Which diseases are associated with polypharmacy in a geriatric population?

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy and its associated factors in the Primary Care setting of Caicó city (Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil). Method A quantitative prevalence study of 295 older adults was conducted. Results The prevalence of polypharmacy was 22%. Participants were predominantly aged 60-79 years (76%), brown (50.5%), married (43.1%), educated to primary (incomplete) level (60.3%) and had an income of 1-3 minimum wages (74.2%). The most used medications were angiotensin-receptor blockers (26.1%), statins (20.3%) and thiazide diuretics (19.3%). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that polypharmacy was associated with diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, generalized anxiety disorder, gastritis, heart failure, coronary artery disease and age >80 years. Conclusion Polypharmacy prevalence was high and strongly associated with advanced age and number and type of comorbidity. These results highlight the need for greater health promotion actions and policies, continuous professional education, enhanced team work and longitudinal systemic care provision to address the iatrogenic risk of use of multiple medications by older adults.