Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics among Hospitalized Geriatric Patients at a Private Academic Health System in the United Arab Emirates

Background
Antibiotics are crucial for treating infections in older adults, but misuse can lead to drug-resistant bacteria, posing a global health challenge requiring urgent action. This study aimed to analyze the prescribing pattern of antibiotics among hospitalized older adults and identify factors influencing antibiotic use.

Materials and Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study focused on older adults hospitalized at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, UAE, for a period of 12 months. Patients with a hospital stay over 24 hr, receiving at least one antibiotic, were included. Data were collected using a standardized tool from electronic medical records and analyzed using classifications like Charlson Comorbidity Index and various WHO classifications, including AWaRe and INRUD prescribing indicators.

Results
The study included 102 patients who received a total of 338 antibiotics. The most frequently prescribed class was systemic antibacterials, specifically cephalosporins and penems (41.25%). Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most used individual agent. High antibiotic prescribing rates related to skin and soft tissue infections (18.63%), pneumonia (18.04%), sepsis (17.75%), urinary tract infection (10.35%), and fracture and injury (8.57%). Patients generally received an average of 3.31 antibiotic agents. Most antibiotics prescribed were broad spectrum (81.95%), with 72.78% falling under the WHO AWaRe “Watch” group, indicating potential for resistance. Most antibiotics were from the national Essential Medicines List (82.24%) and prescribed using generic names (55.02%). The study also identified the total number of medications prescribed