Polifarmácia em idosos: um estudo de base populacional

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Objective: To investigate polypharmacy among the elderly living in the urban area of Florianopolis, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, estimating the prevalence and associated factors. Methods: This is a crosssectional population-based study with a sample of 1,705 individuals aged 60 years old or older, between 2009 and 2010. The dependent variable was polypharmacy (defined as "use of five or more medications"). The following exploratory variables were utilized: sociodemographic data, use of health services and self-rated health status. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated by multivariate analysis using the Poisson regression. Results: The mean for the medications used by the elderly population was 3.8 (ranging from 0 to 28). The prevalence of polypharmacy was 32%, with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 29.8 -34.3. The characteristics presenting a positive association with polypharmacy were: female gender (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.03 -1.57), increasing age (PR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.08 -1.77), negative self-rated health status (PR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.59 -2.48) and medical appointments in the 3 months prior to the interview (PR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.53 -2.32). The groups of medication most utilized by the elderly individuals in polypharmacy were those indicated for the cardiovascular system, digestive tract and metabolism, as well as the nervous system. Conclusion: The pattern of medication use among this elderly population is within the national average. The prevalence of polypharmacy and the characteristics associated with it were similar to those found in other regions of Brazil.

Frequency of Polypharmacy and Risk Factors in the Elderly in Burdur

“…There are many factors driving polypharmacy. Some studies have shown a relationship between polypharmacy and both female sex and age>80 years (17,18). In our study, there was no relationship between socio-demographic factors and polypharmacy.…”

Medication use by the elderly: analysis of prescribing, dispensing, and use in a medium-sized city in the state of São Paulo

“…They are also linear to the prevalence and accumulation of pathologies of these systems which, in this age group, often require pharmacological interventions for their control. Compensatory pharmacological intervention occurs in the digestive system in order to correct dysfunctions or to protect the system against aggressions derived from polymedication 19,20 .…”

<b>Perfil medicamentoso de pessoas com hipertensão arterial/ Medication profile of people with hypertension<b>

“…A literatura aponta que uma parcela da população ainda possui dificuldades de acesso às medicações, associados com a baixa aderência à terapêutica medicamentosa e controle pressórico inadequado (6) , além de prescrições realizadas por profissionais responsáveis por especialidades não integradas aos serviços públicos de saúde (7) .…”

“…As comorbidades atreladas com a HA possibilitam a presença de polifarmácia, que é a combinação de cinco ou mais medicamentos por dia. Este fator deve ser investigado e acompanhado pelos profissionais, principalmente os da rede primária de atenção à saúde, devido ao tratamento prolongado (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) .…”

“…A complexidade dos esquemas terapêuticos para HA e suas múltiplas associações, juntamente com a cultura da medicalização vivida atualmente, que resulta no uso indiscriminado de drogas (3)(4)(5)(6)(7) , traz a necessidade de entender a característica medicamentosa da população em tratamento da morbidade, para uma posterior atuação dos profissionais de saúde, visando o real controle pressórico dessa população (8) .…”