Potentially inappropriate prescribing in people with chronic kidney disease: cross-sectional analysis of a large population cohort

Abstract

Background: Many drugs should be avoided or require dose-adjustment in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous estimates of potentially inappropriate prescribing rates have been based on data on a limited number of drugs and mainly in secondary care settings. Aim: To determine the prevalence of contraindicated and potentially inappropriate primary care prescribing in a complete population of people with CKD. Method: Cross-sectional study of prescribing patterns in a complete geographical population of people with CKD defined using laboratory data. Drugs were organised by British National Formulary advice. Contraindicated (CI) drugs: “avoid”. Potentially high risk (PHR) drugs: “avoid if possible”. Dose inappropriate (DI) drugs: dose exceeded recommended maximums. Results: 28,489 people with CKD were included in analysis, of whom 70.0% had CKD 3a, 22.4% CKD 3b, 5.9% CKD 4, and 1.5% CKD 5. 3.9% (95%CI 3.7-4.1) of people with CKD stages 3a-5 were prescribed one or more CI drug, 24.3% (95%CI 23.8-24.8) PHR drug, and 15.2% (95% CI 14.8-15.62) DI drug. CI drugs differed in prevalence by CKD stage, and were most commonly prescribed in CKD stage 4 with a prevalence of 36.0% (95%CI 33.7–38.2). PHR drugs were commonly prescribed in all CKD stages ranging from 19.4% (95%CI 17.6-21.3) in stage 4 to 25.1% (95%CI 24.5–25.7) in stage 3b. DI drugs were most commonly prescribed in stage 4, 26.4% (95%CI 24.3-28.6). Conclusion: Potentially inappropriate prescribing is common at all stages of CKD. Development and evaluation of interventions to improve prescribing safety in this high-risk populations are needed.