Inappropriate use of antiplatelet agents for primary prevention in nursing homes: An Italian multicenter observational study

AIM The benefits of antiplatelets to prevent cardio- and cerebrovascular disease are recognized and appropriate only for "secondary prevention." This multicenter retrospective study was designed to (i) examine the prevalence of residents receiving antiplatelets for primary and secondary cardio- and cerebrovascular prevention, and (ii) evaluate the predictors of inappropriate antiplatelet prescription. METHODS This study was conducted in a sample of Italian long-term care nursing homes (NHs). Appropriate use of antiplatelets was defined in accordance with the strongest evidence-based indications. RESULTS Among the 2579 patients recruited from 27 long-term care NHs (age mean ± SD: 86.8 ± 7.3; women: 1995; 77.4%), 1092 were treated with antiplatelets (42.3%) and 619 (56.7%) were receiving antiplatelet agents for inappropriate primary prevention of cardio- or cerebrovascular atherothrombotic events. Age, dementia or cerebral atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes without chronic complication and hypertension were predictors of inappropriate prescription of antiplatelets. Patients inappropriately treated with antiplatelets also had a higher risk of receiving proton pump inhibitors than those appropriately not treated in univariate (OR 95% CI = 2.79 (2.25-3.46, p < 0.0001) and multivariate models (OR 95% CI 2.71 (2.16-3.40, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Most patients receiving antiplatelet agents in NHs are being inappropriately treated for primary prevention of cardio- or cerebrovascular disease. NH residents with diagnosis of dementia or cerebral atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes without chronic complication and hypertension seemed more likely to receive antiplatelets inappropriately. Patients without an evidence-based indication for antiplatelets also received proton-pump inhibitors in an unnecessary "prescribing cascade," which should be assessed for de-prescribing. Geriatr Gerontol Int ••; ••: ••-•• Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••-••.