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Chae J, Cho HJ, Yoon SH, Kim DS. The association between continuous polypharmacy and hospitalization, emergency department visits, and death in older adults: a nationwide large cohort study. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1382990. [PMID: 39144630 PMCID: PMC11322047 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1382990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the association between continuous polypharmacy and hospitalization, emergency department (ED) visits, and death. Methods This retrospective study utilized 6,443,896 patients aged between 65 and 84 years of National Health Insurance claims data from 2016 to 2018. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were defined as the concurrent use of 5 or more and 10 or more medications, respectively, for durations of both 90 days or more and 180 days or more within a 1-year observation period. The primary outcome measures included all-cause hospitalization, ED visits, and mortality. Multiple logistic regression models were used adjusting for patients' general characteristics, comorbidities, and history of hospitalization or ED visits. Results Among 2,693,897 patients aged 65-84 years who had used medicines for 180 days or more (2,955,755 patients taking medicines for 90 days or more), the adverse outcomes were as follows: 20.5% (20.3%) experienced hospitalization, 10.9% (10.8%) visited the ED, and 1% (1%) died, respectively. In patients who exhibited polypharmacy for more than 180 days, the adjusted odds ratio of adverse outcomes was 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-1.33) for hospitalization, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.31-1.33) for ED visits, 1.63 (95% CI, 1.59-1.67) for death, and that in excessive polypharmacy patients for more than 180 days was 1.85 for hospitalization, 1.92 for ED visits, and 2.57 for death, compared to non-polypharmacy patients. Conclusion Our results suggest that polypharmacy in older adults might lead to negative health consequences. Thus, interventions to optimize polypharmacy may need to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungmi Chae
- Department of Research, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jin Cho
- Department of Research, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Heon Yoon
- Department of Research, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Sook Kim
- Department of Health Administration, Kongju National University, Gongju, Republic of Korea
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Tsang JY, Sperrin M, Blakeman T, Payne RA, Ashcroft D. Defining, identifying and addressing problematic polypharmacy within multimorbidity in primary care: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e081698. [PMID: 38803265 PMCID: PMC11129052 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polypharmacy and multimorbidity pose escalating challenges. Despite numerous attempts, interventions have yet to show consistent improvements in health outcomes. A key factor may be varied approaches to targeting patients for intervention. OBJECTIVES To explore how patients are targeted for intervention by examining the literature with respect to: understanding how polypharmacy is defined; identifying problematic polypharmacy in practice; and addressing problematic polypharmacy through interventions. DESIGN We performed a scoping review as defined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. SETTING The focus was on primary care settings. DATA SOURCES Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Cochrane along with ClinicalTrials.gov, Science.gov and WorldCat.org were searched from January 2004 to February 2024. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included all articles that had a focus on problematic polypharmacy in multimorbidity and primary care, incorporating multiple types of evidence, such as reviews, quantitative trials, qualitative studies and policy documents. Articles focussing on a single index disease or not written in English were excluded. EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS We performed a narrative synthesis, comparing themes and findings across the collective evidence to draw contextualised insights and conclusions. RESULTS In total, 157 articles were included. Case-finding methods often rely on basic medication counts (often five or more) without considering medical history or whether individual medications are clinically appropriate. Other approaches highlight specific drug indicators and interactions as potentially inappropriate prescribing, failing to capture a proportion of patients not fitting criteria. Different potentially inappropriate prescribing criteria also show significant inconsistencies in determining the appropriateness of medications, often neglecting to consider multimorbidity and underprescribing. This may hinder the identification of the precise population requiring intervention. CONCLUSIONS Improved strategies are needed to target patients with polypharmacy, which should consider patient perspectives, individual factors and clinical appropriateness. The development of a cross-cutting measure of problematic polypharmacy that consistently incorporates adjustment for multimorbidity may be a valuable next step to address frequent confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Yin Tsang
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester Division of Population Health Health Services Research and Primary Care, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GMPSRC), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew Sperrin
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GMPSRC), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Thomas Blakeman
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester Division of Population Health Health Services Research and Primary Care, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GMPSRC), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Rupert A Payne
- Department of Health and Community Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Darren Ashcroft
- NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GMPSRC), Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Nicholson K, Liu W, Fitzpatrick D, Hardacre KA, Roberts S, Salerno J, Stranges S, Fortin M, Mangin D. Prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy among adults and older adults: a systematic review. THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2024; 5:e287-e296. [PMID: 38452787 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(24)00007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Multimorbidity (multiple conditions) and polypharmacy (multiple medications) are increasingly common, yet there is a need to better understand the prevalence of co-occurrence. In this systematic review, we examined the prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy among adults (≥18 years) and older adults (≥65 years) in clinical and community settings. Six electronic databases were searched, and 87 studies were retained after two levels of screening. Most studies focused on adults 65 years and older and were done in population-based community settings. Although the operational definitions of multimorbidity and polypharmacy varied across studies, consistent cut-points (two or more conditions and five or more medications) were used across most studies. In older adult samples, the prevalence of multimorbidity ranged from 4·8% to 93·1%, while the prevalence of polypharmacy ranged from 2·6% to 86·6%. High heterogeneity between studies indicates the need for more consistent reporting of specific lists of conditions and medications used in operational definitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Nicholson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Winnie Liu
- Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Daire Fitzpatrick
- Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Kate Anne Hardacre
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah Roberts
- Michael G DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Salerno
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Saverio Stranges
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Martin Fortin
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Dee Mangin
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of General Practice, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Vennu V. Polypharmacy Is Associated with Sociodemographic Factors and Socioeconomic Status in United States Adults. PHARMACY 2024; 12:49. [PMID: 38525729 PMCID: PMC10961768 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12020049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
A thorough understanding of polypharmacy is required to create public health initiatives that minimize the potential for adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, socioeconomic status (SES), and polypharmacy risk in United States (US) individuals between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018. The cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset covered ten cycles between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018. All individuals aged ≥18 years were included. The simultaneous use of at least five medications by one person is known as polypharmacy. Multivariable logistic regression showed that there was a statistically significant association between polypharmacy sociodemographic factors (such as age between 45 and 64 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.60-3.92; p < 0.0001) and age of 65 years or above (OR = 3.96; 95% CI = 3.79-4.13; p < 0.0001), especially women (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.06-1.13; p < 0.0001), non-Hispanic blacks (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.51-1.83; p < 0.0001), and veterans (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.22-1.31; p < 0.0001)) and SES (such as being married (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.08-1.19; p = 0.031), widowed, divorced, or separated (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.15-1.26; p < 0.0001), a college graduate or above (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.15-1.27, p < 0.0001), and earning > USD 55,000 per year (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.79-1.93; p < 0.0001)). Individuals aged 45 years and above, women, and non-Hispanic blacks with higher educational levels and yearly incomes were more likely to experience polypharmacy in the US between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Vennu
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 10219, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia
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Woodall AA, Abuzour AS, Wilson SA, Mair FS, Buchan I, Sheard SB, Atkinson P, Joyce DW, Symon P, Walker LE. Management of antipsychotics in primary care: Insights from healthcare professionals and policy makers in the United Kingdom. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294974. [PMID: 38427674 PMCID: PMC10906843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antipsychotic medication is increasingly prescribed to patients with serious mental illness. Patients with serious mental illness often have cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities, and antipsychotics independently increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. Despite this, many patients prescribed antipsychotics are discharged to primary care without planned psychiatric review. We explore perceptions of healthcare professionals and managers/directors of policy regarding reasons for increasing prevalence and management of antipsychotics in primary care. METHODS Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 11 general practitioners (GPs), 8 psychiatrists, and 11 managers/directors of policy in the United Kingdom. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Respondents reported competency gaps that impaired ability to manage patients prescribed antipsychotic medications, arising from inadequate postgraduate training and professional development. GPs lacked confidence to manage antipsychotic medications alone; psychiatrists lacked skills to address cardiometabolic risks and did not perceive this as their role. Communication barriers, lack of integrated care records, limited psychology provision, lowered expectation towards patients with serious mental illness by professionals, and pressure to discharge from hospital resulted in patients in primary care becoming 'trapped' on antipsychotics, inhibiting opportunities to deprescribe. Organisational and contractual barriers between services exacerbate this risk, with socioeconomic deprivation and lack of access to non-pharmacological interventions driving overprescribing. Professionals voiced fears of censure if a catastrophic event occurred after stopping an antipsychotic. Facilitators to overcome these barriers were suggested. CONCLUSIONS People prescribed antipsychotics experience a fragmented health system and suboptimal care. Several interventions could be taken to improve care for this population, but inadequate availability of non-pharmacological interventions and socioeconomic factors increasing mental distress need policy change to improve outcomes. The role of professionals' fear of medicolegal or regulatory censure inhibiting antipsychotic deprescribing was a new finding in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan A. Woodall
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Powys Teaching Health Board, Bronllys Hospital, Powys, United Kingdom
| | - Aseel S. Abuzour
- Unit for Ageing and Stroke Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha A. Wilson
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Frances S. Mair
- General Practice & Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Iain Buchan
- NIHR Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sally B. Sheard
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Atkinson
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Dan W. Joyce
- NIHR Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Pyers Symon
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren E. Walker
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Naik H, Murray TM, Khan M, Daly-Grafstein D, Liu G, Kassen BO, Onrot J, Sutherland JM, Staples JA. Population-Based Trends in Complexity of Hospital Inpatients. JAMA Intern Med 2024; 184:183-192. [PMID: 38190179 PMCID: PMC10775081 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.7410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Importance Clinical experience suggests that hospital inpatients have become more complex over time, but few studies have evaluated this impression. Objective To assess whether there has been an increase in measures of hospital inpatient complexity over a 15-year period. Design, Setting and Participants This cohort study used population-based administrative health data from nonelective hospitalizations from April 1, 2002, to January 31, 2017, to describe trends in the complexity of inpatients in British Columbia, Canada. Hospitalizations were included for individuals 18 years and older and for which the most responsible diagnosis did not correspond to pregnancy, childbirth, the puerperal period, or the perinatal period. Data analysis was performed from July to November 2023. Exposure The passage of time (15-year study interval). Main Outcomes and Measures Measures of complexity included patient characteristics at the time of admission (eg, advanced age, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, recent hospitalization), features of the index hospitalization (eg, admission via the emergency department, multiple acute medical problems, use of intensive care, prolonged length of stay, in-hospital adverse events, in-hospital death), and 30-day outcomes after hospital discharge (eg, unplanned readmission, all-cause mortality). Logistic regression was used to estimate the relative change in each measure of complexity over the entire 15-year study interval. Results The final study cohort included 3 367 463 nonelective acute care hospital admissions occurring among 1 272 444 unique individuals (median [IQR] age, 66 [48-79] years; 49.1% female and 50.8% male individuals). Relative to the beginning of the study interval, inpatients at the end of the study interval were more likely to have been admitted via the emergency department (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% CI, 2.71-2.77), to have multimorbidity (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.47-1.53) and polypharmacy (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.78-1.85) at presentation, to receive treatment for 5 or more acute medical issues (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 2.02-2.09), and to experience an in-hospital adverse event (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.19-1.22). The likelihood of an intensive care unit stay and of in-hospital death declined over the study interval (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.97, and OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.80-0.83, respectively), but the risks of unplanned readmission and death in the 30 days after discharge increased (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.12-1.16, and OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.25-1.31, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance By most measures, hospital inpatients have become more complex over time. Health system planning should account for these trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiten Naik
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tyler M. Murray
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mayesha Khan
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel Daly-Grafstein
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Statistics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Guiping Liu
- Center for Health Services and Policy Research (CHSPR), School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Barry O. Kassen
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jake Onrot
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jason M. Sutherland
- Center for Health Services and Policy Research (CHSPR), School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John A. Staples
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Evaluation (C2E2), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Nazar G, Díaz-Toro F, Petermann-Rocha F, Lanuza F, Troncoso C, Leiva-Ordóñez AM, Concha-Cisternas Y, Celis-Morales C. Multimorbidity and 11-year mortality in adults: a prospective analysis using the Chilean National Health Survey. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad176. [PMID: 38128083 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on morbidity and mortality often emphasizes individual diseases over the cumulative effects of multimorbidity, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to analyze the association between multimorbidity and all-cause mortality in a representative sample of the Chilean population. This longitudinal study used data from 3701 subjects aged ≥15 years who participated in the Chilean National Health Survey conducted between 2009 and 2010. We included 16 self-reported highly prevalent morbidities. All-cause mortality data from an 11-year follow-up were collected from the Chilean Civil Registry. The Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for confounders, determined the association between multimorbidity categories and all-cause mortality. Of the total sample, 24.3% reported no morbidity, while 50.4% two or more. After adjustment, participants with four or more morbidities had a 1.66 times higher mortality risk [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.67] than those without morbidities. The mortality risk increased by 10% for each additional morbidity [HR: 1.09 (CI: 1.04-1.16)]. Multimorbidity was common in the Chilean population and increased the mortality risk, which greatly challenges the health system to provide an integral and coordinated approach to healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Nazar
- Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, 834-0518, Chile
| | - Felipe Díaz-Toro
- Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, 8370134, Chile
| | - Fanny Petermann-Rocha
- Facultad de Medicina, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, 8370134, Chile
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Fabián Lanuza
- Departamento de Procesos Diagnósticos y Evaluación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Temuco, 4813302, Chile
| | - Claudia Troncoso
- Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Salud Pública, Centro de Investigación en Educación y Desarrollo (CIEDE-UCSC), Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, 4090541, Chile
| | - Ana María Leiva-Ordóñez
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, 4811230, Chile
| | - Yeny Concha-Cisternas
- Facultad de Salud, Escuela de Kinesiología, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, 3465548, Chile
- Facultad de Educación, Pedagogía en Educación Física, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Carlos Celis-Morales
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom
- Human Performance Laboratory, Education, Physical Activity and Health Research Unit, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, 34809112, Chile
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Wang X, Liu K, Shirai K, Tang C, Hu Y, Wang Y, Hao Y, Dong JY. Prevalence and trends of polypharmacy in U.S. adults, 1999-2018. Glob Health Res Policy 2023; 8:25. [PMID: 37434230 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-023-00311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy is one of the most important health issues for its potential impacts on disease burden and healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to update a comprehensive picture of prevalence and trends in polypharmacy over 20 years in U.S. adults. METHODS Participants included 55,081 adults aged ≥ 20 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2018. The simultaneously use of ≥ 5 drugs in one individual was defined as polypharmacy. National prevalence and trends in polypharmacy were evaluated among U.S. adults within different demo-socioeconomic status and pre-existing diseases. RESULTS From 1999-2000 to 2017-2018, the overall percentages of adults with polypharmacy remained on the rise, increasing from 8.2% (7.2-9.2%) to 17.1% (15.7-18.5%) (average annual percentage change [AAPC] = 2.9%, P = .001). The polypharmacy prevalence was considerably higher in the elderly (from 23.5% to 44.1%), in adults with heart disease (from 40.6% to 61.7%), and in adults with diabetes (from 36.3% to 57.7%). Also, we observed a greater increase rate of polypharmacy in men (AAPC = 4.1%, P < .001), in the Mexican American (AAPC = 6.3%, P < .001), and in the non-Hispanic Black (AAPC = 4.4%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS From 1999-2000 to 2017-2018, the prevalence of polypharmacy is continually increasing in U.S. adults. The polypharmacy was especially higher in the older, in patients with heart disease, or diabetes. The high prevalence urges the healthcare providers and health policymakers to manage polypharmacy among specific population groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Wang
- Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Keyang Liu
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Kokoro Shirai
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Chengyao Tang
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Yonghua Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
- Medical Informatics Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness and Response, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
| | - Jia-Yi Dong
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
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Orenstein L, Chetrit A, Goldman A, Novikov I, Dankner R. Polypharmacy is differentially associated with 20-year mortality among community-dwelling elderly women and men: The Israel Glucose Intolerance, Obesity and Hypertension cohort study. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 211:111788. [PMID: 36758642 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly individuals are characterized by multimorbidity and high medication intake, entailing risks for adverse events. We examined the overall and sex-specific association of polypharmacy (≥5 drugs concurrently) with 20-year mortality among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS Survivors of the longitudinal Israel Study of Glucose Intolerance, Obesity, and Hypertension underwent extensive evaluation during 1999-2004, and were followed-up for all-cause mortality until 2019. Cox regression examined association of polypharmacy with all-cause mortality. RESULTS Data included 1210 participants (mean baseline age 72.9 ± 7.4 years, 53% females), 50.7% of them died over a median follow-up of 12.8 years. Women received a higher mean number of drugs (4.3 vs 3.5; p < 0.0001), were twice more likely to take vitamins, and had higher comorbidity. Polypharmacy prevalence was 38.3%, and more frequent with age, female sex, European-American origin, sedentary lifestyle and poor self-rated health. Polypharmacy was independently associated with mortality in women only (HR=1.41, 95%CI:1.05-1.89). An interaction was found with sex (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS Polypharmacy was more prevalent in older women than men and associated with increased 20-year mortality in women only. Sex-specific adaptation of guidelines for appropriate drug use among community-dwelling older adults is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Orenstein
- Unit for Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.
| | - Angela Chetrit
- Unit for Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel.
| | - Adam Goldman
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel; Department of Internal Medicine, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel.
| | - Ilya Novikov
- Biostatistics and Biomathematics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel.
| | - Rachel Dankner
- Unit for Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel.
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Ramos KA, Boing AC, Andrade JM, Bof de Andrade F. Polypharmacy among older adults in Brazil: Association with sociodemographic factors and access to health services. DIALOGUES IN HEALTH 2022; 1:100078. [PMID: 38515895 PMCID: PMC10953922 DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Polypharmacy is common among older adults and is of public health concern, since pharmacological therapy influences the quality of care for older individuals. Few studies have addressed its prevalence and correlates in low or middle-income countries. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy in a representative sample of the Brazilian older population and its association with sociodemographic conditions and factors related to access to health services. Methods Cross-sectional study with data from the last National Health Survey, conducted in 2019. The dependent variable was polypharmacy (five or more medications) and independent variables were: sociodemographic characteristics, general health conditions and access to health services indicator. Results The prevalence of polypharmacy was 19.2%. Polypharmacy was higher among those aged 80 years and over compared to those aged 60-69 years (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.47; 95% CI: 1.30; 1.66); individuals with complete elementary education (PR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.13; 1.60) versus those who did not go to school; with 3+ chronic diseases (PR 11.14; 95% CI: 7.94; 15.63); those with limitations in basic activities of daily life (PR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.35; 1.63) and possession of private medical health insurance (PR 1.32; 95% CI 1.19; 1.46). Being in a marital relationship was inversely associated with polypharmacy (PR 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80; 0.96). Conclusion Polypharmacy affects a significant proportion of the Brazilian older population and is associated with sociodemographic factors and access to health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Alves Ramos
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Mara Andrade
- René Rachou Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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