Prevalence and Associated Factors of Polypharmacy in Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Raquel Cadenas, María José Diez, Nélida Fernández, Juan José García, Ana M. Sahagún, Matilde Sierra, Cristina López, Julen Susperregui and Raquel Díez
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Raquel Cadenas: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
María José Diez: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Nélida Fernández: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Juan José García: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Ana M. Sahagún: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Matilde Sierra: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Cristina López: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Julen Susperregui: Applied Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Raquel Díez: Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-9

Abstract: In Spain, there has been a progressive increase in aging. Specifically, Leon has been one of the Spanish provinces with the highest aging index. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among the elderly, with significant consequences for safety. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of drugs in a nursing home in the province of Leon and establish the relationship between polypharmacy and the most common comorbid diseases. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study design was used. Residents’ information and treatments were collected by reviewing on medical charts, completed with clinical information obtained from the physician of the nursing home. The mean age of residents was 86.8 years, and 63.8% were female. Mean medical consumption amounted to 7.02 prescriptions. Polypharmacy was observed in 54.9% of residents, and excessive polypharmacy in 22.1%. The most commonly used medications (ATC classification) were those acting on the cardiovascular system (84.4%) and the nervous system (82.8%). A high-level of drug consumption was observed in the nursing home. Interventions should focus on those residents hospitalized the last year and with recent contact with a general practitioner. There is a need to develop a comprehensive monitoring system to assess the quality of prescriptions for nursing home residents.

Keywords: aging; elderly; medication; nursing home; polypharmacy; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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