Authors
1 Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, USA
2 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
3 Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Ohio, USA
4 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Abstract
Objective: The objective was to assess the frequency of polypharmacy and potential
complications among local seniors.
Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample of 59 adults aged above 65 years was
interviewed at Cuyahoga county (U.S. state of Ohio) senior programs. Polypharmacy was
defined as more than five prescribed medications. Primary outcomes were frequent missed
doses, one or more duplicate drug/s, and equal or more than one contraindicated drug
combinations.
Findings: Among seniors with the mean age of 76.9 years (25.4% male), 40.6% used multiple
pharmacies and 35.6% had polypharmacy. Of all seniors with polypharmacy, about 57% had
contraindicated drug combinations. Polypharmacy was associated with duplication (P = 0.02),
but not frequent missed doses (P = 0.20).
Conclusion: As shown by this study, polypharmacy was associated with duplicated therapy
and contraindicated drug combinations. Improved communications among seniors, physicians,
and pharmacists is necessary to minimize adverse consequences of polypharmacy
Keywords
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