Table 6 Family medicine physicians’ knowledge of Beers’ criteria for potentially inappropriate prescribing in elderly (n = 31)

Metoclopramide should be avoided unless for gastroparesis with a duration not exceeding 12 weeks except in rare cases because it can cause extrapyramidal side-effects. Correct answer: Yes

Yes

26 (83.9)

No

2 (6.5)

I don’t Know

3 (9.7)

Proton-pump Inhibitors should be used for a maximum of 8 weeks in elderly patients except for high-risk patients, erosive oesophagitis, and pathological hypersecretory condition. Correct answer: Yes

Yes

21 (67.7)

No

3 (9.7)

I don’t Know

7 (22.6)

Sertraline would increase the risk of delirium.

Correct answer: Yes

Yes

14 (45.2)

No

5 (16.1)

I don’t Know

12 (38.7)

SSRIs can increase the risk of falls and should be avoided unless safer alternatives are not available. Correct answer: Yes

Yes

15 (48.4)

No

6 (19.4)

I don’t Know

10 (32.3)

Benzodiazepines can increase the risk of falls and fractures in elderly patients.

Correct answer: Yes

Yes

29 (93.5)

No

0 (0.0)

I don’t Know

2 (6.5)

First Generation anti-histamines (Chlorpheniramine) can increase the risk of anticholinergic effects in elderly patients. Correct answer: Yes

Yes

18 (58.1)

No

7 (22.6)

I don’t Know

6 (19.4)

Corticosteroids plus NSAIDs should be avoided because it increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease or Gastro-Intestinal bleeding.

Correct answer: Yes

Yes

30 (96.8)

No

0 (0.0)

I don’t Know

1 (3.2)

Aspirin 325 mg daily may exacerbate existing ulcers or cause new additional ulcers.

Correct answer: Yes

Yes

30 (96.8)

No

0 (0.0)

I don’t Know

1 (3.2)

Long-acting sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide) should be avoided due to their risk of prolonged hypoglycemia.

Correct answer: Yes

Yes

22 (71.0)

No

8 (25.8)

I don’t Know

1 (3.2)

A 72-year-old patient has type II diabetes mellitus. The patient is newly diagnosed with hypertension. The patient has experienced recurrent events of hypoglycemia. The patient has no other medical illnesses. Which of the following medications would you consider to AVOID?

Correct answer: hydrochlorothiazide.

Metoprolol

11 (35.5)

Amlodipine

0 (0.0)

Hydrochlorothiazide

15 (48.4)

Losartan

1 (3.2)

I don’t know

4 (12.9)

A 76-year-old patient is newly diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus. The patient has no other medical illness. You are going to start an oral antidiabetic agent for this patient. Which of the following medications would you consider AVOIDING?

Correct answer: Glibenclamide

Rosiglitazone

6 (19.4)

Glibenclamide

17 (54.8)

Metformin

1 (3.2)

Sitagliptin

3 (9.7)

I don’t know

4 (12.9)

Score distribution (n = 31)

Frequency(n)

Percentage (%)

 0

0

0.0

 1

0

0.0

 2

1

3.2

 3

0

0.0

 4

1

3.2

 5

1

3.2

 6

6

19.4

 7

5

16.1

 8

6

19.4

 9

4

12.9

 10

6

19.4

 11

1

3.2

 Poor Knowledge (< 80)

20

64.5

 Good Knowledge (> 80)

11

35.4