The Pharmacotherapy of Chronic Non-maligant Pain Among Geriatric Patients

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy Candidate: Mgr. Barbora Bartova Consultant: PharmDr. Daniela Fialova, PhD. Title of Thesis: The Pharmacotherapy of Chronic Non-malignant Pain among Geriatric Patients Introduction: Epidemiological studies demonstrate that prevalence of chronic pain increases with higher age. Furthermore, pain among older patients is often underrecognized and/or undertreated. Although rational treatment of geriatric pain has been extensively studied during the past decade, many older people still suffer from uncontrolled or insufficiently treated pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment of non-malignant chronic pain by general practitioners (GPs) in geriatric patients. Further, we discuss the role of pharmacist in rational pain pharmacotherapy as well as complex pharmacotherapy management in these patients. Methods: Data were obtained by prospective assessment of 80 geriatric patients 65+ (mean age 75,0 years (range 65-94 yrs), 80 % females) suffering from chronic nonmalignant pain. Evaluation of pain management and complex drug regimens was provided by specifically trained pharmacist in two general practices in Brno, Czech Republic (between March 2010 and December 2011). To assess the..