Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 25984546

Polypharmacy in the Elderly

Overview
Journal J Res Pharm Pract
Date 2015 May 19
PMID 25984546
Citations 29
Authors
Negar Golchin
Scott H Frank
April Vince
Lisa Isham
Sharon B Meropol
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Objective: The objective was to assess the frequency of polypharmacy and potential complications among local seniors.

Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample of 59 adults aged above 65 years was interviewed at Cuyahoga county (U.S. state of Ohio) senior programs. Polypharmacy was defined as more than five prescribed medications. Primary outcomes were frequent missed doses, one or more duplicate drug/s, and equal or more than one contraindicated drug combinations.

Findings: Among seniors with the mean age of 76.9 years (25.4% male), 40.6% used multiple pharmacies and 35.6% had polypharmacy. Of all seniors with polypharmacy, about 57% had contraindicated drug combinations. Polypharmacy was associated with duplication (P = 0.02), but not frequent missed doses (P = 0.20).

Conclusion: As shown by this study, polypharmacy was associated with duplicated therapy and contraindicated drug combinations. Improved communications among seniors, physicians, and pharmacists is necessary to minimize adverse consequences of polypharmacy.

Citing Articles

A Review of Risk Factors for Polypharmacy: Age, Level of Education, and Physician's Attitude.

Majewski G, Grodzka O, Walkowski R, Kandefer T, Papciak K, Slyk S Cureus. 2024; 16(10):e71868.

PMID: 39559630 PMC: 11573230. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.71868.

Advancing Pharmaceutical Care in Community Pharmacies in Poland: A Blueprint for Enhanced Patient Care Quality.

Merks P, Kowalczuk A, Howell A, Bialoszewski A, Strocka J, Krajewska E Healthcare (Basel). 2024; 12(21).

PMID: 39517322 PMC: 11545173. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12212109.

Polypharmacy Is Associated with Sociodemographic Factors and Socioeconomic Status in United States Adults.

Vennu V Pharmacy (Basel). 2024; 12(2).

PMID: 38525729 PMC: 10961768. DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12020049.

Are there socioeconomic inequalities in polypharmacy among older people? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Iqbal A, Richardson C, Iqbal Z, OKeefe H, Hanratty B, Matthews F BMC Geriatr. 2023; 23(1):149.

PMID: 36934249 PMC: 10024437. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-03835-z.

Management of Older Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: Considerations for Current and Emerging Therapies.

Oyedeji C, Hodulik K, Telen M, Strouse J Drugs Aging. 2023; 40(4):317-334.

PMID: 36853587 PMC: 10979738. DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01014-8.

References
1.
Hilmer S, Shenfield G, Le Couteur D . Clinical implications of changes in hepatic drug metabolism in older people. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008; 1(2):151-6. PMC: 1661619. DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.1.2.151.62914. View
2.
Fontanella C, Warner L, Phillips G, Bridge J, Campo J . Trends in psychotropic polypharmacy among youths enrolled in Ohio Medicaid, 2002-2008. Psychiatr Serv. 2014; 65(11):1332-40. PMC: 4539016. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300410. View
3.
Callahan C, Weiner M, Counsell S . Defining the domain of geriatric medicine in an urban public health system affiliated with an academic medical center. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008; 56(10):1802-6. PMC: 4569869. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01941.x. View
4.
Veehof L, Stewart R, Haaijer-Ruskamp F, Jong B . The development of polypharmacy. A longitudinal study. Fam Pract. 2000; 17(3):261-7. DOI: 10.1093/fampra/17.3.261. View
5.
Bushardt R, Massey E, Simpson T, Ariail J, Simpson K . Polypharmacy: misleading, but manageable. Clin Interv Aging. 2008; 3(2):383-9. PMC: 2546482. DOI: 10.2147/cia.s2468. View