Antithrombotic agents used by older people: prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Objective To analyze the types and prevalence of use of antithrombotic drugs by older people and associated factors. Method A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older people was carried out in the city of Goiânia, Midwest Brazil. The pharmacological classification of antithrombotic drugs was performed according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. Results 212 older people participated in the study and the prevalence of antithrombotic drug use was 27.8%. The most used types were acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (n= 49; 83%), Clopidogrel (n=6; 10.1%) and Cilostazol (n=4; 6.7%). Associated factors were the 70-79 years age group (p<0.001) and polypharmacy (p<0.001). Conclusion The proportion of antithrombotic use by the participants was high and the most used drugs posed a risk of complications and drug-drug interactions. Attention should be heightened in individuals aged >70 years and in use of polypharmacy and efforts must be made to clinically monitor these users of antithrombotic drugs therapy.