Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics among Hospitalized Geriatric Patients at a Private Academic Health System in the United Arab Emirates

1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

2School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, MALAYSIA

Corresponding author.

Correspondence: Dr. Vineetha Menon Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Email: dr.vineetha@gmu.ac.ae
Received December 12, 2023; Revised January 05, 2024; Accepted January 12, 2024.
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Citation

1.Menon V, Waqar Hussain M, Molugulu N. Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics among Hospitalized Geriatric Patients at a Private Academic Health System in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of Young Pharmacists [Internet]. 2024 Feb 15;16(1):102–14. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2024.16.14
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Published in: Journal of Young Pharmacists, 2024; 16(1): 102-114. Published online: 07 July 2025DOI: 10.5530/jyp.2024.16.14

ABSTRACT

Background: Antibiotics are crucial for treating infections in older adults, but misuse can lead to drug-resistant bacteria, posing a global health challenge requiring urgent action. This study aimed to analyze the prescribing pattern of antibiotics among hospitalized older adults and identify factors influencing antibiotic use. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study focused on older adults hospitalized at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, UAE, for a period of 12 months. Patients with a hospital stay over 24 hr, receiving at least one antibiotic, were included. Data were collected using a standardized tool from electronic medical records and analyzed using classifications like Charlson Comorbidity Index and various WHO classifications, including AWaRe and INRUD prescribing indicators. Results: The study included 102 patients who received a total of 338 antibiotics. The most frequently prescribed class was systemic antibacterials, specifically cephalosporins and penems (41.25%). Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most used individual agent. High antibiotic prescribing rates related to skin and soft tissue infections (18.63%), pneumonia (18.04%), sepsis (17.75%), urinary tract infection (10.35%), and fracture and injury (8.57%). Patients generally received an average of 3.31 antibiotic agents. Most antibiotics prescribed were broad spectrum (81.95%), with 72.78% falling under the WHO AWaRe “Watch” group, indicating potential for resistance. Most antibiotics were from the national Essential Medicines List (82.24%) and prescribed using generic names (55.02%). The study also identified the total number of medications prescribed during hospital stay was found to correlate with the number of antibiotics prescribed. Conclusion: The study unveiled a divergence from the WHO antibiotic prescribing guidelines. It recommends conducting large-scale surveillance studies along with instituting institutional and national guidelines to curb antibiotic misuse and overuse in tertiary care hospitals.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Geriatric population, Prescribing indicators, Prescribing pattern, Resistance, United Arab Emirates