Estudo epidemiológico de base populacional sobre uso de medicamentos entre idosos na Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of medication and associated factors (sociodemographics, health conditions, and health services use) in a representative sample of 1,598 elderly individuals (60+ years) in Greater Metropolitan Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The dependent variable was the number of drugs used in the preceding two weeks. Prevalence of medication was 72.1%, and mean consumption was 2.18 drugs, most of which acting on the cardiovascular system. Use of medication (any amount) was independently associated with gender (female), age (80+ years), having consulted a physician, and presence of any chronic health condition. Use of five or more drugs was significantly associated with schooling (8+ years, OR=2.28), worse self-rated health (fair, OR = 5.45; bad/very bad, OR = 5.35). The results show that the types of medications used and factors associated with consumption were similar to those observed in other populations, suggesting some uniformity among various populations in the use of medication and its determinants.

Epidemiologia do uso de medicamentos entre idosos em area urbana do Nordeste do Brasil

“…The high prevalence of medication use among the elderly individuals (85.5%) concords with the literature and is within the expected range, with values close to those found in Fortaleza, CE, Northeastern Brazil (80.3%), 6 the South Region (82.0%) 7 and Belo Horizonte, MG, Southeastern Brazil (86.2% 15 and 89.6%). 20 The mean number of medications being taken at the time of the interview was lower than that observed in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 16 in the South Region 7 and in Belo Horizonte, MG. 15,20 However, it was higher than that found in Fortaleza, 5 the population which is closest to the population of this study, which suggests regional differences in the intensity of medication use.…”

“…20 The mean number of medications being taken at the time of the interview was lower than that observed in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 16 in the South Region 7 and in Belo Horizonte, MG. 15,20 However, it was higher than that found in Fortaleza, 5 the population which is closest to the population of this study, which suggests regional differences in the intensity of medication use.…”

“…This trend of taking larger quantities of medications is consistent with the results of other epidemiological investigations. 5,7,15,20 However, this difference was not refl ected in the occurrence of polypharmacy. Likewise, there was no link between polypharmacy and age group.…”

“…The fi ndings here do not agree with those of studies conducted in Belo Horizonte. 15,20 However, these studies were carried out with elderly individuals in the general population, irrespective of registration with the ESF, suggesting that health teams monitoring the elderly tends to reduce polypharmacy in all age groups.…”

“…16,22,b High levels of medication use by the elderly population, in Brazil and worldwide, has been described. 7,9,15,16,20 Biologically, the elderly have less capacity to metabolize medication, they suffer adverse effects more frequently and effi cacy of the treatment is reduced. This is due to a combination of factors: higher prevalence of chronic illness, polypharmacy and, often, malnutrition.…”