A Study on the Perceptions of Korean Older Adult Patients and Caregivers about Polypharmacy and Deprescribing

Han-Gyul Lee, Seungwon Kwon (), Bo-Hyoung Jang, Jin Pyeong Jeon, Ye-Seul Lee, Woo-Sang Jung, Sang-Kwan Moon and Ki-Ho Cho
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Han-Gyul Lee: Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Seungwon Kwon: Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Bo-Hyoung Jang: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Jin Pyeong Jeon: Department of Neurosurgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24253, Korea
Ye-Seul Lee: Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul 06110, Korea
Woo-Sang Jung: Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Sang-Kwan Moon: Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Ki-Ho Cho: Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Polypharmacy is continuously increasing among older adults. The resultant potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) can be harmful to patient health. Deprescribing refers to stopping or reducing PIMs. In this study, the current status of polypharmacy and willingness of older adults to deprescribe were investigated among patients and caregivers who are not associated with one another. The survey used the Korean translated version of the revised Patients’ Attitude Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) Scale. Data were collected through an online survey of 500 participants (250 patients and caregivers each) in this study. The following results were found for patients and caregivers, respectively: 74.8% and 63.6% felt their number of medications was high, 64.4% and 55.6% desired to reduce their medications, 70.4% and 60.8% were concerned about medication discontinuation, 63.2% and 61.2% had a good understanding of their medications, 77.6% and 76.4% were willing to be well informed, and 79.6% and 72% wanted to reduce the number of medications if medically feasible. Patients and caregivers commonly agreed to the burden of the number of medications they were taking, and were willing to reduce the number of medications if the doctor said it was possible. Doctors should consider this information during the deprescribing process, and promote deprescription while involving patients and caregivers in the decision-making process.

Keywords: polypharmacy; deprescribing; older adults; survey; questionnaire (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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