The prevalence of polypharmacy in the elderly with depressive symptoms: an integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: The elderly and the multiple diseases that affect them with increasing age, cause the increase and consumption of medicines and the risk of polypharmacy, which the World Health Organization defines how to take several medicines at the same time or administering an excessive number of medicines, whether prescribed, exempt from prescription or other traditional medicines. The definition of polypharmacy most adopted in the literature is the use of five or more medications. Objective: To investigate the verification of the prevalence of polypharmacy in the elderly with depressive symptoms, showing how the whole nursing process takes place. Method: Integrative review carried out between February and April 2022. Inclusion criteria: articles from the last 5 years published in lilacs, Medline, IBECS and BDENF databases in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Exclusion criteria were those that did not address the theme of the study, the articles not found, or that were repeated between the bases. Results: The search resulted in 76 articles and with the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies were selected with full texts, for a discussion on the subject, being categorized into two parts: actions to detect polypharmacy and depressive symptoms among the elderly with the use of polypharmacy. Conclusions: The essential measures are the early screening and diagnosis of polypharmacy, for an efficient implementation of intervention measures and, in this process, nursing is essential in the development of these measures, acting as an educator in health and health promotion. It is possible, through the use of technology and innovation, to facilitate this process of prevention and reeducation in the administration of medicines. The theme is extremely important and requires in-depth studies in the area.