Health status and drug use 1 year before and 1 year after skilled nursing home admission during the first quarter of 2013 in France: a study based on the French National Health Insurance Information System

Purpose Changes in prescribing practices following skilled nursing home (SNH) admission have not been clearly described in France. The study aimed to evaluate health status and drug use 1 year before and 1 year after admission to SNH. Method People ≥ 65 years old admitted to SNH in the first quarter of 2013, covered by the national health insurance general scheme (69% of the population of this age) and still alive 1 year after admission were identified in a specific database (Resid-ehpad). Linking with the National Health Insurance Information System (SNIIRAM) allowed analysis of their health status, identified by algorithms, and changes in their use of reimbursed drugs. Results In a population of 11,687 residents (mean age: 86 years, women: 76%), the most prevalent diseases were cardiovascular/neurovascular diseases (45%) and dementias (35%). The use of certain chronic treatments (≥ 3 reimbursements/year) increased significantly ( p