Willingness to deprescribe predictors among Portuguese older adults: a
cross-sectional study
Abstract
Background: Deprescribing is a complex process requiring a
patient-centred approach. One frequently expressed deprescribing barrier
is patients’ attitudes and beliefs toward reducing or stopping a
medication. This study aims to identify the willingness to deprescribe
predictors in a sample of Portuguese older patients. Methods:
Cross-sectional study with community-dwelling patients aged ≥ 65 and
taking at least one regular medication. Data collection included
patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics and the Portuguese
Revised Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) Questionnaire.
Descriptive statistics were used to present patients’ characteristics
and attitudes towards deprescribing. A multiple binary logistic
regression analysis was performed to identify willingness to
desprescribe predictors. Results: 192 participants (median age 72 years;
65.6% female) were included. A large majority (83.33%) were willing to
deprescribe if recommended by their doctor. The willingness to
desprescribe predictors were age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)= 1.136),
female sex (aOR= 3.036), and the rPATD concerns about stopping (aOR=
0.391). Conclusions: Most patients were willing to deprescribe if
recommended by their doctor. Older age and female sex increase the odds
of willingness to deprescribe; conversely, higher concerns about
stopping medications decrease the odds. These findings suggest that
addressing patients’ concerns about stopping their medicines may
contribute to deprescribing success.