Age and ageing
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Observational Study
Drug consumption and futile medication prescribing in the last year of life: an observational study.
the last year of life for many older people is associated with high symptom burden and frequent hospitalizations. Hospital physicians have an opportunity to prioritize essential medications and deprescribe potentially futile medications. ⋯ high levels of medication consumption in the last year of life not only reflect high symptom burden experienced by patients but also continued prescribing of futile medications. Physicians assisted by the STOPPFrail tool can reduce medication burden for older people approaching end of life.