A Prospective Observational Study on Optimization of Drug Therapy in Specific Patient Population; Geriatrics and Pediatrics

Abstract Background: The optimization of drug therapy is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes, especially in paediatrics and geriatrics, two populations with distinct physiological and pharmacological needs. These groups often require specialized approaches to drug therapy due to difference in their age-related changes in metabolism, organ function, and drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. Objective · To ensure accurate dosing in paediatrics and diseases prevalence according to their age. · Monitor geriatrics with polypharmacy, considering and monitoring co co-morbid conditions. · Optimizing drug therapy of paediatrics and geriatrics and monitoring their drug related problems. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted in a hospital setting, involving optimization of drug therapy in geriatrics and paediatrics populations for 6 months in different departments. Depending on the courses of treatment, 200 patients were enrolled in the study and interviewed to record their age diagnosis, medications, and laboratory investigations. Optimization of drug therapy in the geriatrics and paediatrics was conducted during this study. Results and Discussion These study analysed 200 patients, including both paediatric and geriatric populations, using descriptive statistical methods. In the geriatric group (65–84 years), the mean age was 65.1 years, with an average of 1.2 comorbidities per patient. Among paediatric patients, dengue fever was the most prevalent condition (18%), while viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) had the lowest incidence (10%). A comparative analysis with Antoine Piau Yoann et al.'s study on elderly medication optimization revealed that among 216 patients aged 85–90+, 61.1% had chronic diseases, and the average number of medications per patient decreased from 7.2 ± 3.3 at admission to 5.7 ± 2.7 at discharge. In our study of 100 elderly patients, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the most prescribed drug classes (71–72%). These findings underscore the importance of optimizing pharmacotherapy to reduce polypharmacy risks and improve therapeutic outcomes in both paediatric and geriatric populations. Conclusion Our study highlights the importance of optimizing drug therapy in distinct patient populations, particularly geriatric and paediatric groups. These populations differ significantly in parameters such as age, gender, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, polypharmacy, and comorbidities. Our findings emphasize that polypharmacy and comorbid conditions in geriatric patients increase the risk of drug-related problems and adverse effects. In paediatric patients, dose optimization is crucial, as drug metabolism is influenced by factors such as body weight, body surface area (BSA), and body mass index (BMI). Implementing tailored pharmacotherapy strategies for these groups can enhance personalized medicine by considering their unique demographic and physiological characteristics, leading to more effective medication management and improved patient-centred care.