Drug-Related Problems and Polypharmacy in Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: At present, 19.2% of the Spanish population is aged 65 or older. Polypharmacy is a frequent condition among the elderly, especially in those living in nursing homes, which is associated with adverse outcomes, such as adverse drug events or drug-drug interactions. This study aimed to assess the pattern of polypharmacy in a nursing home in Leon, one of Spain’s most ageing regions, and its relationship with different drug-related problems. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study design was used; 222 residents were involved in this study. Data on drug use were collected from medical charts. Information was screened with the software CheckTheMeds, BOT PLUS and Drug-Reax. Residents were on a median of 7 medicines. Polypharmacy and inappropriate medications were present in 78.8% and 96.8% of residents, respectively. Drug-related problems were present in almost all the populations evaluated. Drug-drug interactions were very common in participants (81.1%), being severe/moderate in 24.7%. A high prevalence of polypharmacy and drug-related problems in the nursing home population assessed has been observed. A significantly higher risk of suffering drug-drug interactions was revealed for increasing polypharmacy and anticholinergic risk. A regular evaluation of drug prescribing in nursing home residents is necessary to minimize drug-related problems risk.

Keywords: drug-drug interactions; drug-related problems; elderly; medication; nursing home; polypharmacy (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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