) was chosen over combination therapy (33.3%). Although 94.93% of medications met the Essential Drug List, WHO prescribing indicators revealed polypharmacy (8.07 pharmaceuticals per prescription), low generic prescribing (48.43%), and high injection use (36.82%), all of which significantly deviated from WHO guidelines (p < 0.001). Excessive polypharmacy and irregular prescribing patterns were noted in spite of adherence to stroke treatment recommendations. Improving therapeutic safety and patient outcomes in this high-risk population requires optimizing pharmaceutical use through deprescribing tactics, medication reconciliation, and pharmacist involvement.