Factors associated with polypharmacy in geriatrics

Authors

  • Geeta Rathod Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • Nalini G. K. Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • Jayashree V. Nagaral Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • Sahana G. N. Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • Deepak P. Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • M. Prema Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  • Nuthan Kumar U. S. Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20172745

Keywords:

Drug use, Geriatrics, Polypharmacy, Self medication

Abstract

Background: In population with advancing age, the prevalence of medical co-morbid conditions is high and they are prone for complications. Hence the apprehension of using multiple drugs is more. Using more than 5 drugs per day is referred to as Polyphrmacy. Sometimes treatment causes more harm than the disease proper. So, optimizing drug therapy in these aging population is a challenging task for physician. Polypharmacy can also lead to increase in drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and medication errors. Hence the present study was taken up to study drug utilization pattern and factors leading to polypharmacy in geriatrics. The objectives of the study were to study the number and type of drug use and to know the different factors leading to polypharmacy.

Methods: Cross sectional study was carried out among 60 geriatric persons ≥60 years of age present in old age home in Hassan. The study was done after taking the consent. All the prescriptions and medications being used along with history were collected and documented. The total number of drugs being used and names of all drugs were noted down and analysed. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Among 60 geriatrics 38% males and 62% females age ranges from 60- 87 years. Average number of drugs used per day per person is 5.03 (Males 6.2 and Females 3.8) in 58.03% of individuals. Most common group of drug used is Gastro intestinal system (78.3%) and most common drug being used is Tab. Ranitidine 140mg (50%). Next group is NSAIDs (68.33%) and most common drug being used is Tab. Diclofenac (46.7%). Antihypertensive drugs were prescribed in 53.3% of geriatrics, most commonly prescribed drug is Tab. Amlodipine (5mg). Self medication was found in 100%. Most common group of drugs used as self medication are GIT drugs, supplements and NSAIDs. In supplements (used in 63.3%), Cap. B Complex is widely used (50%).

Conclusions: Polypharmacy was found in 58.3% of individuals and highest in age group between 71-75 years and self medication was found to be the most important factor leading to polypharmacy. To counteract the problems associated with Polypharmacy, interventional studies are needed to improve the quality of life of geriatrics patients.

References

Maher RL, Hanlon J, Hajjar ER. Clinical consequences of polypharmacy in elderly. Expert opinion on drug safety. 2014 Jan 1;13(1):57-65.

Ingle GK, Nath A. Geriatric health in India: Concerns and solutions. Indian Journal of community medicine. 2008 Oct 1;33(4):214.

Dutta M, Prashad L. Prevalence and risk factors of polypharmacy among elderly in India: Evidence from SAGE Data.

Salwe KJ, Kalyansundaram D, Bahurupi Y. A study on polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions among elderly patients admitted in department of medicine of a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR. 2016 Feb;10(2):FC06.

Dagli RJ, Sharma A. Polypharmacy: a global risk factor for elderly people. Journal of international oral health: JIOH. 2014 Nov; 6(6): i.

SS M, MK S, Vishnu VG, Jose F, Siraj ST, Anand VP. The Prevalence of Polypharmacy in South Indian Patients: A Pharmacoepidemiological Approach. Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2012 Jul; 5 (3):40.

Rahmawati F, Pramantara IP, Rohmah W, Sulaiman SA. Polypharmacy and unnecessary drug therapy on geriatric hospitalized patients in yogyakarta hospitals, Indonesia. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2009 Nov;1(1):6-11.

Qata M. Dima. Use of Prescription ad OTC medications and dietary supplements among older adults, June 2009;300(50):2867-78.

O'Dwyer M, Peklar J, McCallion P, McCarron M, Henman MC. Factors associated with polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy.

Shah BM, Hajjar ER. Polypharmacy, adverse drug reactions, and geriatric syndromes. Clinics in geriatric medicine. 2012 May 31;28(2):173-86.

Rambhade S, Chakarborty A, Shrivastava A, Patil UK, Rambhade A. A survey on polypharmacy and use of inappropriate medications. Toxicology international. 2012 Jan;19(1):68.

JH Gunitz. Incidence and Preventability of ADR events among older persons. March 2003;289(9):1107-16.

Muir AJ, Sanders LL, Wilkinson WE, Schmader K. Reducing medication regimen complexity: a controlled trial. Journal of general internal medicine. 2001 Feb 1;16 (2):77-82.

Emily R, Hajjar A, Caferio C. Polypharmacy in elderly patients, The American J of Ger Poly. 2007;5(4):345-51.

Downloads

Published

2017-06-23

How to Cite

Rathod, G., G. K., N., Nagaral, J. V., G. N., S., P., D., Prema, M., & U. S., N. K. (2017). Factors associated with polypharmacy in geriatrics. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 6(7), 1763–1767. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20172745

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles